braces at 28?

Question

i never had insurance growing up, but i recently found a dental clinic..and with my insurance i can get braces. i am 28..is that too old?my teeth are very crowded... do you get a retainer first? how does it work? like.. what are the steps. in 2 weeks is my first appt EVER with a dentist.. im so afraid but it cant be put off any longer...

Answer 1

Good for you! No your not too old, we have patients in their 50's getting theirs done. They say it's their turn now that the kids are finished. Your first appointment will be for impressions for models, x rays, pano, cephlo, photo's of your teeth and face. The next appointment will be for the consultation after the orthodontist has your treatment plan worked up so he can tell you how long and what all needs to be done to correct your teeth.

Depending on "how severe" the crowding is if there is a lot of movement needed to correct your alignment, you may be able to go with the Invisalign. The ortho or dentist will go into detail about it. They are the clear braces that you wear 24/7 and only take out to eat and brush.

Either way the dentist or ortho will go over everything with you and all the steps, spacers first, then the bands and bracket placement and then the monthly check ups. You'll be amazed at how fast you see things happen.

The retainer is the last step of orthodontics. It's use is to hold the teeth in their corrected position. Most orthodontists prefer to place a fixed retainer on the lower with a removable hawley on the upper. They will advise you which will work best in your situation.

Did I understand you correctly, that this is your first appointment "ever" with a dentist? If so, he will first want to have a cleaning done, x rays, exam and treatment plan. Then any decay will need to be taken care of first, so that your teeth are sound before brackets and bands are placed for 2 years.

So you'll have an appointment for cleaning, then restorations if needed, then impressions and x rays, photo's, next consult and spacers, then ortho placement. Hope I've been of some help with this, good luck and congrats on the braces! You're going to love your new smile! Anything I can help with just send an email and I'll be glad to help.

Answer 2

No you are not too old to get braces. I am 24 and I am having my braces put on at the end of the month. You don't get a retainer until after the braces are taken off. I have done a lot of research and there is a wonderful site for adults with braces. There is also a forum and you can learn all types of things.

Here is the link from the site for the process of getting braces.

http://www.archwired.com/braces_101.htm

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

28 is absolutely not too old. Every case is different so no one can anticipate what will be first. At your first ever dental appointment they'll probably not going to address braces unless your appointment is with an orthodontist (they do braces). The general dentist will clean your teeth, take xrays, and check for cavities... easy stuff. I've known tons of people who have had their teeth straightened at your age and later. Choose an orthodontist with a good reputation.

Answer 4

my aunt got braces at 40. having a perfect smile is the most amazing feeling in the world. orthodontists use different methods depending on the individual. they may start you off with a mouth spacer, palette expander, anything really and then lead you into braces, or they may start you off with braces and then lead you into a retainer. a lot of people start off with neck gear or head gear's. being 28, you should ask for the least visible option: they have clear braces now, clear retainers, and options to use certain apparatus at night or at certain times.

i think its great that youve taken the steps to get braces and that you'll regret not doing it while you have the chance at 28 instead of regretting it when your 50 and your teeth begin to fall out, etc.

if its your first appt with a DENTIST, its a different story, you'll probably get a good cleaning, xrays for cavities (they'll probably be filled at a later date), and will give you a recommendation for the orthodontist if you need it.

Good luck and dont worry! the dentist isnt scary!

Answer 5

My friend's dad has braces and he is over 40. I would definitely go through with the braces if you feel you need them. The retainer normally comes after the braces have been taken off. Good luck!

Answer 6

hey...well I can't really tell you what it's like, because I've never had braces. I think you just get spacers and then they put on the braces and it hurts for a couple days. But as far as age...i'd go for it! Last year I had a teacher in her late thirties who got braces and she never regretted it...the outcome was totally worth it. Just have a good attitude and play it up and no one will think any different about it

Answer 7

you could get invisoline, the braces that you can't really see. plenty of people get that when they are in a older age. and you get the retainer later, but that also can be made to be unseen.

Answer 8

28 is not old at all. i'm definitely getting my teeth corrected but i want to know if i should get braces or veneers and i'll be 28 soon myself. don't worry. i think it will be worth it.