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ineedbraces25 said:

would that apply to metal braces too? Like depending on ligature color and the persons teeth size/tooth show?

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For me, no. They are definitely more obvious and I look for them. Ceramics are generally pretty easy to spot, but there are always those cases where they just aren’t. If they have little to no tooth show I think it would be harder to spot, but as soon as they lifted their lip it would be obvious. Again though, they are less obvious depending on if they have huge teeth and for metal braces, where they are placed on the teeth.

Charlie0186 said:

I think that ceramic brackets and Invisalign attachments attract attention because there's something odd about them.  It might be that they make the teeth look discoloured.  Whatever it is, I think it's the same as someone behaving strangely because of new braces.  I think that's why metal braces go unnoticed when people smile and go about their day confidently.

I'm looking forward to hearing your experiences after you get yours fitted, ineedbraces25.  Maybe you'll prove me entirely wrong  :

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Interesting. Yeah, I feel like theres something about trying to make something discreet that might make it more obvious. I mean some with ceramics get colors and smile boldly and dont care about them being seen, but perhaps others try to hide them a bit/want them to be unnoticeable? Same with invisalign. I guess it can look weird then because something different about their teeth but its not obvious its braces/invisalign (most dont know invisalign has all these attachments) ..so then it draws more attention as people try to figure out whats wrong.

But maybe metal, especially if you act confident like you said, are just registered as braces quickly and then ignored after since no one really cares?

I wonder if how obvious they are impacts it. Like when I talk, my upper teeth almost barely show at all unless I was talking super animatedly/smiling with teeth...but if relaxed, my lower show a little more (has to do with my bite..after surgery upper will show much more though). But yeah, because of my lack of tooth show, I wouldnt be surprised if some dont even notice them at all...especially if I dont act like I have something im trying to hide or talk funny.

But I feel like if I smile or talk more animated/make expressions, it will be pretty noticeable? Any friend of mine would probably definitely notice, but we'll see I guess.

The hardest part would be acting like its totally normal/not being embarassed or trying to hide them for me lol. I'll see how confident I feel after they're on I guess...have the weekend to adjust before I see anyone again.

TrainTrack said:

Yes, I do, but only in some cases. If people use colored ligatures or metal wires they are clearly visible. It’s the same if they stain them. But I have had a couple of experiences where I was having troubles distinguishing what the heck was wrong with these people’s teeth. I wasn’t sure if it was tooth discoloration or what. I only realized it was braces after they got elastics! I would also say if a person has larger teeth they are more discreet than a person with tiny teeth.

What I’m saying is in some instances they’re discreet and in others they aren’t, even to the untrained public eye.

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would that apply to metal braces too? Like depending on ligature color and the persons teeth size/tooth show?

I think that ceramic brackets and Invisalign attachments attract attention because there's something odd about them.  It might be that they make the teeth look discoloured.  Whatever it is, I think it's the same as someone behaving strangely because of new braces.  I think that's why metal braces go unnoticed when people smile and go about their day confidently.

I'm looking forward to hearing your experiences after you get yours fitted, ineedbraces25.  Maybe you'll prove me entirely wrong  :

Yes, I do, but only in some cases. If people use colored ligatures or metal wires they are clearly visible. It’s the same if they stain them. But I have had a couple of experiences where I was having troubles distinguishing what the heck was wrong with these people’s teeth. I wasn’t sure if it was tooth discoloration or what. I only realized it was braces after they got elastics! I would also say if a person has larger teeth they are more discreet than a person with tiny teeth.

What I’m saying is in some instances they’re discreet and in others they aren’t, even to the untrained public eye.

TrainTrack said:

This is an interesting concept that requires a lot of thinking to figure out.

I would agree with you in our obviously overwhelming preference for fixed metal bracket appliances may be because there's little real-world cosmetic benefit compared with the other options. I believe that we as a group think there’s little cosmetic difference, but if I were a normy, I would assume that ceramics are pretty much invisible, exactly because of the point Charlie1086 made, they don’t look for them but we do.

I am thinking that people choosing colorful and bulky glasses or colorful ceramic braces has something to do with the fact that they only realize after they get them that they are very much visible, not pretty much invisible as they once believed.

The social stigma that has come with having braces has came down a long way than the 70s, at least from stories I’ve heard (I wasn’t around back then) which has definitely helped with more metal braces and freakishly large glasses.

Alternatively, I would argue with the fact that we’ve become “blind” to other things. At least for me, I don’t actively look for glasses, or hearing aids, but I see them anyway even if they aren’t Iris Apfel glasses. I would agree though that we see things that we are used to seeing, such as the baseball or police officer examples you gave. Pretty much what I’m saying is I don’t believe we go entirely blind to stuff, but we aren’t as perceptive to it as we are to braces.

These are just my thoughts on the matter, but I have no scientific evidence that these are correct. Feel free to contradict me.

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So do you think ceramics actually ARE pretty discreet/unnoticeable to the untrained general eye, but only look pretty visible to us who are interested in braces/have them ourselves because we look for them?

interesting

Interesting thread. I definitely am now trained to notice braces, invisalign, and in general, other peoples teeths/bites from my interest in it all and own treatment. So it's quite surprising when an overwhelming majority of comments on reddit posts about "I'm insecure what people will think about my braces" are this: most didn't notice them at all. How could people not notice braces?? The shiny glint of metal in someones mouth? I suppose how visible your teeth are may affect it slightly. But its interesting to think about braces becoming 'blind' to the public like glasses are....you're right, I never think about peoples glasses unless theyre unusual. I honestly can't remember who that I know does or doesn't wear them sometimes.

I kinda want to test how many people even notice I have braces when I get them....just like don't mention them, and talk normally, and see if anyone notices. Would be interesting to see...since in my head I assume people will notice right away and comment/care.

Wouldn't the advance of invisalign start to make metal braces stand out a little more, though, as less adults chose to get full metal braces now? That I am a bit confused on.

I'm too tired to think of anything else to add, but yeah, this is an interesting subject.

This is an interesting concept that requires a lot of thinking to figure out.

I would agree with you in our obviously overwhelming preference for fixed metal bracket appliances may be because there's little real-world cosmetic benefit compared with the other options. I believe that we as a group think there’s little cosmetic difference, but if I were a normy, I would assume that ceramics are pretty much invisible, exactly because of the point Charlie1086 made, they don’t look for them but we do.

I am thinking that people choosing colorful and bulky glasses or colorful ceramic braces has something to do with the fact that they only realize after they get them that they are very much visible, not pretty much invisible as they once believed.

The social stigma that has come with having braces has came down a long way than the 70s, at least from stories I’ve heard (I wasn’t around back then) which has definitely helped with more metal braces and freakishly large glasses.

Alternatively, I would argue with the fact that we’ve become “blind” to other things. At least for me, I don’t actively look for glasses, or hearing aids, but I see them anyway even if they aren’t Iris Apfel glasses. I would agree though that we see things that we are used to seeing, such as the baseball or police officer examples you gave. Pretty much what I’m saying is I don’t believe we go entirely blind to stuff, but we aren’t as perceptive to it as we are to braces.

These are just my thoughts on the matter, but I have no scientific evidence that these are correct. Feel free to contradict me.

ineedbraces25 said:

yeah haha, like they're going to be noticeable braces either way--I'd rather keep my money than "try" to make them look more discreet. And less discreet for who exactly?

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I've commented on the "Orthodontic Treatment: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult" thread.

The current discussion on the "Last two days before braces!!!" thread started by ineedbraces25 refers too.

We "see" with our brains.  I think that most people would agree that vision is an active process, involving a huge amount of information processing.  Fewer people think about the implications.

I suggest for discussion that one of those implications may be that our obviously overwhelming preference for fixed metal bracket appliances may be because there's little real-world cosmetic benefit in the other options.  This seems paradoxical.  On the one hand, we see all the marketing hype about discreet or "practically invisible" assistive devices such as orthodontic appliances, hearing aids and, until recently, eyeglasses.  Photographic images would seem to make a compelling argument in favour of the aesthetic option.  On the other hand, we see orthodontic patients requesting colourful ligatures on ceramic brackets, we see hearing aid wearers decorating behind-the-ear instruments or requesting black in-the-ear instruments, and bold eyewear has become a fashion statement.

Some of this almost certainly relates to stigma.  I argue that it also has to do with visual information processing.

We "see" what our brains are predisposed to seeing, what we've built the neuronal mechanism for seeing, and what attracts our attention.  We sometimes hunt for objects that were right in front of us all the time.  A police officer will see something dodgy long before anyone else.  The baseball star will read the movement of the ball in what most people will see as a blur.  The nature guide in the safari vehicle will spot the camouflaged animal long before anyone else.  And we spot braces that most people wouldn't.  Case in point:  https://flic.kr/p/2ovgo1h

I honestly think that most people have become "blind" to orthodontic appliances in much the same way that we've become "blind" to eyeglasses.

Your thoughts?

yeah haha, like they're going to be noticeable braces either way--I'd rather keep my money than "try" to make them look more discreet. And less discreet for who exactly?

I also don't like how a lot of ceramics look sometimes. Like some look good in photos, but others (or other angles) make them look kinda bulky and strange to me? At least with metal I know what I'm in for and not expecting something to look more discreet than it does and be disappointed. And I heard ceramic are harder to take off and can even damage teeth..no thanks!

Also my top teeth don't show a ton unless I talk more animatedly, so it'd be an even extra waste for me lol. So fuck it, all metal it is.

And yes, I want to drink coffee and have tomato sauce and things without worry of staining! Metal plus darker coloured bands all the way for that.

That was the same reaction I had about ceramics! I did the math and it was like $25 per tooth, and it was only on the top. Like how is it $25 for a tiny little piece of ceramic? Overpriced, I’ll keep my extra money, it’s not like people can’t see them, and with the amount of coffee etc I drink they would end up looking terrible in like a week.

Oh, I asked  the ortho before if they do ceramics out of curiosity, and she said yeah but they’re 450 more, and I immediately went ‘oh I’ll just do metal then’. Even if they were the same price, I’d want to do metal because of this kink, because I like the look, and they’re less bulky/more durable I’ve heard and I like how colored bands look on them. But the price just gave me another incentive I’ll take my metal brackets and keep my 450 please  ;D

I had thought about ceramic at one point, but it would lose a lot of the thrill for me. Having those metal brackets glued to my teeth and the total metal mouth look is so much more hot and exciting lol. Bigger change, more visible. Yes, I definitely need to have metal braces lol.

I think Imma go with silver ligatures at first too. Colors are fun but for my first time getting braces on, I want to experience just the classic metal mouth look that I’ve fantasized about so long.

Sorry to hear about the delay, but the anticipation is also fun!

Do you think you should contact your ortho to make sure they are going to use metal brackets? I'm sure everyone here would be disappointed for you if you ended up with ceramic by default.
How long do you hope to be in braces?

I am also at the anticipation stage, albeit waiting for fake braces to satisfy my desire for a metal smile. It is not the same but it is better than nothing.

Good luck 

FantaBrace said:

Aww that sucks

Still only another week to wait

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yeah, it isn't too far off in the long-run. I've been waiting many many months already, trying to fix my tmj issues (had a procedure to open my jaw), cavities, scheduling consults and scans and waiting months between appointments. It's been a huge test of patience for sure haha.

Will be all the more satisfying when I actually get them on though

Bracesagain said:

I’ve been following your posts, and I just want to say I’m super excited for you!!

I will say, from my own braces experience, the feeling when they put the first bracket on your tooth and you feel it is out of this world pleasurable. And then when they take off the cheek retractor and then put in the wire, you start to feel the tugging which feels amazing. And then they start putting on each individual ligature you REALLY start to feel the tugging all over your teeth and it is such a turn on.

And then a few hours later, your whole mouth starts to feel a nice soreness and then you realize you can’t do anything about it and that is also a huge turn on. You’re powerless against the braces. Even if you start picking at them they dont move  >

Basically, the first week is just amazing all around ;D I’m so excited for you!

Looking forward to your updates!!!

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Unfortunately I got the date wrong and its next friday. But I'm anticipating it so much still. Reading what you wrote got me even more excited for it (and turned on haha). I can't wait to finally be in the chair, have the retractors in, and start feeling the sensations as the process begins. The tugging of the wires sounds amazing. Can't wait to run my tongue along the brackets for the first time too hehe.

I feel like I'll enjoy the soreness like you said to haha. Just this reminder that I'm all braced up, that this is my reality now, and im powerless against is a big turn on.

Also the whole transformation aspect--just going in and getting these things installed that you can't take off and majorly changes your look for the next year+ , is so exciting.

now to try to be patient another 6 days until I actually get them on

ineedbraces25 said:

Disappointing update: Y'all, I got the date wrong My appointment is next friday morning, not this one (happens way too much with ADHD, I should've double checked sooner)

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Aww that sucks

Still only another week to wait

somerandomfella said:

Please get the proper metal ones. With all this excitement, I fear you'll be disappointed with the clear ones.

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oh yes, I need metal for sure. Clear would be disappointing and not have the full braces feel I like with this kink. The whole thing is how visible they are and how the metal looks lol. I'd regret not going for the real thing with the chance to do so and enjoy my kink

Disappointing update: Y'all, I got the date wrong My appointment is next friday morning, not this one (happens way too much with ADHD, I should've double checked sooner).

Been trying to get my mind off of it because I was so so excited (as you can see from my posts) and so nervous leading up to it, only to find out its a week away again!! ah!

Well, I guess on the plus I get another week of anticipation/build up again. I definitely want to get all tasks I need to do done before the appointment so I can enjoy it fully also (yesterday would've also been less enjoyable bc I had other stuff to do, so another plus is to be more prepared). Gonna try to stay busy so time passes faster. Six days until they actually finally really go on.

Sorry for the let down, anyone who was following! I am bummed too but I'm still getting them on next week. 100% committed to it and not backing out!!

No update?