Getting braces soon. Starting to worry.

[Dozza]

Hey guys, 23 male here. I've finally decided to get braces because I've got an over-bite and sort of vampire teeth that stick out etc haha and I'm sick of how they look when I smile.

The ortho I'm going to can do the metal ones or ceramic ones but he recommends the metal ones because they're quicker, cheaper and more affective apparently. I also found a couple different orthos in my city who do the Invisalign ones. He has also said I'll need them for 2 years, but hopefully less. Not sure what to do here...

My main concern is how they will look and how people will see me. I know a fair few people and most won't know I'm getting them until I see them next so that worries me a bit. Some people will be surprised. Also with girls. I have enough troubles of self-confidence with that and I don't think braces will help haha. I play in a band too, but luckily I'm the drummer so I play at the back where hopefully not many will notice.

So yeah, my main concern is the aesthetic thing. I wouldn't say I'm hugely insecure about my looks it's just that I'll be the only one with braces. How did you guys and girls handle it? Is it worth it? And should I go for metal, cermanic, look into Invisalign?

[Chaotic Choppers]

Welcome Dozza

I'll start by saying that I have metal braces and yes I was really worried about seeing people for the first time!! But with every person I saw, I realised that all of my friends and family were really supportive and anyone else either couldn't care less or just ignored them. Once people know, it stops becoming awkward and you actually start getting the odd nice comment on how nice your smile is getting! It is VERY worth it! And 2 years really isn't a long time once you get started (and it doesn't take the full 2 years to start seeing dramatic results!!)

I told a few people (that I was scared of showing my braces to) BEFORE they saw me and it gave me more confidence when I saw them to go 'hey, have a look'. Some people I chose to shock (like my brother) and he was really happy for me. Some people I saw by accident and they didn't even flinch/seem to notice/care?? And after about 4 weeks I started forgetting I had them on and was wondering why people were still going 'hey you've got braces!' ('oh yeah I forgot!')

It really helps if you are proud of them and loving them for what they're doing to your smile! Your teeth will look so much better and braces are just temporary so enjoy them! It doesn't matter if you wear invisalign, ceramics or metals, people are going to notice that something is going on and my decision was based on what was going to do a better job and in my case it was metals.

The other thing with metals is that you can get coloured ligs at each appointment and if you're in a band it could look pretty cool if you had bright colours?? Or black?? (not sure if that's your thing but it's an option). I feel like the colours give me a little extra confidence because I'm having fun and people like to see what colour you get next.

But if you really think it will bother you, go for the ceramics over invisalign because it will most likely be better at getting your bite just right. Just be aware that the clear ligs may stain a little before they're changed at your next appointment...depending on what foods you eat.

In relation to girls, I'm sure they'd be fine with them as long as you're confident with them. They know it's only for a short time and I think they would be less worried about them once you tell them that you're in a band (which is pretty cool) Plus, you're doing something positive to fix whatever probs you have.

Hope this helps! If you have any questions just let me know. See my story if you want to see what changes I've had since I got braces if it inspires you any?

[Ashybear]

I'm a 23 year old female and I've had braces for 4 months. I haven't once had a negative reaction, and guys don't seem to mind either (which did initially surprise me). Most people are really supportive and think that it's great that I'm doing something to make me feel better about myself. So try not to feel too insecure! Plus, guys look really cute with braces!

[Duncan5]

I've a mix of ceramic on the uppers and metal on the lowers, self-ligating so I've no choice of lig colours. Since the wires are metal anyway (coated ones are available, but only in certain sizes) they are visible anyway; so in hindsight I'd have saved some money by getting all metal.

No-one has been unpleasant about the braces - I've had a few questions from junior school children, but seniors and adults have pretty much ignored them. They know they're only temporary and so many people have had them these days it's not a major fashion crime. Just play some awesome drum solos and the groupies will be flocking around.

D.

[smilehope]

"I'll be the only one with braces"

That's why we hang out on this forum, to remind us that we're not! Seriously, although it's impossible to believe that you won't get funny comments, you will get hardly any if at all. The only people who have said anything to me (and I'm talking about just 2, in 7.5 months) have been just interested, "how long do you have to wear them for" type of questions. This is truly one of the strangest things about having braces - nobody else cares!

I'm not sure if metal is quicker. My ortho said that used to be the case because ceramics had more friction on the wires, but with current materials they are now similar. I have ceramic uppers now and have certainly had loads of movement in the first few weeks. Look at pictures and go with whatever feels right for you.

[oldguy]

I am the oldguy, in my 60"s, I, like you, was worried what people think, I just got back from Walmart

I talked to 20 people, not 1 noticed. I have Damon metal top and bottom for about a month. My teeth

looked Ok, but boy what a difference of the space I have once the the teeth are straighten up. I was

going to get the ceramic on top, but they were bigger, I am not sorry with the metal.

I have had no mouth sores and they were a little more affordable.


good luck, remember if you put off problems too long, you end up having braces when you are 60.


oldguy

[dojo]

I was a radio DJ, when I got my braces. I was 27 too. So I worried about how people would see me. You know what? It doesn't matter. People who fret over your looks are not worth the hassle anyway. And the people who really care about you will not care about your metal mouth and most of them will be HAPPY for you. I had such an amazing response, when getting braces, that I was shocked. In my country not all people know or like the idea of wearing braces (they also cost A LOT) and most people can't dream to afford them. Still, they were ecstatic I was doing such a great thing for my teeth and wanted to know more about it. So the response was 100% POSITIVE. Go for it and it will be OK. it doesn't last a lifetime anyway and the result will be worth it.

[CountessDeSangre]

24 year old fenale here and I have ceramic uppers and metal bottoms. If you're really worried about the appearance then that's a good setup. Most people don't realize I have braces on unless they look really close and notice my metal arch wire on top or if I laugh really hard and they see my bottom teeth. And no one has been negative about my braces (except for an older relative who thinks that money would be better utilized if it were given to her instead of adjusting my teeth).

If you're thinking more along the lines of girls and getting dates then it doesn't make that much more of a difference. I have met some guys with braces and all I can say is more power to them for taking the step and trying to fix their dental problems. If someone is superficial enough to look at a person with braces and go EW then that is not someone you want to date anyway.

I'd say go for it because the longer you wait the older you will be when you eventually get braces. Get it over with and enjoy the results for longer!

[Plumcore]

Hey! I'm 24 years old i got my braces on just under 2 years ago, and as you i was very worried about the impact of braces would have on people. ...No impact. None..zero zilch. No one batted an eyelash. It is so common now for people to get braces that it isn't as down looked on as before. People are adults, and behave as adults. If you get any reaction at most would be "Awesome, good for you!" or " You didn't really need those" (which is somewhat rude if you ask me). Do your thing, and soon people won't see the braces, but will see the progress, and the comments will be "OMG YOUR TEETH ARE SO STRAIGHT NOW!" rock on!

[Angel269]

Hi Dozza

I am a 24 yr old female. I am married so the impact upon a relationship is N/A in my case. I too was so worried about my decision to do this as an adult but I said to myself the only way I was doing this was if I could go down the discreet route.

I have upper ceramics with a coated archwire. Admittedly the coating can and does come off the archwire but this month it has only come off right at the back on one side so it's not noticeable and I he my next adjustment today anyway. I am so pleased that I chose the ceramics-they look barely noticeable and I only needed wax when I first got them.

It's all down to preference and cost but for me ceramics were the right choice

P.s-Feel free to check out my story and you will see what I mean about how these look.

[oimysizex]

Hey Dozza, welcome to the board

I'm 19, (so quite young here) I've had braces for 3 months now. I was abit wary about getting braces even at 19 because you generally only see school children in braces. If im honest people dont really notice or care if you have braces as an adult, its just sitting in the waiting room among all these kids in school uniform haha thats the worst, however I have seen people in their 20s/30s/40s and even 50s sat in the waiting room. Just think about having a nice perfect smile and its all worth it!

good luck:)

[Dozza]

Thanks for the help guys and girls! Much appreciated.

Well I'm getting the two teeth extracted tomorrow (or today seeing as it is midnight here).

Still sort of undecided about metal vs ceramic. My orthodonist did tell me ceramic takes longer and isn't as effective so I don't really like the idea of that.

Does ceramic look a lot better than metal?

[Plumcore]

It looks better yes, but they are horribly prone to stains, so anything that contains high colorants needs to be avoided. I heard you can get special brands that stain less, but imho it's not really worth it. The metal ones have elastics, and the colors are fun to play with. Plus they are cheaper, and make everyone wonder what color you will wear next .

[Dee17]

Hi Dozza,
I wanted to respond to your posting. I'm 54 years old and just got my braces last Thursday. Like you, I was very concerned about how they would look and how people might react. So far, so good. I've only had one person comment and it was basically, "Oh! When did you get your braces?!" She was mostly just surprised.
My orthodontist uses Damon brackets. He does metal and ceramic but I opted for the metal (I have upper and lower braces) because he said that they get a better result with the metal brackets. I was very surprised by how small the brackets are and have been adjusting to my new normal pretty easily.
Flossing is a bear, though, I can tell you that!! Be prepared. The first night, I spent almost an hour trying to floss my teeth and pretty much got nowhere. I finally gave up and used my waterpik. If you don't have a waterpik, I'd highly recommend that you get one before you get your braces.
Dee

[Dozza]

Well I wimped out today. I was supposed to be having two extractions today but started worrying having the "sunken in" face after it and how some people say to get another Ortho opinion if extractions are required. But in my case, from what he showed me I think they are.

I really need to stop reading stuff on the internet about all this...

It's not just getting the extractions, it's the whole process of getting the braces. I don't know if I'm mentally ready, or just over-thinking it. Sigh... Don't know what to do here