Marky Mark Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 So I've have a gap between my two front teeth (that's called a diastema), although it isn't Michael Strahan sized, it is larger than just a small sliver between my front teeth and is noticable. Its always bothered me for years and I really regret not getting braces when I was a kid. I'm 22 now and feel like I'm way too old to be getting braces. I guess what I'm asking is, what do you guys think when you see adults with braces? My initial reaction is usually along the lines of "ugh!" but perhaps that's just me being stupid. I've thought about doing something about the diastema but if I had to have braces for two years that would be awful. I'm already a young looking guy, so I don't need to look younger. Anyone have thoughts on adult ortho? Additionally, I have looked into lumineers, but they don't work for me considering the size of my gap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 You can get braces into your 40s, it just takes longer to see a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Dude, if it would make you feel better about yourself just get braces. You can get the invisible ones or the metal ones. Sure, some slow-witted dumbf***s might make fun, but who cares? Do what's good for you and if that means you have braces for a couple of years to fix a gap in your teeth, just do it. Seriously though, my friend has invisible braces and you can't even notice them when they are in. She's very happy. Invisalign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 What do you think would be the worse reaction, seeing an adult with braces, or seeing an adult with a gap between his teeth that should have been fixed years ago? Get it done and over with, you will be happy you did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 All I can say is,I met a girl at the gym yesterday and she had braces.She is in her early 20's and she is really hot .She was smiling her biggest smile and not holding back at all.When you let the braces effect your confidence and personality is when braces look bad on someone,otherwise it doesnt make a diffrence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I'd rather have braces then a big gap. Braces suck but it is all worth it when you have perfectly straight teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 (edited) Invisalign is a good (albeit expensive) option for correcting spaces. You just have to first, consult your orthodontist to make sure you're a right candidate; and second, follow the instructions strictly. Since it can be removed, people may get in the habit of removing it during social situations. Often for hours. When you add up one day it won't matter, but over weeks and months it does. These acitions ultimately reduces its effectiveness, especially since braces are replaced on a monthly(?) basis. If the teeth aren't moved over enough for the next set to work, it's just prolonging the treatment. I know quite a bit about dentistry because I had braces from 13-15, then nothing for a few months, and 16-18. My original dentist basically set me back a few years. It was ridiculous. Enough but me though, lol. Mark you have to carefully weigh your options. Make sure you find an orthodontist (if that's your route) who has been in practice for awhile and has before/after pictures of his patients. Lumineers aren't a good option for your condition because lumineers don't reflect light naturally. They stain as well. People only consider it because of the price and lack of preparation required. It's good you've thrown out this option. What you'd want to consider, if braces aren't appealing to you, is porcelain veneers. They're stain resistant, extremely durable, and can be specifically colored to match your surrounding teeth so it doesn't look fake. From what I know of the process, a mold is made of your teeth which is sent into a lab. They use mathematical formulas to calculate the right shape/size of the veneers in relation to your bite and surrounding teeth. Atleast that's whats done from dentist giving their patients a natural look. My aunt had it done and if I didn't know personally she had the procedure I never would have guessed. They look perfect. Problem is the price. If I recall what she said to my mom last year, it was maybe $800 a tooth. Edited March 16, 2008 by Flash Tizzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 16, 2008 -> 12:09 PM) What you'd want to consider, if braces aren't appealing to you, is porcelain veneers. They're stain resistant, extremely durable, and can be specifically colored to match your surrounding teeth so it doesn't look fake. From what I know of the process, a mold is made of your teeth which is sent into a lab. They use mathematical formulas to calculate the right shape/size of the veneers in relation to your bite and surrounding teeth. Atleast that's whats done from dentist giving their patients a natural look. My aunt had it done and if I didn't know personally she had the procedure I never would have guessed. They look perfect. Problem is the price. If I recall what she said to my mom last year, it was maybe $800 a tooth. Veeners break way too often,they are far less strong than real teeth.Pretty expensive to start so they are expensive to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 QUOTE(shipps @ Mar 16, 2008 -> 01:38 PM) Veeners break way too often,they are far less strong than real teeth.Pretty expensive to start so they are expensive to replace. Really? How would one even repair broken veneers, considering they're cemeted onto the tooth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 16, 2008 -> 02:24 PM) Really? How would one even repair broken veneers, considering they're cemeted onto the tooth? Most likely they would have to make a brand new tooth.The problem is you can be chewing regularly and your jaws are just to strong for that porcelian.My aunt had to get it done three times over on one tooth.Finally they got it right but it was costly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitewashed in '05 Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 QUOTE(Markbilliards @ Mar 15, 2008 -> 11:52 PM) So I've have a gap between my two front teeth (that's called a diastema), although it isn't Michael Strahan sized, it is larger than just a small sliver between my front teeth and is noticable. Its always bothered me for years and I really regret not getting braces when I was a kid. I'm 22 now and feel like I'm way too old to be getting braces. I guess what I'm asking is, what do you guys think when you see adults with braces? My initial reaction is usually along the lines of "ugh!" but perhaps that's just me being stupid. I've thought about doing something about the diastema but if I had to have braces for two years that would be awful. I'm already a young looking guy, so I don't need to look younger. Anyone have thoughts on adult ortho? Additionally, I have looked into lumineers, but they don't work for me considering the size of my gap. Speaking from personal experience, I got braces when I was like 15 and got them off about 3 years later. A few years later my teeth moved a bit and at 20 got them back on. I've had them on for about 7 months now and they're almost coming off within the next month. I'll tell you this much, you're not in grade school so it isn't like kids are going to be making fun of you. Get you're teeth fixed and you will be much happier and comfortable smiling. My teeth look really good and I'm very happy I got them fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I agree with everyone else in here. If it is something you want done I think you should do it and not worry about it. Youll be happy you did it for the rest of your life. Like a few others have said it isnt like school where people are assholes for the sake of being assholes so you shouldnt be self conscience about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Speaking of which, even though I was told I don't have to anymore, I wear my retainers Sun-Thurs nite. Put FAR too much money into my teeth to let them get slightly out of place while I'm still growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 16, 2008 -> 10:41 PM) Speaking of which, even though I was told I don't have to anymore, I wear my retainers Sun-Thurs nite. Put FAR too much money into my teeth to let them get slightly out of place while I'm still growing. Yeah, I still wear my retainers almost every night and I've had my braces off for 3 years. I'm the only person I know that stills wears them after having them off for that amount of time, but I feel the same way as you Alex. I went through the whole process of wearing braces and I don't want that to be for nothing. Oh, and Mark, I would get braces if it was me. If the gap does bother you, then a year or maybe 2 of wearing braces will make you happier and fix your teeth for the rest of your life. I think it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 16, 2008 -> 11:41 PM) Speaking of which, even though I was told I don't have to anymore, I wear my retainers Sun-Thurs nite. Put FAR too much money into my teeth to let them get slightly out of place while I'm still growing. good plan. I didn't wear mine for a couple months and it's been 2 months of wearing them everyday and they're just starting to get back into how they used to. But i was told as long as you wear it once a week consistently, you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I wear my retainers every night I'm here, though I haven't had braces since 8th grade? It's funny, but I feel like I sleep better with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Mar 17, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) I wear my retainers every night I'm here, though I haven't had braces since 8th grade? It's funny, but I feel like I sleep better with them. Do you have a wubby as well? And there is always the possibility, if you REALLY don't want to see braces, that they may be able to put them on the inside of your teeth. They did that for my wife and they worked just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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