Well, I was just informed today that I’ll likely need braces. I’m going to have to get my wisdom teeth pulled and then my Doc wants me in braces to fix some crowding and an overbite.
Any adult dopers out there with braces? How much did it cost (approx)? How long did you have to have them on? What kind did you get? How do you like the results? Any special info to share?
I’ve read up on the procedure and some of what kind of braces are available, but most of the info out there is geared towards teens. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford them, but I guess I’ll figure out a way.
I got my braces put on in early March - top teeth only so far. For about six years my dentist had been after me to get braces due to upper and lower misalignment and a deep bite. Went to another dentist in a different part of the state and got the same advice - it was one of the first things he said to me, in fact. It was nearly impossible to floss between most of my teeth and I was biting the everloving crap out of my inner cheeks and tounge because the roof of my mouth and gums were pinched inwards in shape rather than being the nice smooth curve they should be.
My dentist sent me to an orthodontist, who gave me a free consultation, then it was about $180 for a records visit (extensive X-rays, photos and molds), then they laid out the treatment plan in a third visit. To my immense relief, they said they didn’t need to pull any wisdom teeth.
He put braces on my upper teeth only at first because my front teeth were pushed so far back they almost got caught behind my lower teeth at times. Ugh. Your orthodontist may be different, but mine gives adult patients the option to have clear brackets on their upper teeth and the usual all-metal brackets on the lower teeth for the same price as all metal. Mine also does in-house financing without using a third party, so I’m paying them directly in monthly installments with no interest. It was about $800 down to get started, however, so you will probably need a good $1000 of ready cash at the outset. My doc is located in a small rural town, so obviously your prices may vary widely.
As for having the braces themselves, so far it’s been a breeze. The spacers they put between your teeth to make room for the brackets weren’t much fun (it felt like shreds of steak were caught in there and you weren’t allowed to floss), but the rest of it hasn’t been so bad. They’ve been tightened twice and both times I went straight out afterward and had pizza (!). Flossing is a bit of a pain, but it’s much easier now that the braces have opened up some space. My upper teeth are already looking almost perfect and my lips look fuller, so I don’t look a complete geek wearing these things. I can still eat pretty much what I want with the exception of really hard or sticky/chewy foods. When the lower braces go on next month, that will probably restrict my food intake more, as they will get more abuse from chewing than the upper teeth do. I will have to wear the braces for 18 months to two years, but that’s not written in stone, nor will it ever be. I’ve spoken to some people who were told 18 months and it ended up being three years before treatment ended.
Hope this helps. Of course, YMMV. But good luck and if you get the chance, go for it. My only regret is not doing this sooner.
Just checking in to read the advice you get, XJETGIRLX. I have some crowding on the bottom that was bothering me, and I thought maybe I could get away with just braces on the bottom teeth (I don’t want them to show… [vain] I’m too old to have braces![/vain]), and I knew we had great orthodontic coverage, so I figured what the heck.
Then I found out our orthodontic coverage is only for our kids under 18, :mad: and I actually need braces on top and bottom. Turns out I have a “deep bite” and need correction on top before they can fix the crowding on the bottom.
The total deposit will be about $1,200, and the monthly cost will be about $150 for (I think) 18 months. The clear braces (ceramics) will cost $650 extra.
I haven’t decided yet, but I will most likely do it. The bottom crowding is really bothering me (one tooth is pushed sideways and back and I’m afraid it will only get worse) so I guess I should go ahead.
I just got braces two weeks ago (I’m 32). So far They’re only on the top and I just got the spacers yesterday.
Mine are clear with a white metal wire going across but eventually they have to replace it with a silver one.
So far it’s been easy and I’m still glad I did it. I have a lot of the harder stuff in front of me though (root canal and they may have to shave some teeth down to allow more space)
Cost: Just the orthodontics is $5300.00 AFTER my insurance which only covers 1500.
I didn’t really shop around though because I would have kept putting it off.
I wear these for ten months to a year then switch to invisalign. (that might be why it’s so expensive)
Some people can just go straight to invisalign which are clear plastic molds you put over your teeth. you can remove them to eat and brush and they get replaced every two weeks.
Well I currently have braces.(At the age of 31, I got them in January) I’ve got to wear them for 14 months. Overall it’s going to cost 3100 dollars. That was 250 for records, 750 when they went on and 150 a month. I got the standard metal bracket with metal wire. He did use a smaller bracket but metal since it’s stronger. So far I like the results. In about 3 months he got my tooth to “jump”.(One of my upper front teeth actually went behind the bottom teeth. Well, not any more, it’s infront like it should be.) Oh one cool thing is since I have a missing tooth up front he made me a fake tooth and stuck it on the braces.(Which is pretty cool.)
X-rays and consultation: $140
Down payment: $600
Monthly payment: $150/14 months
I have them on the top to stop “leaners” as I am extremely prone to caveties and they were going to have to pull teeth otherwise. I need them on the bottom too but I can’t afford it (the price would have jumped $2000). I have to wear them for a yr then a retainer for 6 months to keep them in place.
The first month was rather painful to me but it’s not so bad now. Mostly just discomfort as the ortho tightens. Don’t be too nervous. Adult braces are very common now. (:
Just to oppose this statement…my grandmother had braces put on her teeth at around age 80 (I’m not sure of exactly how old she was at the time, and she has since died).
I also need to have them put on (I’ll be 30 in September), but I’m postponing for a while, as I know I’ll be moving, probably out of state, next May. Once I’m settled someplace new I’ll likely get them done.
I am 31 and have braces.
The total cost was $3,000, of which half was covered by insurance.
If you want clear ones (and I reccomend them) you will add about $200 to the cost.
I never really had any pain or problems until my bottom ones were put in. Then It was very miserable for a day, painful for a week and now, no problem at all. You see, my problem was that 3 months into the braces, I have become pregnant. I only will take a tylenol when the pain is unbearable, which has so far only been once. It should be a lot easier for you if you can take tylenol (not aspirin which somehow inhibits tooth movement) regularly.
Two things I can suggest:
get a waterpik. This has been my saviour when food gets stuck in my braces.
If you can, go to a Dentist who uses Ortho CAD. Its a computerized system which apparently shaves a lot of time (around 6 months). You can watch a nifty video of your teeth moving into place.
oh, and ambusol (so?) is great. It helped me out a lot.