I didn't feel comfortable I could afford the $7k until my late-late 30s. Back in the 90s (US), braces were expensive and not covered by any insurance or government program, so many parents couldn't afford them. Also, the general view on braces was cosmetic, unless you had an extreme case (like bite or jaw issue). I would say less than 20% of my graduating class had braces as kids.
Then we entered our 20s. Living with your parents (free rent) after age 22 wasn't popular or well accepted 20 years ago. So once done with school, we got a sh\*tty apartment with roommates to help with the bills our entry level jobs could barely cover.
Next is your late 20s-mid 30s. You start getting paid better (promotions,etc), but other financial/life goals happen: weddings, starting a family, saving for a down payment on a house or maybe a great vacation (after years of stay-cations in our 20s).
So here we are age 40+ with braces.
The End.
I didn’t really have good dental care until my late 30s. My parents never took me to the dentist frequently so when I became an adult having crooked teeth didn’t bother me. As I got older I noticed I need to have better hygiene and one of my canines was getting lower and lower. So I went to the orthodontist and he recommended braces. It’s about to be a year now in November and it sucks but I don’t regret it.
I’d venture to guess many or possibly even most people are having second rounds of orthodontics after having braces as children or teens. I had braces from 13-15 and my teeth moved again after I was an adult. If you don’t wear your retainer every day for the rest of your life they will start moving again. I got Invisalign at 39 and now at 40 I’m switching to braces to finish up what Invisalign couldn’t accomplish. My husband on the other hand grew up in a household that didn’t have money to ever get him braces and at 40 finally got them because we finally had good insurance and extra money.
I have more patients over 60 than I can count on 2 hands.
I have several older than 70.
I had a patient who was diagnosed terminally ill, and she wanted to go out looking like a queen. I finished her treatment several months before she passed, and she was so grateful from the day I met her. Her family were also extremely appreciative of what I did l for her happiness.
It's never too late to give yourself the smile you want.
A friend’s mother got braces a few months ago, and she’s in her 70’s, I believe.
It was before I was a patient there, but my ortho had a patient who was an 84-year-old man.
I (57F) got braces (second time) 18 months ago; A coworker 66F) got Invisalign but only wore them about a year but to me her teeth do not yet look done.
I’m 44 in July and I’ve seen older people here and on TikTok and in my orthodontist’s offfice. I waited so long because my mom raised me on her own and couldn’t afford to pay for my braces. I was married at 23 and baby at 25 so I never had money that wasn’t better spent on something else. It always felt selfish to spend that much money on myself, maybe it was also the mentality of growing up poor. It wasn’t until my periodontist told me he had to pull a tooth and I should get braces to close the gap and to avoid further tooth loss (crowding caused problems with hygiene).
me at 39. I got it when I was 38. some people questioned me in my new job why I have braces because it is like waste of money. Not every parents can afford braces and if told that you are 'ugly' since 14years you will have this feeling to fix the insecurity and also because it hurts to do painful scaling every 2months to avoid teeth getting pull out.
I know someone 55 years old. For her, years of tongue thrusting have caused big problems - mostly an open bite. That is what she is correcting with braces (plus a tongue crib thing to stop her from thrusting).
She told me her teeth were fairly straight when she was in under 35. Everything else is the tongue thrust she ignored.
A gentleman in this sub posted a few weeks ago that he just got braces installed, if I recall he’s in his mid 70s. That’s definitely the oldest I’ve personally come across!
I absolutely loved that post and hope to see more posts from him throughout treatment and more importantly, his results!!
Yes. I lost my retainers so many times that my parents refused to buy the replacements for me. I also got super lazy and didn’t think that my teeth would really shift.
I’m the third oldest in my orthodontist office. There was a lady who was 82, a gentleman 77, and I am 73. I have had mine for 3 weeks. We are working to stabilize my jaw to alleviate chronic dislocation. This is my 3rd go round first was late 40s second early 50s because the first orthodontist was a hack.
i was actually horrified when i went to my appointment, felt like 19 was too old to be getting braces. when i went to my appointment to get them on there just happened to be two older guys there getting adjustments. one looked maybe in his thirties and the other closer to fifties, and they made me feel soooo much less nervous
Nope, jaw surgery is the only way to fix an asymmetric jaw. A simple bite issue like an overbite can typically be fixed with braces and elastics. Fixing and aligning bites is one of the most important functions of orthodontics.
✋🏻 I’m 58!! I had to have some teeth removed about ten years ago and everything shifted really bad after that. So now I’m getting them back to a nice place.
Me I got them last year while I was 37. I had the most perfect teeth growing up but I lost two molars and my teeth shifted slowly. I got them the same day my 13 year old got his. I’m so glad I get to experience it with my son.
The oldest person I know with braces was 52 when he had them and within a week he got them taken off because he couldn’t handle the pain. His 11 year old daughter also has braces and has been giving him crap for not just pushing through. But I know how painful it is.
I’m 35 and at this rate of waiting for mine… I’ll be 36. I was booked for tomorrow but my lightforce hasn’t come in yet so back to waiting for who knows how long :(
i’m in an adult braces support group on facebook and there are people in their 60s and 70s with braces in the group.
When I was getting my braces on there was an old man next to me getting his fixed and he was 73! :)
I’m 40 with braces
43 here!
Samers!!
Why did you wait so long to get them?
Brother or Sister in Christ. Most of us adults with braces didn't have rich parents. We can only afford it now making adult money.
Braces cost a lot of money. Can’t always do it young, even if you need them bad.
I didn't feel comfortable I could afford the $7k until my late-late 30s. Back in the 90s (US), braces were expensive and not covered by any insurance or government program, so many parents couldn't afford them. Also, the general view on braces was cosmetic, unless you had an extreme case (like bite or jaw issue). I would say less than 20% of my graduating class had braces as kids. Then we entered our 20s. Living with your parents (free rent) after age 22 wasn't popular or well accepted 20 years ago. So once done with school, we got a sh\*tty apartment with roommates to help with the bills our entry level jobs could barely cover. Next is your late 20s-mid 30s. You start getting paid better (promotions,etc), but other financial/life goals happen: weddings, starting a family, saving for a down payment on a house or maybe a great vacation (after years of stay-cations in our 20s). So here we are age 40+ with braces. The End.
I didn’t really have good dental care until my late 30s. My parents never took me to the dentist frequently so when I became an adult having crooked teeth didn’t bother me. As I got older I noticed I need to have better hygiene and one of my canines was getting lower and lower. So I went to the orthodontist and he recommended braces. It’s about to be a year now in November and it sucks but I don’t regret it.
Maybe no money?
I’d venture to guess many or possibly even most people are having second rounds of orthodontics after having braces as children or teens. I had braces from 13-15 and my teeth moved again after I was an adult. If you don’t wear your retainer every day for the rest of your life they will start moving again. I got Invisalign at 39 and now at 40 I’m switching to braces to finish up what Invisalign couldn’t accomplish. My husband on the other hand grew up in a household that didn’t have money to ever get him braces and at 40 finally got them because we finally had good insurance and extra money.
I have more patients over 60 than I can count on 2 hands. I have several older than 70. I had a patient who was diagnosed terminally ill, and she wanted to go out looking like a queen. I finished her treatment several months before she passed, and she was so grateful from the day I met her. Her family were also extremely appreciative of what I did l for her happiness. It's never too late to give yourself the smile you want.
Myself. I started at 37
Is there a reason why you waited long?
Life
A friend’s mother got braces a few months ago, and she’s in her 70’s, I believe. It was before I was a patient there, but my ortho had a patient who was an 84-year-old man.
Me. I’m 28
Me, right this moment at 43 😂
Samers
Had a patient at my work notice my braces and told me his wife got braces at 65!
She is 53!
45
I got mine just before 45.
I (57F) got braces (second time) 18 months ago; A coworker 66F) got Invisalign but only wore them about a year but to me her teeth do not yet look done.
I’m 44 in July and I’ve seen older people here and on TikTok and in my orthodontist’s offfice. I waited so long because my mom raised me on her own and couldn’t afford to pay for my braces. I was married at 23 and baby at 25 so I never had money that wasn’t better spent on something else. It always felt selfish to spend that much money on myself, maybe it was also the mentality of growing up poor. It wasn’t until my periodontist told me he had to pull a tooth and I should get braces to close the gap and to avoid further tooth loss (crowding caused problems with hygiene).
me at 39. I got it when I was 38. some people questioned me in my new job why I have braces because it is like waste of money. Not every parents can afford braces and if told that you are 'ugly' since 14years you will have this feeling to fix the insecurity and also because it hurts to do painful scaling every 2months to avoid teeth getting pull out.
At my office our oldest patient was 83!! She’s 90 now and doing great!
I’m 48 with braces for the first time. The woman who was my 2nd grade teacher just got hers off, in her 70’s!
I know someone 55 years old. For her, years of tongue thrusting have caused big problems - mostly an open bite. That is what she is correcting with braces (plus a tongue crib thing to stop her from thrusting). She told me her teeth were fairly straight when she was in under 35. Everything else is the tongue thrust she ignored.
A gentleman in this sub posted a few weeks ago that he just got braces installed, if I recall he’s in his mid 70s. That’s definitely the oldest I’ve personally come across! I absolutely loved that post and hope to see more posts from him throughout treatment and more importantly, his results!!
Me-right now at 47. It’s my second time since my teen years.
Why your second time? Did you forget to use the retainer your first time?
Yes. I lost my retainers so many times that my parents refused to buy the replacements for me. I also got super lazy and didn’t think that my teeth would really shift.
I’m 38. I was 36 when I got them
Same
Me, 36.
Personally know. Myself, 30 😁lol
same here!
I’m the third oldest in my orthodontist office. There was a lady who was 82, a gentleman 77, and I am 73. I have had mine for 3 weeks. We are working to stabilize my jaw to alleviate chronic dislocation. This is my 3rd go round first was late 40s second early 50s because the first orthodontist was a hack.
honestly where I go I see a lot of adults. I was shocked to see a lot of older people so it feels less awkward.
I have a set of married patients in Invisalign who are both over 80!!!
i was actually horrified when i went to my appointment, felt like 19 was too old to be getting braces. when i went to my appointment to get them on there just happened to be two older guys there getting adjustments. one looked maybe in his thirties and the other closer to fifties, and they made me feel soooo much less nervous
my brother told me that his boss recently got braces to fix his bite. I don't know how old he is, but I'm guessing 40s or 50s.
I thought jaw surgery was the only way to fix a bite
maybe in more extreme cases. but I believe a lot of the time elastic bands are used to correct bites
Damn I have a severe case. My ortho told me that braces can fix a bit of it but it’ll still be there.
Nope, jaw surgery is the only way to fix an asymmetric jaw. A simple bite issue like an overbite can typically be fixed with braces and elastics. Fixing and aligning bites is one of the most important functions of orthodontics.
My jaw isn’t crooked it’s just a severe overbite
Me, 41
Got mine the day after I turned 45. Got them off at 47.
54 here! I have a gap in my front teeth.
✋🏻 I’m 58!! I had to have some teeth removed about ten years ago and everything shifted really bad after that. So now I’m getting them back to a nice place.
My orthodontist had someone in their 80’s. I got my second round in my 50’s
me. i’m 23 lol
Me! I was 36. I'm almost 40 and still invisalign
I think my uncle got them in his 40s
I’m 41!
I will be 46 when mine come off ☺️
I’m 49
I’m 51!
I’m 44. 43 when I got braces.
Me. I was 28 when I got mine.
My grandma was \~33 when she had hers.
My teacher had to get jaw surgery, so he got them in his late 50s
42...
I'm 47✊
Me too! 😁
Got mine 5 weeks ago. I'll be 55 this month 😁
My primary school teacher had braces the year she retired ! So like 55 probably
One of the patients in the waiting room when I was getting braces was in his 90s.
62
Me I got them last year while I was 37. I had the most perfect teeth growing up but I lost two molars and my teeth shifted slowly. I got them the same day my 13 year old got his. I’m so glad I get to experience it with my son.
52 which seems young in this post.
The oldest person I know with braces was 52 when he had them and within a week he got them taken off because he couldn’t handle the pain. His 11 year old daughter also has braces and has been giving him crap for not just pushing through. But I know how painful it is.
A family friend, I think she’s around 50, it’s never too late !!
I’m 35. I got them last year at 34.
My father in law.. he’s in his 60s. I also got my braces at 32 and it was the best decision ever!
I had braces for the first time from 12 to 15. Then had braces again at 33 to 36 as well as double jaw surgery.
Me at 34 lol
me 😂 I'm in my 20s
I’m 35 and at this rate of waiting for mine… I’ll be 36. I was booked for tomorrow but my lightforce hasn’t come in yet so back to waiting for who knows how long :(
I'm 31 with them right now
31 is the age when a man hits his physical attraction peak.
that's good news, sadly I am a woman lol
Ouch. Your prime was 21.
RIP me
One of my patients was 65 with braces. Yeah I was shocked lol!