Adult braces for teeth

1of2 · 2023-05-07T10:24:49+00:00

Hi all! Does anyone have any experience with having braces as an adult? I have what I believe to be an overcrowding issue with both my top and bottom set and would love a brace to correct. I don’t mind wether it be Invisalign or standard metal. I’d take anything! just looking to see if anyone has had them as an adult and the cost etc involved? thank you! X

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 07/05/2023 11:26

I paid around £4k for train tracks top and bottom, and it's probably been the best money I've spent, I'm really pleased with how my teeth look now (which has had a knock on effect on my self confidence)

Eggseggseverywhere · 07/05/2023 11:36

1500 via NHS orthodontist.. Train tracks for 10 months. No teeth out so still a slight overbite but teeth straight top and bottom now. Teeth out would have given better results but top lip drop back put me off.. Retainer every third night. Broken 2 at 90 quid each replaced!
Hadn't known that bit tbh!
I was 48 when I had them on..

TheNinjaWife · 07/05/2023 12:25

I had fixed train tracks in my 30’s which was 20 years ago, before it became fashionable to have them fixed at a late age. I had almost had braces in my teens. I actually got all my treatment on the NHS, because it turned out I had a jaw deformity. This was not outwardly noticeable. I had had teeth crowding and teeth removed to allow for space. This resulted in an overbite which worsened in time. I also actually ended up requiring 2 jaw ops.
If you have an NHS dentist I would start from there. That way you should get an honest opinion.
There are probably better options these days. My DD had the Invisalign in later life. Fab results and only took a few months to my 2 years. Not that they would probably have worked for me.
I was also very self conscious of my teeth. Although years later catching up with old friends no one had seemed to notice it much!

Lifeetc · 07/05/2023 12:47

Just started my braces last week
Mine are fixed metal, I think it's a "six months smile", NHS dentist but private orthodontics, it's going to cost less than a grand.
I broke one of my brackets on the first night on my sleep! Wires rubbed like crazy for first few days but can be eased with salt water rinses, anbesol and wax.
I can't wait to see the improvement and deffo wished I'd push to do this earlier (my dentist at the time didn't seem interested)
I'm 41

CaribouCarafe · 07/05/2023 12:58

I had braces as an adult and am happy I did, however I wish I'd gone with an orthodontist rather than a general dentist (whose only goal was the aesthetics), since my bite isn't as good as it previously was and he overexpanded my teeth (which means my gums look more receded than they would've been had he extracted some teeth to make space). But overall I think my teeth look better than they did.

CaribouCarafe · 07/05/2023 12:59

^ I think it cost me about £1000 (possibly less) 5 years ago

SparklyTwinkleGlitter · 07/05/2023 13:09

Yes! I've had adult braces in my forties as my teeth had moved forwards and I wasn't given a retainer when I had them straightened in my teens and again in my early 20's. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Luckily I paid nothing for any of these treatments.

My normal dentist referred me to the nearby Dental Hospital who teach a Postgrad Orthodontics course and they needed some adult patients as experience for the students (who are already qualified dentists). Obviously, they're mostly treating teenagers.

My teeth are still not great and have moved a little bit again but my main problem is a too long/deep top lip section which means you can't actually see my top teeth when I smile as it covers them. No-one has ever suggested how that can be fixed and in my fifties, I've long accepted my weird ugly mush. 😳😂

Original poster

1of2 · 07/05/2023 15:59

Thank you for the replies everyone, I really appreciate it. I’m going for a check up with my normal dentist within the next month so will ask him and see.
i wouldn’t mind getting a student orthadontist on the case. Anything would be better than current! X

OP posts:

burnoutbabe · 07/05/2023 16:07

Just started sparks (a form of Invisalign)

£4000 for 30 top and bottom units. Wear for 22 hours a day, remove eating and drinking. Pretty much invisible. Been 3 weeks now, seem okay so far but not yet tried a set that moves the teeth, may hurt them.

ClaraBourne · 07/05/2023 16:11

About £3500 from Total Orthodontics. Metal train tracks. I had a very crowded mouth with a prominent snag tooth. Nightmare keeping clean. Took the plunge as I never smiled. Nearly done now. Interest free, I pay monthly. Wish I had done it years ago! Do it!

Original poster

1of2 · 07/05/2023 20:59

ClaraBourne · 07/05/2023 16:11

About £3500 from Total Orthodontics. Metal train tracks. I had a very crowded mouth with a prominent snag tooth. Nightmare keeping clean. Took the plunge as I never smiled. Nearly done now. Interest free, I pay monthly. Wish I had done it years ago! Do it!

Can I ask how much you pay a month?! 🥸 please feel free to ignore if you wish.

OP posts:

ClaraBourne · 08/05/2023 00:47

I pay about £90 but there were so many different options, as low as £40 I think over a longer period. I got a free consulattion to see if braces were a good option then they sent me the financing options. I hated my teeth, even with braces I'd smile more as I knew the braces were a signal that I was doing something. People would ask me (I'm in 50s!) about them.You need to be very careful about cleaning.

Bizarrely when I say i got them because my teeth were so crooked people would say they never noticed but I think they were being kind!

CampervanKween · 08/05/2023 01:06

I'm nearly finished with invisalign. Has been pain free and I'm really pleased with the whole process. Teeth look so much better. Would recommend.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 08/05/2023 01:22

Got train tracks in my early 50's, cost c£4000 top and bottom. Can't say it was pain free but I've never regretted it. Then paid £300 for whitening and I could finally smile without embarrassment.
I have a fixed retainer wire top and bottom to keep teeth in place and removable retainers that I wore every night for 6 months, every other night for a further 6 months and now when ever I remember. (probably not often enough.)
It's definitely worth getting fixed retaining wires after treatment because adult teeth want to move back to their old positions.

KnackeredSheep · 08/05/2023 09:46

I’m half way through. Fixed ceramics top and bottom, so lots of people don’t actually notice them unless they’re close up. Will have a fixed retainer when the braces come off.

Mine cost £3900 I think. 2k upfront and then £200pm.

The only thing I would say is please go and see a proper orthodontist rather than a cosmetic dentist. My orthodontist says lots of her patients are people who’ve had Invisalign with a cosmetic dentist and they’ve ended up with problems. She says Invisalign is great for some people, but not all. A cosmetic dentist has only usually had 2 days training and will recommend Invisalign for everyone when it might not necessarily be the best thing.

Topsyandtim123 · 26/08/2023 22:48

Where are you based- I like the ceramic braces and would look to get them

Original poster

1of2 · 26/08/2023 22:57

Hi! Still saving up to put towards here so no progress as yet. Unfortunately can’t afford a large up front payment. Will probably get the fixed ones though - hoping in the next couple of years.

OP posts:

ClaraBourne · 27/08/2023 23:29

I didn't have to pay anything upfront. I am with Total Orthodontics. They can give you a finance plan. I paid 0% interest.

JKDcot · 09/02/2024 17:30

For those that had fixed ceramic braces. How long did it take before you got used to the sensation of them in? And didn’t feel self conscious talking! I’m a few days in and struggling I can’t imagine they will ever feel ok??

KnackeredSheep · 09/02/2024 22:17

JKDcot · 09/02/2024 17:30

For those that had fixed ceramic braces. How long did it take before you got used to the sensation of them in? And didn’t feel self conscious talking! I’m a few days in and struggling I can’t imagine they will ever feel ok??

Maybe a week or so. I can’t really remember. Mine has been on for over a year now and I don’t notice it at all.

JKDcot · 10/02/2024 19:59

Did anyone consider just getting them taken off? I’m on day 4 and it’s not good. My mouth is very sore, I can’t eat, I feel really self conscious and have a lisp. Not sure why I started this? Can’t do 2 years???

sevencontinents · 10/02/2024 20:33

Don't give up JKD! It takes a short while to get used to but your mouth will adapt and then you stop noticing them and you won't regret it!

JKDcot · 10/02/2024 21:44

I hope my mouth does get used to it! Feels so uncomfortable and I just want to get them out. Thanks for the support

NorthernSpirit · 10/02/2024 21:52

I’m 52, started Invisalign Lite 6 months ago (£3,700).

I have 14 trays with 2 week changes. I have 1 tray to go.

Would highly recommend. Yes - you have to be disciplined and wear the trays for 22 hours a day and yes, it’s a pain having to take the trays out to eat & drink but the results are amazing.

Wished I had done it years ago!

Gatekeeper · 10/02/2024 22:02

Im 60 and am on tray 16 of Invisilign ..my fab dentist recommended an orthodontist for this ans Im happy so far. I have 22 trays which I change weekly ans will then go back to discuss refinements and more trays. Cost me just over £4,000 but its made a massive difference already to my horrible, overcrowded teeth/narrow smile/overjet. Hate the feel of the buggers and Im still lisping like Winston Churchill despite being told that would soon wear off but the end justifies it