Discussion
Not the red ones used by 1980s CityBoys 
to hold their trousers up, the type for sorting your toothypegs out..
I went to my new dentist for the first time today and he seemed very keen for me to go down this route. Don't get me wrong I don't look like I should be accompanied by 'dualling banjos' when I enter a room - the front 6 at the top are just a little bit wonky (not very bad at all to be honest, but I have been aware of them for a bit). I am starting a new jop for an anglo-american firm next week and I don't want to get held back because some Septic doesn't like my gnashers - BUT I can't help but think that it's £2-3k and 18months for the sake of vanity...
Has anyone been through this as a 'grown-up'..?
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 14:11
to hold their trousers up, the type for sorting your toothypegs out.. I went to my new dentist for the first time today and he seemed very keen for me to go down this route. Don't get me wrong I don't look like I should be accompanied by 'dualling banjos' when I enter a room - the front 6 at the top are just a little bit wonky (not very bad at all to be honest, but I have been aware of them for a bit). I am starting a new jop for an anglo-american firm next week and I don't want to get held back because some Septic doesn't like my gnashers - BUT I can't help but think that it's £2-3k and 18months for the sake of vanity...
Has anyone been through this as a 'grown-up'..?
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 14:11
chris.mapey said:
My wife is going through it at the moment...
12m in braces, then her jaw broken & reset...
Chris
Crikey. i think for me it'd just be the wire business - the upside of having a big head!
I suppose what i am after from this thread is:
-why people have chosen to have it done now (i.e. when old)
-is it that much of a pain in the 4r5e (edited to say i know you have braces in your mouth, smart-alec)
-does it hurt (!)
-how stupid/self-conscious do you feel wearing them
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 14:16
Tyre Smoke said:25.5
How old are you?
Tyre Smoke said:in general no - spend an average amount of money on clothes to cover my slightly larger than average self and get my hair cut, on average, a week later than was probably best...
Are you really that vain?
john_p said:
Ask if you're suitable for Invisalign
Bit more expensive, but a million times easier than wired braces
what is it though? edited to say - finally got some life out of their website. looks quite good. not sure i can tell how it is easier but it certainly looks less obvious. hmm!?
cheers
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 15:16
I have been going through Orthodontic treatment as well.I have had braces on since Nov 04,& I am going through surgery to my lower jaw (bi sagatical,both sides)in March.The biggest problem I have had with braces is that they have made it really hard for me to speak clearly.Which causes all kinds of problems,if I go out anywhere.They can be very painful too I've had quite a few ulcers,& sometimes when they change the wires.They don't always trim them properly so the wire impales the back of your mouth.So you get stabbed every time you open your mouth.NOT fun at all!But I am hoping the end result will be worth it.
Guzzi Steve said:
I have been going through Orthodontic treatment as well.I have had braces on since Nov 04,& I am going through surgery to my lower jaw (bi sagatical,both sides)in March.The biggest problem I have had with braces is that they have made it really hard for me to speak clearly.Which causes all kinds of problems,if I go out anywhere.They can be very painful too I've had quite a few ulcers,& sometimes when they change the wires.They don't always trim them properly so the wire impales the back of your mouth.So you get stabbed every time you open your mouth.NOT fun at all!But I am hoping the end result will be worth it.
i don't like the way this is going (!) it sounds painful. it sounds like with you and mrs mapey that it's more 'medical' and so worth it. i always laugh at the people who's breast implants go wrong - and in a way that's what i'd be doing - just sorting it for 'the look'... Those invisalign things would certainly reduce some of the problems you describe. i think i'll have to have a look into the additional cost.
thank you for the post - it's like the 'what car' posts - you want to here from the people who've bought the 100,000 mile NSX as much as you want to hear from the guy selling them...!
baskey said:
My wife is going through it at the moment...
12m in braces, then her jaw broken & reset...
Chris
Crikey. i think for me it'd just be the wire business - the upside of having a big head!
I suppose what i am after from this thread is:
-why people have chosen to have it done now (i.e. when old)
-is it that much of a pain in the 4r5e (edited to say i know you have braces in your mouth, smart-alec)
-does it hurt (!)
-how stupid/self-conscious do you feel wearing them
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 14:16
Sarah is having to have it done - her jaw joints are breaking down, and if she doesn't have the procedure carried out, then her jaw could stop working altogether within 15 - 20 years....
It's a pain when they are tightened apparently...
Don't hurt when fitted (apparently), it's the pain when they are tightented, or a wire comes loose & jabs you in the cheek....
Self conscious, well it's down to you, but you have to keep thinking about the long term gain, rather than any short term pain...
Chris
mkgriff said:
I've no knowledge of dentistry, but wonder how permanent the results would be in an adult. As a child whos gums and jaw are still developing, I can see that some guidance in the right direction could work long term, but would our teeth and gums not act a little like springs?
the dentist said at my age it's still worth it(as in there is still enough flexibleness in the gums etc), and in some ways it's better cos all the teeth are where they need to be in relation to each other from a sort of spacing point of view. i really wonder how much it'd hurt though!
cheers everyone.
need to go back in a couple of weeks so i'll have t think and then decide whether or not to discuss it further.
>> Edited by baskey on Tuesday 3rd January 15:46
I'm just getting my wires off next week after 3 years in them. I had my lower jaw moved forward (osteotomy) much the same as one of the other posters and can honestly say that the whole job has not been very traumatic. The wires hurt when tightened and are a pain when you eat but that's about it. The pain is about the same as when something gets wedged in a gap between your teeth. It aches for a few days each time but you soon forget about it. The worst part is keeping your teeth clean while wearing them. It makes effective brushing a bit harder but that's it. To be honest the op was pretty much a doddle but having my teeth wired shut for 7 weeks was a bit hard work. Made some fab milkshake discoveries though. Anyone fancy Goats Milk, Ice cream, yoghurt and banana smoothie? Melted mars bars are also pretty nice but a bit messy.
By the way, I'm 38 (35 when I started the whole thing) Male and not at all vain and I didn't feel too weird about the whole thing. Just let everyone think it's for medical reasons and they won't bat an eyelid.
Mail me ofline if you want to chat about it.
By the way, I'm 38 (35 when I started the whole thing) Male and not at all vain and I didn't feel too weird about the whole thing. Just let everyone think it's for medical reasons and they won't bat an eyelid.
Mail me ofline if you want to chat about it.
dieseljohn said:
I had braces as a teenager and still have nightmares about them now (25.6).
Don't let that put you off.
I had braces as a teenager and smashed up several sets before they finally gave up trying to make me wear the sodding things. Unmitigated grief for no useful result. My only regret is that I didn't smash them up more often.
baskey said:
HOW much....?
Those things hold in headlight bulbs and cost a few p
i think it's 99% time 1% materials..!
if a bog std dentist is on c£100k and an orthodontist is on more...
i do quite a bit of invisalign.
treatment costs are roughly £3k to £4.5k
Our laboratory bill alone from the invisalign company to produce the aligners is roughly £1500.
You need to see the patient for 18 months for appointments which can take a bit of time each go.
For me its certainly not a money spinner and it certainly is not a complete answer or replacement for fixed- metal brackets.
However there are alternatives. I am using a new removable ortho system that in certain cases is much faster and much cheaper (cases take 6-16weeks and cost < £1k) than invisalign and fixed techniques (I am one of the first dentists in the UK using it and currently still only on my 12th case, but am getting excellent results) Aswell as this, one should also consider porcelain veneers. In cases where the teeth are chipped, discoloured, or just plain ugly, orthodontics wont always give patients the results they want. Often, patients have ortho, and then end up having them veneered anyway.
Veneers are certainly not cheap, but its instantaneous, and if you want whiter, nicer looking aswell as straighter teeth, its an option to consider.
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