teeth help.

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I have severly crooked teeth at the front since I was young, judging by old photographs i've gone through. It's bugged me for years but it's now at the stage where i've become almost obsessed about it. I'm constantly looking in car mirrors, refection in windows/doors, taking and looking at old photographs. It's even at the stage where I am constantly comparing my teeth to others like their colour, brightness ect.. Recently I have even tried limiting the amount of times I smile and avoid photos best I can.

If i'm honest i'm even a little embarrassed to go the the dentist.

I would love to get them replaced but not really sure if there are ant great alternatives fro my research. I don't think braces would do as there extremely crooked.

Tokyo

If you think that any dentist out there hasn't seen it all before, and far, far worse dental issues than that, you are wrong. People here can help you summon up the courage to do so (and I'm happy to leave the thread open for that purpose), but ultimately the only person who can provide you with a course of action is a professional dentist. Call a reputable dentist and make an appointment to get their assessment. I'm betting that the steps toward a solution aren't half as bad as you might think.

LegacyUser

Hi OP

I was in a similar position and felt that my confidence was taking a killing about it. What I opted for was going to a general dentist for a checkup and get some opinions off him. I went down the clear braces route and after a few months I had straight teeth which was great. Of course, now I am obsessed with losing my hair and losing weight (one loss is good the other not so good!!!). I think I've learned that my mind is always going to find something wrong with me... but there ya have it!

Go to your dentist and get some general information off him/her. They might have other options for you. My braces, if the look of them puts you off, were invisible so they couldn't be seen in photographs and barely in person. Definitely an option if you are considering straightening your teeth. It really is worth it though!

All the best!

BetsyEllen

There is no such thing as 'too crooked for braces'.
If there is nowhere for the teeth to move, they will advise you to have some extracted to make the room.

I'm 30 and had braces fitted in June. Like you, I was completely embarrassed and self conscious of my teeth. The only pictures that exist of me properly smiling are ones where I was caught off guard. Anything posed, my teeth would be covered.

I follow lots of people of Instagram with adult braces and believe me, there is no such thing as too crooked for braces.

Being embarrassed to go to a dentist is absurd; it's just another mouth to them and I would think that the 'worse' the case, the more interesting it is to them and they would not be in any way shocked or have any other reaction that you are worried about.

Getting my braces on has been a huge confidence booster for me. They have straightened out so much in only 10 weeks and I'm already smiling away even with them on.

Book yourself into an orthodontist. The consultation is normally free and they'll advise you on treatment. If you feel uncomfortable, then don't go back - try somewhere else.

There is a whole thread on here about adult braces, have a read and it might make you feel more comfortable about looking further into it:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056410043

dudara

Hi OP - there's very little that a dentist hasn't seen before, and there's very little that they can't fix. It's truly amazing what dental science can do.

Our teeth are constantly on show, and of course it's natural to be conscious of them. But only you can take action to make it better. I fully recommend making an appointment with a dentist who will assess and help you plan a course of action.

I know many friends who have gotten braces late in adult life. It's far from uncommon and everyone I know has been extremely pleased with the results.

Pac1Man

Book that appointment OP. You'll be amazed what an orthodontist can do, even coaxing a tooth down to line them up!

I got my braces as a young adult and it was the best decision and money I have ever spent. Look up some reviews online of you're anxious about which practice to choose.

It's a relatively pain free process too.

miezekatze

OP, go to the dentist, as someone else said there's no such thing as too crooked for braces, and that's what they're for! I had braces for 2 years when I was a teenager, my teeth were growing in all directions before that, it looked awful! 2 years later they were almost perfectly aligned. I know a few people who only got braces in their thirties so don't worry about it.

Ursus Horribilis

OP when I was a teenager I had really really crooked teeth. Even the orthodontist said they were up there with the worst ones he'd ever worked with. I still have a plaster cast of them before they were straightened and I can't say I disagree with what the orthodontist said. They were horrific.

Anyway, I now have a lovely set of teeth and they've stayed put for 20 years now. If my teeth could be straightened, anyone's can. It will take some time but it is so worth it. There is no harm in asking, is there?

Dixie Chick

I have had work done also. Book with a good orthodontist and get it sorted before you waste anymore time worrying.

Dial Hard

I was lucky enough to have my teeth done while still in my teens, OP, but I know plenty of people who got adult braces and I have literally never, ever heard a single regret from anyone. Go for it. Life is too short to be going around with teeth you're ashamed of, especially when they're so easily fixed.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice all,

I know a girl in work recently get her braces taken off so I might see where she went. The teeth are very badly crooked and the bottom of one never seemed to grow properly at the bottom which makes things look ever worse. I'd imagine they'd need to be removed and replaced.

Lia_lia

Hi OP. I used to be the same as you. Never used to smile in photos etc..Got braces in my early 20's and was the best decision I ever made! I had to get 4 teeth pulled to fix them as they were fairly crooked. Took 18 months altogether.

They look perfect now. Cost about 4K but most orthodontists offer monthly interest free payment plans over the period that you have them. I managed to pay for them while I was in college working part time jobs... do it!! Also I would recommend going to a proper orthodontist. Might cost more but worth it if your teeth are very crooked.

Ursus Horribilis

crookedy wrote: »

Thanks for the advice all,

I know a girl in work recently get her braces taken off so I might see where she went. The teeth are very badly crooked and the bottom of one never seemed to grow properly at the bottom which makes things look ever worse. I'd imagine they'd need to be removed and replaced.

You'd be amazed what they can do with your existing teeth. The only limit is the size of your wallet. Don't be afraid to shop around and investigate your options.

orchidsrpretty

I have the two teeth either side of my front teeth missing since I was young and as a result I had very wonky front teeth and misaligned bottom teeth too. I thought I would have to get some false teeth but I didn't ! the dentist moved my teeth around with braces and they look perfect now! usually the first appointment is free so its definitely worth the visit to see what they can do. I had mine done back in 2008 and it was about 5k. My brother had his done in the last two years and it was 3k so now might be a good time!