Should I get braces til im almost 20?

Question

Hey, just wonderin if you could help me out. I seeked out getting braces thinking I would need to wear them for a max of 6 months (which I dont mind). Turns out I will need to wear them for 2 yrs! Im almost 18 so they will be off when Im almost 20.
If im honest I would say it was purely cosmetic, my teeth arent really that bad. Do I get them done now and live a bit self-conscious for 2 yrs (for the best part of which I will be at uni! :( ) or do you think in the long run it wont be worth it since they arent that bad? I no this once in a life time oppurtunity since free health care runs out at 18, so do I do it?
Also... to help me feel a bit better id really like white braces. My family wouldnt be able to afford much but I know my mum would try and make me happy if she could. How much are they? Is there any chance I can maybe get the top front 4 teeth in white? Sounds silly but it would make me feel better.
Oh one last thing... are there any other options? eg removable??
thanks! xx

Hey, just to clarify I am indeed from the UK! My free dental care will come from the NHS. I'm not particularly obsessed with my teeth, but my dad wants me to get them done since he had awful teeth when he was younger and doesn't want me to experience the same. However mine aren't awful to begin with. and I have heard they are alot of pain. :(

Answer 1

Have you looked into the clear invisalign braces? They are basically like clear mouthguards and you can realign your teeth through a simple multi step process. Its really easy and no one will notice you are correcting you teeth.

Answer 2

I would advise you to get your braces now. You say that your teeth aren't too bad....so I assume you mean not too crooked. But what about your bite (how your top and bottom teeth meet)? Both of those things are considered for braces.

If you wait, your teeth may become more crooked over time. Then you will want to get them later in life, which will be much more difficult and costly. The average cost of braces in the US is $5,000, and I have heard that it is equivalent in the UK (roughly 2,500 pounds or more). As you know, waiting time at the NHS can be long. So if you have the opportunity to do it now for free, you should take advantage of it. That way, you will have straight nice teeth for the rest of your life when you are doing most of your dating and having serious relationships.

Also, if you needed something like palate expansion, that is very difficult for adults. At your age, the palate can be expanded still fairly easily. But when you get older it is totally fused and would require surgery to expand.

Regarding a removable appliance -- only an orthodontist who has examined your teeth could tell you for sure. There are such appliances and it may be possible that one would work for you.

By the way, most treatment is 2 years. Why so long? It takes time to move teeth. Believe me, it will go by fast. Think of it this way: two years will go by, whether you have braces or not. Of course, if you don't do it now, you could do it when you're older, as long as you have healthy teeth and gums. There is no age limit for braces. I got mine at age 42 and wished I'd had them when I was your age!

Come visit our website, which has hundreds of pages of frank and honest information about braces. Including a page which has the pros and cons of metal versus ceramic brackets. Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

OK, at age 20 you will either have straight teeth or teeth like you have now.

Then if you wanted straight teeth later you would probably have to pay for them yourself, and you'd have to wait another 2 years. And braces are expensive, you probably wouldn't be able to afford them until you have a career going, maybe age 30.

What do you want to happen? Do you want straight teeth, or isn't it that important to you? Lots of people go through life with crooked teeth- and do OK just the same. But if you want them straight, why not get it over with, and start reaping whatever benefits come from straight teeth ASAP?

Answer 4

I had the same trouble when i was around 14-15, i was scared at what all my friends would think and what i would look like, i opted not to have them done. Big mistake for me because i really regret not havin them done, so listen if your askin this question your havin thoughts about it, i say go for it whats 2yrs when u have the rest of your life to come and as you say your in uni for most of that.

There is another option its more or less extra teeth placed on top of your own, but ive heard that it makes them feel alot bigger, and they stand out more, so i think you should go for the braces, i hope ive helped you make your decision thanks for listening.
Kelly x x x

Answer 5

Donna from the way you describe it and write, I would think you are from the usa. I am not being funny or nasty or anything like that. But why do all people in the usa want to have really straight teeth and pure white ? Braces are painful and if you can do without them please do so. It is just another thing for dental practioners use to make them rich. I cant advise you babe , you have to make your own mind up. best wishes P.

Answer 6

Get them done because I hugely regret not having braces when I was in my teens and I am now having to pay for orthodontic treatment!! If you are feeling slightly self concious now - it is likely in the future you will be more self conscious!! And remeber two years isn't a long time!! Especially when you are at uni!!

Answer 7

hi, I'm 16 and recently got braces. i didn't want them either but i was the only one with bad teeth in my friendship group so i new i really needed despite the embarrassment i would have to put up with for the next two years. but when i got them no1 made a big deal out of it and got used to them. i saw it as puttin up with it for 2 yrs or havin un-straight teeth for the rest of my life. when the are removed you can get them laser whitened so they will look perfectly straight n white! i think go for it or you will regret it.

Answer 8

You can go for clear braces (as in clear elastics) or Invisalign, which are clear braces.

I've always heard that it was better to do it as soon as possible, because your teeth are easier to move around as a "child".

Answer 9

Get them done now I don't think people bother now if someone is wearing a brace not like years ago

Answer 10

Do it while its free. Braces don't look to bad and when you get to my ripe old age you'll wish you sorted your chompers out when you were younger. Its incredibly expensive!