Middle aged braces

[Anonymous]

I knew people got braces in adulthood, but I guess I thought it was people who missed the chance when they were younger.

I never needed braces as a teen, but now in my forties my bite has somehow gotten misaligned to the point it’s starting to bother me. The dentists says braces could fix it but it sounds like SUCH a hassle! And I know they make money on this stuff.

What do I do? Just let them be crooked? Do people deal with this a lot and I just didn’t know?

[Anonymous]

Can you do Invisalign?

[Anonymous]

Crooked teeth are harder to clean, and the older you get, the harder it is to floss etc. I'd see if invisalign would work for you. If you didn't have crowding issues earlier, there's probably no space problem, just putting the teeth back where they started.
Also, yes dentists make money on what they do, there are costs to everything they do for you from bleaching to gum grafts.

[Anonymous]

I had braces as a teen but my teeth drifted from being perfectly straight. I did Invisalign as an adult and had great results.

[Anonymous]

Had them as a teen, never wore my retainer, needed them again as an adult. Got them at age 49. Done now, and happy with my smile again. Except for the little frown lines 😉

[Anonymous]

I think a lot more adults are wearing/using invisalign now than you realize. My mom did it in her late 60s, my husband around age 50.

For my mom I'd say it was a big hassle for 1.5-2 years but she's so happy with the results. The hassle was that she was really meticulous about cleaning her teeth perfectly after meals before putting the trays back in even if we were at a restaurant or otherwise not eating at home.

With my husband, on the other hand, I barely even knew he went through the experience. It was a non-issue in his life.

[Anonymous]

A misaligned bite can lead to pain and tooth damage over time. I’d get it corrected, even if it seems like a hassle. But get a second opinion if suspect your dentist is making a money grab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew people got braces in adulthood, but I guess I thought it was people who missed the chance when they were younger.

I never needed braces as a teen, but now in my forties my bite has somehow gotten misaligned to the point it’s starting to bother me. The dentists says braces could fix it but it sounds like SUCH a hassle! And I know they make money on this stuff.

What do I do? Just let them be crooked? Do people deal with this a lot and I just didn’t know?

If you are a woman, then the men will love the metal mouth look.

If you are a man, well many women think it's kinda cute in a grown man, so there's that also.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Good luck. Be aware that braces can damage the roots if your teeth and then, you will need a root canal or implants.

[Anonymous]

I had braces as a teen and they shifted. I just finished Invisalign. Totally worth it. I have to wear a retainer at night for life but it really looks so much better.

[Anonymous]

Invisalign

[Anonymous]

Thanks, this is OP and I meant Invisalign. It seems like such a hassle! Two years of brace thingies? I feel like they’re so noticeable. I have definitely noticed them on people I know.

Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, this is OP and I meant Invisalign. It seems like such a hassle! Two years of brace thingies? I feel like they’re so noticeable. I have definitely noticed them on people I know.

Ugh.

But that just means they’re normal. People age 35+ (and some people well over that age range) are Invisaligning all over the place! Get your teeth fixed! I’m starting next month myself. We can be adult orthodontics buddies. I also developed a bit of a cross bite and now am having uneven wear on my teeth. I did not have braces as a teen so I suppose its my time now.

[Anonymous]

Just got my Invisalign today. Any tips from anyone in how to make this experience a little less unpleasant?!

[Anonymous]

Invisalign is better in middle age. Although frankly both may take a toll on the roots of your teeth, leading to bone and tooth loss.