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Original poster

Adult braces

54 replies

whytheygetworse · 14/06/2021 16:19

I've always put off having braces - as a teenager, I was told I'd need to have jaw surgery and wear a head brace and possibly have extractions and that it all still might not work.
Now I've decided to see what the options are and have an appointment with an orthodontist in a few weeks.
Has anyone got braces as an adult and what was your experience like? I have crowding top and bottom and also quite a big overjet. Also still have some issues with my jaw but really don't want to have to have surgery so hoping there's another route. To be honest if I could at least straighten my top teeth at the front I would be happy!

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Monkeytapper · 14/06/2021 16:42

I had upper fixed braces on about 7 years ago aged 36…..they were on for about 18months in total. Cost approx £2.5k. Also and a new crown and 3 teeth at front composite bonding.

Felt a little self conscious at first being older with metal braces, but well worth it. Before and after pics

Adult braces
Adult braces
Bigwave · 14/06/2021 17:33

I currently have a clear aligner- suresmile on which is like invisalign. costs £2200 and teeth should be done in 5 months. I've told a few people I'm wearing them but they said they wouldn't have noticed had I not pointed it out. they're a bit annoying having to take them off to eat/drink although it does stop me snacking throughout the day. overall v happy with them so far.

Watercolours272 · 14/06/2021 18:40

Go for it and do it with confidence! I had braces as an adult, similar problems to you. I just had my front teeth straightened rather than dealing with the jaw/crowding. I was so thrilled with the results ans shocked at the difference it made to my confidence afterwards. They also offered me discounted tooth whitening afterwards which really gave me an extra boost.

Original poster
whytheygetworse · 14/06/2021 21:59

@Monkeytapper

I had upper fixed braces on about 7 years ago aged 36…..they were on for about 18months in total. Cost approx £2.5k. Also and a new crown and 3 teeth at front composite bonding.

Felt a little self conscious at first being older with metal braces, but well worth it. Before and after pics

Wow, that's amazing difference! You must be so pleased with that!
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Original poster
whytheygetworse · 14/06/2021 22:00

@Bigwave

I currently have a clear aligner- suresmile on which is like invisalign. costs £2200 and teeth should be done in 5 months. I've told a few people I'm wearing them but they said they wouldn't have noticed had I not pointed it out. they're a bit annoying having to take them off to eat/drink although it does stop me snacking throughout the day. overall v happy with them so far.
I'd be happy with clear aligners if they are an option for me! Just not sure whether they would work for me but will see what they say!
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Original poster
whytheygetworse · 14/06/2021 22:01

@Watercolours272

Go for it and do it with confidence! I had braces as an adult, similar problems to you. I just had my front teeth straightened rather than dealing with the jaw/crowding. I was so thrilled with the results ans shocked at the difference it made to my confidence afterwards. They also offered me discounted tooth whitening afterwards which really gave me an extra boost.
Were they happy enough to just fix those teeth? I wasn't sure if they would try and talk me in to sorting out the jaw issues etc as well whereas really I just want my front teeth to be straight as they're the ones that bother me!
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Squiz81 · 14/06/2021 22:18

I’d imagine most orthodontist will want to correct all the jaw issues as they are all about having a correct bite and not just the cosmetic side of things

I had Invisalign and the treatment went on beyond the point of where I was happy with the look as my dr wanted to correct the bite properly. She was insistent that my teeth movement would be worse otherwise.

My friend had Invisalign same time as me. She had quite a horsey mouth before, if you know what I mean by that - she did need a few extractions but the Invisalign has worked miracles, completely changed her face shape. It’s amazing what little bits of plastic can do!

Squiz81 · 14/06/2021 22:19

This is my before and after. 18 months of Invisalign. It’s a bit of a pain, but worth it. You are supposed to remove them to eat / drink, but I just used a straw for drinks.

Adult braces
30degreesandmeltinghere · 14/06/2021 22:21

I had an overbite and crooked front teeth top and bottom. At 47 he said teeth removal would leave a thinner top lip which I didn't want. So I had fixed train tracks for 10 months. Straight teeth but still a slight overbite.. Was more wanting teeth that were straight which I have got now!! All in all very pleased!
He charged me NHS rate. £1500 payable in installments at each appointment..

MrsGannicus · 14/06/2021 22:36

I have a 14mm overjet and was offered jaw surgery in my late teens/early 20s but was too scared to have it. I'm in my 40s now and went to a private orthodontist for a quote for braces but they referred me to the hospital team. I now have metal braces top and bottom on the NHS and on the waiting list for the jaw surgery. I'm a bit nervous but feel like I really want to get it sorted out now. The braces don't bother me at all as an adult now. I've got used to them and love how straight they've made me teeth.
I'd say go to an orthodontist and have a chat with them about the options.

Dinnertime22 · 15/06/2021 05:26

I currently have fixed braces and although it is uncomfortable at times it is working. This is more to align my overbite and straighten slightly. Find an experienced orthodontist. Mine was 3k and wil take 18 months.

Ohpulltheotherone · 15/06/2021 11:08

I had aligners at 40, best thing I could have done.
Uncomfortable sometimes but I wouldn’t call it painful and the discomfort only really occurs on the days you change your tray.
Mine took 6 months, had crowding on the bottom and although my top were straightish I had some snaggle teeth which pushed forward whilst my front teeth were pushed back.
My bite was totally off! I never realised just how off my teeth were until I saw the scans.

I couldn’t recommend Invisalign more tbh.

Ohpulltheotherone · 15/06/2021 11:09

Oh I should add Invisalign 3.5k and 6ish months for medium level correction. My orthodontist said she rarely treats anyone past about 9 months - it’s a lot quicker than fixed braces - although perhaps they are not always suitable ?

SorrelForbes · 15/06/2021 11:43

I've just had my second sent of fixed (clear this time but previously, metal) braces removed. I had the first set in my 30s, along with jaw surgery, but sadly as I didn't have a fixed retainer, the teeth moved again. This time, I have a metal fixed retainer at the back of my top teeth so nothing is going anywhere.

I was advised against Invisaline (or similar) both times so bear in mind that they aren't suitable for everyone. I definitely wouldn't have got as good a result without the surgery either and TBH, the surgery was a doddle. A few days of swelling and soft foods and that was that.

Happy to answer any questions Smile

Original poster
whytheygetworse · 15/06/2021 18:23

Thanks for the responses. I'm jealous of the after pics people are sharing - I hope I can end up with a result like these!

@SorrelForbes what was the jaw surgery like? I feel like I don't know enough about it but as soon as I hear the word surgery it just makes me panic and puts me off. Blush

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LemonLemonLemon · 15/06/2021 18:41

I had fixed metal braces at 27 as my teeth needed too much movement for invisalign.

I had white blocks and bands and to me it was the most obvious thing. I turned up late to work one morning and none of my colleagues said anything. I got myself really worked up thinking it was because it looked so bad they felt sorry for me. Toward the end of the day someone piped up and said “bloody hell did you get them today? I didn’t even notice!” And a few people chipped in that they’d not seen them at all.

I now have a fixed wire at the back and am really pleased with the result.

ladybee28 · 15/06/2021 19:44

My fixed metal braces are coming off in August after 2 years.

Best thing I ever did for myself. I'm so proud of taking such a solid step to take care of myself, and OMG the difference is unreal.

It took a few weeks to get used to, but I've LOVED tracking the progress and so many of my friends are considering it now, too.

Adult braces
Adult braces
irresistibleoverwhelm · 15/06/2021 19:57

I had fixed braces for 2 years when I was around 30 and hardly anyone even noticed. The results were good, but they have shifted back a bit since - even with fixed and nightly retainers they don't tend to stay exactly where they were realigned. But overall I was very happy!

Laufeythejust · 15/06/2021 19:58

My teeth were in a terrible state. I ended up having to get it through the NHS as they thought I’d need surgery to pull down teeth that had never appeared. Thankfully straightening the others gave them enough room to appear on their own (I was teething at 24!). I had 4 baby teeth removed and 4 adult teeth.
I did 6 months of a removable brace, 4 years of fixed metal braces and now have a retainer that I sleep in at night.
Honestly it’s the best decision I have ever made. It’s painful when you get them tightened and I suffered terribly with ulcers too but I’m so much more confident now. I was self conscious about them at first but you forget about them after a while and I never had anyone make any negative comments- people end up confiding in you about their own teeth.

Adult braces
Adult braces
Muffinpuffin · 15/06/2021 20:12

I'm in my late twenties and seeing an orthodontist in the hospital via referral for this exact same problem. For me I have always had an overjet but it has gotten worse with age and is now significantly affecting my confidence. The only solution for my problem is braces and surgery - terrified and can't make up my mind about what to do!Confused good to hear that the surgery wasn't too horrendous for you @SorrelForbes Flowers I think problems with teeth really bleed into everyday life in lots of different ways, definitely good to get them fixed if you can Wink

Original poster
whytheygetworse · 15/06/2021 21:01

Seeing these pictures definitely makes me realise how much I want my teeth fixed! I've put it off so many times before but I will definitely see what my options are.

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ladybee28 · 16/06/2021 06:52

@whytheygetworse

Seeing these pictures definitely makes me realise how much I want my teeth fixed! I've put it off so many times before but I will definitely see what my options are.
The r/braces subreddit is GREAT for before and after inspiration - lots of amazing pictures on there and some very reassuring and knowledgeable people.
Twizbe · 16/06/2021 07:37

I have just had my fixed braces off. I'm 37. I had a huge overbite and crowding on the top.

I had to have 2 premolars removed before treatment started. That wasn't nice and I do remember thinking what have I done after that.

I had upper and lower fixed braces and they were on for about 18 months.

Overall the process was ok, they hurt for a day or two after each adjustment but I learnt how to cope with that.

I'm super pleased with the result and wish I'd done it sooner.

My orthodontist did say that with mask wearing more people are coming forward for treatment. It's obviously a good time to do it lol

GorgeousDays · 16/06/2021 07:40

@whytheygetworse Just to give you confidence, my Mum had her first brace at 75!

She had very crowded teeth and 2 were like vampire fangs on the top.
She had 2 extractions and a fixed brace for 18 months.

I have overcrowding too and have had assessments- I'd need two extractions on the top and a fixed brace for 18 months. I've probably decided not to do it simply as I don't want to lose teeth and people say my teeth are okay. (Although they are always worse than the photos people post here - most of them look fine to me!)

GorgeousDays · 16/06/2021 07:46

@Squiz81

This is my before and after. 18 months of Invisalign. It’s a bit of a pain, but worth it. You are supposed to remove them to eat / drink, but I just used a straw for drinks.
@Squiz81 I'm really interested that you had Invisalign. I hope you might see this and advise me.

I had 2 assessments for it. First dentist was a bit salesy and said I'd need teeth filing down to use it (which I've read isn't a great move) and the 2nd dentist (at my practice, but not my actual dentist) said I'd need extractions as not enough room to move my teeth with Invisalign.

However, my teeth don't appear quite as crowded as yours. The two centre front ones overlap a little and one tooth next to those sticks out (that's the worst one.)

Did you have your teeth filed or any removed?