Braces in 30s?

[Yellowwellies1]

Anyone done this, and have any before and afters you can share? Any thoughts on fixed braces vs Invisalign? I'm almost 37 and suddenly it seems like everyone except me has perfect teeth?!

I had fixed braces in my 40’s, white ceramic for 16 months, very pleased with the results. Orthodontist advised that was better for me, there was a chance that Invisalign wouldn’t move my 2 front teeth back enough and I’d still need fixed at the end.
now have permanent retainers and use the plastic ones maybe 2/3 x a week as well, they get right if I leave it more than 2 weeks! Teeth still move, and I’m about 6/7 years post brace.

I worked in an orthodontic practice on Harley street and 95% of our patients were adults. You can get clear braces that arent that noticeable, I had them and am so glad I did!

I had fixed braces fitted at 48, I'm 6 months in and my teeth have moved a lot already, but I may still have another 12-18 months to go.

I wanted invisalign as I was self conscious about having braces but my overjet was too pronounced so I was advised to have fixed ones, although one orthodontist said I was suitable for invisalign and my teeth would be straight in 12 months, so get a few opinions!

I opted for clear ceramics in the end (Damon system) and they really aren't that noticeable until you really look closely. I wish I'd started this years ago.

Mid 30s and coming to the end of my Invisalign. I'm very pleased, my teeth look very different looking back at pictures now. It's taken nearly 2 years all in but I had a lot of crowding and it can definitely be quicker. I paid just under £4k

I had my braces off about 11 months ago aged 36. It was soooo worth it I wished I’d done it years ago.

forgot to add I had fixed metal braces, I was told I wasn’t a candidate for invaslign as I needed alot of movement.

I did it in my 30s, best thing ever. I'm just gutted I didn't do it sooner (especially for my wedding). I had ceramic instead of metal but I'd just go for metal if I had them again, once everyone's seen them you quickly lose thr self consciousness. Go for it, you won't regret it and if your orthodontist offers reduced teeth whitening afterwards do that too!

Loads of people in 30s and 40s have them, a mix of failed braces/non compliance leading to teeth moving or could only afford it later in life. Teens with braces in the uk are either rich parents or case really terrible that it's heavily discounted or nhs.

Thank you so much for all the responses!

What's the first step? My dentist offers invisalign, but don't know it it's worth booking an appointment with an orthodontist to see what course of treatment they'd recommend?

I would book in with an actual orthodontist rather than a dentist who does Invisalign just from past experiences

Your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist or phone around your local ones.

I went to a couple of dentists and I've been very happy with the one i chose. I didn't get referred to an orthodontist, if the dentist does Invisalign then they do it.

I probably should have gone to an orthodontist though as they are more specialised, I have a friend who used an orthodontist, I just didn't really think of it at the time. Happy regardless (just wonder if the orthodontist might have done it quicker?)

I would make appointments at a couple of different places, a lot of orthodontists will offer a free initial appointment. I saw treatment consultants at two appointments, I went with the one who referred my scan to the actual orthodontist as they gave me more confidence and didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear i.e. yes you can have invisalign and it'll only be 12 months.

I did but I took the cheapest option and let a dentist do it who promised me she gets amazing results and she said that I didn’t need an orthodontist.

Left me with a permanent overbite I didn’t have before, and tooth damage. I liked my teeth better before.

I do recommend you go ahead, but make sure you only let a fully qualified orthodontist touch your teeth, and don’t take the cheapest quote - it may be more expensive in the long run!

What I have learned…

• Have fixed braces
• Only hire an orthodontist
• Choose someone who offers a variety of different braces not just one type
• If you have a narrow jaw, extraction is probably better than expansion
• Ask for a fixed retainer on top and bottom front 4 teeth at end of treatment
• Get everything in writing especially their estimate of how long the treatment will take

I had lingual braces, which are fixed braces that go behind the teeth rather than in front. They're completely invisible from the outside.

They're better than Invisalign for more complex cases.

They're slightly more expensive than regular braces but I was very happy with the results and would 100% recommend them from a reputable orthodontist. There were times when I wouldn't have wanted normal braces on display (e.g. individual photographs for the company website) and I think the technology is improving all the time.

Go to an ortho, dont fear fixed braces. Go to a couple of orthos, dont just use a dentist who does invisalign.