Hi. Want braces, but I'm hesitant. Hoping to find the inspiration here!

[mindinggaps]

Hi all,

I'm new here, so I thought I'd introduce myself! I've been following some of your stories for a while but I'm excited to fully join the community. I'm 26 years old and I had braces for 2 years as a teenager. I was NEVER happy with the result and it has been bothering me almost daily for nearly a decade now. My first treatment just didn't turn out as I had hoped despite the fact that even as a teenager I was a model patient. I have been considering braces for years but I'm too scared about how I will feel having braces as an adult. I've had some consultations, come close to getting some treatment but have never pulled the trigger.

Reading all of your stories really helps!!! I have a consultation later this week and I'm hoping to finally take the big step. I know that until I go through with this, my first treatment will continue to haunt me.

Cheers!

[lilyflower]

Go for it. You might even be a candidate for Invisalign which from people who've had both said is much easier to deal with. Personally, I didn't have braces as a kid so I wouldn't know. I do know that I'm now on my 3rd day of invisalign, have very little discomfort and just had an apple for lunch with no issues eating it,

The most important thing I think is to find an ortho you trust and LIKE - you're going to be seeing this person for up to 2 years (or more) so if their chairside manner puts you off go elsewhere. I love mine - she makes it a point to keep the practice small so she can see every patient at every appointment and totally gets the difference between what a 10 year old is concerned about versus an adult. I think that makes the whole process easier.

[nitro]

Hi mindinggaps! Welcome to the forum. I think we've all had a bit of trepidation about getting braces as an adult. I think taking the first step is the hardest part and you've already done that. Make sure you find an orthodontist you like and are willing to work with and be sure to keep us updated!

[Lauradarlin]

I was really apprehensive and came out of my appointment last week after having them fitted thinking I'd been stupid and vain...a week on I'm totally over it and really pleased I went for it

[nitro]

a week on I'm totally over it and really pleased I went for it

How are you adjusting so far?

[mindinggaps]

Thanks for the encouragement! Honestly, it makes a huge difference seeing how happy people here are with their decision to go through with treatment. I visited an ortho this morning and got some treatment options. I could be a candidate for invisalign but it comes with a higher price tag. Although I am partially covered, some of my treatment will be out of pocket so I'm not sure if it is worth it. Need to think that over for a bit. Opinions here, for those who went old fashioned metal, would you have preferred invisalign?

Thanks to lilyflower and nitro for reminding me how important it is to get an ortho I trust and will be happy with. I didn't really have much choice when I was treated as a teenager, but I HATED my ortho and sometimes questioned him. Ultimately, I was proven right - the fact that my treatment didn't turn out was his fault. I'm going to visit a few other orthos next week, get some more opinions and then hopefully take the plunge! I'm starting to transition from fear to excitement which is a great sign

[nitro]

Opinions here, for those who went old fashioned metal, would you have preferred invisalign?

I've had both! There are pros and cons to each one that you should consider. I liked that my invisalign weren't terribly noticeable, but I didn't have many attachments. Invisalign has little buttons on it to better anchor it for moving your teeth. Some people find these to be pretty noticeable, but I suppose it's where you get them that determines this. I liked that I could take my invisalign out whenever I wanted but didn't like that I had to keep track of them while they were out (I'm lazy). The traditional metal braces were definitely noticeable, and you have to deal with broken wires/brackets/rubber bands etc. I think the metal ones are better able to move complicated teeth and you can certainly never forget them in the bathroom after brushing your teeth
For my third round in braces (wear your retainers!), I'm getting a combination of the two

[Lauradarlin]

a week on I'm totally over it and really pleased I went for it

How are you adjusting so far?

Yeah pretty good so far, day 12 today and the first day I've eaten proper food and it was in public! Feeling much more confident now and less like everyone is looking at my mouth! Haven't really experienced much pain, a bit of sensitivity and I'm actually convinced my teeth have moved already! Worried about the red wine situation though, it's gonna be a looooong winter...

[mindinggaps]

[quote="nitro"][quote]Opinions here, for those who went old fashioned metal, would you have preferred invisalign?

[/quote]I think the metal ones are better able to move complicated teeth [/quote]

This was definitely mentioned by the ortho I saw. He said the invisalign would be a longer treatment and may require some functional appliances before the actual invisalign treatment.