So confused...

[betterlatethannever]

I am 41 years old. When I was a child, I had peg teeth on each side of my two front teeth and an overbite. I hated to smile. Before I went to college, I had the peg teeth bonded and it changed my life. I no longer had those large spaces which accented my overbite. I should have had braces as a child, but would have rather 'run away from home' as an overly dramatic teenager than get braces and have to face the world at school the next day.

Most people would look at me now and say that I have beautiful teeth. I have great genes and have never had a cavity, however, I still feel like that buck toothed child. I have a dental appointment for a 6 month check-up in April, do I just walk in and tell my dentist I want braces? I'm afraid she'll think I'm crazy. I do have some minimal spacing on the bottom and one tooth that is slightly crooked. I'm so chicken I haven't even mentioned my intentions to my husband.

If I do decide to be brave and ask her for some ortho recommendations, does anyone know if I'd have to have the bonding removed first?

Thank you.

[badbite]

Just tell your dentist how you feel. That is how I got started. My family thought I was nuts - they all said I had the nicest teeth. Well they didn't see what I knew. It turns out, I have a class III, needed SARPE, and full braces. The OS said that He couldn't beleive I had any teeth left. With my bite he thought they'd all be smashed out of my jaw.

Most likely your dentist will be supportive and know a good ortho to send you to. If she is not, I'd call around to find an ortho.

[betterlatethannever]

Thanks for listening. It's nice to have some anonymous support without being judged. I have 21 days to drum up the courage to speak with my dentist about this. I don't know why I'm so chicken or what I'm afraid of. I'll never be truly happy with my teeth unless they are fixed.

[PARR]

Many dentists don't discuss orthodontic possibilities with patients after the teen years unless there is a glaring need. The thought being most folks won't want the hassle or "embarrassment" and if the need is minor why go to the expense. However, if you ask for for your dentist's medical and professional opinion, "Would I benefit from orthodontic treatment; I feel as if my teeth aren't meshing together right" or whatever the reason, you might be surprised at the evaluation. I sure was. "Yes, you probably could avoid some issues down the road" or "hmm, yup, that's just starting to wear a sure sign of alignment issues"

So ask and let your dentist know how you feel and what you'd like to achieve.

[LanShark]

If you think you need braces, I'd go see an orthodontist rather than a dentist. I went to a dental office where they also did braces, so I thought it was a good idea. Instead, they attempted to sell me on a $14k set of veneers. (14 teeth at $1k each)

An orthodontist undergoes longer training, in addition to that of a dentist. The orthodontist knows more about how to align the teeth. Dentists may only want to offer you what they can do, such as Invisaligns that can be done by a traditional dentist, or what will make them more money/profit, such as veneers that merely cover up crooked teeth rather than straighten them out.

I'd call an orthodontist for a consultation - it's probably free. There are many adults in braces. When I saw my orthodontist last week there were three of us adults in there for appointments. There's no reason to be chicken. My fiance thinks it's great that I'm actually fixing my teeth.

- Bill

[mg]

I'll never be truly happy with my teeth unless they are fixed.

There you have it...........Go for it. It does not hurt to ask.

I'm over 40 and my pro-active DDS told me I was heading for major trouble if I did not consider fixing my seemingly minor problems now. (crowding, crossbite, TMJ, etc, etc.) So I went straight to an OD he suggested. That was in Nov. My family was surprised as well with quite the same reaction as others: "your teeth looked fine to me".

Today, I'm very happy to be braced. I've already seem progress. Yes, its' a BIG decision, expense, and commitment. But, and may I quote you, "I'll never be truly happy with my teeth unless they are fixed." !!!!

Good luck to you!

[Shawnie]

I have bonding on both of my upper laterals too. My ortho put brackets on both those teeth and they did not have any propblem getting the brackets to adhere. One time during an adjustmnent one of the brackets came off. I was always scared that when the brackets came off, so would the bonding. I asked to look at that tooth before the new bracket was placed and it looked fine, perfectly intact.

I also asked the ortho when we started if he needed to take off the bonding and he said no. I guess if the bonding wasn't there then maybe he would have left spaces in order to build up the tooth after the braces were removed. Best of luck to you - Shawnie -

[jennielee81]

My son had a bonding on his two central incisors when he got braces. The entire surface of the teeth was bonding material.

The ortho used a different glue on those teeth and I had to sign a paper saying that I was aware that the glue or removal of the brackets could cause damage.

When all was said and done, the brackets didn't fall off during treatment and there was no damage when they were finally removed.

[Bekah]

I have bonding on my two front teeth that I got as a teenager. My orthodontist said that he just needed to use different glue on those teeth. I am not to worried about damage to them because I plan to get veneers to replace the old bonding anyway when I am done with the braces.

[insinu8]

I am 42 and after many many years of my dentist asking me to consider getting braces (I have been wearing my teeth down from a bad over bite and a lot of crowding) I finally decided to go for it.

It doesn't matter what other people think your teeth look like as much as it matters what YOU think. Take care of yourself and get those braces! You deserve to have a beautiful smile that you are proud of

Be brave. My girlfriend has some bonded teeth and she got her braces almost a month ago with no problems. She didn't have to have the bonding removed and she DID ask about that beforehand.

In April, tell your dentist you would like a referral to an orthodontist. That first step is a toughie, but it's worth it.

As for your husband, he'll be happy to help you and encourage you to do something positive for yourself. After all, he'll be looking at your beautiful teeth a lot more often than you will

[insinu8]

Stupid posting error! Lies!!!

[betterlatethannever]

Well, baby steps...but I went to the dentist today and while I thought about chickening out, mentioned my crooked little tooth and he suggested I see an Orthodontist. I was worried he'd think I was a lunatic, but he mentioned he is going to get braces himself shortly. It was so easy. Not sure why I waited so many years for this.

I walked out of there with a list of 4 practices, checked out their websites and made an appointment with one on 5/2.

Of course I still will have to deal with my husband, family and friends who will think I'm crazy, but who cares, right?

Carlette

[badbite]

Carlette,

Most people will think you are crazy for a very short amount of time. Then they 'll get over it, and It won't be a big deal. You'll ber happy and they'll get over it.

Good lluck at the ortho appt.

[Luella]

My husband, mom, and best friend all think I'm nuts! And when strangers hear I'm getting braces for the 3rd time in my life, they think I'm a wacko too. I don't care! I'm doing it, I want to, and I know its going to be worth it in the long run! Kudos to you for seeking support here, and I look forward to hearing how it goes!

[msaeger]

I just went to the orthodontist and told them I want my teeth fixed. Mine are pretty bad so it didn't take any convincing

I just looked at who took my insurance and started calling I didn't ask a dentist about it.