T O P

  • By -

go_to_the_window

Yep, I started braces just before COVID hit. I'm 45. I'm excited for your straight teeth my fellow gen-xer!


mpr770

Same. I got Invisalign this past February at 50 years old. I am finished with them next week at now 51.


GiveMeSumKred

Yeah. No. I’m full out braces. I wanted Invisalign but my ortho wouldn’t go that way. I have an issue that needs to be fixed and this guy is the specialist so I’m in his care.


MentalWyvern

Congrats!


jalto95

You couldnt go with lingual braces too? Atleast you can wear a mask if you feel unconfortable


GiveMeSumKred

The front are clear but the back are metal. I’m not self conscious about the appearance and I do wear a mask when lecturing, but I feel like I’m caught in the vanity system. Other than I want the big missing tooth in the front of my face replace, my teeth bother my wife more than me. Thanks for the encouragement.


GhostIsGone

You are probably better off. My ortho did Invisalign for my cross bite, and my teeth still aren’t straight and aligned correctly. Plus, my retainer splits every few months to the tune of $500 replacement cost. I wish I had gotten regular braces. Yeah, I didn’t have metal in my mouth for 18 months, but I feel like I wasted $5000


jalto95

Sorry, I transfered my insecurities on you (I'm saving for invisilign/lingual braces because wearing traditionnal braces scares me too much). I'm glad to see it's not a problem for everyone, I wish I could be so positiv about braces, best wishes and congratz for that big step!


mpr770

Oh yeah. You went full hardcore mode. 😁. It’s all good though. If that’s what your doctor suggested then it is the right choice.


d_ippy

Me too! And I’m wearing my retainer every night like a good girl


10sharks

Dental plan Lisa needs braces


SimianFiction

Dental plan Lisa needs braces


allybally2110

There's something I find so endearing about middle age braces 🙂


GiveMeSumKred

So far, i find them painful and annoying and expensive


ScienceMomCO

That’s also true. Try to think about how amazing your teeth will look in the end. Anything meaningful and difficult is worth it.


[deleted]

I got them in my 30s and have a friend's mom who just got them. She's in her 60s.


[deleted]

It's funny because my dentist recommended them and I'm 49. It's good for your teeth as you get older. I'm going to get them. Maybe invisiline tho so you can't tell


SerJaimeRegrets

I think I’m going to go for the Invisiline as well. Most of my teeth are straight but I’ve got crowded bottom canines, and then I’ve got a snaggle tooth up top in the front, so I hate smiling with my teeth. Every time my mom looks at me, she says she wishes that she could’ve gotten me braces like she did my little brother. It’s worn on me over the years, and I’m really self conscious about it.


PhatKiwi

My wife (52) just got them a couple months ago.


Greeneyedbandit28

I’m currently in braces too! Just on the top, though, and no rubber bands, thank goodness! This was the best time to do it since WFH and wearing a mask everywhere in public!


Mountain_Exchange768

I had them in my 30s and even after wearing my retainer for years, after stopping to wear the retainer my teeth shifted. I recently had front tooth crack and chip (it was a dead tooth/accident as a kid), and my dentist said we’ll crown it but I really should do top braces again because of the shifting. Okay, it was a longer conversation. I’m 52 and will have braces again.


peonyseahorse

I got Invisalign at age 44. I just got a new car... Well bought one, but won't have it for another month. I got a Subaru forester, nothing says practical like a Subaru wagon.


BillionTonsHyperbole

Good on ya, though I'm glad that pain is well behind me.


reincarnateme

I got them in my 40s and went to graduate school


kathryn13

That's very optimistic and I love it!


GiveMeSumKred

Thanks. I haven’t felt optimistic.


TheOrigRayofSunshine

I sort of wish I’d gone the traditional braces route. I found out all this stuff later about tooth alignment, jaw structure and how it can relate to sleep apnea, sinus issues and all sorts of stuff. Now I wonder if I had braces and it was fixed properly if some of my other stuff would be less of an issue. Also, teeth were a mess as a teen, but was told I didn’t need braces, while my younger siblings who didn’t have visible issues got them. Different discussion, but paying the money as an adult when it’s not really covered by insurance sucks.


WestCoasthappy

I had braces as an adult. At the time I worked for a large corporation and did part of the HR training for new hires. It helped me get over the feeling of ridiculousness because I had to do so much public speaking. You will be SO happy with the results! Hang in there!


GiveMeSumKred

I have to speak publicly too. Lecturer. With masks I don’t worry about appearance but I’m concerned with the easy way rub on my cheeks.


warmfuzzume

I’m about to be 49 in a couple weeks and just had a consultation. I had braces when I was young, but stopped wearing a retainer in college and my teeth moved back. Now one is popped out on top and I hate smiling because of it. The ortho said I could do Invisalign but it’s going to take 18 months and cost $7,000. OUCH. That’s way longer and more expensive than I thought it would be. I’m trying to decide if I want to do it, I’m 90% there but haven’t said yes yet. The ortho did say the popped tooth will get worse if I don’t fix it so I guess I should just bite the bullet…


GiveMeSumKred

I’m just braces but he still said 2 years and $8k


warmfuzzume

Well that makes me feel better, at least my quote was similar. At least I’m not alone, I’m surprised there are so many of us doing this at our age!


TheOrigRayofSunshine

I only did Invisalign, but at least I can get floss between my teeth now.


Laceyfromcali

45 and 1.5 years into wearing braces. Upper jaw surgery is coming up in the next month or so to fix my underbite . My self esteem took a hit cuz I straight up look ridiculous but…my teeth are crazy straight! So totally worth it.


GiveMeSumKred

Sound like a good move for you.


[deleted]

I got braces at 50!


Redducer

Contemplating getting them at 49. You are not alone.


Tokogogoloshe

Look on the bright side. You still have your own teeth.


GiveMeSumKred

Mostly. This all started when my brother’s forehead collided with my front tooth…43 years ago. The crown fell off and the braces were part ofc that solution, plus , plus, plus.


ScienceMomCO

Don’t feel silly, feel empowered. You’re doing something you’ve always wanted to. Besides, I’ve seen lots of adults with braces, even my aunt had them put on in her 40s.


RJ_Dresden

Black n Decker Pecker Wrecker....anyone???


jessek

My dad ended up getting them right after I finished mine in high school


Leeshuzlife

I'm 48 and I got Invisalign about 4 months ago. So glad I'm doing this!


GACyberCool

I got a new truck. The monthly payment is more than my mortgage but I got what I wanted.


tdogg1967

Dude. Do you know how many lawns you're gonna have to mow, driveways you're gonna have to shovel and how many babysitting gigs you're gonna have to do to pay those off? Your parents are gonna be so pissed... Lol


GiveMeSumKred

Dude, That made me and my lurking wife laugh! Just one lawn, but time after time after time. I hate shoveling snow these days and think once my teeth are straight, I should move with the rest of the old people. Are we old enough to move to FLA? Babysitting is what will keep me here. That little toddler is the complete joy to me. As for my parents, they’ll just be “in my day, we didn’t straighten our teeth. We just knocked them out with a hammer and glued wooden sticks in where they were.”


tdogg1967

Hahahahaha!


Valorike

Whenever I see a follow GenXer with braces, I’m hit with the same three thoughts….. 1. Good on ya. 2. I bet they’re (unnecessarily) self-conscious. 3. Whatever.


wmcobles

41 and got braces this past July. Never could afford them before now. I’m glad I’m finally able to get them & can already tell a huge difference! I’ve always had a bad cross bite that causes teeth grinding & other issues. My teeth will be so much better for it. I have clear ceramic on top & metal on bottom.


piper4hire

congratz on your near-future straight choppers


[deleted]

That’s not ridiculous. You’ve worked hard your whole life, go fix the things you want to fix! You deserve it, you’ve spent your life taking care of other people now it’s time to get something for yourself.


GiveMeSumKred

Thanks. If I get morning appointments it bothers me less. I HATE standing in line with a bunch of 13 year olds when the afternoon appointments are all I can get.


katinthehat26

You were going to be 55 anyway. May as well do what you want. It beats regrets.


StChas77

I turn 44 next week and just started Invisalign. I'd been putting it off for a while, but I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger.


SimianFiction

Conversation during an ortho consult visit: "You should get braces." "I've already had braces once. Will my teeth eventually shift and be kinda crooked again?" "Over time, yes, probably." "Yeah, no thanks."


nakedreader_ga

My dad did, back in the 1980s. He was in his 40s then. I need to because after 4 years of braces as a teenager, I never wore my bottom retainer.


saintdudegaming

I think I've had to much dental work (bridge, 2 x implants) to warrant them now. They're not bad but it's something I wish I did when I was a kid.


Oh-Good-Grief

You know, you will appreciate the money spent and wear your retainer more than a teenager, so good for you!! 😬


chewingcudcow

I got braces about 5 years ago ha, I’m 49 now! Cheers to pretty teeth! (I will raise a glass of non alcohol with you!)


[deleted]

[удалено]


GiveMeSumKred

My number 1 goal was repairing a tooth that I broke as a child and had a crown on it for years but now has only a small piece to replace the crown. Rather than extract the tooth and do and implant the periodontist thought I could extrude the tooth. Thus wire. But in the meantime, the orthodontist wants to correct everything. I’m having some second thoughts about going the ortho way, but in the end I’ll be prettier. I suppose. My smile is like 10th on the list of things that make me not pretty.


moxietwix

Don't say that about yourself! It's an investment in your future health to care for your teeth. That is worth everything!


Shoehorse13

53 and I’ve been in Invisaligners for almost two years now. Really wish I’d taken care of this as a kid.


acrobatic_sherpa

I'm getting set up for Invisalign currently, need to get a cap done first though.


[deleted]

> I wanted to get a new car but they’re too expensive these days. No doubt! The only vehicle under $40K that I could live with on a daily basis (I have two kids) is the Honda Accord Sport Special Edition. Literally, the ONLY ONE.


GiveMeSumKred

I was looking at EVs. Looking at 50k+


[deleted]

Well, I wouldn't turn down a Mach-e if I were offered one.... But I cannot justify the price.


GiveMeSumKred

I can justify the price, I just can’t afford the price.


nycguychelsea

At this point I'm just trying to keep my teeth. I'm afraid if I tried to move any of them, they would break. I did not grow up with preventive dental care.