are orthos a good idea at my age?

Message

#1 Post by **cardlady52** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:45 am

Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm a 52 yr old married female and am about to make an appt with an ortho and take the plunge . Years ago my husband encouraged me to do this and twice I decided against it. The picture each Dr. painted did not sound like something I was willing to take on.

knowing that veneers would not be an option I think I might do it . But I'm 52 now!!!!!why did I wait so long and what's the point now?

My father left me a little money and I think maybe this is what I'll do. I hate to smile in pictures because of my teeth.

My question ? Is it worth the discomfort , time and feeling embarassed to be wearing braces at 52? please respond
Thanks

#2 Post by **Missy Martha** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:04 am

Hi Card Lady. I was 52 when I was braced and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's something I've always wanted to do for myself and finally took the plunge in January. Sometimes I get a little self conscious about my metal mouth, but most of the time, I just SMILE

!

#3 Post by **gunter8888** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:09 am

It sounds like this is something you truly want to do. If so - jump in with both feet!

Discomfort - it varries from person to person and is affected largely by treatment options. Usually it amounts to a day or two after an adjustment. Then its back to normal for a few weeks until the next adjustment. The first few weeks with braces are an adjustment period, but its not unbearable.

Time - My wife put it best. The time is going to pass regardless of what you do. 2 years from now you could have straight teeth or be right where you are now.

Embarrasment - haven't had any. In fact I had a great experience earlier this week. You can read it here -
viewtopic.php?t=21441
In fact, I have found a lot of people respect us for taking the leap. In a year+ that I have been in braces no one has ever said anything negative about it.

Are they worth it? Well, I am not at the end of my journey yet, but my teeth are really starting to look great and I am very excited about the progress and where I am headed. I am pretty sure that I won't be disapointed with my new smile.

Best of luck and keep us posted!

#4 Post by **cardlady52** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:17 am

I think that everyone's quick and positve response is a sign that this is meant to happen.
All I can think to myself right now is WOW ! If only I could make my consultation appt today but it's Friday. So I shall be patient and wait for Monday.
It was so nice to hear from all of you

#5 Post by **Betty Bat** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:29 am

I started at age 53 and got my braces off at age 55. My whole ortho adventure, which includes dental implants, is my retirement gift to myself.

#6 Post by **SandraJones** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:38 am

cardlady, if you are wasting a lot of mental energy hating your teeth, as I was, then by all means DO IT NOW !

Depending on your teeth, your treatment time could be 1-2 years, and iff you live into your 80's or 90's or 100's you will still have decades to enjoy your straight teeth ! And no more wasting that mental energy .. that will stop that as soon as the braces go on !

#7 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:15 pm

What are you waiting for? Time will keep progressing, will you?

#8 Post by **lionfish** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:18 pm

Hi cardlady,

Late to the party but as I'm in your demographic, I'll throw my 20c worth in.

I'd been meaning to sort my teeth for over 3 decades and finally got going at 53. That was in early 2006 and I'm looking at debanding before Xmas this year.

I've minimal discomfort, the time has flown, there's been no embarrassment (I went with upper linguals, lower ceramics), and people have been very supportive.

Is it worth it? Yes.

Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:19 pm

Yes it is worth it !!!

#10 Post by **neelie** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:46 am

I'm a 57 married female and I've had my braces on for 11 months. I had an overlapping front tooth and very crowded crooked teeth. I say go for it BUT PLEASE ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS! I really thought that when the braces corrected all the problems and the braces were removed I would have a $6000 smile!!!
Due to bone loss and gum recession my smile will still need more work. I'm either looking at bonding or gum surgery or both. Meanwhile, my ortho started IPR (Interproximal Tooth Reduction) between my front four teeth. Hopefully this will reduce the black triangles between my top teeth. He started last month with a minimal reduction so I don't have a large gap between my front teeth and will continue minimal reduction for the next four months. No one at my dentist's office or during the consultations with the ortho mentioned I would have anything other than a finished smile at the end of the ortho treatment. There are days when I think I've just traded one set of problems for another. On other days I'm confident that my ortho will do his very best to correct the new problems due to correcting the old problems.

#11 Post by **PARR** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:12 pm

go for it! Orthodontics are easier and better than ever.

#12 Post by **discomom** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:26 pm

CardLady, I know your dilemma! I am 44 yrs. old and I have decided to do this again! I really feel that the outcome will be worth the discomfort. Best of luck as you begin your journey! Lori

#13 Post by **wired after 50** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:58 pm

Cardlady,

I had my braces put on last April a month before my 52nd birthday. I wish I had done it years ago. I have never really been able to get floss between my teeth they were so crowded. I read a really good article a while back that said people in their 40's and 50's benefit by getting braces as they will not need dentures later in life.

Susan

#14 Post by **Tin Indian** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:28 pm

CardLady,
Congratulations on going to an ortho for a consult. That is the first step that we all took on the road to a more healthier and more beautiful smile. They're are lots of after 50 people here including myself and I'll bet 90% of us would do it all over again. We all decided to take the plunge for differant reasons. The techniques these days are dramatic differences than they used even ten years ago. The pain is mostly minimal for some and even non existant for others but everyone is differant. Check out the Braces Stories Section for a bunch of our stories.Good luck in your decision.I started braces about 1 year ago and I must say it is totally worth it.
Cheers- T.I.

#15 Post by **sweetsue** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:50 am

Hi Cardlady,

I am 53 years old, and I got my braces on at 52. I am sorry I did not do it sooner, but it is what is is.

For as long as I can remember, I have been ashamed of my teeth and smile, and I am sure that I will feel better about those issues after everything is done. You will too.

Good luck

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are orthos a good idea at my age?

are orthos a good idea at my age?

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Are Orthos good at my age