STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

dot · Marc Jacobs

adults with braces? getting braces in your mid-20s?

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I had braces in college, regular ones.. only for a year and a half. It was fine and didn't bother me much. I think it comes down to "how bad do you want perfect teeth?" I am completely crazy about it to the point that I still wear my retainer everynight and I have had my braces off for 6 years now.

My mom also recently got braces (for the second time). She is in her early 50's. She was a little self conscious, but she also thought it was worth it.

The expensive invisible ones do not work as quickly or efficiently as the good old regular ones. (my ortho said this). But they can improve, if it is only a tiny change you want to make.

AND if your company helps pay, why the heck not?!

Let us know what you decide!

-- Edited by JoceyBaby23 at 16:14, 2005-07-11

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

i've seen plenty of adults recently wearing braces and i don't think "nerdy 12-year-old" at all! i think you should get them if you want them. i actually plan on asking my dentist about my options next time i visit... i want them too. my teeth have started "crowding" a bit as i get older and it's bugging me.

i don't have any advice about which ones to get because i've never had them, but please let us know what you decide.

sage · Dooney & Bourke

Whenever I see an adult with braces I always admire them for wanting to have the best possible smile!! Plus, it really is kinda cute

If your company pays a good portion I say go for it!

crystal · Kate Spade

personally, i like crooked teeth! i know that sounds weird, but it's true! i had the biggest crush in HS on this guy who had gapped teeth & he ended up getting braces. he looks fine w/ straight teeth too, i just feel that the teeth u were born w/ are more unique. i realize some cases are extreme & require braces so then u can't avoid it. but if this is strictly for vanity's sake, i say skip em! has it affected you in any way, like in ur love life? if so i can understand wanting to get them. but if it's just for urself then why go through the pain (and i've heard they really are a PAIN)? then again, doing it for urself is a better reason that doing it for a guy so n/m...

kealoha · Kate Spade

I never wore braces as a teen, but got the metal ones @ 30. I only had to wear them for 6 months & my doctor gave me a killer break on the price, but it was worth it.

twinkle · Coach

dot wrote:

so i just found out that my company covers a good chunk of change if you get braces. i recently really wanted to get them (as my teeth have been moving more in my age and seem to be still moving). anyway, i want to get them, but there is a part of me that feels like i'm going to be a 12-year-old nerd if i get them. should i opt for the expensive kind you can't see? any advice from those with braces? i guess i'm apprehensive also because of the costs. even with my company's help, i'm not sure if it's something i should throw down money for. any advice?

I would go for the invisalign! i know a few people who have these and they are amazing and you dotn have to have a mouthful of metal!

lindsayp · Kenneth Cole

I have to disagree with the negative Invisalign comments. I've had them for the past 7-8 months and they kick ass!!! You have to fit the profile really closely or else it won't work as well. My teeth were minorly crooked and were crooked in a way that Invisilign was best for. Anyways, I love them!! They're more expensive, but I only have to have them for a year total. It can't hurt to check into it :)

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

I recently went for an Invisalign consultation and apparently they do work for some people, but I'm having trouble rationalizing the COST of them. They are so expensive, and there's no guarantee that they'll work for you. At the same time I know I would be terribly self conscious with a mouth full of traditional metal braces.

My fiance is working his way through metal braces for the second time and he says the minor discomfort is totally worth the end result. His orthodontist was very much against Invisalign, so he ended up with the old classics. It's a tough decision, but if your company will pay, do it!