Finally doing this (I hope)

[chichi]

I registered on this site years ago, when I was 19 and thought I would be going forward with the braces thing. It never happened, mostly because of family and friends' reactions when I would bring up the subject. I heard so many times that my teeth were fine, that I'm too old for braces, that no one even notices my teeth, etc.

So now here I am at 27, still unhappy with my smile, and (hopefully) ready to commit to this. I wish I had just done it when I was 19... I could've gone through this 4 times by now (I don't know why anyone would want to do that...)

I've got a consultation coming up on 6/25 with the best orthodontist in the area (seriously, everyone who went to him has absolutely PERFECT teeth that never shifted even the tiniest bit... I don't know how this is possible, but I want to experience the magic)

Now all I have to do is not chicken out...

[JeniK]

chichi...You won't chicken out! I am much older then you. I have argued with myself ...am I too old for braces? I have lived this long with my teeth...let it go. But I have decided ...NO ...I am not too old. I am 55. I am getting my braces on Aug 6th. I'm so looking forward to it. Not the pain.....but knowing I am doing something about my teeth. I am happy knowing my teeth will look better. Therefore I will feel better! So we are all here with you.....Stay with us!! Let us know how your appt goes!

[isthistaken]

I'm 55, too and have had braces for about 4 months. No regrets, except that I didn't get them sooner.

[seeker304]

I got my braces about 6 weeks ago and I'm 19. Why exactly do you want them? I was originally going to get them at 16-17 but chickened out because a bunch of family members kept telling my dad it was really painful. After all the "are you sure?"'s, I said no. There went a bunch of money for the dental insurance. Right now I go to an orthodontist and paid in cash. I only decided on this because my impacted canine tooth started to cause pain. If it is a better smile you are going for, I don't really see the need because it's not causing you pain. If you really want it, then go for it and stop asking for negative comments. Just get it and be done with it. Naysayers are everywhere, which is why you should stop telling everyone everything.

[chichi]

Thanks for the support, guys. Once I have appointments, I won't cancel them... so the goal is to get to the point where I schedule a brace date and then there's no turning back.

seeker304, I don't want braces, but I want straight teeth. No one other than my boyfriend (and you fine strangers on the internet) knows I've made this appointment so I can avoid the negativity surrounding it and do what I need to do for myself. I didn't have braces as a kid because my parents and childhood dentist didn't think I needed any sort of treatment. When I was 19, I made the decision to find a new dentist, who did a quick look around and told me my teeth are clean and healthy and said I had to get my wisdom teeth out and that I might want to look into braces. Well, I got the wisdom teeth out about 6 years ago, when I was 21, but never went forward with a visit to an orthodontist.

The right side of my mouth is near perfect. Everything is lined up and fits nicely. Unfortunately, I've got a very out-of-line snaggle canine on the top left, along with a crossbite that's causing my premolars to not fit comfortably together. It's not the worst thing, but I usually make sure pictures of me are from my "good" side and I consciously (and sometimes subconsciously) cover up my mouth when I smile/laugh because of it. Does it sound superficial? Yes, absolutely... but pain doesn't have to be physical in order for it to hurt.

[djspeece]

Congratulations on moving forward with your decision. You're at a perfect age for all of this fun. Best of luck to you!

[meira]

Congratulations! And there might not be any negativity this time around. I got mine starting with the top braces in March 2012 at age 24, as a second year law student, and I was one of three 2Ls with metal braces (and the youngest of the three). Everyone was super supportive, and I think a lot of people are considering it themselves, since they either didn't have braces as a kid (like me) or stopped wearing their retainer and have since had a lot of shifting.

[Bikerchick85]

Don't chicken out! Seriously, this will be one of the BEST decisions of your life! I'm 27 as well, this is my third and final time in braces. (Read my story for explanation on that). I've never actually finished an ortho treatment before, but I'm thrilled with my results so far and cannot wait for them to be finished! You won't regret it! Promise! Good luck to you!

[Kezza]

Stick around and GO FOR IT! Like you, I came here about 3 years ago really depressed looking for advice....I stupidly chickened out...Then I just got so sick of hating my smile that I started looking into Orthodontics again and found a good Ortho a short journey from me and booked a consultation. He made it all sound so easy.....and it WAS! I'm now 10 weeks in, 2nd adjustment tomorrow...still a long way to go but i'm so much happier with my smile already ....But at the age of 39 I can't help feeling a little sad that I didn't just go for it sooner....

[Helly]

Your the perfect age. And so I am! 27 is the new 18 and we all getting braces!!

I was the same, at 18/19 I wanted to do this but time passes without doing anything and before you know it your 27 and still unhappy with your teeth.

But we are all in this together! I get mine put on in 4 weeks and not told many people because I'm a little shy about it and this is something for myself. The people I have told think it's great and are a little jealous!

Good luck
X

[ajs604]

Hi,

I have just turned 30! Like you I wished I had done it years ago. I started treatment 5 weeks ago and its the best best I have ever done! Just go for it honestly, its really not that bad and after a week or so you forget you are even wearing barces. Also look at it like this. By the time your 30, your have great teeth and the perfect smile. Good luck!

[chichi]

Thanks for all the support! You have all made me feel a little less anxious about it and I very much appreciate that.

My consultation is in about 8.5 hours, so I'll be watching the clock all day and hoping the appointment goes well...

[plugnickel69]

I did it again when I was 64 to address bite issues and am glad I did. Any worries I had about social or professional issues, and what other people would think, were baseless.

I just saw another adult yesterday whom I hadn't seen in a couple of years, a late thirties female who had seriously messed up teeth. She's sporting metal braces and though I'm sure she's far from finished, her teeth are now all lined up and look great. I notice she keeps smiling widely and must be proud to show off her now straight teeth.

Most of us here are glad we went ahead with the work. Good luck with your appointment!

[kathydell]

Don't chicken out. I got mine in March at 47! After just three months, I already know it was the absolute best investment I ever made in myself. Now I'm kicking myself for not doing it so much sooner.

[kids041]

I am just like everyone else here... I am 43 and getting my braces on Aug 20th... I am so excited! I have wanted to get my teeth fixed for a LONG time. I don't have that bad of teeth, but I have a deep bite, which has caused me to put considerable wear on my lower front teeth. I would like to keep my teeth for the rest of my life, and in order to not continue with the wear and tear on them, I need to get them fixed. I can't wait, even tho my 15 yo daughter who has braces right now tells me I will hate them. I may not like them, but I will like the better bite I get from now on.. Good for us for investing in ourselves!