The Student Room Group

Help!! Braces

I just turned 17 and I'm now not sure if I'll regret not getting braces or not.
My teeth are relatively straight and I'm happy with how they look, it's just my jaw that's the problem (I think). I like my smile without teeth but dislike it with teeth, however it's not the teeth that are the problem it's the way my face is. I have no idea if braces will/could actually fix this so if anyone knows that would be great. My teeth smile just looks a bit awkward and forced no matter what way I do it. So I always opt for mouth shut which looks a bit more subtle but just nicer.

I had the option for braces when I was younger but was always told I was very borderline. I had a lot of dental treatment when I was around 7-11 (teeth out, tooth caps, fillings, etc) and my dentist was never very gentle nor sympathetic for my age, so I ended up being pretty scared of the dentist which led to me rejecting braces at this time and quite often leaving in tears whenever it was discussed 😂

It was then talked about again when I was around 13, but I was still unsure and never very comfortable at the dentist/orthodontist and this was right before covid. It (obviously) never went ahead due to lockdown and it hasn't really been talked about since.

Will I regret not getting them? Is it worth getting them now, especially since university is just over a year away and I'll likely still have them on by then?

Reply 1

Original post by seashells7
I just turned 17 and I'm now not sure if I'll regret not getting braces or not.
My teeth are relatively straight and I'm happy with how they look, it's just my jaw that's the problem (I think). I like my smile without teeth but dislike it with teeth, however it's not the teeth that are the problem it's the way my face is. I have no idea if braces will/could actually fix this so if anyone knows that would be great. My teeth smile just looks a bit awkward and forced no matter what way I do it. So I always opt for mouth shut which looks a bit more subtle but just nicer.
I had the option for braces when I was younger but was always told I was very borderline. I had a lot of dental treatment when I was around 7-11 (teeth out, tooth caps, fillings, etc) and my dentist was never very gentle nor sympathetic for my age, so I ended up being pretty scared of the dentist which led to me rejecting braces at this time and quite often leaving in tears whenever it was discussed 😂
It was then talked about again when I was around 13, but I was still unsure and never very comfortable at the dentist/orthodontist and this was right before covid. It (obviously) never went ahead due to lockdown and it hasn't really been talked about since.
Will I regret not getting them? Is it worth getting them now, especially since university is just over a year away and I'll likely still have them on by then?

tbh if you're worried about your braces making you look weird, I'd say ignore it. I personally don't understand the whole "braces look stupid" thing because I barely notice it when someone has braces.

Also you should go to the dentist's and see whether getting braces would be a good idea.

Reply 2

It depends why the braces were suggested. If it was to prevent any shift in your teeth that might affect your jaw in the future, then maybe it'd be a good idea to look again. If it was to correct something minor, and purely cosmetic, you might be able to get clear braces if it bothers you. However, if anyone at university, who are meant to be adults, ever mocked you for having braces, they are not the kind of people you want to be hanging around with. Fixing teeth is pretty popular nowadays. :smile:

Reply 3

Original post by seashells7
I just turned 17 and I'm now not sure if I'll regret not getting braces or not.
My teeth are relatively straight and I'm happy with how they look, it's just my jaw that's the problem (I think). I like my smile without teeth but dislike it with teeth, however it's not the teeth that are the problem it's the way my face is. I have no idea if braces will/could actually fix this so if anyone knows that would be great. My teeth smile just looks a bit awkward and forced no matter what way I do it. So I always opt for mouth shut which looks a bit more subtle but just nicer.
I had the option for braces when I was younger but was always told I was very borderline. I had a lot of dental treatment when I was around 7-11 (teeth out, tooth caps, fillings, etc) and my dentist was never very gentle nor sympathetic for my age, so I ended up being pretty scared of the dentist which led to me rejecting braces at this time and quite often leaving in tears whenever it was discussed 😂
It was then talked about again when I was around 13, but I was still unsure and never very comfortable at the dentist/orthodontist and this was right before covid. It (obviously) never went ahead due to lockdown and it hasn't really been talked about since.
Will I regret not getting them? Is it worth getting them now, especially since university is just over a year away and I'll likely still have them on by then?

Tyhere is something called "Invisalign" which I beieve is really good.

Reply 4

Original post by seashells7
I just turned 17 and I'm now not sure if I'll regret not getting braces or not.
My teeth are relatively straight and I'm happy with how they look, it's just my jaw that's the problem (I think). I like my smile without teeth but dislike it with teeth, however it's not the teeth that are the problem it's the way my face is. I have no idea if braces will/could actually fix this so if anyone knows that would be great. My teeth smile just looks a bit awkward and forced no matter what way I do it. So I always opt for mouth shut which looks a bit more subtle but just nicer.
I had the option for braces when I was younger but was always told I was very borderline. I had a lot of dental treatment when I was around 7-11 (teeth out, tooth caps, fillings, etc) and my dentist was never very gentle nor sympathetic for my age, so I ended up being pretty scared of the dentist which led to me rejecting braces at this time and quite often leaving in tears whenever it was discussed 😂
It was then talked about again when I was around 13, but I was still unsure and never very comfortable at the dentist/orthodontist and this was right before covid. It (obviously) never went ahead due to lockdown and it hasn't really been talked about since.
Will I regret not getting them? Is it worth getting them now, especially since university is just over a year away and I'll likely still have them on by then?


i understand where ur coming from however my advice would be to get them. you’ll understand in the future and you’ll be thankful you’ll have nice teeth. don’t listen to the others and get them. you’ll get used to them in a few weeks and you won’t be uncomfortable smiling anymore. trust me i’ve went threw it.

Reply 5

Thank you for the replies (all 4!). I'm fairly sure I was originally offered braces because a few of my teeth aren't directly straight (they're closer to the back and not even visible) so I'm fairly certain there was never really a purpose other than for that. I had a dentist appointment last week and spoke to them, obviously they're not the orthodontist but they said that the waiting list for my orthodontic practice was significantly longer and there would be a huge delay. He said I could go private but that costs a lot of money that I don't have. He also warned me of the risk that it could be so delayed that I would turn 18 and no longer be eligible on the NHS.

I've honestly decided against it, it's always a little thought but it's more go through phases of insecurity than it being something that constantly sits with me. Perhaps when I'm older if it still bothers me I'll look into invisalign or maybe even lingual braces. Thanks for the advice!!

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