Crooked Teeth..

LegacyUser

Hi All,

I was hoping to get advice for the above issue.

I have what I would describe as extremely crooked teeth, lower and especially my two front teeth.

I'm now 28 and fear I have or am developing a mental health issue because of it.

I think about my crooked teeth all the time, avoid smiling when people are looking at me and constantly pull, mess and examine my teeth in the mirror, screens, phone etc..

Whenever I see others with good teeth it embarrasses me and makes me think of how bad mine are.

Would anyone have advice on how to get over this? It seems to make me more paranoid about myself as time goes on.

Jenneke87

Would braces be an option for you?

it's common enough for people in 20s+ to get braces these days - have you talked to someone about that route?

vikings2012

crookedhelp wrote: »

Hi All,

I was hoping to get advice for the above issue.

I have what I would describe as extremely crooked teeth, lower and especially my two front teeth.

I'm now 28 and fear I have or am developing a mental health issue because of it.

I think about my crooked teeth all the time, avoid smiling when people are looking at me and constantly pull, mess and examine my teeth in the mirror, screens, phone etc..

Whenever I see others with good teeth it embarrasses me and makes me think of how bad mine are.

Would anyone have advice on how to get over this? It seems to make me more paranoid about myself as time goes on.

Why don’t you go to a good Orthodontist when they reopen post Covid19 restrictions.

Make an appointment with your Dentist. He will complete all necessary fillings etc and afterwards he can refer you to a good Orthodontist.

He will most likely suggest train track braces if your teeth are that crooked. It will probably take two years. Cost about €5k. But the aftermath will be great and it should provide you with a good confidence boost.

If you are an PAYE employee, you can claim 20% back in tax relief. Many Orthodontists have payment plans. Consider it an investment in yourself !

Good luck

MildThing84

Got braces at 34 and they were on for a year. Best thing i ever did. Some of my best mates went and got them too after i blazed a sort of trail

Cash_Q

I had braces for 7months, visit an orthodontist or a dentist who deals with cosmetic dentistry. Cost around 3000 euro if I remember correctly, including cosmetic bonding and whitening. It completely changed my smile and bopsted my confidence. I didnt realise how much my teeth bothered me until the job was complete. Worth every cent.

Tork

Going to see an orthodontist is the logical answer to this but you didn't mention it at all. Why? Are you self-conscious about wearing braces at 28? Is cost a problem?

It is a lot of money to come up with but it's well worth it. Don't be afraid to shop around and see if you can find an orthodontist who does payment plans. It can't hurt to have some solid information about what's needed to sort your teeth out, rather than torturing yourself.

LegacyUser

Hey, cheers for the replies..

Yes, I have been to Dentist in the last year but never enquired about alignment.

I'm very reluctant to get braces at this stage of my life due to my current job which requires daily meeting and face to face situations. I'm more inclined to go the crowns/veneers route if possible, as it seems like a quicker route.

All corrections I have researches appears to have pros and cons....

MildThing84

It's so common now and sure you can get the clear "train tracks"/invisalign etc depending on the work needed. I had the clear train tracks and work in HR. Interviewing, meetings every day... it didnt impact at all.

Dont destroy perfectly good teeth in your mouth if a bit of alignment will sort them out. So many people in their 30s have braces. One of the guys in work was in his 40s and had them. Do it, you wont look back.

Hannibal_Smith

OP 3 of my friends, all professionals, got braces as adults. They were train tracks (not sure if there's a nicer name for them), but were white so fairly discreet. I think it was for 2 years, and now they're sorted. To be honest I never noticed anything wrong, but each of them said they found themselves never smiling proper in photos in case they're teeth were visible. I think all three of them would encourage you to go for an appointment and see if you can do anything because of the change it made to them.

MildThing84

It was the improvement in camera phones for me. 10 years ago, never noticed.... 5 years ago, still never noticed then bam.... clarity and vanity

ManOfMystery

My brother is 34 and works in a customer facing role, he got braces 2yrs ago after some deliberation and considers it best thing he ever did. They sorted his teeth out and to be honest, no-one he met batted an eyelid.

Tork

MildThing84 wrote: »

Don't destroy perfectly good teeth in your mouth if a bit of alignment will sort them out. So many people in their 30s have braces. One of the guys in work was in his 40s and had them. Do it, you wont look back.

I agree with this. If your own teeth are otherwise fine, don't even think about those so-called "quick fixes". There's a time and place for crowns, veneers etc. but this doesn't sound like it. You can't beat having your own teeth if it is at all possible.

I also think that your self-consciousness about your teeth is affecting your decision making on this. Newsflash: Nobody cares whether you're wearing braces or not. I sometimes see adults with braces on their teeth. I notice it for about half a second, then it's gone again. If I was to be asked now what I think of adults wearing braces, I'd say "Good on them". It shows they care enough about their teeth to fix them up. Not everybody is lucky enough to get their teeth straightened as teenagers so it takes a bit of initiative to get them sorted as adults. You are overthinking this to an enormous degree.

Caranica

My dentist told me your jaw grows until you're 30 so not to get braces before then. My sister has braces as a teenager and her teeth are almost as bad now as they were then because of this.

I have one crown due to breaking a tooth in a fall and I would never ever recommend crowns over braces. People here have mentioned Invisalign, they are not the big chunky silver train tracks of old, they are so discreet. Don't be afraid of them.

MildThing84

They say "teeth have memory" and unless you wear a retainer or have one put in place, the ligaments will pull them back to the their previous position.

I got my braces off and a year later went away for 3 nights forgetting my retainer. When i came home and put my retainer back on, the pain was incredible as they had clearly moved a little.

That being said, i repeat; best thing i ever did.

neonsofa

MildThing84 wrote: »

They say "teeth have memory" and unless you wear a retainer or have one put in place, the ligaments will pull them back to the their previous position.

I got my braces off and a year later went away for 3 nights forgetting my retainer. When i came home and put my retainer back on, the pain was incredible as they had clearly moved a little.

That being said, i repeat; best thing i ever did.

Yeah any time anyone mentions their kids getting braces I give them the "wear your retainer" speech, because I learned that lesson the hard way. Had braces for two years, was a stupid teenager and stopped wearing the retainer... my teeth have moved back a lot. Not to the same extent, but they are not as straight as they were. And people always say I have great teeth but I am very self conscious because they used to be a lot better. I enquired about getting a new retainer to at least prevent any more movement but nowhere got back to me, I might try again when restrictions are lifted.

Teenagers dont understand the long term ramifications and sometimes need a few lectures about it so I am forever giving the wear your retainer lecture to whoever will listen whenever it comes up!

Derdwerker

Hi OP, similar situation here. 27 and a mouth on me like a bombed graveyard. I was born with additional teeth which caused crookedness when my adult teeth came through.

Best thing to do is not worry about it. It sounds cliched I know, but try to forget about it. Go to an orthodontist, as far as a I know, things have moved on from the old traintrack days, so you can probably get a more subtle option. If money is an issue, a lot of places offer payment plans.

Tork

I wouldn't wait until 30 before getting them sorted. I got my crooked teeth sorted as a teenager, wore a retainer for quite a while after that and my teeth stayed in place.

helimachoptor

Go to a dentist to get things started and see whats possible.

I was missing a central incisor (front top) and had a HSE hatchet job done, finally got it fixed when i was 28/29 (including a stint with braces,

Wife has massive overcrowding, she got teeth removed, palatal expansion, braces.

We both did this around the same time.. and we haven't stopped smiling since

Go to a dentist, get a treatment plan. Some of it might/will be painful, it will cost but i can tell you from experience, you will wish you did it a lot sooner.

kirving

Felt I should reply to this.

I've had bad teeth all through my teenage years and into my 20's, and like you, it seriously affected my confidence. More than I ever realised to be honest.

Because of the shape of my mouth, I thought it would be a big deal and may not achieve the right result, and for 5 years after starting work, I found other things to spend my money on and repeatedly put it off. At 29, I finally said it was now or never and went to an orthodontist.

As I expected, the advice was from her that I did indeed need surgery (SARPE) on my upper jaw and for a palate expander to be fitted for about 4 months in order to expand my jaw to make space. I'll be honest, the surgery took me a week to recover from, I was not a pretty sight and I couldn't speak properly at all while I had the expander in, but this was only due to the severity of my case and likely will not be a problem for you.

Like you too, I have daily meetings, conference calls with customers, visits to suppliers, etc. and to be honest I did run into difficulties pronouncing some words, but I have to say that absolutely everyone was understanding, empathetic and encouraging about it, with no exceptions. A few months later and the worst was over, the expander was removed and I'm now onto ceramic braces, which were only a €200 premium over traditional train tracks. People honestly don't even notice I'm wearing them, even with the metal archwire.

I've had friends with Invisalign, and while they are very discreet, have their own problems in that you have to take them out at every meal and are limited in the amount of force, and the direction in which they can apply it, so may be slower to correct problems.

Just this morning I had a new wire and elastics fitted, and the little pressure I can feel today reminds me of progress being made.

In terms of cost, the surgery was covered by my VHI (but I would have taken a loan had I needed to) and again isn't necessary for most people. After that, the total cost to me is about €4k. I think I paid €1000 up front, and paying in installments whenever I visit was normal for the orthodontist with no extra charge. Also getting 20% of this back on my tax return, so not too bad overall.

I would really advise against veneers as a quick fix for crooked teeth. As far as possible, any dentist or orthodontist will advise you to retain your natural teeth. The veneers you see celebrities with can cost tens of thousands, and even then many don't look natural at all. You also tend to be better off going to a local, well regarded orthodontist rather than a large chain, since they can afford to give you more time than some of the higher turnover places.

I'd reccomend posting on the Dental Issues forum for more advice if you'd like some more detail on peoples experiences.

Despite the expense, and time consuming process, and even though I've a way to go yet, it has been by far the best decision I have ever made. I genuinely encourage you to to the same - it will absolutely change your life. Please feel free to send me PM with any questions, however small you may have, about the process. Best of luck.

spaceHopper

Definitely see an orthodontist, my two eye teeth didn't fall out so I had baby teeth in my late 30's I saw a prosthodontist who told me your natural teeth are best teeth you will ever have and he sent me to see an orthodontist I put it off for a few years but eventually went and go braces and adult teeth brought down into place as well as my arch/bit widened to make space for them. I worked well for on tooth but I had to get an implant on one side. I'm very happy with the result and wish I'd done it sooner.

If you get braces it will be uncomfortable even sore for a while but then it's no big deal, however make sure to clean your teeth well it's important!

Veneers will last you maybe 10 years then you'll be getting it done again and again and then what will the stumps be like when you are in your 80's . The results with braces will be so much better and in the long run much cheeper. So many people are getting it done later in life it's not a big deal.

vikings2012

OP - nobody will be judging you wearing braces as an adult. In fact the opposite! Many adults are conscious about their teeth in general and may be envious of your decision to get braces because they will know how great your teeth will look in 12- 18 months!

SantaClaw

I got braces when I was 33 for about 1 year. I didn't get a single negative comment. I did, however, inspire to other colleges to also get their teeth sorted.

I can only recommend it.

LegacyUser

Update:

Hi All,

I have decided I might go for braces due to the restrictions and cost of the veneers. I'll make an appointment with the Orthodontist the next time I have a few days off.

Kurn

Crookedhelp wrote: »

Hey, cheers for the replies..

Yes, I have been to Dentist in the last year but never enquired about alignment.

I'm very reluctant to get braces at this stage of my life due to my current job which requires daily meeting and face to face situations. I'm more inclined to go the crowns/veneers route if possible, as it seems like a quicker route.

All corrections I have researches appears to have pros and cons....

Get them! I had money in 11 months last year. Had very bad teeth, now they look great, had invisalign, not one person notice I had them, bit of manitaince, but had a payment plan etc,. (I'm 38 male)

Hannibal_Smith

Mod Note

Just to remind everyone that, although I appreciate its done with the best of intentions, requesting or inviting PMs is strictly against the Charter in PI.

PLEASE DO NOT ASK OR INVITE ANOTHER POSTER TO PM YOU.

While I'm here, I'll also mention that requesting and offering medical recommendations is against site rules. And posters are asked to refrain from doing this.

LegacyUser

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the advice.

I have my first consultation with the Orthodontist tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to get the Invisalign but I'll have to see what he recommends.

Excited and nervous as it's something I've wanted to do for years now.

neonsofa

crookedhelp wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the advice.

I have my first consultation with the Orthodontist tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to get the Invisalign but I'll have to see what he recommends.

Excited and nervous as it's something I've wanted to do for years now.

Best of luck with it all, you won't regret it!

HildaOgdenx

crookedhelp wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the advice.

I have my first consultation with the Orthodontist tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to get the Invisalign but I'll have to see what he recommends.

Excited and nervous as it's something I've wanted to do for years now.

Hope it went well. Well done, and best of luck with whatever treatment you go for.

Neyite

Someone in senior management got train tracks aged about 38 or so. I thought she was brilliant to just go do it. The year flew and now she's got a stunning smile that she uses a lot.

Citygirl1

crookedhelp wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the advice.

I have my first consultation with the Orthodontist tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to get the Invisalign but I'll have to see what he recommends.

Excited and nervous as it's something I've wanted to do for years now.

I don't normally post in personal issues, but wanted to add, I hope you get going at this, get the braces on, and your teeth sorted out!

A friend of mine got braces in her very late 30's. She's tall, lovely hair, looks, great confidence in herself, but I remember noticing, in passing, that her teeth were crooked. Then met her one day, and she had got braces! We were all so impressed. Time seemed to fly. She had them off in time for her 40th birthday. I remember being at her 40th birthday party, and she looked stunning!

LegacyUser

Another update

After several consultations with different orthodontists, they recommended that for me to even be able to get braces I will need several teeth from my top and lower arches removed to make room for movement. They then advised braces for around 18 months...

A big decision for me to make.

The removal of teeth scares me, especially more than one tooth.

It's not as straight forward as I was hoping..

Dial Hard

Having to get teeth removed for braces is really common, overcrowding is one of the major reasons for having crooked teeth in the first place.

I had to get four teeth out before I got my braces, two each on top and bottom. It really is no biggie, and I say that as someone who'd never had a tooth out before that and was *really* apprehensive. They did mine in two sessions.

Please don't let this put you off getting your braces, OP, it really will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.

Tork

I had some teeth removed when I got my teeth straightened as a teenager - I can't remember how many for sure at this stage but I think it was two at the top and one in the bottom. You definitely wouldn't notice if you saw my teeth now. I usually only get reminded of it when I'm at the dentist and I hear the word "missing" when they go through the list. I know that the thoughts of having teeth removed is terrifying but please don't let it put you off. Modern dental techniques are so good, it's not that bad. If it terrifies you beyond belief, some dentists now do these procedures under sedation. It's more expensive and you'll need someone to bring you home afterwards. It's commonly used for removing wisdom teeth. If you feel you can't face undergoing the extractions under local anaesthetic, it's an option.

As for the missing teeth, you'll be having braces fitted on your other teeth not long after this anyway. If anyone notices the gaps, they'll also see the braces and know the teeth aren't gone through neglect. It won't be too long before your other teeth start to straighten and those gaps start to fill in. Imagine how good they'll be starting to look in 6 months time? If you do nothing, your teeth will still be in a mess in 6 months time. If your teeth need 18 months of work and some extractions they must be in a right mess. So what do you have to lose by taking steps to make them right? Please don't let your self-consciousness about this ruin this great opportunity to sort your teeth out. As you can see from this thread, you're getting nothing but encouragement from everybody. It is a good thing to do for yourself and a short space of time in the grand scale of things.

Shelga

Another voice here to add to the "just do it!" crowd, OP!

I had train tracks from the ages of 16-19, when I was very shy and self-conscious already. I had to get my two upper canines removed, so obviously I had gaps for the first few months, but I honestly cannot even remember that now. I came out with a great smile.

I let my retainer wearing slip a little, and my lower teeth went crooked, so last year I got Invisalign, even though my teeth were already pretty ok, I didn't care. I now have excellent white teeth and a great smile, if I do say so myself It honestly does absolute wonders for your confidence.

My extra treatment last year was pure vanity, at 32, but I didn't care! It will improve the quality of your life so much, OP.

A very good friend of mine got train tracks a couple of years ago at about age 30/31, and it has also done wonders for her smile and confidence.

No one cares. Anyone who does care is an asshole. I would have absolutely no issues dating a guy with train tracks either.

Meeoow

You should be able to claim tax back on the cost as a medical expense.

yerwanthere123

Might not be as straight forward as you'd hoped OP, but just another little hurdle to overcome which will eventually result in you having the perfect smile. I had a tooth removed as a young teenager to have my braces fitted, and I even got braces a second time in my early 20's as I let the retainer wearing slip and had to wear them again for around 18 months. 18 months is nothing! The time will fly by, you won't regret it in the slightest, and you'll look back and think how happy you were you did it for yourself. It's a no brainer; just do it and you'll never look back!

ILoveYourVibes

I know lots of people who got braces as adults it wasn't even expensive.

HildaOgdenx

OP, as others have said, it is often the case that some teeth have to be extracted, due to overcrowding and so that the braces can do the needful. It's probably just that you were not expecting that, but it is quite usual.

You have made the first steps, in the right direction, so try not to let that put you off.
Best of luck.

Tork

HildaOgdenx wrote: »

OP, as others have said, it is often the case that some teeth have to be extracted, due to overcrowding and so that the braces can do the needful. It's probably just that you were not expecting that, but it is quite usual.

Maybe you should break things down a bit and have a think about what it is that's stopping you from taking the next step. You got a bit of a shock, didn't you? Losing teeth is an emotive thing and even if there is no room for them, the thoughts of them not being there is a wrench.

As I said before, having them removed isn't as horrible an experience as it would've been years ago. Dentists these days aren't the butchers our parents encountered and most of them are very good with nervous patients. Sedation is a costly option but if you think you'll have some sort of nervous breakdown in the dentist's chair, it might be worth looking into. Talk to your dentist and see what they have to advise.

Recovering from having teeth removed is pretty straightforward if you follow the dentist's instructions. I had my wisdom teeth removed as an adult and was fine afterwards. I didn't feel any pain at all because of the painkillers I was told to take and things healed up quickly.

Your biggest obstacle is you. You're terrified of what people will think of you. So what if you won't have as many teeth in your mouth while you're getting them straighened? It's all temporary and will be worth it in the end. If you think about how teeth go about being straightened, it doesn't happen overnight. You're not going to be going around with a mouth of mad crooked teeth for 17 months, before them becoming gloriously straight weeks before the braces come off. No, by the time you get down to the last few months before those braces come off, your teeth will be starting to look pretty fine. Please don't let your fear stop you.

tara73

another one who can confirm it's very common to have teeth removed to get the rest straight with braces. Had it done in my teenage years, it's defo worth it. So don't let this 'teeth removal' scare you off..:)

Xterminator

Hi Op

Think about why you are here considering your options.

you were not happy with the situation as it stands. Now you have found out exactly what it will take to get the mouth sorted. So its a case of weighing up your options. Deciding if the short term pain, and expense is worth the long term benefits. Many other posters here have shared their experiences and it should not cause many eyebrows to be raised at work, and indeed people who take positive actions are usually viewed more favourably in my experience.

How many posters here have said they regret getting their teeth done? So as for downsides - there are very few -apart from the expense.
And if you re-read your original post, you will see you mentioned that your mental health is being affected by your self image.

IMO yu just need to gird your courage, and sort out finance/loan options you can afford, and get this done! You will consder this one of the wiser choices you have ever made, within a year.

Pistachio19

crookedhelp wrote: »

Another update

After several consultations with different orthodontists, they recommended that for me to even be able to get braces I will need several teeth from my top and lower arches removed to make room for movement. They then advised braces for around 18 months...

A big decision for me to make.

The removal of teeth scares me, especially more than one tooth.

It's not as straight forward as I was hoping..

My son was 16 getting his braces. He had 4 teeth out in preparation - done over 2 visits. His braces were put on a few weeks later and the orthodontist was surprised at how fast they moved into place. He only had them on for 13 months in the end. So you may not even need them for 18 months and having teeth out in preparation is very common. Go for it!

tara73

just to add, it's completely understandable you are afraid of getting teeth removed, I think everybody is.

important is, get a real pro to do this. don't go to the next best around your place or anything like that for convenience. get recommendations from people you trust or people who've got teeth removed recently and have positive recommendations.

I speak from experience when my two wisdom teeth were removed. the guy didn't speak a word with me, just sat down, got to business and when I thought now it begins, it was already over..:) it took him about 7 minutes to get two wisdom teeth out. and there wasn't much of a wound, just a small cut each side, almost no pain afterwards and within a week or ten days everything was fine.

LegacyUser

Hey all,

I'm quite determined to get the work done at this stage. I have a follow-up appointment on the 28th. The Orthodontist will confirm the official work that's required and a plan.

I'm not a candidate for Invisalign but I'd be happy with the clear braces, they seem nice and discreet for me.

I have been planning for my dental work. I was smart enough to start saving early in the year so money is not an issue. I was expecting a 5,000 bill at the very least so I've saved a little over which should cover me.

He quoted me over 3,000 and 20% tax reimbursement so it's not as expensive as I thought tbh.

Pistachio19

crookedhelp wrote: »

Hey all,

I'm quite determined to get the work done at this stage. I have a follow-up appointment on the 28th. The Orthodontist will confirm the official work that's required and a plan.

I'm not a candidate for Invisalign but I'd be happy with the clear braces, they seem nice and discreet for me.

I have been planning for my dental work. I was smart enough to start saving early in the year so money is not an issue. I was expecting a 5,000 bill at the very least so I've saved a little over which should cover me.

He quoted me over 3,000 and 20% tax reimbursement so it's not as expensive as I thought tbh.

Ask for a discount if you pay it all upfront rather than monthly, given you have it saved. While my son got his done through the HSE, we paid for our daughters. They were the metal train tracks and the price was €3000 to do both top and bottom teeth. They gave a discount of 5% for paying upfront and then we claimed the 20% tax back so it worked out at €2660.

Jim Root

Hi, I’m in my 30s and got braces a few years ago. Totally worth it, the difference is incredible. If you can afford it I would recommend it

LegacyUser

Hi Folks,

Update: After months of waiting for appointments, moulds, photos, x-rays and consultations I will be finally getting my braces on the 10th of October

The Ortho believes I may get away with wearing braces without any teeth removed (although this may be a possibility in the future depending on my teeths movement)

Kind of excited but nervous at the same time.

MildThing84

Well done.

You wont look back. It will be the best thing youve done - trust me.

ManOfMystery

Well done, it will definitely be worth it.

Hannibal_Smith

That's great news OP. Fair play to you.