Well, I did it - at 54 years old!

[CJP]

Hello! I've been reading this forum for a month or so and find it to be so helpful.

On June 21, 2012 my braces were put on. Yes, I am 54. (55-years-old in just a couple of weeks!)

I have the Clarity clear on upper, metal on bottom. Although my teeth weren't “terribly” crooked, the bite (midline) was off. After the third repair for a small chip on front tooth, my dentist suggested I see an orthodontist to correct the bite, which was causing me to keep hitting my one front tooth on the lower one.

After several consultations with a variety of prosthodontics and "Smile" centers, most wanted to offer me the quick and fast remedy of veneers (and huge $$$). I thought it over for a couple of weeks, read everything I could, talked endlessly about it to my husband, and began reading this forum (and the forum for BracesReview).

I came to the conclusion that it just didn't seem to make good sense to (1) ruin perfectly healthy teeth to apply veneers (ranging from 6 veneers to 10, depending on the dentist), and (2) veneers would not address the real issue - that the bite is off-center.

And about my age. Sure, I am not young (ish), but I figured I'd be my age no matter what, and in a year or two, I would have all my own healthy, straight teeth. I've never looked back since I decided to correct the issue properly.

Ultimately, I found a smart and competent orthodontist that specializes in both adult and children orthodontics. I feel very confident in her abilities!

Yesterday, I had a TAD (Temporary Anchorage Device) put in with a wire to the molar. The procedure wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. She wants to move the uppers first (to the left), then the lowers (to the right). Wow - that mid-line is really off!

I'm in elastics now too. The Wildlife series, Mountain Gorilla (3/16 in; Medium 4.5 oz) for the front, and the Galapagos Giant Tortoise (3/16 in; Heavy 6.5 oz) for the side/back. I have the Neon colors, which I like so much better than the rubber color one that looks as though something is hanging front my teeth. Today, it is soup only and fairly sore.

I teach college courses and the braces have been an adjustment to lecture – to say the least! But with the elastics, I wonder now how much more difficult it might be. The Dr. said I do not have to wear the front elastic when I lecture. (Thank you!)

I hope to contribute to this forum and perhaps make some friends here along the way because it has helped me with many of my questions already. I'll post a photo or two in the near future! (Again, following much of the good advice here to be sure to take photos to track my progress.)

CJP

[Dee17]

Hi CJP,
Just finished reading your post. You're very brave, I think. I am also going to be 54 at the end of August. My dentist has told me that I will need braces to fix a very large gap which has developed between my two front teeth after two different extractions (one on each side of my mouth). I have been having a lot of anxiety about the whole process but have been reading more and more posts from people who are close to my age who also have taken the step to get braces on their teeth.
Since this gap has developed in my teeth I have been extremely reluctant to smile (or even talk for that matter) and have also been very reluctant to go out much. I think I look like Madonna and I hate the way it looks. But it seems crazy to get braces (at my age!!) when my teeth are essentially straight. I have a consultation scheduled with an orthodontist at the end of August so I'll see what he has to say about the situation. In the meantime, the gap keeps getting wider by the day, it seems. So given my reluctance to socialize with people, I'm anxious to see what options I will have for getting it fixed. I just hope he doesn't tell me I will need brackets on both my uppers and lowers, but from what I've read, I suspect that will be what he says.
Good luck to you and thanks for your posting!

[illay]

cool ~

[CJP]

Dee17 and illay – Thanks for the responses!

Dee17 – just think positive and go forward. Life is … whatever you want, whatever you are, and always – whatever you want it to be. I imagine that there will be ‘awkward’ moments at certain functions and events, but so what. In the end, I know I will be happy and no harm to anyone else.

And Illay – 2 years and 4+ months. Awesome. Let us know when you are near the end and have your dream smile.

[DivineDiva]

Congrats! I don't think age matters, but I considered veneers too, especially after I saw a local groupon deal, but I didn't pursue it because I have gaps so I doubted I'd qualify, but instant, pain-free gratification is appealing; though, that's tempered with the idea of my perfectly fine teeth being filed down, and then the worry over how long they'd last because far worse than gaps is my fear of being toothless.

I hope to have fun with my braces, too, and I'm considering switching to metal, instead of ceramics. I don't want this to be nearly 2 years of awkwardness, hoping no one notices. Who cares if they do! :-)

[klobird]

56 here---2yrs is not very long when you consider the time we still have to enjoy nice teeth. I just wanted that for my life...and I am soooo glad that I am able to have braces. And the time really does go pretty darn quick! (Oh oh )

[Dee17]

Hi CJP,
Thanks for your message. I am slowly coming around to the idea that getting braces will be inevitable for me if I want to have a nice smile again. I think the thing that's been the hardest to cope with has been that this development has come on fairly quickly. I always had very nice, straight teeth with NO gap. Now, all of a sudden I have this terribly big gap between my two front teeth and I am very self-self-conscious of it. To the point that I've been hiding in my house for the last several weeks because I don't want to go out. Since I can't really see myself living for the rest of my life like a hermit, I'm going to have to get this problem fixed. I just hope it won't take too long.
But since our teeth are meant to last a lifetime and I have many more years to live this will really be a long-term investment in my health. I just have to keep telling myself that as I move forward. Thanks for the pep talk!

[redwine]

I get my grille installed on Aug 2nd - just about a month shy of my 56th birthday. It is something I've wanted/needed most of my life. I've also found it extremely helpful to see others here on the board that aren't exactly teenagers. I keep reading the posts and continually get encouragement from reading the posts. Congratulations to all who have decided to make the step forward. We'll all be smilin' big!

[Dee17]

Well, keep us posted on how the installation process goes. I'm sure all will be well. I'll definitely be interested to read how your journey is progressing since we're about the same age. It is nice to read so many posts from the "older crowd" on this forum, isn't it? It has been so reassuring to me as I've been wrestling with the prospect of "should I get braces or not?" The whole thing has become a lot less scary to me since I've been on this forum. Keep us posted!

[NICURN85]

Congrats on starting your journey!! It has been about a month now. Have you noticed any changes in your teeth yet?

[CJP]

At one month, no I cannot tell much from photos. With the elastics, I have new wires. Although they said heavier wires, I didn't think to ask what gauge.
Here is a photo - the day before braces. Then one the day of getting them on (June 21), and then today. The focus is on changing the bite and midline, which you can see is really off center. I imagine that once it is all where it should be, the 'restraightening" of teeth will happen. Right now, my teeth seem to overlap more than they did before braces. I'm not too concerned and as long as it isn't too noticable.

EDIT: Well I attempted to upload them, but received the message, "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."
I guess I can try on August 1. Bummer.

[redwine]

I got lower braces on yesterday, and am loving the saltwater right about now!. Gotta wait 'til December & SARPE surgery to get uppers on. It sure feels good to get going! I, too, gain a great deal of confidence & courage from this board! I'll watch for your updates!

[CJP]

Hey Redwine - good for you! It is a great feeling isn't it when you can get started on a goal. This goal however, will be life changing! Kepp us posted on your treatments.

CJP