A dentist gets braces! AMA!

Good luck, I have my braces since january and the first few weeks were painful as I had to eat soft food and it was horrible

Oh gosh! What an experience you've had!

Nickel allergy is quite a big concern for us dentists. I'm glad that you now know that it was the nickel.

When it comes to braces for adults, there are three main options:
Fixed options, these stay on your teeth, you can't remove them as you wish:
1. Metal ones - cheapest but as you have said, they are very visible.
2. Ceramic/tooth coloured - more expensive than metal ones but more subtle. Ceramic also stains so you have to avoid curry etc. I have ceramic ones.

Removeable:
3. Invisalign/ clear aligners - a bit like retainers, you can remove them when you want but they are the most expensive. The range and type of movement is a bit more restricted with Invisalign compared to the metal or ceramic ones. However the technology is constantly developing and they do work really well with some cases. You'd have to speak with your orthodontist whether Invisalign is good for you, I can't say without seeing your teeth and plus, I'm not an orthodontist.

I did not want the metal ones so for me the choice was between ceramic and Invisalign. My pain threshold is -1000 (I stub my toe and lie in bed for 3 hours). Invisalign requires very good compliance from the patient and confidence that you will wear your aligners for 22+hours a day. For me, I knew that as soon as it started becoming sore, I'd just remove the aligners so I didn't trust myself with Invisalign. So I needed something fixed and ceramic was the answer for me.

If you like, I can expand more on the type of braces and I hope this helps!

So far, so good! No major pain, just a little tender to bite. I'm more concerned about food getting stuck for now but people keep telling me it'll become very sore when I get them tightened in September.

Thank you!

I'm eating soft foods currently because of the tenderness to biting and I don't want to damage the brackets.
How long is your treatment for?

Everyone doesn't get braces, and everyone doesn't act surprised when others get braces.

how much was it

lucky you! i remember the pain even though i got braces years ago and had them a very long time. mine didn't hurt, only very slightly when i got them tightened though, only when i got them on. it's different for everyone.

My orthodontist said that I will have them for 2 years as far as I remember.

It's getting sore now. I'm sat here with a blueberry in my mouth but it hurts to bite down. :/

ouch
i used to eat ice cream and ice lollies to soothe the pain, maybe you could try that?

Most braces have heat activated wires so cold things help soothe the pain.
I'm trying to cut down on sugar but yes, I will look at low sugar ice cream or even iced water.
Thank you!

Most orthodontic treatment lasts for 18-24 months.
Are you having any teeth out?

No.

I now know that cereal bars/protein bars are a big no-no with braces!
I'm just blending a lot of stuff at the moment and drinking through a straw. Now that the gyms have opened up too, I'm hoping to get absolutely ripped as I can't snack all the time!

Yeah, I think I will be. I've only been on here a few days and I have received very helpful advice. I'm no longer a student but it's a nice forum to connect with graduates too.

£3060.
Includes top and bottom ceramic braces, free tooth whitening at the end, two hygienist visits and top and bottom retainers at the end.
Bargain!

Can you see them where you are wearing them?