ForumOnline-Shop

Poll

What would you choose if you have to get an orthodontic treatment IN YOUR REAL LIFE ?

fixed metal braces
181 (69.6%)
clear braces
13 (5%)
clear on top / metal on bottom
26 (10%)
lingual braces
10 (3.8%)
invisalign
11 (4.2%)
other
15 (5.8%)
do not know
4 (1.5%)

Total Members Voted: 254

Author Topic: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult  (Read 32102 times)

Offline TrainTrack

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 186
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #75 on: 24. April 2023, 05:47:54 AM »
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.

Offline ineedbraces25

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #76 on: 24. April 2023, 07:38:38 AM »
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.

Offline ineedbraces25

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #77 on: 24. April 2023, 07:43:03 AM »
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.


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

Offline TrainTrack

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 186
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #78 on: 25. April 2023, 04:54:43 AM »
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.

Offline Charlie0186

  • Bronce Member
  • **
  • Posts: 74
  • Gender: Male
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #79 on: 25. April 2023, 08:40:25 AM »
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  ::)

Offline ineedbraces25

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #80 on: 25. April 2023, 17:34:20 PM »
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.

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

Offline ineedbraces25

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #81 on: 25. April 2023, 18:01:44 PM »
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  ::)

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.

Offline TrainTrack

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 186
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #82 on: 26. April 2023, 01:47:18 AM »
would that apply to metal braces too? Like depending on ligature color and the persons teeth size/tooth show?

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.

Offline ineedbraces25

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 104
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #83 on: 26. April 2023, 11:37:32 AM »
interesting. I guess I'll see how many notice mine when I get them. I have little tooth show when I talk (bottom is kinda more visible than upper row) but if I make expressions or anything they'll definitely show.

I kinda dread anyone pointing them out though lol. I think since its a kink for me and was this huge embarrassing thing all my life, having someone casually go 'you got braces?" and draw attention to them is kinda embarassing. If I meet new people with braces, it won't be a big deal at all. But I dont like the idea of some that I know just noticing I got them....

Who knows how I'll feel though. I might be embarassed and wanna hide them at first, or I might just gain confidence and act like they're no big deal. We'll see. Either way, I am getting them haha. No ones opinions and even my own insecurity won't stop me from doing this for my future self!

Offline Bracesx3

  • Silver Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 78
  • Gender: Female
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #84 on: 29. July 2023, 19:21:58 PM »
I have a unique perspective for this survey. The first time I had braces in my teens, they were metal. The second time I had braces in my 30s they were ceramic. The third time I started braces it was supposed to be Invisalign, but I ended up having a miserable allergic reaction to them. I was then given the choice of ceramic or metal braces. I choice metal because I found ceramic braces to be bulkier and they stained. Worst of all, when it’s time to have them removed, the brackets don’t come off easily in one piece. This requires them to be ground off and can (did) cause damage to the enamel. Even if I was allergic to Invisalign, I would not choose it again. The attachments felt uncomfortable like bad nail polish that can’t be picked off soon enough, and the trays very squeaky against each other. Further, my kids and some friends have Invisalign. They have all had trouble getting their teeth in a good finishing alignment. Invisalign did great for the large movements of teeth, but fine detail does not work great. A few of my friends gave up. My daughter is very frustrated with the process. I asked her orthodontist if fixed braces would be easier to take care of the alignment, but she doesn’t want the hassle of restarting with brackets that would “need to be perfectly aligned on the teeth” to straighten them. Sigh.
In the meantime, I’m chugging along with my metal braces with at least a year to year and a half left with the possibility of jaw surgery.

Offline henkbyblos

  • Bronce Member
  • **
  • Posts: 44
  • Gender: Male
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #85 on: 31. July 2023, 23:19:56 PM »
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  ::)

I agree with you 100%, that’s why metal was my choice as well.

Offline Bracedup

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #86 on: 04. August 2023, 03:02:30 AM »
Having had braces in middle school and vaguely actually remembering having them, I didn’t obviously wear  my retainer and my teeth began to shift. Once college ended the desire to fix them was extremely strong but couldn’t swallow the thought of actually having braces. Fresh out of college hoping to explore my twenties I figured this would hinder this completely so I ultimately went to a dentist who failed to truly explain everything that came with Invisalign. As far as I was concerned it was basically what the commercials made it seem to be. I remember the day I went to get them fitted and figured just get them clicked in and I’d be on my way. I remember laying back as the tech said we’re gonna add the attachments. I asked what they were and she explained little bumps on your teeth to help anchor the trays. Again no idea what these were I asked if there were a lot and she kinda smirked and said it’s definitely on the higher side but again you can hardly notice them. I get them on and finally get sat up. She handed me a mirror and to my surprise they actually were hard to see. Now she puts the trays in and feel tight pressure and the attachments were massive. Giant rectangles on basically every tooth. It looked exactly like ceramic brackets. Needless to say I finished treatment after 44 trays and elastics halfway through and seeing how noticeable and non-invisible I’d certainly go with ceramic braces in todays world if I had to go through the process all over again

Offline Alicebisa

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 8
  • Gender: Male
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #87 on: 13. September 2023, 01:27:35 AM »
I did get braces as an adult. I did have them when i was in high school but i didnt wear my retainer all that often and they moved back fast. Not to where they were before but still pretty annoying. I got metal braces 3 months ago. This time im enjoying them a little bit more. I could have gotten some that weren’t all that noticeable but i went for metal braces and so far so good.

Offline bracessd

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1408
  • Gender: Male
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #88 on: 13. September 2023, 16:55:54 PM »
@alicebisa Good for you for taking the dive again! How long is your treatment?

Offline Alicebisa

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 8
  • Gender: Male
Re: Your choice if you have to get braces as an adult
« Reply #89 on: 13. September 2023, 17:37:43 PM »
Estimated about 17-18 months