This is the place to post general questions and comments about all areas of orthodontic treatment. Before you post a question, use the forum's SEARCH tool to see if your question has already been answered!
New Members: YOU MUST MAKE A POST WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REGISTERING OR YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED. In other words, don't sign up unless you plan to actively participate in the message board immediately. This is necessary to keep out spammers and lurkers with bad intentions. Of course, you can read most forums on the board without registering.
DO NOT POST FULL-FACE PHOTOS or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.
Hi. I'm 39 and I got braces for the first time less than a week ago. I have always been very embarressed of my teeth and have always avoided smiling for photo's etc. But every i work with was totally shocked when i turned up at work Tuesdsay with my ceramic mouth furniture.... they all said they didn't think there was anything wrong with my teeth (maybe they said this out of politeness - who know)
I was also offered Invisilign but advised against it as the tretment time for me would be longer and my canines apparently need rotating and invisilign can't do this. I was initially horrified at the idea of conventional braces, but was so determined to get a nice smile, I swallowed my pride and am now sporting a set of ceramics, top and bottom....Most people haven't even noticed I'm wearing them...... so don't worry too much about what other people think.... Good luck with the decision making.
My advice, is do it now and do it right!!!!! I was told at 22 I needed braces and lower jaw surgery--I was just out of college and planning a wedding--I said no way...........and I waited, then everytime I changed dentists the new one recommended an ortho consult, because of my teeth....I said, I know I need braces and surgery, but I am not interested, it's only cosmetic and I will live with it. Now I am 38, and it's no longer cosmetic, it's getting worse, and if I don't do something about it, I will loose my teeth prematurely, so, finally, I have no more excuses, no wedding, done having kids, ect..........so I have had metal top and bottom for 10days now. treatment is supposed to be 24-30months with lower jaw surgery..........
I only wished I would have done it in my 20's I would be done now!! But hindsight is 20/20, right??
As far as asthetics, my ortho did not recommend ceramic for my case, he could not guarantee the best outcome because of the torque he needs on my front teeth, so that's why the metal.........so far, everyone I meet has been great, a lot of "good for you" , one dad on my son's hockey team yesterday said "you look so great, like your 13 again!!" so, I am surviving...........but vanity was probably the reason I waited so long, so my advice is don't wait 2 years is nothing in the scope of a lifetime!! It will be over in a flash, and you'll be happy you did it!!
