Adult Braces Experience

jokettle

I've loads of wax at the ready. The top ones went on last month so I'm fairly well prepared.

Good to know about the medijel, though; I used bonjela a few weeks ago without realising my cheek was a little bit cut and it stung so badly!

dublingirl83

Braces on a year 19th Dec, time has flown by. Now been told they will be on for another 4-6 months:( hope it will fly as quick as last year... I'm dying to bite into an apple or have some chewing gum

Last week I had to get more brackets onto my back lower wisdom teeth, my braces only went back as far as my molars, now they are all not in line with each other.

My ortho said its unusual to get braces onto wisdom teeth, anyone else get this done?

funkey_monkey

Stronger wires on mine now 3 months in. I can see the change already. I'm just dying now for everything to complete and get them off. I wish I done this years ago

Still have a problem getting the teeth cleaned, especially as the gaps keep increasing and decreasing as the teeth shift.

Other than that, no issues so far apart from bleeding lips due to bracket.

LottieP25

What issues are you having with the cleanings?

I've my braces on nine months now, change is insane ! Started with the elastics two weeks ago and they're making an improvement too.

aine_b

I have mine on 3 months now, il be honest and say my cleaning regime hasnt been the best as it takes so long! i dont eat sugary foods or drinks. I went for a cleaning with the hygienist last monday and she said my teeth were clean and in good shape and to start using the little mini christmas tree brush thingies around the brackets as sugar will stick around the bracket and can leave a mark if not cleaned. so now im worried that the damage may have already been done! she said they were clean so im hoping theyre fine! im strict on myself now and even though it takes about 30 mins every morning to do the whole regime im hoping they will be fine once taken off!

LottieP25

aine_b wrote: »

I have mine on 3 months now, il be honest and say my cleaning regime hasnt been the best as it takes so long! i dont eat sugary foods or drinks. I went for a cleaning with the hygienist last monday and she said my teeth were clean and in good shape and to start using the little mini christmas tree brush thingies around the brackets as sugar will stick around the bracket and can leave a mark if not cleaned. so now im worried that the damage may have already been done! she said they were clean so im hoping theyre fine! im strict on myself now and even though it takes about 30 mins every morning to do the whole regime im hoping they will be fine once taken off!

Ya should be fine , itwasn't over a prolonged period of time . Would recommend getting them clean every 3 months anyways even if you do step up your cleaning at home, as it's still a lot of hardware to have in the mouth .

What's your night time routine like?

funkey_monkey

LottieP25 wrote: »

What issues are you having with the cleanings?

I've my braces on nine months now, change is insane ! Started with the elastics two weeks ago and they're making an improvement too.

Mainly directly behind the wire. There was a brown line like a shadow behind it. Now, I must say I brush teeth in morning, after lunch and last thing at night. I usually get a rinse of mouthwash in during the day too. So I was very disappointed that there was staining.

Now that teeth are drifting about I am now able to use a te-pe for the first time ever. Not sure if it is making a difference. We'll see in January when I go to the hygenist again. I notice that their are some unsightly dark marks which I don't seem to be able to do anything about - these are inbetween teeth that have drifted into a different position and I assume it is old plaque etc which needs to be removed.

I'm hoping that my next appt in early Jan (2nd adjustment) will see the focus switch from lining them vertically to correcting the arch. I've got no elastics on yet, but I notice I've got brackets with hooks to accept them.

Do the bands on the molars get added at a later date, or if you don't have them now do you not need them?

LottieP25

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Mainly directly behind the wire. There was a brown line like a shadow behind it. Now, I must say I brush teeth in morning, after lunch and last thing at night. I usually get a rinse of mouthwash in during the day too. So I was very disappointed that there was staining.

Now that teeth are drifting about I am now able to use a te-pe for the first time ever. Not sure if it is making a difference. We'll see in January when I go to the hygenist again. I notice that their are some unsightly dark marks which I don't seem to be able to do anything about - these are inbetween teeth that have drifted into a different position and I assume it is old plaque etc which needs to be removed.

I'm hoping that my next appt in early Jan (2nd adjustment) will see the focus switch from lining them vertically to correcting the arch. I've got no elastics on yet, but I notice I've got brackets with hooks to accept them.

Do the bands on the molars get added at a later date, or if you don't have them now do you not need them?

Do you drink a lot of tea or coffee? What mouthwash are you using, these can be contributing to the staining .

No they can be added at a later date. I got mine 7 months in .

funkey_monkey

LottieP25 wrote: »

Do you drink a lot of tea or coffee? What mouthwash are you using, these can be contributing to the staining .

No they can be added at a later date. I got mine 7 months in .

I'd drink a couple of coffees per day and two teas.

I was using Colgate Fluoriguard and have recently switched onto Sensodyne (after staining was noticed).

I am hoping I get the brackets and elastics on this next time. Progress is flying along. Just the staining is causing an issue .

LottieP25

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I'd drink a couple of coffees per day and two teas.

I was using Colgate Fluoriguard and have recently switched onto Sensodyne (after staining was noticed).

I am hoping I get the brackets and elastics on this next time. Progress is flying along. Just the staining is causing an issue .

That's a lot if caffeine , and Is defiantly contributing to your staining. Maybe try cutting down and see if you notice a difference

applesock

have my braces two years now in january. Recently got elastics on one side. I can really feel the pressure/pain, but not quiet pain if that makes sense,at times. Ive been googling and alot of people say they got the elastics towards the end of their treatment. Whats peoples experience with elastics? Ive forgotten some night to put on hopefully won't effect treatment time to much. Although it was initially 18months - 2yrs so will be going over that abit.

jimmer123

I was shown a picture of my teeth before I started treatment today it was disgusting.

Braces will be on a year in February, time flies :-)

funkey_monkey

Back tomorrow for another adjustment. Hoping to get the elastics on as that'll mean I should be on the home straight (I think).

TheDoctor

Hello, just came across this thread.

Same boat as most here I assume, was not happy with my teeth and never got anything done to fix them. Went through school and college and now out working.

At 24 I decided it was time to get something done.

Have had clear braces on for 5 months now and delighted I got it done. The difference in that space of time between how they did look to how they look now is great.


Shame I didnt get it done sooner.

jimmer123

TheDoctor

Really hate looking at my before picture, awful stuff

funkey_monkey

Well, got the elastics on yesterday. I can feel the constant pressure and eating has now become tender again.

I think I'll have about 4 months to go according to the Ortho as it is all going really well.

Only problem to date is on my upper arch. My lateral incisors to either side of the central incisors are triangulated which means there is a gap at the gum between it and the central incisor. He intends to shave a bit off the side of both lateral incisors in order to get them closer and close the gap. However, as I get oldr and the gums recede then this gap will become more apparent again

LottieP25

It's not a written rule that your gums will receede as you get older, regular dental maintenance and a good Oral hygiene routine should stop that.

If your gums do receed there is procedures that can be done to rectify that. Depending on bone loss etc.

Hide behind the post

13 years after getting my braces off as a teenager I am back with ceramic's for cc. 6 months.

Wisdom teeth have caused some movement and I have taken the plunge for 'cosmetic' reasons....Vanity :-)

Ceramic's are great...machined so angles eliminate light bouncing and therefore they are not that noticeable (think thats the reason).

On a very positive note I reckon braces has taken at least 5 years off me :-)

OntheStrings

Great seeing all the success stories on here. I went for a consultation recently and was told it'd take 10 months and just a top brace. My problem is that I'm reluctant to go ahead with it because I have a very minor alignment issue. My teeth look straight but they're a bit out of alignment at the front.

So my question is, is it worth it for minor problems?:o

aine_b

OntheStrings wrote: »

So my question is, is it worth it for minor problems?:o

My answer would be, does it affect your self confidence? If it holds you back from smiling or when talking to people face to face or if you focus in on your teeth when looking at photos I'd say def go for it! If they don't bother you and they're not doing any damage I'd say hold it off, ask friends and family their opinion or stick a photo up on here for our opinion!

OntheStrings

aine_b wrote: »

My answer would be, does it affect your self confidence? If it holds you back from smiling or when talking to people face to face or if you focus in on your teeth when looking at photos I'd say def go for it! If they don't bother you and they're not doing any damage I'd say hold it off, ask friends and family their opinion or stick a photo up on here for our opinion!

Cheers for your reply! I guess it's always held me back from smiling confidently. Not many pics of me smiling because of it. They look fine from the front but from my side profile, they make me feel really insecure. I will more than likely go ahead with the procedure. I just keep worrying I'll regret it somehow, but maybe in the long run it'll be the best money I ever spent.

Hide behind the post

OntheStrings wrote: »

Cheers for your reply! I guess it's always held me back from smiling confidently. Not many pics of me smiling because of it. They look fine from the front but from my side profile, they make me feel really insecure. I will more than likely go ahead with the procedure. I just keep worrying I'll regret it somehow, but maybe in the long run it'll be the best money I ever spent.

I second this....had braces when I was a teenager...loved the results into my late 20's...some slight misalignment due to wisdom teeth now.

Only I notice it really but it bothers me and every pic I see .... thats all I see!!

Doing this for me ... not anyone else

Go for it...look at it this way .... Christmas 2014 you can rock a new smile!!!

OntheStrings

Hide behind the post wrote: »

I second this....had braces when I was a teenager...loved the results into my late 20's...some slight misalignment due to wisdom teeth now.

Only I notice it really but it bothers me and every pic I see .... thats all I see!!

Doing this for me ... not anyone else

Go for it...look at it this way .... Christmas 2014 you can rock a new smile!!!

Thanks!:D great advice!! I suppose it's worth it in the long run!

TheDoctor

Go team!

TJ Mackie

Hi people,

Figured this was the best place to ask. Asking on behalf of my girlfriend, who is looking for a dentist/orthodontist in South Dublin (preferably, or inner City) who you guys have good feedback for. She's thinking 6 month smile, but may go for full braces depending on her consultation.

Would appreciate any PM's as this will be an overdue Christmas present from me

tooth_doc

Adult braces is now a predictable treatment provided certain parameters are met, many names now, six month smiles, cfast, quick straight teeth etc

Ooonie

Well I'm getting my braces on on Monday (sort of). Because of my teeth the orthodontist has suggested putting on the brackets to help me get used to them, then removing 4 teeth and then 6 weeks later getting the wire placed on.

I have a fairly bad snaggletooth so he wants my lips to get used to having a bracket wedged up there.

I have the spacers on at the moment.

I'm a little nervous but more excited than anything else. I just want to get the next few weeks over with so the wire can go on and I can get the show started!

TheDoctor

6 months next week since I started, how time flies, and what a difference in that time

louisewalsh23

Guys, getting braces on on the 15th of Feb and can't wait to have the smile I've always dreamed of!

Big question: do I go damon brackets, or pay the extra and get the ceramic? I'm only being offered them on top front 6 and ortho says they will take 3/4 months longer. Does anyone know of this is accurate?

I'm really tempted to get ceramic but they stain badly with coffee and curry?

Would love to hear thoughts!

Thanks :-)

louisewalsh23

louisewalsh23 wrote: »

Guys, getting braces on on the 15th of Feb and can't wait to have the smile I've always dreamed of!

Big question: do I go damon brackets, or pay the extra and get the ceramic? I'm only being offered them on top front 6 and ortho says they will take 3/4 months longer. Does anyone know of this is accurate?

I'm really tempted to get ceramic but they stain badly with coffee and curry?

Would love to hear thoughts!

Thanks :-)

This is what I mean by the 2 types! Also, the girls in my orthodontist surgery were selling the metal over the clear. Is there any reason for this? Were they being genuine or is there some advantage to them if I go for clear?

farmer_dave

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the metal works a bit quicker than the clear. It dpends on the price as to which you go for and whether you could cope with the metal ones visually.

Me, I went for the metal ones for financial reasons. I'm well used to the now after freaking out initially.

Lovbnmoma

Hey guys, I got the ceramic on top and metal on bottom. Have them on since March last year. I think the ceramic do take a bit longer and my ortho was saying he might need to put metal on my top for last 3 to 4 months as he wasnt happy with the length the ceramic were taking. He said for some people the ceramic dont work as well as metal. As for staining, mine are not too bad, I drink tea and coffee on regular basis and havent had bad staining. Id say if you smoked then they would definitely stain.

ennis81

Had metal on bottom and ceramic on top, I had no staining from tea, coffee or smoking :) stay away from fizzy drinks though especially coke

LottieP25

Im getting mine off soon just got my wisdom teeth out as part of the treatment plan. so as soon as everything settles again , they're coming off

Cant wait!

ennis81

Fantastic!! Getting my braces off was one of the happiest days of my life:D

TheDoctor

Still got a few months left, then the retainers.......

Yakuza

I'll have my top braces a year next week (the bottoms went in last September), there has been a massive amount of movement and re-alignment of my bite(most of which took place in the first six months). I have about another year to go, and will stick up a montage of before/during/after pics then.

Things I've noticed
1) The auld gnashers get very tender for a few days after a tightening (esp when the ortho puts in a thicker wire), but nothing too bad.
2) Giving my gumline a proper clean is nigh impossible with them on. I was in the dentist today for my second clean since getting the braces, there was a fair bit of calculus built up which was fairly sore to clean out, but it's done now . In general, she was happy with their cleanliness (very little bleeding of the gums when she was cleaning) so I was pleased with that.
3) I do smile more broadly now that I have a semi-decent smile. Hopefully this time next year I'll have more to smile about with the end of my treatment! I'll have a bonded retainer for life at the end of the course, but that means no night-time retainer for me.

dowhatyoulove

Am I the only person here who absolutely hates their braces? I have damon metal ones, have them on 10 months and tbh, I get wait to get them off. I feel horrible with them on, they are really affecting my self esteem!

My Orthodontist is great, and the next thing to go on is the brackets I think but I'm just so sick of having them already!

ennis81

I had day's when I just wanted to rip them off my teeth, I was told a year but it was 2 years and 2 month's for me so I was well sick of them at the end. Don't let it affect your self esteem, you are doing this to improve your smile, your dental health and your self esteem REMEMBER THAT!! Everyone seems to be getting them these days they are like a fashion accessory lol. Hang in there it will all be worth it;)

LottieP25

Yakuza wrote: »

I'll have my top braces a year next week (the bottoms went in last September), there has been a massive amount of movement and re-alignment of my bite(most of which took place in the first six months). I have about another year to go, and will stick up a montage of before/during/after pics then.

Things I've noticed
1) The auld gnashers get very tender for a few days after a tightening (esp when the ortho puts in a thicker wire), but nothing too bad.
2) Giving my gumline a proper clean is nigh impossible with them on. I was in the dentist today for my second clean since getting the braces, there was a fair bit of calculus built up which was fairly sore to clean out, but it's done now . In general, she was happy with their cleanliness (very little bleeding of the gums when she was cleaning) so I was pleased with that.
3) I do smile more broadly now that I have a semi-decent smile. Hopefully this time next year I'll have more to smile about with the end of my treatment! I'll have a bonded retainer for life at the end of the course, but that means no night-time retainer for me.

What I find helps with cleaning the gum line on top of your regular brushing , is introducing a babies toothbrush. It's small it fits perfectably over the braces to get to the gum line. That what i do anyways

Keano

Nearly there... Bottom should be coming off next month with the top after Easter. Can easily say it's the best money I've ever spent.

TheDoctor

6 months today, had a tightening yesterday, sore again now.

Ooonie

I got my braces on yesterday (ceramic top and bottom) & I'll be honest & say I'm finding it hard to adjust. I'm in a lot of pain & it just seems like I'll have them on forever at this stage.

I'm hoping it's just a matter of getting used to them & adjusting to the change then I'll see the light at the end of the tunnel. The constant feeling of pressure on my teeth is driving me insane!

I'm getting 4 teeth out next week under sedation & looking forward to getting that fond & over with. At least after that I'll have 4 weeks to get used to things before my ortho goes at them again!

pillphil

Ooonie wrote: »

I got my braces on yesterday (ceramic top and bottom) & I'll be honest & say I'm finding it hard to adjust. I'm in a lot of pain & it just seems like I'll have them on forever at this stage.

I'm hoping it's just a matter of getting used to them & adjusting to the change then I'll see the light at the end of the tunnel. The constant feeling of pressure on my teeth is driving me insane!

I'm getting 4 teeth out next week under sedation & looking forward to getting that fond & over with. At least after that I'll have 4 weeks to get used to things before my ortho goes at them again!

The pressure goes away after a day or two.

funkey_monkey

I'm using Sensodyne Pro-namel mouthwash and it states that it can cause staining.

Could that be part of the reason why my front teeth have some stains on them or is it more likely due to poor care? I brush my teeth approx 4 times per day, try to floss 1 - 2 times per day and use the mouthwash t least twice per day.

I had a simialr issue previously with another brand of mouthwash which gave me bad staining. It was only when the hygenist asked why was it so bad that it came out that the mouth wash was the issue then. Corsodyl I think it was...

Yakuza

I was at my dentist's (again) yesterday (part of my gum became inflamed after an...err...vigorous cleaning). She suggested I use Corsodyl gel (as opposed to the mouthwash) on the part of my gum that's sore as the active ingredient in Corsodyl (Chlorhexidine) can interact with toothpaste and can cause quite bad staining.

On a separate issue, generally (when in work or at home, not when out in a restaurant or friend's houses) I drink tea/coffee in a thermos mug with a straw - it reduces staining a fair bit as the liquid bypasses the front teeth. It does look odd (but at my age I really don't give a rat's ass about stuff like that). It's also handy while driving as you don't have to take your eyes off the road while drinking.

LottieP25

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I'm using Sensodyne Pro-namel mouthwash and it states that it can cause staining.

Could that be part of the reason why my front teeth have some stains on them or is it more likely due to poor care? I brush my teeth approx 4 times per day, try to floss 1 - 2 times per day and use the mouthwash t least twice per day.

I had a simialr issue previously with another brand of mouthwash which gave me bad staining. It was only when the hygenist asked why was it so bad that it came out that the mouth wash was the issue then. Corsodyl I think it was...

There's a brand called ortho kin. Try that it's made specifically for ortho people. Should help reduce staining. I use it day to day and cleanings every 3 months and drink at the very least 8 cups a tea a day and have no staining

You can get it in almost every chemist expect boots never seen it there

applesock

i think il try the orthokin never heard of it. Im super paranoid about staining. Drink coffee and everything with a straw. Im afraid when the braces come of il be left with staines around the brackets

dowhatyoulove

Just got powerchains in and brackets. No notion if this means I am further along in the process. Glad though as the gaps where I got teeth taken out were very annoying! Had them in since April last year..