Did you know medieval adults wore braces too (sort of)?

Makes me feel a little less weird about getting braces at 34, honestly. Like, if people were willing to wrap gold wire around their teeth back then, maybe my ceramic brackets aren’t so bad after all.

That’s a pretty wild image - imagine trying to floss with literal gold wires in your mouth. I’ve read a bit about ancient dental practices, and it’s kind of amazing (and maybe a little unsettling) how much people have always cared about their teeth, even without anesthesia or modern hygiene.

On the adult orthodontics front, I remember stumbling across something about Pierre Fauchard, the so-called “father of modern dentistry,” who was doing some pretty inventive stuff in the 18th century. He used what he called a “bandeau” - basically a horseshoe-shaped piece of metal - to expand dental arches. Not exactly Invisalign, but the concept isn’t too far off from palate expanders or retainers today. And adults were definitely getting these treatments, not just kids.

As for modern tech, I’m on aligners right now (mid-30s club here), and honestly the biggest surprise was how much 3D imaging and digital modeling goes into it. The orthodontist showed me this simulation of how my teeth would move week by week - kind of surreal seeing your own mouth as a time-lapse animation. Makes you realize how far things have come from gold wire and pliers.

One thing that still gets me is how slow the process is, even with all this tech. I get that bone remodeling takes time, but part of me hoped for some sci-fi instant fix by now. Maybe in another thousand years...

Anyway, you’re definitely not alone feeling a bit awkward about adult braces. Seems like it’s been a thing forever - at least we’re not DIY-ing it with precious metals.

It’s kind of wild to think about how much effort people put into dental “aesthetics” way before modern medicine. I always thought adult braces were a new thing, but yeah, Fauchard and his bandeau were pretty ahead of their time. I’ve seen illustrations and honestly, the contraptions look like something out of a steampunk novel - definitely not subtle.

I’m with you on the slow progress, even with all our tech. I figured with 3D scans and digital models, maybe things would move faster than they did in the 1700s, but bone biology just doesn’t care about our schedules. My ortho said even with all the planning, your body still needs months to adapt. Kind of humbling.

One thing that surprised me was how many adults are in the waiting room when I go for adjustments. I used to feel awkward, but now it just seems normal. Guess we’re all chasing that straight smile, whether it’s gold wire or clear aligners... at least we don’t have to worry about tetanus from medieval dental tools.

Honestly, I think the tech does help a ton, even if the bones are stubborn. My first round of braces decades ago was a nightmare - metal everywhere, wax stuck in my teeth, and no one knew what “clear aligners” even were. These days, at least it’s less medieval torture and more mild inconvenience. I’ll take slow progress over headgear any day...

These days, at least it’s less medieval torture and more mild inconvenience. I’ll take slow progress over headgear any day...

Headgear flashbacks are real - those things looked like medieval armor for your mouth. I still remember the elastic bands snapping at the worst moments. These days, at least you can get brackets that blend in, or even skip wires altogether. Honestly, I’ve seen adults rock braces way better than I ever managed as a teen. The tech is catching up, but teeth still love to do their own thing, no matter how old you are.

I still can’t believe headgear was ever a thing - I had to wear it for a year, and it was just as awkward as you’d expect. My parents kept saying it was “worth it in the long run,” but I’m not sure my middle school self agreed. Now I’m looking at clear aligners, but the price difference is wild. Has anyone found a budget-friendly option that actually works for adults? I feel like every time I ask about cheaper braces, the orthodontist just shrugs and says, “You get what you pay for.”

“You get what you pay for.”

I actually tried one of those mail-order aligner things about two years ago. At first, it seemed fine - my front teeth shifted a bit, which was what I wanted. But by the end, my bite felt weird and I started getting headaches. Ended up seeing an orthodontist anyway to fix it. I think the main difference is that with an ortho, they check your bite and jaw movement, not just your teeth. The mail-order ones skip that part, which can be risky if your case isn’t super simple. Just my experience, but I wish I’d gone to a pro from the start.

That’s super relatable. I tried the mail-order aligners too, thinking it’d be a quick fix for a couple of crooked teeth. Honestly, I was pretty excited at first - it seemed so much easier than all those ortho appointments. But after a few months, my bite felt off and I started clenching my jaw at night, which never happened before. My dentist said it probably messed with how my teeth fit together.

I get why people want the convenience, but yeah, there’s just more to it than straight teeth. The jaw stuff is real - my headaches didn’t go away until I got things readjusted by an orthodontist. Kinda wish I’d just done that from the start, even if it took longer.

It’s wild to think that even in medieval times, people were trying to move their teeth around (though with way less science behind it). Guess we’ve always wanted nicer smiles... but sometimes shortcuts just aren’t worth it.

I hear you on the headaches and jaw stuff - had a similar run-in with a “shortcut” years ago. I figured, how complicated can it be to nudge a couple teeth? Turns out, pretty complicated. My bite got weird and I started grinding at night, which was new for me. Honestly, makes you appreciate the science behind what orthodontists do. The medieval folks probably had it even rougher... can’t imagine trying to fix your smile with wire and a prayer.

That sounds rough - I've definitely underestimated how complex teeth can be too. I tried one of those mail-order aligners thinking it’d be a breeze, but it just made my jaw ache and my bite felt off for months. It’s wild how much precision is involved. Makes me grateful for modern orthodontics, even if the process feels slow sometimes. The idea of medieval braces honestly makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it...

It’s wild, right? People really underestimate how much goes into getting teeth to move the right way. I see a lot of folks hoping for quick fixes, but honestly, those “DIY” aligners can mess things up if they’re not supervised. I get impatient too, but slow and steady with a pro really does pay off. Medieval braces... yeah, just thinking about that makes my jaw tense up.

It really is kind of crazy how much patience it takes, right? I totally agree - those mail-order aligners seem tempting but can actually backfire if something goes wrong. Have you ever seen those horror stories where people end up with worse bite issues? Makes me cringe. I actually tried to rush my own treatment years ago and ended up needing extra visits... lesson learned. Do you think people realize how much planning goes into every little tooth movement?

It’s wild to think how far we’ve come from those early “braces” - I read somewhere that medieval folks actually used gold wires to try and keep their teeth in place. Can’t imagine how much patience that took, especially with zero numbing or modern tools. I get what you mean about the planning though. When I got my veneers, it was a whole process - like, 3D scans, wax models, the works. I thought it’d be a quick fix, but every tiny adjustment made a difference. I used to think you could just slap on aligners and call it a day, but my dentist spent weeks planning out each stage.

Funny thing is, my cousin tried one of those mail-order kits and ended up with a weird gap that wasn’t there before. She had to go back for in-person treatment anyway. I wonder if people just don’t realize that moving teeth isn’t as simple as it seems. Did anyone else get super impatient during their treatment? I remember counting down the days and then realizing... you can’t really rush biology.

I used to think you could just slap on aligners and call it a day, but my dentist spent weeks planning out each stage.

Honestly, I get why people want the quick fix, but I actually found the long planning part kind of reassuring. Made me feel like they weren’t just winging it. About those mail-order kits though - some folks do have good results, right? My coworker swears by hers, no issues at all. Maybe it depends on the case? I was super impatient too, but in hindsight, I’d rather go slow than end up with something worse to fix.

About those mail-order kits though - some folks do have good results, right? My coworker swears by hers, no issues at all. Maybe it depends on the case?

That’s a fair point. I’ve seen people happy with mail-order aligners, but I’ve also met a few who ended up with bite problems or teeth shifting back. I guess it really does depend on the complexity - my dentist said my bite was tricky, so DIY wasn’t an option for me. Did your coworker have any crowding or bite issues to start with? Sometimes the “easy” cases are just luckier...

That’s definitely true - it really comes down to the specifics of your teeth. Some people with mild crowding or spacing get great results from mail-order kits, but if there’s any bite issue or more complex movement needed, it can get risky fast. I’ve seen a couple of folks end up with their teeth shifting right back, or even new gaps. Sometimes it’s hard to tell just looking in the mirror, too. I always tell friends: if your bite feels off, or you notice new discomfort, don’t just tough it out... check in with someone who can spot those subtle changes.

I tried one of those mail-order aligners during lockdown because, well, why not? Figured I’d save some cash. Fast forward a few months - my teeth looked straight-ish, but my bite felt weird, like I was chewing on a Lego. Ended up at the orthodontist anyway. Guess medieval folks weren’t missing much with their wire-and-catgut setups…

Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from - those mail-order aligners sound convenient, but I had a similar experience. My teeth looked okay at first, but my bite got all messed up and I ended up with headaches. Honestly, after going through the hassle and extra cost to fix it, I wish I’d just stuck with the old-school orthodontist in the first place. Sometimes saving money upfront just isn’t worth it for your mouth.

Honestly, after going through the hassle and extra cost to fix it, I wish I’d just stuck with the old-school orthodontist in the first place. Sometimes saving money upfront just isn’t worth it for your mouth.

That’s a tough lesson, and I’ve seen it happen more than once. The appeal of mail-order aligners is real - no appointments, lower cost, everything shipped to your door... but like you said, the bite can be a lot trickier than it looks. A lot of patients don’t realize that moving teeth isn’t just about straightening them out for the mirror. If the bite’s off, headaches, jaw pain, even trouble chewing can sneak up on you. I get anxious every time I hear about someone going the DIY route for something as complex as orthodontics.

It’s frustrating when trying to save money ends up costing more in the long run. But honestly, you’re not alone - lots of people feel the same way after the fact. At least you caught it and got things sorted before it got worse. It’s a good reminder that sometimes, the old-fashioned route is there for a reason, even if it takes a little longer or costs a bit more upfront.