Are traditional Metal brackets ugly?

Message

#1 Post by **JHova** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:40 am

Hi guys, well im getting metal brackets put on upper and lower soon and i was wondering if they look really bad compared to ceramics. Metal was alot cheaper than ceramics and i thought, what the heck its only 2 years that they will be on. Will i look weird with them on at 20 years old?

#2 Post by **switchblades** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:51 pm

I'm 23 and have metal brackets, I don't think they look bad, they're smaller than ceramics so they're (to most people I've talked to anyway) more comfortable and easier to get used to.

#3 Post by **tazzle** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:57 pm

I am 52 with metal brackets

.... I think so many people have braces at all sorts ages I dont think that it is such an issue as far as looking strange / unusual is concerned.

I do sometimes get asked why I have them on...... there ain't THAT many adults in my area with them on never mind grannnies

but loads late teens / 20's as well as the young teens

#4 Post by **real2** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:16 pm

I got clear brackets on my tops, and metals on my bottoms.

While the clears had their initial WOW/inconspicuous factor, that wore off after about 2 months, and now they are wrapped in gray elastics/black elastics/silver wires... so who cares

#5 Post by **classII** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 3:22 pm

I got ceramics top and metal bottom. While the ceramic is cool that it is difficult to see, to me the metals look more 'modern'. They're half or nearly half the size of the ceramics and more sleek

They look kind of cooler IMO. Even with ceramics you learn to smile only to the point of where the brackets start as they kind of catch your upper lip inside so you can control it. Not sure if that is the case with small metals on top but either way, once you get going, it's not an issue at all metal or ceramics. You can have a lot of fun mumbling to people (if say you have a bit plate), then flash them a big tinny grin and see the relief on their face understanding why you were mumbling. That and while talk give a hint of the braces, and you can watch them as you talk to them staring at your teeth waiting to see more

Have fun with it while you can because once they are removed you will miss them.

#6 Post by **KLOU117** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:29 pm

switchblades wrote:I'm 23 and have metal brackets, I don't think they look bad, they're smaller than ceramics so they're (to most people I've talked to anyway) more comfortable and easier to get used to.

My brackets seem huge.

I'm not sure if it's the actual brackets or the gigantic wire+grey powerchain they gave me that makes it look like that.

#7 Post by **catfish** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:21 pm

I think it really boils down to personal preference. The ceramics are a bit more discreet, but they're not invisible. I've read several posts here where people have said the ceramics are harder to remove, although I don't know why.

I have all metal, and have had them for quite a while now. It doesn't bother me to look at them, and I don't get any stares or comments.

#8 Post by **sdawdy** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:39 pm

Full Metal for me and I am about to turn 30. I have had mine on for a little over 2 years and no one has mentioned them. I was to cheap to pay the extra for the clear brackets.

SD

#9 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:25 pm

classII wrote:Have fun with it while you can because once they are removed you will miss them.

NOT ME!!!! I can't WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm ALREADY counting down saying "by July, I'll be nearly halfway through treatment!!" LOL!!! I know it's bc of how bad the lowers have been for me, but right now, I can say that if I could take these things off, I would (so I'm glad no one is giving me the option to. LOL)

#10 Post by **Polly** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:39 am

I loved my metal brackets aged 40! I wore them with pride and enjoyed all the different colour combinations of the bands. It was a topic of conversation everytime I went to the ortho to see which colours I would change to

#11 Post by **thisisme** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:07 am

Nope! Not to me!

#12 Post by **xJx** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:28 am

Just think of the results,I don't think braces are ugly at all,and 2 years metal for a beautiful smile makes it all worth while!

#13 Post by **tingrin in OR** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:18 pm

I'm 35 and just got metal, top and bottoms on....my ortho said that the ceramics tend to break easier, and the insurance might have issues with covering if the breakage happens a lot.
I've had my braces on for 4 days now and am starting to feel MUCH better, both painwise and as far as people looking at them. Now that they don't hurt as much, I don't even think about them when I talk to people (unless I get my tongue or cheek with one and get a painful reminder) I've even eated out in public, which was super scary for me. I think that no matter what you go with, it will be noticeable to some extent. My braces are actually much smaller than I thought they would be. Not sure if larger ones come later, but the ones I'm wearing now are small. Maybe it is because my teeth are so big and that is what makes them seem small? TEE HEE HEE

#14 Post by **JHova** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:47 pm

thanks for the responses. i thought i was going to regret getting metal over ceramics in order to save some money, but it seems that eventually you will get use to it no matter.

#15 Post by **miss25** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:54 am

I have had my braces one week today (top) and I hated them and thought maybe I should have gotten the ceramics.

I went to church yesterday and saw alot of my friends and people I have known for years (grew up in that church) and their reactions to the braces were not bad at all. Some people did not even notice, and other pointed out their teeth and commented on some things they wanted fixed, and asked me about it.

I found myself smiling more ect. So while they take getting use to, I think everyday it gets better. And for the peace of mind of not having to worry about staining ligs ect. I am happy with the choice I made. Also, the othro showed me the ceramics and the metals are much much smaller.