Braces

Toothsmith

It can vary a lot depending on the treatment plan.

Sometimes it's pretty immediate, sometimes it can be after a few months.

Worth ringing your dentist to check he's had a letter from the orthodontist telling him which teeth to take out, and see if they were planning to make you an appointment.

Communication between general dentist and orthodontist sometimes goes a bit screwy, so it's worth checking.

choccyface2006

I had my teeth taken out but they had trouble getting the roots out so that delayed my braces going on. I had to wait to have them out under a general and had my braces on a couple of weeks later. No problems at all :j

Sarah

positivelymummy

i'm kind of excited, i've wanted my teeth straightened for ages, but dentist wouldnt; refer me til i'd stopped smoking (of course) and my hygenist says my teeth are good condition, (which is also what the dentist needs to be able to refer me), i have to have an old filling replaced on the 9th nov and after that i think he will now refer me to the orthodontist as its been nearly 2 years since i quit smoking (i think my dentist deliberately waits ti you've quit smoking over a year, which is fair enough) so, i'm 35, which is kind of old for braces, and i'm looking for advice, experiences, tips etc, i have no idea what its going to cost, i presume you dont pay in one lump sum:eek: i'm not really bothered about the length of time braces will be on, in fact the only down side is that i wont be able to play the sax (i presume...it would be pretty sore i think?)

Toothsmith

Well done!

Cost will probably be £2-3000, which is nothing compared to how much smoking cost you!

Treatment will probably last a couple of years, and the orthodontist will almost certainlyt let you pay the bill over this time span.

Depending on what the problem is, the brace may well still allow you to play the sax.

The oldest perso I referred for orthodontics was well into her 40s, and she still thinks it's the best thing she ever had done.

car25

Top tip - if you're having fixed braces, ask the orthodontist for plenty of dental wax, if the brace rubs at all then you can put a piece of wax on the block/wire and stop it rubbing your mouth.

choccyface2006

Hi there!

You sound really positive about this which is brilliant! I am 33 and I have had fixed braces since Jan, they will be on 2-3 years altogether. Unlike you I was terrified as I had to have 6 extractions first and I knew my teeth would look ALOT worse before they looked better.

Now though I am really happy with them and how things are progressing, I get so excited at my ortho appointments. I have one in two weeks and having a tooth re-shaped and then in December I am having micro screws on my back teeth, good job I'm not squeamish!

You should be able to still play the sax, I haven't found that anything is a problem, I still scuba dive just fine and its not uncomfortable, my speech has never been affected either, even on the day they went on.

I suggest you go on this excellent website for other adult brace wearers

http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/index.php

Heres a linky to my own story so far...

http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=16276

I did use some wax at first and yes it can feel sore for the first few weeks but I hardly notice them now, your mouth soon gets used to them and even adjustments are a breeze.

Good luck!

Sarah x

positivelymummy

oooh thanks choccyface, i cant wait to go and read your story so far! what a good idea, obviously i kick myself for not doing this when i was at school but my teenage years were pretty tough and the last thing i wanted was braces etc, i really dont care at all now what i'm going to look like, i will update after i've seen my dentist which is on the 12th (not the 9th like i said previously)

choccyface2006

Make sure you take lots of pictures too! And maybe start your own brace story on Archwired!

Better to do this late than never Positivelymummy! x

positivelymummy

wow, i am def gonna do a record/blog when i get my brace, i'm still reading yours and of course there are others to read too on that site! i cant believe how much your teeth moved in such a short time! very inspiring, i too have a tooth which is behind my others (just like your one next to your front tooth) i had the one in front taken out years ago, but of course the one behind never came forward,(sorry cant remember the correct tooth names) ans i noticed today when i was picking up the DD from school another mum has braces, must be about my age too. i love the pink by the way, can you just choose any colour whenever or is it difficult to get coloured ones? thanks so much for the links! i'll be busy reading all night!!

CharleneUK

My daughter is having braces put on in a few weeks, so this thread is very useful! Thanks OP.

All the best with yours!