Has anyone done this? Considered this? Actual braces…or Invisiline? Was it worth it?
Not at 55, but my family did bracket that age. No harm in talking to an orthodontist. W did them at 40. Given that she wasn’t as malleable as a teen, her teeth went back to where they were within a couple of weeks. He put the braces back on and she ended up with semi-permanent bars behind her front teeth to keep them straight.
Her mother went in for a consult in her mid-60s and the orthodontist recommended against it, didn’t want to risk permanently loosening her teeth.
I got the real metal braces at 51 and had no problems other than it took longer than originally estimated. Orthodontist told me 8 months up front so I signed up then and there. I figured that would fly by. Ended up taking just short of a year, but the results were great. I’ve had them off 5 years now and teeth are still straight. I slept with my retainer religiously the first couple of years and then started slacking off with it.
I am in them and am 55. Just like being 12 again, only this time with wrinkles 
I had the awful palate expander for nine horrible long months last fall/winter and the braces were put on this April. I had the awful palate expander three times during ages 11-14. First ortho was a mean man who left me with a lifetime of dental issues.
Love, love, love this ortho and his TMJ/dental expertise. I can’t believe how my teeth have moved and straightened.
It’ll probably be 2 years, but I figured I’d be 53 then either way and I could no longer tolerate the swallowing/choking/breathing issues and severe crossbite. I’m a little self-conscious but it’s worth it for me.
^^and I wasn’t a candidate for Invisalign due to bite issues. Would have liked to try them though.
I did Invisalign recently–over 50. Had braces as a teenager, but my bottom teeth moved so much-- I only did it on the bottom. It worked well and my insurance paid for most of it. Only took about 6 months. Much better now!
Atomom, would you mind sharing your insurance company? Just took my son in for an Invisalign consultation and no coverage at all from our insurance! 
D2 is doing invisalign now. She started a month ago. Our insurance only paid for $1000.
My ex did the Invisalign at 52-53. He paid for them up front, not through insurance. He plays trombone and says it was the best thing he ever did for himself. The teeth did NOT move back out of alignment. He is thrilled with the process. I’ve seen the ads for teen/young adult treatment and I don’t believe our insurance covers Invisalign either. Believe it or not, we have seen Groupon and Living Social half-price coupons for the teen version though!
I did Invisalign when over 50, and am very pleased. Although I had ortho as a teenager, my teeth had moved to the point I did not want to smile or be photographed. I had no insurance coverage, and it took longer than I was initially told (about 16 months), but my teeth look great 3 years later. I wear a top retainer every night and have the permanent wire behind my front bottom teeth.
I’ve had several patients in ortho after age 50. My oldest started at 59 and she is now 83! Says it is the best thing she ever did and wished she had done it earlier.
I would suggest a consult with an orthodontist who treats a lot of adults. Depending on your problem, you may or may not be a candidate for Invisalign. Most insurance companies provide no ortho benefits for adults over age 19.
If you wear your retainers faithfully, you should not relapse.
I also tell my patients that if you had started ortho when you first thought about it, you would have been done before you actually did get it started. So—call tomorrow for an appointment! Ask your general dentist for a referral if you need one.
Not over 50 but not far. I did invisalign and it took about a year. I had braces as a teen but my wisdom teeth and time and advances in orthodontic care fixed some fundamental issues. I finished last November and now wear the retainers every other night. I also got teeth whitening solution to use in the trays. Why go through life uncomfortable with your teeth when it’s so easily fixed. I can’t say I loved it, but now it’s over I appreciate the results.
I did braces about ten years ago, so somewhere around 40-ish (don’t remember the exact year). I had braces as a teen but had had some shifting. There are so many adults who do braces these days, I found that I didn’t need to be self-conscious about it.