Metal Mouth Message Board

Go for it!
I was 35 when I got metal braces while working in a professional job. I was initially self-conscious as well. Nobody cared. The only comments I ever had in 3 years of wearing braces were either supportive or were questions from people interested in getting braces themselves.

Hi Kendra, Good luck! I had braces for 2.5 years from age 35-37. I went with full metal based on my ortho's recommendation. I had some initial self-consciousness, which most people seem to have regardless of bracket type. After a couple of weeks, I adjusted, and remained comfortable with my choice. ...

My bite blocks drove me nuts at first! I found myself clenching down on them when talking, they gave me a minor lisp, and of course chewing was impossible at first. Then, after about two weeks, my mouth magically got used to them. Even when the ortho added some material to make them taller later on,...

I have full metal. DesertD is right; nobody notices. I would choose metal if I were starting treatment again.

As the 37 year old at my office with metal braces, I'd say go for it! If you can get past the first few days of self-consciousness about being the 24 year old guy with metal braces and an expander, you can look forward to being the 26 or 27 year old guy with a perfect smile.

I have two coworkers who are now wearing braces after seeing me in treatment and talking to me about my braces. It's nice to have some company!

Great!

I got metal braces in September, 2016, so I'm coming up on 2 years braced. I've had some delays closing a space, but with regular rubber band use, it finally closed! We are rotating a front tooth, and then the braces will come off. I've seen huge changes in my teeth!

The gap finally closed! I'm at Month 17 (as of next week) and the elastic and powerchain combo finally closed the gap on my left side that has been delaying things for several months. Side.jpg I'm still wearing the elastic and new powerchains to keep the space closed. We're now on the finishing part...

Well, it looks like I forgot to update this page after my last two adjustments. I'm now at 13 months in braces. At my visit 1 month ago, the orthodontist told me to resume wearing the elastic. That will probably remain for the duration of my treatment. This month we added a powerchain on top to clos...

Full metal here, with no regrets. Nobody has mentioned my braces except for other adults in ortho. My braces have been low-hassle. If you want to minimize conversations about them, metal brackets make it obvious what's going on in your mouth.

Damoz is right, tmjd!

If you've made it a week with bite blocks, you are almost to the point where they won't bother you anymore. Hang in there!

Thank you damoz and tillybrace!

Damoz, good luck switching to bite blocks on your molars. They are annoying at first but you will get used to them!

Tillybrace, the orthodontist thinks I'll be done in November or December, so around 15 months

This post struck a chord with me! I love chips; no way could I avoid them for my entire treatment. Eating anything crunchy was no fun for the first couple of weeks, but after that, I adapted. I eat chips all the time now. You just have to be very careful to arrange everything with your tongue before...

I'm now 11 months into my 9 month treatment. At the most recent adjustment, the orthodontist said he'll be using an additional finishing wire probably starting at next month's appointment. I had previously been told I was on the final wires on top, but I guess there's one special one for me! The ort...

Based on my experience the past 10 months, my guess is that most people you date simply won't notice/care. Certainly they'll SEE the braces, but especially if you act natural, smile normally, etc. it is likely to be a non-issue, similar to whether you wear glasses or not.