This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Getting braces off?

Anon because I don't want my friends to know I'm upset by something so silly :redface:

Basically, I've had braces for a couple of years now, and I really hate the way they look (although it's better than before lol). My teeth are almost straight now, there are some tiny gaps at the top but barely noticeable really unless you look closely. But my orthodontist is such a perfectionist lol, she insists they need another 6 months to get perfect. So my question is am I allowed to just insist that she takes them off next week when I go to see her? Or can she just say no, or yes but then no further treatment?

I'm 18 and I can't stand the thought of starting uni in october like this :frown:

I feel like I'm the oldest person ever to have braces lol. Has this happened to anyone else?

Reply 1

Noémie

17

she's a professional. trust her.
but on the other hand, it might be an idea to ask her to let you get them off in the end of september as a compromise if you're really that self concious! there are MANY people older than you with braces. don't get yourself worked up about it!

Reply 2

FTC199

13

you need two appointments in the one day to get them off so it has to be pre-arranged (or at least at my orthodontist you need 2 appointments, one to get them off and another for collecting the retainers i think)

i would trust your orthodontist, but if you really want them off you could tell her you are happy with the way your teeth are and dont think they need much done and maybe she will take your point of view and remove them before you go to uni (i had a deal with my orthodontist that if i was to get braces they had to come off before i went to uni and they are! so it might work)

Reply 3

red_Rose

1

My orthodontist compromised with me a little, i had to wear headgear for a while and insisted that although it was only of a nighttime/ evening i didnt wish to wear it when i started uni. So she agreed to that.

I had my braces for the first year at uni so its not all bad, but im so glad my teeth are better now, i stuck with it. She always asked me how i felt and the decision to remove them was a mutual decision as more could have been done but it would have taken alot longer etc. Please bear in mind that although your teeth look better, your bite may not be alligned properly yet and the roots of your teeth may not be in a suitable position for removal. Talk to her tomorrow about having them removed in a few months, or even having the top ones taken off and the bottom ones left on as they are alot less visible. It it possible to make minor changes with something like a hawley retainer.

Reply 4

death.drop

16

if you ask her to take them off early the nhs is under no obligation to pay for further treatment.
if you leave them on for another 6 months and have them off when they're supposed to be taken off then any further treatment still counts as your first lot, and will be covered by the NHS.

it's only 6 months and the time will go by before you know it. one of the reasons they want to get the teeth perfect is because they're more likely to stay aligned than if they've still got gaps/still a little wonky etc. if i were you i'd just leave them on. I went to uni with braces and it was no problem at all. and think, when you have them off people will notice you all over again :smile:

edit: also, those little things that aren't right don't bug you now. but you can bet when you're a bit older and had the braces off for a while you'll wish you'd made them perfect.

Reply 5

Desiret91

I think you should stick to the braces, just for another 6 months. You will be so happy by the beauty of your teeth :wink:

Reply 6

icedsarcasm

6

Yeah.. she'll be used to people of your age being self-conscious about uni and stuff, so she'll probably be willing to talk about options. That'll be a lot more successful than just demanding she take them off!

Reply 7

*Joanna*

12

Stick with them. You've had them on for so long it would be a shame to waste the effort. I promise you, you are not the oldest person to have braces. I'm just finishing uni now, am going on 23 and have had mine on for 2 years. Hopefully I'm getting them off in time for graduation, but if the orthodontist says no, I guess I'll leave them on. I want them to be as good as they can be. People won't care if you have braces; most people don't notice mine, they've just become part of me. It shouldn't stop you getting guys either, if you're worried about that. I've pulled randoms in clubs (well only twice, but that's because I don't go out that often and am not really into club pulls) and have a boyfriend that doesn't give a stuff about my teeth.

Reply 8

mavoury

Anonymous

Anon because I don't want my friends to know I'm upset by something so silly :redface:

Basically, I've had braces for a couple of years now, and I really hate the way they look (although it's better than before lol). My teeth are almost straight now, there are some tiny gaps at the top but barely noticeable really unless you look closely. But my orthodontist is such a perfectionist lol, she insists they need another 6 months to get perfect. So my question is am I allowed to just insist that she takes them off next week when I go to see her? Or can she just say no, or yes but then no further treatment?

I'm 18 and I can't stand the thought of starting uni in october like this :frown:

I feel like I'm the oldest person ever to have braces lol. Has this happened to anyone else?

If you think that your teeth look ok, I would get a second opinion. Make an appointment with another orthodontist and ask their opinion. My best friend has had braces for 7 years, but her teeth look perfect. I finally convinced her to get a second opinion, and she was told that she could have had them off years ago!! Her first orthodontist was obviously scamming her for money; kept pushing back the take-off date etc. Now she has a new orthodontist and her braces are coming off in 3 weeks in time for starting uni. Better off to be safe than sorry!

Reply 9

Ziggy_Stardust

Stick with them - I think braces look cute, anyway! :smile:

If you are really that worried about having them at uni, perhaps you could ask about getting them removed in three or four months before you go.

Reply 10

Renni

I would stick with them to be honest.
Trust your orthodontist...if she's a perfectionist with the little things, that should make you over the moon to have someone that not only does her job, but takes it to a perfection level, so not just good but the best results for your benefit.

And hey braces are cute...a big percentage of the population that wear braces are now adults. Ranging from 20+ - 50+) Things have changed it's now a new generation, so braces are worn by people of all ages. So don't feel bad about that.
And if you think about it, you will be in a brace regardless when you start, you will have to wear the retainer. of course a little less noticable than brackets, but it's still going to be undergoing treatment when you start.
If it makes you feel better I've seen alot in my uni wearing them...And I actually find it cute to be honest. I'm just one girl but still...don't worry so much, those last few months are preparing you for a lifetime of being happy with your teeth...Don't risk anything that doesn't need to be risked.

Hope that helps

Getting braces off?

Related discussions

Articles for you