Are Adult Braces Worth It? We Asked 8 People for Their Honest Reviews (SEE PHOTOS)
Age when you got braces: 38
How long you had them: 16 months
Price: $6,200
Why you got them: We couldn’t afford them when I was a kid, so I decided to get them in my 30s.
Was it worth it: Yes
“A big factor in my decision was that I’m a content creator, so I always have a camera in my face. While looking back at videos, I noticed my crooked teeth more and more.
Ultimately, I had a great experience! The wire adjustments made it annoying to eat and chew for the first week afterward but in my opinion, these ‘side effects’ were absolutely worth it. It was painful at some points of the process but I am extremely happy with the results! ALL SMILES, ALL DAY! I’m so much more confident, and I love it!”
“As someone with major dental anxiety, I still thought the results were worth it.”
Name: Samantha M.
Age when you got braces: 34
How long you had them: A year and a half
Price: Free (I worked in administration for an orthodontics practice, and one of the benefits was free braces)
Why you got them: My teeth started gapping in the front in my early 20s, and I became self-conscious about it.
Was it worth it: Yes.
“Ironically, I have severe dental anxiety, so the process was stressful at first. That said, even with the pain being extra terrible for me (because of my anxiety), I would still say the results were very worth it. I’m so happy with how my teeth look and can’t stop smiling!”
“The experience was great, but there’s only one thing I regret.”
Name: Sondra Z.
Age when you got braces: 36
How long you had them: 15 months
Price: $2,000 (I only had braces on my bottom teeth)
Why you got them: My bottom teeth were getting crowded, and I wanted to fix them for cosmetic reasons.
Was it worth it: Yes—with one major caveat.
“I got adult braces back in 1985—so it’s been a while. But I remember when I got them off, my teeth looked perfect! I always got compliments on my smile both before and after, but after the braces, I finally believed them: I felt more confident while talking because I wasn’t wondering whether or not people were staring at my crooked teeth.
There’s only one thing I regret: Not wearing my retainer to keep them fully in line. My teeth aren’t as crooked as they were pre-braces, but I’ll admit they slipped back a little as a result of not doing this.”
“Getting braces in my 50s improved my smile, appearance, and confidence.”
Name: Kimberly T.
Age when you got braces: 52
How long you had them: 10 months
Price: $5,700
Why you got them: My dentist recommended braces due to crowding on my lower jaw, which only got worse during cancer treatment.
Was it worth it: Yes.
“I tried Invisalign first but failed miserably (I took them out every night while sleeping due to the discomfort). So I got traditional braces on my bottom teeth instead—and now they look pretty! There were times when the metal rubbed against my mouth, which created small abrasions and cuts, but those were minor.
Wearing braces in my 50s made me a bit self-conscious at times, but the results speak for themselves! They improved my smile, overall appearance, and, most importantly, my confidence. If you’re considering this decision, I would highly recommend it!”
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