Dental braces - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Dental braces

elpgal

Veteran

Do they work well when you are older? I would like to have a better smile but am worried about changing the shape of my jawline and more than that drawing attention to myself. I know it is an odd thing to be vain about when you are in your mid-30s but I have been thinking about them since I went to a wedding and found almost everybody has straight teeth.

Off Topic

18 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Adelfa

Veteran

I know a bunch of people who got braces in adulthood (one friend was in her 60s!) and they are all happy they did it.

marit

My mother decided to get braces in her mid-30s - she had a gap between her front teeth that she was self-conscious about. She was (and is) very pleased with the result.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

There are lots of options for braces if you are worried about the "metal mouth" portion of your treatment. It is rather painful, and if you get them young, there is a chance your teeth with shift again. I got mine done when I was 13, and there is some dental shift, although my massive overbite is now gone.

Some of the options I have seen are "reverse braces" where the brackets are installed on the back of your teeth. Invsalign are also common, but they apparently hurt like the dickens.

With all dental appliances, it's really hard to take care of your teeth while they are on, so make sure your dentist is on top of your oral health!

MsMaven

Veteran

My DH got braces a year ago at age 69. His teeth had worn down and his bite was off. It was miserable at first in part because of the pain and in part because he wouldn't follow the rules, among them no nuts. Every few weeks he was back to the orthodontist with a loose brace.

According to what he says, vanity also plays a part. He wants to recover his smile.

I'm not sure when he stopped complaining--several months ago. I could go on and on with stories, but I won't.

Don't worry--it's never too late to fix your teeth and smiles are very important, aren't they?

Lyn D.

Veteran

It might take a little longer than on a growing mouth, but the tooth-coloured ceramic braces are very discreet. Don't leave it and regret not doing it earlier!

MsMary

Veteran

I had braces in my 40s -- second time around after my bite shifted badly due to a bite guard that was supposed to keep me from grinding my teeth at night. I will tell you my quality of life took a massive hit while I had them on, but it was well worth it!

missvee

Veteran

Go for it! I had mine done in my early forties, and aside from a few comments when the braces first went on, most people really didn't notice. There's something called Invisalign too that you might want to investigate. I heard the process takes longer, but the braces don't show.

Irene

Veteran

I'm 24. This is me before starting the braces treatment and about two months after starting. As you can see, my teeth weren't really that bad but my jaw was slightly moving towards the left and doctor said it would get worse with time, so if I had to finally do it, I decided I'd rather do it now than when I am older, have more responsibilities, may want to move somewhere else, might not be able to afford it, etc. I'm wearing the ceramic ones, which are quite discreet, although from time to time I get metal lacing over them and, yes, it shows.

They were painful in the beginning and from time to time I still get oral ulcers (currently going through a phase). Not fun but bearable.

It's been a year this week and I still have six months to go (maximum, says doctor). I am happy I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Glory

Veteran

I can only speak for waiting in the ortho office for my 3 children. There are many many adults getting their teeth done, including 2 of the women who work there.
My brother and my neighbour also had braces as adults. The option wasn't available to them when they were younger.
Sometimes it is possible to have the invisalign which are see through - kind of like a retainer.
Here in Canada, you can book a consultation which you would pay for, but they can provide you a detailed assessment, prior to making a decision. You could call and see what the initial steps and costs would be.

celia

Veteran

Good question. Not having it available back home while growing up my teeth also need work done but for one reason or another I have arrived at my late 30's still in the 'should do' list.
From what I know they do work at any age and actually having your teeth straighten makes it easier to keep them healthy so I say go for it.You will be my inspiration.

Anonymous

I had braces in my mid 20s to correct a problem with TMJ. They really straightened out my teeth, and my problem was fixed. I have no regrets.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My brother had braces in his forties! And it was fine. He got a kind that are clear and you don't even see them (almost). It took longer, but it worked, and he is so, so happy he did it.

FlorenceFearne

I wish this post had been up before I got braces about 6 months ago, because I had concerns about those same things. Additionally, I am pretty young, and I was worried braces would make me look like a little girl. And I wear glasses and was afraid I'd look like "Ugly Betty" and my boyfriend would recoil in horror from my ugliness. Worry after worry. I even took myself out to a "last supper before braces," and cried the whole way through.

I had to have 4 teeth extracted to even get started, and I had big painful gaps. They had to give me "turbos" which made it so I couldn't chew for weeks. If it hadn't been for the fact that once the teeth were pulled, I couldn't go back without looking like a jack-o-lantern the rest of my life, I would have had them taken off without a second thought. Frankly, it was absolutely miserable. AND YET, it was a very, very good decision. Even though I wanted to punch everybody that told me it would get better after the first few weeks, I'm here to tell you that it did. After 6 months, there is a huge, visible difference. I already feel so happy with the changes. My boyfriend still likes me. And most importantly, this will help my teeth and gums remain healthy well into old age. So yes, they do work at any age. Go for it. It won't be fun, you'll miss taffy, but I bet it will be worth it.

ETA: No, I'm not saying people with braces actually look ugly. I'm saying I was being irrational and silly. And kind of a baby, to be honest. LOL

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I did invisalign in my late 30's. I was too vain for regular braces. It was totally worth it.

Jeanie

Veteran

I would do it as soon as you can. It can be painful but you will be so happy you did it. It's not really vain as straight teeth are easier to keep clean. Get a consultation and get all your questions answered to be sure. Usually it helps the shape of your face and straight teeth go a long way in making you look younger as you age. I had braces when I was young but my teeth have shifted and now avoid open mouthed smiles. The orthodontist says that the roots on some of my teeth shortened and they are a bit hesitant to put braces on again.

elpgal

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your experiences and the encouragement. I was able to get an early appointment and am going in for a consult later this week.

Kari

Veteran

After being insecure about her smile all her life and seeing how greatly braces impacted my sister and me, my mom took the plunge in her 40 's. she doesn't regret it at all. Her teeth were slower to move than a kid's, but they did move. She got perm-retainers out on (a wire in back of her teeth) afterwards; I wish they had done that for my sister and me, as our teeth shifted back somewhat years later. Mom's still look perfect.

elpgal

Veteran

Update: I saw my dentist today who discouraged me strongly from getting braces. His reasons were that my teeth are all straight and lined up with a small amount of wear. They are also closely spaced together so correcting the overbite would require removing healthy teeth. My wisdom teeth have not come in so that is another factor. Honestly, I am a bit disappointed. Not sure how to proceed - make peace with the current state of affairs or consult someone who specializes in braces.