can i get by with a retainer?

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#1 Post by **julieo** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:00 pm

my top teeth are pretty ok. my bottom teeth are sort of crowded. do i need to go to an orthodontist who will most likely recommend braces or, can i ask my dentist to fit me for a retainer?

#2 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:10 pm

You need to see an orthodontist, they are the ones that can fit you with a retainer if it will work but more likely you will need braces. But again I nor anyone on the forums can answer that truthfully, so you need to see an orthodontist if you think you have bite issues.

#3 Post by **julieo** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:29 pm

43 seems a bit old for braces. do they put adults in braces?

#4 Post by **bbsadmin** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:12 pm

I got braces at age 41. Does that answer your question?

#5 Post by **midlifesmile** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:49 am

45 here~

#6 Post by **midlifesmile** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:51 am

I will also add that my mother had hers at 50. So, yes.... they put braces on adults.

#7 Post by **hazel** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:12 am

Seems you need some encouragement here!! My case is very similar to yours....ten years I spent thinking whether to be braced or not(as I was embarassed) -finally at 38 I decided on my lower teeth which are a real disaster. As soon as I got my brace almost 3 weeks ago, I felt so really relieved! I can't wait for my next visit to the orthodontist to see if I can do my upper teeth too! So just pick up the phone and make an appointment.....I'm sure you'll feel relieved too!!! Good Luck!!!

#8 Post by **footpounds** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:52 am

julieo wrote:43 seems a bit old for braces. do they put adults in braces?

Amazingly yes, they put adults in braces. They even put stupid people on the internet.

#9 Post by **julieo** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:55 am

thanks for the feedback. do orthodontists let you get away with bottom braces only, or is it sort of like buying shoes? usually sold in pairs?

#10 Post by **Bekah** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:19 am

I thought my tops were ok and only wanted the bottoms straightened. The problem was that when bottom teeth move your teeth won't fit together the same way anymore!

For this reason, I got a full set of braces.

#11 Post by **Steph in Sac** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:38 am

I am 37 and have braces on my bottom teeth only. My top teeth look fine and my bottom teeth were crowded. Six months later, they are very straight and I'll have the braces off in 1-2 months. Piece of cake! I even got the clear ceramic braces. No one really notices I have them as my teeth don't show when I speak.

#12 Post by **drrick** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:23 pm

Sometimes one arch can be treated but more often the opposite arch is part of the CAUSE of the problem.

When you have lower crowding the upper teeth (while they look straight) may be squared off across the front of the arch or they may be over-erupted (deep bite) and covering too much of the lower teeth. When this happens the lower teeth are trapped by the uppers and the only way to correct the lowers is by treating the upper as well.

BTW, the same thing happens when there is a space btwn the upper front teeth but the lower is trapping the upper from coming back.

#13 Post by **hazel** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:31 pm

I consulted two orthodontists - when I told them I wanted to do my lower teeth only, they didn't in any way suggest I fix my upper teeth too. Maybe because my lower teeth only show when I smile.....and I have big upper incisors which almost cover the entire lower ones when I close my mouth......My upper teeth never bothered me before, however they are really bothering me now.........

#14 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:42 pm

hazel wrote:I consulted two orthodontists - when I told them I wanted to do my lower teeth only, they didn't in any way suggest I fix my upper teeth too. Maybe because my lower teeth only show when I smile.....and I have big upper incisors which almost cover the entire lower ones when I close my mouth......My upper teeth never bothered me before, however they are really bothering me now.........

How long have you had lower braces on for?
You should get the uppers done too. And if you have a such a deep overbite as you say, you should get that corrected as well.

#15 Post by **julieo** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:50 pm

drrick- i was feeling a bit smug until i read your reply to my post. of course i would only need braces on my lowers, if that. i could probably squeeze by with a retainer. after i read your post, i am more scared than ever. yes, as i discovered this afternoon after i read your post, my upper teeth are, in fact, somewhat crushing my lower teeth when i close my mouth! dear God, this NEVER occurred to me:( what now.? here's the sitch..... ear pain, clicking(occasionally), excessive teeth grinding- i have worn several night guards but, i take them out unconsciously while sleeping, the grinding has left me virtually without enamel. i was thinking i could push for braces on my lowers and now, i think i may need other forms of treatment/intervention. please advise

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