Invisalign Invisible Braces / Braces as an adult?

Ronnie1234_2

I went for a Consultation on Wednesday with an Orthodontist as I am interested in braces. He informed me that my teeth were not suitable for invisalign.

I could have braces that go behind my teeth - metal wire, which I could have top & bottom or just top as no one really notices your bottom teeth anyway, or I could have clear braces top and bottom - noticeable but clear where usually metal, I could mix & match these as I wished, the cost would be £3,000 and I would have to have teeth removed which can result in infection, root canal damage etc.

Or, I could have Damon Braces which look exactly like the old train track braces, but have new / improved technology, these would take 12 - 14 months to work, but would require no teeth being removed and cost £2,500.00.

Either option I was informed would require a retainer being worn 2 / 3 days per week for 5 years.

moneylover

Well, its this retainer business that puts me off but reading this thread there seems to be a variation between no retainer in one post to 2-3 days a week in another. Is it orthodontists covering themselves if, as Toothsmith says, the drift is not something that most people would notice. Or is it a case of some will be worse than others because of what Toothsmith calls 'wacky bite'?
Toothsmith, I guess I am really asking you to answer this!!

boombap

Just out of interest MoneyLover, what is about retainers that put you off?

S.

moneylover

Well I never took to a brace the first time around and remember the joy my son felt when he got rid of his (I was never negative about it) so am very unenthusiatic about something that just goes on and on.... I do get a bit of a dry mouth at night anyway and some say a retainer makes that worse. Plus I snore my husband says and I wonder if it would make that worse...but of course if most people say that they really dont know a retainer is there then thats fine. I guess on posting you mostly hear the negatives?

loobylee

To minimise age changes having an effect on your teeth your retainer should be worn:

full time for 3 months upon removal of braces
take out for 8 hrs per day for 6 months
Then sleep in for forever

You should get a new retainer made every 4 or 5 years as they will go manky over time.

moneylover

loobylee wrote: »

To minimise age changes having an effect on your teeth your retainer should be worn:

full time for 3 months upon removal of braces
take out for 8 hrs per day for 6 months
Then sleep in for forever

You should get a new retainer made every 4 or 5 years as they will go manky over time.

Do you know its there at night, once you have grown used to it?

moomin_white

moneylover wrote: »

Well, its this retainer business that puts me off but reading this thread there seems to be a variation between no retainer in one post to 2-3 days a week in another. Is it orthodontists covering themselves if, as Toothsmith says, the drift is not something that most people would notice. Or is it a case of some will be worse than others because of what Toothsmith calls 'wacky bite'?
Toothsmith, I guess I am really asking you to answer this!!

a lot of people who have orthodontics as adults have fixed retainers when treatment is complete. These are very thin wires cemented across the back surfaces of the front teeth. These are permanent and fairly easy to keep clean,etc.

Keeping_Motivated

Check this site for more information www.archwired.com they have loads of information and also have a forum where you can ask questions. There are loads of adults who are wearing braces on there too.

boombap

moneylover wrote: »

Do you know its there at night, once you have grown used to it?

Personally the only time when I do notice it and choose to not wear it is when I have a cold. As mentioned in a previous post, it does tend to gove you a slightly dry mouth which obviously can mean more discomfort when you have a cold.

I just consider it another thing to remember when gettinh ready for bed ie take lense out, clean teeth, floss then put retainer in. It's just something else to remember but as painless as that!

With regards to the snoring it may make things better. As you tend to sleep with your mouth slightly open you're not breathing (or snoring) through the nose. You can actually buy products that look like retainers for this purpose. Another plus point is that you don't grind your teeth in your sleep which is a habit some people have.

I really can see your point as to why they sound like a mither but in my experience they're fine. Perhaps I was lucky in that I was just told to wear them at night. I can imagine having to wear them in the daytime would be a real bother.

All the best,

S.

Flamingo_2

Thanks for that. I'll certainly be over to read your blog soon.
Can i ask if you've got the braces for both upper and lower teeth? Once your treatment i finished do you wear your retainer forever or just for a recommended length of time?