I am 76 years old. Should I get braces at my age?

[hgaffner]

I am 76 years old. Should I get braces at my age?

I have completed the Records stage and am due to get braces glued in 3 weeks. But in reading the experiences in this and other forums, I am becoming doubtful. It seems like a very long procedure with no guarantees on the outcome.
Would appreciate any advice.

[amandajane]

That's a good question, I got braces at 31 and my outcome is so far pretty negative.

Maybe yours will turn out better.

[riebeetee]

I think you just have to have realistic expectations, you should go for it! Since you've been going to the consults you obviously want to....age doesn't matter regarding how you feel about your appearance!

Other than not being to snack ALL THE TIME (which is a great diet actually), my braces don't bug me and I already have way better looking teeth!

[Wireless]

I'm age 59 and recently got Invisalign braces. In my case, it was the result of a dental referral for a severe bite problem and not appearance. I have a friend in her mid 60's who also has Invisalign, in her case to correct crowding.

If you are getting concerns, you may want to get a second opinion regarding treatment time and any possible complications.

Based on my experience as well as that of my friend, it seems like older patients can be successfully treated, but treatment takes longer and is more unpredictable.

If you're dissatisfied enough with your teeth to have gone as far as a records exam, it sounds like you would really like to move forward. Getting a second opinion may make you feel more comfortable.

[bbsadmin]

As long as your periodontal health is good and you have no bone loss, it should be fine. As you get older there is more risk of gum recession. Your orthodontist should discuss all the risks with you. If you have any doubts, consult a periodontist for a consultation to ensure that everything looks good before you take the leap.

Oh yes, and please be very careful if you take an Bisphosphonate drug for osteoporosis (such as Fossimax, Actonel, etc). There have been cases of jaw necrosis (incurable jaw bone death) from oral trauma in some patients on those drugs. Please be sure to discuss this with your orthodontist as well...it is very important!

[starzz]

People tend to post more when they have concerns or are uncomfortable. When all is well, they're less likely to post. So what you read on this board may give a skewed perspective on the typical experience.

I'm not your age. But at any age you need to go into it realizing that the time they give you is just an estimate and it may take considerably longer or shorter. For example, I was told 16-18 months but here I am at 26 months and don't know when I'll be done. Then there are other people who finish early. However on average, teeth tend to move slower with age.

I'd say you're fortunate that your teeth are healthy enough that having braces would be possible at your age. Best Wishes

[mary.]

I've had my braces for 1-1/2 years and was about 40 when I got them. They were long overdue as my croked teeth were very noticeable.

My journey has been a wonderful one! I don't mind my braces at all. At my last visit, my ortho said we would discuss a schedule to take them off soon - and much to my surprize I wasn't even excited. If he told me I had to keep them on for another year, I wouldn't mind.

Since I got my braces, my self esteem has gone way up. My smile have gotten bigger and bigger and people comment on it all the time. I've been so proud of myself for getting braces that I flash them to everyone and they are eager to share in my happiness. I've gotten nothing but positive feedback from others (but I know that much of that if because of my own positive attitude about them).

It's a big change to your system - so you need to give yourself some time to adjust. But it then gets better. Most of my adjustments were completely painless, but once in a while your teeth are tender after - it only last a few days though. Just plan for soft foods and more liquid foods after getting them on and following adjustments just in case.

If your dentist and ortho feel you can benefit from braces, and you are okay with it, then I say go for it! We do all kinds of other things for our health - why not braces! You'll benefit for many years! And, we're hear to help you with any questions along the way.

We look forward to hearing more from you! Please keep us posted and let us know what you decide. The truth is that I think that it is incredibly cool!

[UGHBRACES]

That's a good question, I got braces at 31 and my outcome is so far pretty negative.

Maybe yours will turn out better.

You should wait until you are actually finished treatment before you comment on outcome. Its not uncommon for things to get worse before they get better while in braces.

[iBorg]

I just had jaw surgery at 50. The question of age and orthodontics is a fair one. The question I'd ask is how long do you expect to live? If you're in good physical health and are active or have other reasons to be braced, do it. If three's other issues concerning your health, why add to the aggravation. I'm happy with my treatment, but before my surgery I was truly questioning why do it at my age.

Mike

[hgaffner]

Thanks for all your advice. I have now spent hours reading other replies on this excellent forum. I have almost concluded, based on all of your case examples, that I will not proceed in getting the In-Ovation C translucent ceramic braces installed on my upper arch only. I was doing this strictly because of my steep overbite.

At my age, my lower teeth are gradually breaking down my upper teeth 7-8-9 and 10. I already have a crown on 8. But the aggravation all of you have gone through with your braces has made me feel, AT MY AGE, I should continue to get crowns as needed and forego the braces. Otherwise I am in excellent health, and so are my teeth, and I plan to live at least another 15 years.

If I was much younger, like most of you, I would definitely go for the braces. But feel this is the best solution to my current problem. Any comments?

Are there any other appliances I could use to ease the damage from my steep overbite?

[amandajane]

amandajane wrote:
That's a good question, I got braces at 31 and my outcome is so far pretty negative.
Maybe yours will turn out better.

UGHBRACES wrote:
You should wait until you are actually finished treatment before you comment on outcome. Its not uncommon for things to get worse before they get better while in braces.

I realize that I just had to vent a little. Sorry!

[iBorg]

If I planned to live another 15 years and your dentist thinks your teeth and gums were healthy enough, I'd do it.

Mike

[sauerkraut]

Hi, I was wondering: is it your ortho who’s told you about uncertain outcomes and discomfort, or is that the impression you’ve gained from reading message boards?

It’s just that I would think most people who go to the trouble of posting on a message board about their braces do so for some particular reason – e.g. they’re older than average ; or they’ve found they need surgery; or they’ve had a particularly difficult experience.

I’ve absolutely no facts and figures on this, but I can well imagine that for every braces-wearer on a message board there are dozens if not hundreds more who are plodding through a quite uneventful braces experience, to arrive more-or-less where they expected to be and without any major disaster along the way.

In other words I agree with starzz: the overall viewpoint you get from a message board like this one might be a bit skewed.

Hopefully you’ve already found an ortho you really trust, but if not maybe you could seek a second opinion until you find someone prepared to sit down and talk with you honestly about the likely risks, benefits, and possible alternatives in your particular case. Sorry: you’ve probably already long since done that.

As for me, I’m “onlyâ€

[ANGELFLUTTER]

After shattering two molars yesterday ( eating a piece of pizza ) and having some emergency work done yesterday as well as other things done today and 2 root canals to be done tomorrow - I was advised my dentist (today ) on the need to get braces. ( With a minimum sentence of 2 years. ) I am 53. UGH !!! Frankly freaked out - seems all I am hearing about and reading about and remembering from the past is the PAIN involved. Are they truly miserable. I have a low pain tolerence. Over the counter meds do not work. Not even sure if I could get real pain meds ( Lortabs etc... ) But even if I could I would fear addiction / tolerence issues. I wanted braces when I was a teen - but my family could not afford them. I have always wanted a pretty smile. Now that if I scrape and save - I can purchase them for myself - but the pain issue is freaking me out, and for that reason alone I am feeling discouraged. Help !! Are othodontist willing to prescribe pain meds if over the counter meds are not strong enough? I need to know before I waste my money.

[starzz]

Orthos don't usually prescribe pain meds but that is something you could use your regular medical doctor for should it become necessary. Braces don't hurt all the time, it's more when you first get them on and around the time of adjustments approximately monthly. If your dentist recommends it, it's worth looking into. Good luck.