Adult Braces

[SnarkyBag]

After many years of wanting to get my teeth fixed I’ve finally embarked on getting braces. I’ve just had the top set fitted.

Thought I might start an ongoing progress thread a) to keep track and keep positive as it’s a long time to wait for the end result and b) answer any questions for people thinking about getting braces.

In my case I have two missing teeth (congenital missing lateral incisors) at the top and some crowding at the bottom set. So my treatment plan is fixed braces to narrow the gap at the front, followed by composite bonding at the end. I have clear ceramic brackets on the top teeth and the bottom ones which will be fitted in a month will be gold brackets. I was unsure about the gold bracket options and was considering paying the additional £500 for clear ones but the orthodontist explained that in terms of doing their job the gold brackets are far superior.

The process of having them fitted was surprisingly quick and not painful at all. I would describe the feeling of having them on as really tight pressure. I haven’t found it painful although I’m noticing a small amount of sensitivity if I bite down when eating. The braces haven’t irritated the inside of my mouth at all but I’m feeling extra cautious about worrying if the wires will break!

I’m sticking to fairly soft foods at the minute as I’ll be honest eating isn’t painful but feels rather messy and uncomfortable. I have to avoid biting down using my front teeth so everything has to be cut up small and It’s not nice feeling good getting stuck around the brace TBH.

I’ve switched to a very soft headed toothbrush as I worry about snapping the wire whilst trying to clean thoroughly. Flossing and using dental sticks is quite hard but keeping on top of cleaning is going to be important. I’m going to try and make it easy on myself by cutting out sugary foods, sticking to fairly soft foods like pasta and making sure I clean after eating every time.

On the upside I anticipate losing a few lockdown pounds as I’m really not enjoying the eating process right now!

I will upload some progress pictures once there is some progress to be seen!

Hi, good luck with your braces journey! I have top and bottom classic silver train tracks (in my 40s). My treatment is free on the NHS as I need to have jaw surgery to align my jaws but am enjoying seeing my teeth straighten too! I've had my braces on since Feb 2019 and should have surgery early next year and braces off shortly after that. Can't wait!

I've got totally used to the braces now. Felt a little self conscious at first but so many people have said they wished they could fix their teeth. My tip would be to use the orthodontic wax as soon as you feel any rubbing as I left it a while and my cheeks got cut up and sore. And teepee sticks are good for cleaning in between brackets.

Good for you, op! My grandmother got braces at the age of 54 back in the 70s and she never, ever regretted it. She was so thrilled with her beautiful smile and was until she died at 98. You will be thrilled, too!

Good luck, OP! I had braces for 2 years as an adult and although there were some tough times it was 100% worth it. Hope you get great results.

Good luck, I have 8 weeks of invisaliagn left. Wish I'd had train tracks like you, I think that I might end up with them anyway as I don't think my invisalign is tracking properly.

Good to hear from others who have done it and pleased with the results!

Can I ask how much people are paying please? I would like mine done

Mine are going to be £6500 but that includes the cost of a crown that needed doing first plus composite bonding. It may come in at slightly less depending on how much composite bonding is needed at the end but they gave me worse case scenario for the treatment plan. I think the composite bonding alone is about £1500.

@SnarkyBag

Mine are going to be £6500 but that includes the cost of a crown that needed doing first plus composite bonding. It may come in at slightly less depending on how much composite bonding is needed at the end but they gave me worse case scenario for the treatment plan. I think the composite bonding alone is about £1500.

Good luck OP. Following, as I'm awaiting braces too!

How long from first referral to then getting then fitted please?

I had my first consultation end of July followed by a very thorough hygienist appointment, a temporary crown fitted in August and the permanent crown fitted beginning of September (there was a delay on it being sent from the lab) followed by scans . I was meant to get the top braces fitted at the end of September but had to push it back due to needing to get a PCR test.

I guess if you don’t need any work doing beforehand it’s a bit quicker.

Oh and the bottom braces will go on end of November.

Good luck. I'm getting mine fitted tomorrow so good to hear from someone else going through the same experience. Mine are fixed top and bottom - clear brackets but metal wire. Costs £3900 but I also paid £250 to have 4 teeth removed as mine are very overcrowded. Should take 18 months, which seems a long time at the moment.

Train tracks at 47+
Been off 2 years now..
Cost price of £1500..
Paid 400 deposit and paid a bit at each appointment..
Orthodontist didn't have the best 'bedside manner' but got a great job done!
Had a big over bite (front 2 a bit crossed) and crossed bottom front 2. Didn't get 2 too ones out as didn't want to lose fullness of top lip!

@bizboz

Good luck. I'm getting mine fitted tomorrow so good to hear from someone else going through the same experience. Mine are fixed top and bottom - clear brackets but metal wire. Costs £3900 but I also paid £250 to have 4 teeth removed as mine are very overcrowded. Should take 18 months, which seems a long time at the moment.

Yes 18 months does feel like a long time but then I realise if planned to start this process last year just before Covid hit. If I’d been able to go ahead I’d only be a few months off finishing! When I look back the last year has somewhat flown by in a blur!

Would anyone be willing to share before and after pics.......im currently on a waiting list.
I hate my teeth I love that I have to wear a face mask.
Ive never felt I was worthwhile having my teeth done but suddenly one day I changed my mind.

Best thing I did. Trying to add pics but hit photos aren't appearing.

Top is after and bottom before I started. I did invisalign rather than metal braces.

My costs were £3200 (this includes all the visits to the dentist, the clear invisalign trays, 3 sets of clear night retainers for when treatment is finished, fitting of the metal wire retainer at the end, tooth whitening). I paid £150 *2 to have my lateral incisors bonded. Altogether my treatment time was 20 months but it took longer as I didn't always wear my trays properly so would change after 3 weeks rather than 10 days/2 weeks. I didn't really mind and was in no rush to finish.

@teaandakitkattodunk

Top is after and bottom before I started. I did invisalign rather than metal braces.

Fabulous results!

@teaandakitkattodunk oh thanks for sharing. Brilliant results!!
Do you all get teeth whitening after??

I started tooth whitening but because I was pregnant they told me not to do any more so I didn't do much. Will probably put gel in my retainers once I have given birth

@teaandakitkattodunk

Top is after and bottom before I started. I did invisalign rather than metal braces.

Absolutely fabulous results. My daughter, 29, has just embarked on a two year journey. She’s had lingual braces fitted and will have six hours of jaw surgery. The bill is astronomical. She had NHS braces as a teenager but her jaw has grown out of alignment in the last 5/6 years (who knew it could happen) and she has an overbite. Heartbreaking as her teeth were perfect aged 16-21. I will sow her your photos for encouragement.

Am I too old for braces? I'm 56 and want to get my teeth sorted out as I've always been self conscious about them. I would love to be able to laugh and smile with confidence.

@Happytoknow not too old! If you are on Facebook there is an invisalign group with people all over the world. Join it and ask there- it's a supportive place and great for info.

sleepyhoglet, Thankyou 👍

@teaandakitkattodunk

Top is after and bottom before I started. I did invisalign rather than metal braces.

Congratulations.

I'm still waiting for my first appointment with orthodontist. I'm wondering if they will let me just have top fixed brace. It looks like it's more than half the price compared to a full set, and my bottom teeth are kind of symmetrically crooked and I don't mind them at all. Plus I'm thinking, half the discomfort!