So I'm in my late 30s and have only now gotten braces.
My teeth weren't really that bad, but if I were a smurf, I'd be Vanity Smurf. I had one crooked tooth that always bothered me and after a co-worker told me about "the six month smile", I really wanted to do it! What it is, is they only fix the teeth that show when you smile, so it's not your full mouth and should take less time than traditional braces.
I asked my regular dentist (Dr. Chester Naka...check him out!) and he referred me to Dr. Masunaga. I met with him late 2015 and he explained everything to me, and of course, the cost. Dr. Masunaga doesn't do the "six month smile", but he worked with me to help correct my issue. He said it would take nine to 12 months...hopefully.
I just thought I'd be fixing one tooth, but it turns out, I'm fixing more than one...I never realized the middle line between my upper and lower front teeth didn't match up so that's getting shifted over also.
I got my braces on the Monday after the Super Bowl this year and it was pretty fast - I only have brackets on the top front six teeth and then the back two. I also decided on the porcelain brackets, because again, I'm vain and didn't want it very noticeable. BTW he does do Invisalign, but not only am I vain, I'm also thrifty! Haha, plus Invisalign would increase the amount of time it would take to correct my teeth.
Anyway, the process may seem slow, but I saw results right away and after every visit, I get more and more excited with my new smile! The porcelain brackets are pretty cool, unless you're really close to me, no one really notices it, plus I get clear-ish rubberbands (they actually glow in the dark!).
So it's been six months now and I haven't had any issues with my braces or the office. The waiting room can get packed, since it's mostly kids with their parents and siblings waiting, but the nurses and everyone there are so nice to talk to when I'm waiting in the chair.
If you do decide to get braces this late on your life, or if you're looking for an orthodontist for your kid(s), I highly recommend Dr. Masunaga! read more