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Hello everybody here on metal mouth,
My name is Matt and I am 23 years old. I have been considering getting braces for a while now, but I am still not sure. I am worried about peoples reactions at uni (not a lot of people in braces, especially guys!) and that I haven't seen a dentist for a long time, so I am not quite sure what's going on in there! My teeth are crowded on the top and bottom and it has bothered me ever since I was a teenager. What do you guys think? A picture of my teeth will follow shortly.
Thanks guys.
Hi. I'm also Matt and plan to get braces. I'm 31 and was worried about it similar to you( except at work instead of school ). What I decided was it was better to deal with the braces a couple of years instead of wishing I had done something about it for many many years.
I wouldn't worry about what others think. Do what you think is right for you. If you have a dentist already then maybe tell them about how you feel. That's what I did.
Do it! If your teeth are bothering you and you have disliked them for a long time, that won't change in the future. And if your bite is off then your teeth may shift even more as time goes on and things might get worse. I was in the same position - I have always hated my teeth (disliked them in high school but they weren't all that terrible, but then when my wisdom teeth came in and knocked things even more out of whack, I hated them through college and into my early career). I was very nervous about getting them, especially other people's reactions. But my favorite quote that someone said on here is:
I'd rather have people look at me and think 'she has braces' than 'she NEEDS braces'.
I've had my braces on for 2 months now and things are already dramatically moving around and I already like my teeth much much more - and they are still a long way from perfect. Once you get used to them and once you get over the anxiety of people seeing you in them, you'll realize that it is a good thing you're doing and that people are usually positive about it.
So go for it, you will be happy you did. The hardest part is getting up the courage to do it and then the initial few days/week of getting used to them.
Brace days:
uppers - June 11, 2009
lowers - August 27, 2009
I'm 28 and got braces last week. I was very anxious about the whole thing - getting a tooth pulled, adjusting to braces, & worried about others' reactions. So far, it is going okay. I am glad that I did it and excited for the results (even if I have to wait 2 years.) They're not too painful. My biggest hurdle is facing my family & friends. Everyone has been very supportive! For whatever reason, I'm very self conscious about them. I know it will take some time to get used to them. My thoughts are that I can be self-conscious for 2 years (with braces) or self-conscious for the rest of my life (without braces.) I'd rather deal with it for two years.
Usually, the first consult with an ortho is free. It wouldn't hurt to see what they have to say. I did ask my regular dentist about them first and they gave me two referrals.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
Braces (uppers & lowers) on: 8/3/09
Sentence: 2 years
Go for it. Nothing to be embarrased about. In fact the people who do mock or laff are themselves in need of braces and too chicken to do it. There isn't really anything much anyone can say about seeing a young adult in braces. What's there to say. You're fixing a physical problem. Who can mock or laff at that. Only a fool or someone else who is jealous and also needs it but is too afraid to do it.
Google hip hop and rock and musical stars, some of them even have braces without needing them because they think it looks cool.
Do it now and you'll be fine. And flash them in the face of anyone who stars. You can have a lot of fun with that. People trying not to look at them when they are talking to you. It's all good.
Do it! I start uni in sept, i'm not bothered what people think, i'd rather have beautiful teeth afterwards
Its a decision you would never regret, & people never look badly on braces, plus as soon a you get older than 16 people grow out of bullying people for braces & respect them for the decision to better their own appearence, i've had nothing but compliments!
Hey guys
Thanks for your advice. I think deep down I knew braces was the way to go, just needed the reassurance. Got an appt with the dentist tommorow ( First time in 5 years!) But hopefully that should get me some more info. So thanks again and I will keep you posted on my braces story.
Hi Everyone
Just thought I'd make this as a night before post. I am off to the dentist tommorow at 9am for a check up and so I can ask him about braces possibilities. I am very nervous right now as I haven't been to the dentist since I was 18. A bad experience stopped me from going, but I have found a new dentist and am hoping from a good outcome and not to much work being needed before I get my braces. I also wanted to ask what is the likelyhood of me having to have teeth pulled? As you can imagine I am worried about that. So yeah, wish me luck and your comments are welcome.
This is the first time I've posted on here. It's a great forum, hearing other peoples stories really helps i think.
I had a gap in my front teeth i was always really self-conscious about, so at 24 decided to get braces. Was a real big decision. I had always known i should get them but thought id left it too late. Then thought, im already self-conscious about my teeth, it really shouldnt be much worse in braces.
Had them for 11 months now and should get them off in the next few months. There hasnt been a day ive regretted getting them.
As far as being embarassed about getting them, the only person it has bothered the whole time ive had them is me. Everyone else has been sweet about it. No-one wants to have them as an adult so everyone is good about it ive found. It was a mad hit to the pride for me, but i know ill be stoked when i get them off, and for the rest of my life ill be happy i did it.
Just do it dude, its not that bad. It's a pain in the ass, but not much more. I had alot of pride to begin with, so have constantly been obsessing about having them as an adult, but despite this i have never thought it was a bad decision to get them.
Im 24 - 25 in december - and have just had braces fitted (for the next 12 month-ish). Now I can't say I am overly joyed but the way I weighed up on should I or shouldn't I bother was simple...
When I smiled with the way my teeth are, so with braces on it isn't like my smile is going to get any worse. Actually it is only going to do the opposite and get better (given time).
Hey Guys
So I went to the dentist. First appointment in the morning so I avoided the extra anxiety of waiting. And what can I say, 5 years with no dentist has really taken it's toll on my teeth. I had to have 2 fillings today, and have to go back for 3 more on Sunday. I also have to get one tooth capped due to the decay extent. This is all even before I can think about the orthodontic treatment! But he did say I am a definite candidate for braces, and will need my back molars out, as well as one of my lower incisors, so I've got all of that to look forward to! But from what you guys have been saying, it all sounds worthwhile. So that's how my appointment went.
Way to go getting through that first appointment!! Now that you know what you're in for it'll be a little easier - I think not knowing what's going to happen can be scarier than going through it. I didn't see a dentist for about 12 years before I went back a couple years ago and I was dreading it. I had to have 2 cavity fillings and also deep cleanings along my gum line. You'll be surprised how quickly things can be done and then move onto the ortho work. It is all worth it, you will see that eventually.
Brace days:
uppers - June 11, 2009
lowers - August 27, 2009
Only a fool or someone else who is jealous and also needs it but is too afraid to do it.
