Am I too old to have retainers?

I think you can get a retainer or braces for your teeth at any age. More and more people resort to this measure at your age.People do all kinds of things to improve their appearance at every stage of life.So ,if your experiencing a lack of confidence I don't see any reason not to give it a go.

Do you care so much about the appearance of your teeth? Well, I would like to tell you about something about my elder-sister-in-law. She once had a row of teeth retainers for one year to make her uneven teeth more orderly. After one year when the retainer was taken off, I don't see anything better. She was in her thirties. So I think that it is better to leave it this way since the retainer doesn't work so effectively. Of course I can understand that everyone loves beauty, but I think that the real beauty is in the mind instead of in the outside part--the appearance.

It is not too late. Once braces were only for children, but not anymore. There are so many kinds of things available to fix crooked teeth now. I have seen many adults with braces and now they even have braces that you really cant see. Check with your dentist.

i dont think there are age brackets of when you need to put retainers or not...if its necessary for you to have your teeth fix, then go for it..but theres always your dentist who can tell you whats best..

You are not to old for retainers or braces. As you age your teeth continue to move espically if you have a tooth pulled or have retainers put on. I feel if you have the money for your teeth then go for it.

Hi zelmarq, I think your not too old to have retainers or braces. I have friends more than your age who had them. I suggest you have braces instead if you are conscious about your two front teeth and want it fixed, its more painful, though. I think its more effective and ask your dentist about it to be sure. Good luck and Take care. :-)

well really only a dentist can tell you . as you are 31 I dont see how it would help every thing been in place for quite awhile but then again only a dentist can tell you if it would work good luck

Well zelmarq, there is no such thing as being too late. You are only 31, you are very young indeed. It is never too late for you to wear retainers. I support your idea of having retainers, if it will make you feel more confident and happy with your appearance. I wish you all the best and I believe you will feel much better after the process is done. My brother wears retainers too and next week he would open his final retainers. It was a relief for him and he really looks forward to seeing his new beautiful smile.

I can tell you for a fact, that teeth shift around all your life. If you want a retainer to help them look better, go for it. You will probably have to wear them, at least at night, the rest of your life to keep them from shifting back, but the retainer will help.

If you are really bothered by your two front teeth then you should talk to your dentist about what options there are in trying to fix them. When I was younger I had a W2 arch and then later a retainer. I was about 17 at the time and it did help my teeth, though I stopped wearing my retainer after a while and my teeth went back to the way they were. That's okay though, I don't mind how my teeth look and neither should you. You have a very nice smile. :)

I think you have a lovely smile. But it's up to you if it's bothering you. You are not too old for a retainer or braces. Lots of adults use them nowdays. The technology for moving teeth has come a long way in the last few years so that it's unnoticeable or nearly so. If it will make you feel better I say go for it! :D

ask the dentist first... and if they will tell you that it will work then go for it! dont worry about your age... we all have the right to do whatever we want... age doesnt matter...

I had braces for about nine months when I was 32-33. I thought I looked cute with them. I thought it made me look younger. It was worth getting them, I'm glad I did. You're never too old. If your teeth bother you, you should get them. I know other people who were in their 30's and older who had braces. They also make invisible ones or ones you wear behind your teeth. There are lots of options for teeth straightening.

you are never too old for one

If it is something that you really want to do, then go talk to a dental professional who can guide you on what process would work best for you. Good luck.

I need and want to straighten my teeth, but the cost has prevented me from doing so... I am trying to save for them... My friends of course tell me I am perfect the way I am but I have hated my teeth for as long as I can remember and would love straight teeth to complement my smile..... Inquire to your dentist about it and I'm sure they would tell you your best option.....

Actually it doesn't matter what age one decides to have any kind of orthodental work, true usually this kind of dental work is done at an early age, but I've seen plenty of older adults have this work done I didn't have much luck though..don't ask how many years I wore retainers and braces..then when they finally came off I had a picture perfect smile that only lasted three years, then my teeth began to shift again--my dentist even suggested that I have work done again and I said no way..I was so happy to get those darn things off my teeth!! Good luck in whatever you decided though

Hi Zelmarq! I guess, you have to ask your dentist about that. However my husband's cousin wore braces and now, he is wearing retainers. He is 48 years old and he got the braces when he was 47 years old. He benefitted so much from wearing them because his TMJ problem was corrected. So, I think it is never too late but I still suggest that you ask your dentist's opinion about your case. Take care and have a nice day.

You look youthful for a 31 year old. Retainers would look fine on you. I can't see how bad your teeth is from the picture, but ask for a friend's opinion. Sometimes we can be too critical on our own appearance. Do consult a reputable dentist before getting retainers or braces. Check out credentials and ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations. I think some dentists give their clients false hope just to earn more. You can only do so much to your teeth when you're that age. Sometimes you need to take the drastic route: have the teeth removed, and put in veneers. Good luck!

I don't think a retainer would help. Retainers are to keep teeth in shape they are already in. You would probably need braces but are your teeth that bad where you would want to get them. You can wear them a shorter amount of time if your teeth aren't too bad and you get them tightened more often.