I'm 44 years old and I've been wanting to get braces on my teeth for a long time, and I'm finally in a place where I have the time and money to get it done, so I'm getting them put on this coming Monday. If all goes well, I will be having surgery 6 months from now to have my lower jaw moved forward.

I've always been kind of self-conscious about my receding lower jaw and I think that a lot of my self-esteem issues have to do with it. It sounds like it's going to be a long and somewhat painful process, but I'm really looking forward to getting the ball rolling on it.

I was just wondering if anyone here has been through this process and if so, maybe you could share your experiences and let me know what I can expect. Thanks!

AL-B

I'm 44 years old and I've been wanting to get braces on my teeth for a long time, and I'm finally in a place where I have the time and money to get it done, so I'm getting them put on this coming Monday. If all goes well, I will be having surgery 6 months from now to have my lower jaw moved forward.

I've always been kind of self-conscious about my receding lower jaw and I think that a lot of my self-esteem issues have to do with it. It sounds like it's going to be a long and somewhat painful process, but I'm really looking forward to getting the ball rolling on it.

I was just wondering if anyone here has been through this process and if so, maybe you could share your experiences and let me know what I can expect. Thanks!

AL-B


I need them but I've never gotten them.  I hate everything about the dentist/orthodontist so I don't go. I've been twice in 35 yrs. I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying I really hate it

I need them but I've never gotten them.  I hate everything about the dentist/orthodontist so I don't go. I've been twice in 35 yrs. I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying I really hate it


You can't help what you hate.  :P

I got braces from age 10-12.

I had them at 35, it is never too late.  It is tougher when you are older because you face is set in its ways.  It was worth it though

I had braces for 2 & 1/2 years when I was a teen. I had 8 teeth pulled before I had them put on.  :o :o :o  Granted 4 were baby teeth. Some of them were underneath and they had to dig them out. (OUCH!) I had 4 shots of Novocaine and laughing gas-yup, I was awake for it. So, I am missing a few bicuspids. 


I had a teacher who used to call them my "cage." He would say to me, "When are you getting your cage off?" And when I FINALLY got them off, he said to me, "You look different. What is different about you?" I said nothing but smiled VERY BIG. He finally noticed, "You got your cage off!"


As for getting them as an adult, I have seen people of all ages wearing them. One woman I know (who must be at least in her 50s) said it was her second time having them.



I need them but I've never gotten them.  I hate everything about the dentist/orthodontist so I don't go. I've been twice in 35 yrs. I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying I really hate it



That is a good way to lose your teeth. I'm just giving you a word of advice. Most people who lose their teeth are the ones who don't go to a dentist on a regular basis. I hate going to the dentist because I have SUPER sensitive teeth and even just having them cleaned causes me pain-but I endure it because I don't want to lose them. 



Cat

I had them from May 1993 until December 1995. My teeth were growing in crookedly, which is why I needed 'em. During the 2 1/2 years I had them, I was restricted from eating certain foods (especially those which required being bitten into) and could not drink soda, and I did a good job of avoiding such foods.

My mom had 'em for an eight-month period when she was 44, but only on her lower teeth.

I had braces for 2 & 1/2 years when I was a teen. I had 8 teeth pulled before I had them put on.  :o :o :o  Granted 4 were baby teeth. Some of them were underneath and they had to dig them out. (OUCH!) I had 4 shots of Novocaine and laughing gas-yup, I was awake for it. So, I am missing a few bicuspids. 


I had a teacher who used to call them my "cage." He would say to me, "When are you getting your cage off?" And when I FINALLY got them off, he said to me, "You look different. What is different about you?" I said nothing but smiled VERY BIG. He finally noticed, "You got your cage off!"


As for getting them as an adult, I have seen people of all ages wearing them. One woman I know (who must be at least in her 50s) said it was her second time having them.



That is a good way to lose your teeth. I'm just giving you a word of advice. Most people who lose their teeth are the ones who don't go to a dentist on a regular basis. I hate going to the dentist because I have SUPER sensitive teeth and even just having them cleaned causes me pain-but I endure it because I don't want to lose them. 



Cat



if I lose my teeth I get dentures and once I get dentures I can avoid the dentist again!  :P

I got braces from age 10-12.


I wound up with braces in 1984 because I sucked my thumb for the past 10 years which in turn led to me having "buck teeth" growing up.

I wound up with braces in 1984 because I sucked my thumb for the past 10 years which in turn led to me having "buck teeth" growing up.


How long did you have them?

How long did you have them?


about 3-4 years then I wound up with retainers.

I was 11 when I had them and 13 when they were taken off. I also had to deal with rubber bands. I had to have four teeth pulled before even getting impressions made. That was an ordeal all on it's own. The shots in the mouth are the worst. Also the goop they put on a tray and stick in your mouth is nasty and they put it in far enough to choke on. The braces themselves were so painful on the first few days I could only have liquids. Not fun.

about 3-4 years then I wound up with retainers.


I wound up with retainers too.  :P

Spacers suck. I can't wait until they take these f**kers out on Monday.  :P

I was 11 when I had them and 13 when they were taken off. I also had to deal with rubber bands. I had to have four teeth pulled before even getting impressions made. That was an ordeal all on it's own. The shots in the mouth are the worst. Also the goop they put on a tray and stick in your mouth is nasty and they put it in far enough to choke on. The braces themselves were so painful on the first few days I could only have liquids. Not fun.


How did you wind up with braces? Did you suck your thumb when you were a child?

I wound up with retainers too.  :P


When I worn my retainers, I sounded funny.

I was 11 when I had them and 13 when they were taken off. I also had to deal with rubber bands. I had to have four teeth pulled before even getting impressions made. That was an ordeal all on it's own. The shots in the mouth are the worst. Also the goop they put on a tray and stick in your mouth is nasty and they put it in far enough to choke on. The braces themselves were so painful on the first few days I could only have liquids. Not fun.



I remember those rubber bands. I used to bring them into my study hall in high school and we used to shoot them at people. They were so small that no one even noticed if they were hit by them unless we got them on their skin. We would leave the class room and you could see all those little rubber bands on the floor. I'm sure the janitor was wondering "What the....?" as he would sweep them up. I remember seeing one guy walking out of class with a few in his hair. 



Cat

I remember those rubber bands. I used to bring them into my study hall in high school and we used to shoot them at people. They were so small that no one even noticed if they were hit by them unless we got them on their skin. We would leave the class room and you could see all those little rubber bands on the floor. I'm sure the janitor was wondering "What the....?" as he would sweep them up. I remember seeing one guy walking out of class with a few in his hair. 



Cat


What were the rubber bands used for?

What were the rubber bands used for?



They were used to close the gap that was created when they pulled my teeth. They hooked on to the braces on the teeth in between the gap. I think my sister also had them when she had her braces and she used to spit them at people.  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

They were used to close the gap that was created when they pulled my teeth. They hooked on to the braces on the teeth in between the gap. I think my sister also had them when she had her braces and she used to spit them at people.  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat
Was there a nasty taste of rubber?

Was there a nasty taste of rubber?



I really don't recall. The rubber bands were so tiny that I'm sure there wasn't-at least not too much. What I do remember when they broke in my mouth-ouch!



Cat

They were used to close the gap that was created when they pulled my teeth. They hooked on to the braces on the teeth in between the gap. I think my sister also had them when she had her braces and she used to spit them at people.  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

I had to use them too. Even when going out in public. Of course, when I ate, I had to take the rubber band out of my mouth...but couldn't put a new one in until after I brushed my teeth, which I usually couldn't do until I got home.

I really don't recall. The rubber bands were so tiny that I'm sure there wasn't-at least not too much. What I do remember when they broke in my mouth-ouch!



Cat
I can imagine, twang!

How did you wind up with braces? Did you suck your thumb when you were a child?

I had teeth that overlapped.

They were used to close the gap that was created when they pulled my teeth. They hooked on to the braces on the teeth in between the gap. I think my sister also had them when she had her braces and she used to spit them at people.  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat


I hated those rubber bands, they were so uncomfortable.

I had teeth that overlapped.


I sucked my thumb from 1974-1984 and wound up with "buck teeth".

http://www.walkerbraces.com/clientimages/51635/template/buck%20teeth.jpg
What happens is when you keep sucking your thumb as a child and growing up, the front teeth move forward and then you start lisping.

I sucked my thumb from 1974-1984 and wound up with "buck teeth".

http://www.walkerbraces.com/clientimages/51635/template/buck%20teeth.jpg
What happens is when you keep sucking your thumb as a child and growing up, the front teeth move forward and then you start lisping.


Hey Howard. 

The spoiler feature exists so you can hide things not everyone wants to see  8-P

Hey Howard. 

The spoiler feature exists so you can hide things not everyone wants to see  8-P


Oh sorry about that Q.  :(

Oh sorry about that Q.  :(


It's okay just remember not everyone wants to look in another persons mouth

It's okay Howard, I found it interesting.

It's okay Howard, I found it interesting.
Something to get you teeth into?  ;D

It's okay just remember not everyone wants to look in another persons mouth


unless it's the dentist.

unless it's the dentist.
That dentist has to, but sometimes they do not wish to!

Spacers suck. I can't wait until they take these f**kers out on Monday.  :P


If you can't take spacers what do you think you'll do for a couple of years with braces?  Uh oh!!!!!

Something to get you teeth into?  ;D


;D  ;D

Spacers suck. I can't wait until they take these f**kers out on Monday.  :P


That bites.

I was 11 when I had them and 13 when they were taken off. I also had to deal with rubber bands. I had to have four teeth pulled before even getting impressions made. That was an ordeal all on it's own. The shots in the mouth are the worst. Also the goop they put on a tray and stick in your mouth is nasty and they put it in far enough to choke on. The braces themselves were so painful on the first few days I could only have liquids. Not fun.


Just got the rubber bands put on today. Sh!t's getting real now. :P

I think I remember getting bands on my teeth too. It hurt for a few days.

I think I remember getting bands on my teeth too. It hurt for a few days.


It hurt for me too, It was hard to eat food cause the rubber bands would get in the way.

It hurt for me too, It was hard to eat food cause the rubber bands would get in the way.


Some food even got caught in between my teeth too. Annoying.  ::)

Some food even got caught in between my teeth too. Annoying.  ::)


and then the rubber bands would go flying out your mouth.

I think I remember getting bands on my teeth too. It hurt for a few days.


It hurt for me too, It was hard to eat food cause the rubber bands would get in the way.

I had the same experiences. But I was always careful never to bite directly into the food; I'd have to cut it up and chew with the side/back teeth. And the food had to be soft.

I kind of want braces, I've never had them though. If I did get them, I'd try to opt for the ones that go behind my teeth so they don't show. It's bad enough getting lipstick on my teeth. It'd be a nightmare trying to get it off braces.