Adult braces questions

[Deleted]

I am getting braces put on in the next few weeks (I cannot wait!), and just had some questions for those of you who have had them as an adult and paid for them. I do not have any insurance so mine is all OOP.

How much did yours cost total? Did that include retainers, office visits, etc?
Was there a lot of pain or discomfort?
How long did you wear them?
Did they work for you? One of my biggest fears is going through with this, paying for it and then my teeth shift back to where they are now.
My dentist is pretty sure I need to get a palate expander and after Googling now I am scared to death! Has anyone had experience with that?

Thanks!

[rikki]

$9,500
No. The worst pain was when I had the spacers before the actual braces. The braces never hurt, even when they were adjusted.
I wore them for 20 months. It was in conjunction with major jaw surgery.
They will work. Just make sure that you get a good orthodontist and you wear your retainer.

[njohnson1972]

How much did yours cost total? Did that include retainers, office visits, etc? Total for everything included $4,000

Was there a lot of pain or discomfort? No, I never used the wax either. Only one day did I take Advil. That was the day the braces closed my gap.

How long did you wear them? 6 months.

Did they work for you? Yes. I love my teeth now. I have buck teeth with a gap. So, I basically had them pulled in and the gap closed. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I love smiling now. I also have permanent retainers behind my teeth to help them stay in place.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

$6k, it including everything, I had them on for two years, they hurt quite often on the top, but I had a lot of teeth to move.

I have a valplast partial plate on the top to replace two missing teeth, so I never really had any movement because the partial holds everything in place.

[evans]

Total cost $6,000. It included everything, all office visits, all retainers, ect.
Pain: A few times right after an adjustment it would hurt. I took some Advil and that always helped.
I had them for two years.
Yes they worked. I also have permanent retainers on top and bottom (plus a removable one) to help keep everything in place.

First, I would always recommend going to an orthodontist and not just a dentist that does braces. I would go to a few consults before picking one. Second, I had the Damon braces/system. It's the new way of doing braces and it is a lot better than the old way. They come in clear too.

[runblondie26]

~$7500...I had the clear ceramic kind. I also had teeth pulled and all sorts of other fun stuff this time around.

They hurt, they hurt A LOT. The ceramic brackets have rough edges and are always cutting your lips. I wore them for 2.5 years.

This was my second time having braces (I wore the metal kind as a kid). I don't recall them hurting as a kid, except for a little aching the day after a tightening.

It was totally worth it in the end though. I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth, and I stopped wearing my top retainer at night about a year ago. No shifting in the 4 years since they've been off.

[livinitup]

You may want to double check the IRS site for allowable reimbursement expenses for Flex Spending Health accounts, but I'm pretty sure braces are an allowable expense. Most dentists will set-up a monthly payment plan, so you'll know exactly how much you will pay out of pocket each month/year. You'll save some money if you can pay with pre-tax dollars.

And I had a palette expander as a kid, twice. It didn't happen all at once, just a little bit every day. I remember some pressure, like something was pushing against it, but not straight-up pain. I was definately more bothered by the big space between my front teeth.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2012 9:47:29 GMT -5 livinitup said:

You may want to double check the IRS site for allowable reimbursement expenses for Flex Spending Health accounts, but I'm pretty sure braces are an allowable expense. Most dentists will set-up a monthly payment plan, so you'll know exactly how much you will pay out of pocket each month/year. You'll save some money if you can pay with pre-tax dollars.

And I had a palette expander as a kid, twice. It didn't happen all at once, just a little bit every day. I remember some pressure, like something was pushing against it, but not straight-up pain. I was definately more bothered by the big space between my front teeth.

I don't have an FSA at work, that's the only place I could do that, right?

Well, I'm mainly worried about the palette expander affecting my speech, which it seems like it will, a lot! I do a public speaking as part of my job, so now I am really worried. I have an appointment tomorrow to get some xrays done, so I'll talk to her then.

[caramia17]

When the dentist takes her x-rays, they will do measurements on them and discuss your options.

It depends how your bones are aligned in relation to each other and the teeth, but because, as an adult, your growth is complete how much teeth can be moved themselves is often more limited than in kids. Sometimes, teeth can be tilted to expand the upper jaw without the expander, but depending upon the placement of your teeth and the amount of movement as well as the amount of gum and bone tissue overlaying your teeth, the palatal expander may be the only option.

I would choose a good orthodontist and discuss it with her. She should be able to make recommendations about your specific needs and what you can expect.

A palatal expander will take some getting used to and may affect your speech until you become accustomed.

[BravoBravo]

How much did yours cost total? Did that include retainers, office visits, etc? I had braces and other fun stuff from 4th grade to 11th because of an under-bite. I do not know the total from when I was younger but my mom said I have a have a nice car in my mouth. I just got braces back on last month because my teeth moved since I never wore my retainers. This time around it was $5200 but since I payed it all upfront I got a 10% discount.

Was there a lot of pain or discomfort? The spacers made my teeth hurt the most. The first two days or so the insides of my cheeks hurt from the brackets rubbing on them while talking and eating. Make sure to use wax.

How long did you wear them? I think this treatment will be about 18 months or so.

Did they work for you? Since I did not wear my retainers before my teeth shifted and I have a cross-bite now. I will be sure to wear them this time around.

My dentist is pretty sure I need to get a palate expander and after Googling now I am scared to death! Has anyone had experience with that? I had this when I was younger. It was really only painful when my mom turned the crank to expand it. I actually asked about it at my last appointment and they said that now they have ones that automatically expand with the help of springs so it is more of a constant pressure. When the key was turned in mine it would feel like I just got punched in the nose.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2012 10:45:27 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

Oct 15, 2012 10:03:29 GMT -5 @laredo said:

Well, I'm mainly worried about the palette expander affecting my speech, which it seems like it will, a lot! I do a public speaking as part of my job, so now I am really worried. I have an appointment tomorrow to get some xrays done, so I'll talk to her then.

I am pretty sure they can do the same work on your teeth without the expander, but it will take longer. Moving the shape of your mouth with the braces is a lot slower process. However, if you do any public speaking, I would go the slow route. My speech was absolutely effected. At the time, I was on my college debate team and sounded like a joke. I am so glad I had them remove the expander!!

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about, thanks!

[mudslide]

How much did yours cost total? Somewhere between 6500 and 7500.

Did that include retainers, office visits, etc? Yes.

Was there a lot of pain or discomfort? Yes. Take tylenol and ibuprofen.

How long did you wear them?
I got them on in January 2011 supposed to get them off jan 2013

Did they work for you?
They are working amazingly. I started noticing differences in about a week or two.

One of my biggest fears is going through with this, paying for it and then my teeth shift back to where they are now.
Wear your retainers. Maybe get permanent one. Definitely tell them your concerns.

My dentist is pretty sure I need to get a palate expander and after Googling now I am scared to death! Has anyone had experience with that?
My BFF did. It was bad. I'm sorry.

Good luck! Pm me if you have any other questions.