Poll: At What Age Did You Get Your Braces?

[mgjg1206]

I am 25 turning 26 and it took me, what seemed like a LONG time to decide to get braces; well, here I am first day in braces. I think that being an adult I am far more likely to take care of my teeth and be aware of the things I eat. Not to mention the biggie, far more likely to were my retainer when the treatment is over. I'm paying $5425! I better take care of my teeth and keep them beautiful! Especially, since I see my own children having a future braces, this would be a perfect time to be a perfect role model on pretty teeth.

[OldBikerBag]

I'm 43, first time in braces, better be the last. I have the Damon 3 with upper front 6 being clear....or ceramic....or whatever they are that you can't really see them. Vanity for vanity's sake.

When it's all said and done, I will have invested nearly $10K in my teeth...between replacing all of the old amalgam fillings with resin (or whatever the tooth colored fillings are called) because amalgam has a bad habit of cracking teeth...and the braces themselves.

I am correcting a lifelong overbite and minor lower crowding. The narrow upper arch caused my canines to conflict, which meant my lower jaw had to slide back about ⅓ inch to close the molars together. This caused TMJD, which is a whole 'nother can of worms. Also, the lower front teeth have wandered upward in a fairly severe arch thet has them nearly brushing the roof of my mouth.

It was the lower teeth that prompted me to seek treatment from an ortho. I was more concerned with losing my lower front teeth than correcting the overbite. I figured it was a bit late SPAM SPAM SPAMMING to worry about that mess. Well, in order to correct the lower arch and crowding, the upper narrow arch has to be addressed. I refused to allow extractions or sanding, so we just have to work with what I was issued via genetics. I want to look like me. If that means I have a little overbite when we're finished, I can live with that. I do not have unrealistic visions of perfection.

Besides. Lots of guys think a little overbite is attractive. I'm kewl with that.

[Felis]

Well, I'm 26 and delayed in getting braces for 14 years.

I remember when Mum brought me to an ortho when I was 12, and we were told that at some point in my life I would need braces. I could have got them there and then, but I flat-out refused. My vain little self refused to be seen wearing braces; I would love to go back in time and kick that little brat in the bum.

When I was 16, the first problems started to appear; overcrowding in the bottom jaw and my wisdom teeth starting erupting (very early!). When I was 19, I noticed that my wisdom teeth were seriously bothering me and they needed to be removed, but they had already caused a lot of damage in terms of extra crowding. From then until now, I just hated the way my teeth look and the way they "fit", so I saw a few orthos to get some opinions, but I never really commited to the idea. When I moved to Australia and got a good job, I realised that this was the best point in my life to sort my teeth out; so I did!

If only my parents had forced me to get braces!

[juliebraces]

It is looking like I will be 21 when I get my braces.

[Darrinoc]

I'm 41 and i wish I knew better at a younger age how bad my teeth looked. I now realize how I avoided pictures and never smiled in public. It was a macho belief that I couldn't wear braces.
I guess it's better late than never. I know I've made the right decision.

[ITALIANNYC]

Starting the process on Thursday. 26 years old.

[xanidu2012]

This is my 2nd go round wearing braces . The 1st time I was 10 and they were not off until age 15. I think if I had permanent retainers my teeth wouldn't have gone back to their former positions.

[Angel269]

I am 24-Haven't started just yet but am aiming to within the next month or two. Never had them before.

[sweaver29]

I had my braces put on right after my 24th birthday in 2005. I still have them on and it doesn't look like they'll be coming off any time soon. :/

[OldBikerBag]

I had my braces put on right after my 24th birthday in 2005. I still have them on and it doesn't look like they'll be coming off any time soon. :/

Wow! Seven years? Did you have a tooth growing out of the middle of your forehead?

[sweaver29]

[quote="OldBikerBag"][quote="sweaver29"]I had my braces put on right after my 24th birthday in 2005. I still have them on and it doesn't look like they'll be coming off any time soon. :/[/quote]
Wow! Seven years? Did you have a tooth growing out of the middle of your forehead? :yikes:[/quote]

Ha...seems like it, right? I had an impacted eye tooth. It's apparently extremely stubborn...

[Ashybear]

I'm 22 and getting my braces on in 12 days. Before I came to this site, I really didn't think many adults had braces. I felt like I'd be the only one. My estimated treatment time is 21-24 months, which seems forever. But I'll be able to smile in photos when it's all done :)

[nikkibabie19]

I'm 21.......First time in braces. Always needed it..But my mom couldnt afford it when i was young.

So now that i have a job i can afford it so im braced..

Expected treatment time is 18-24 months

[tamelia2005]

I'm 38 and today marks 2 weeks in :)

Expected treatment 15 months

[Elegra]

I first got braces at about 12, had 6 extractions of adult teet, fixed lower brace and arch widening upper plate, then plate on my bottom teeth. Had them for about 3 or 4 years. Teeth looked great, ortho never told me (or even gave me I think) that I had to wear my retainers... forever!

So teeth went back to being completely wonky really quickly, probably 2 years later they were all skewy again.

Got my top and bottom linguals in Feb 2011 at age of 33 and I love them! (Though despite quick arch widening they are taking ages to do make any impact on my squint front teeth). Prob got another 6 months to go.

Interestingly my dentist (he's not an ortho) specialises in spinal alignment and the impact your jaw has on posture etc. On my first consultation, the very first thing he did before looking at my teeth was look at my stance and how I was aligned. I really like his approach and he also told me that no one should ever need extractions for ortho purposes (just quoting his opinion!).