Does it hurt more for an adult to get braces than it does for an adolescent?
Having had braces both as an adolescent and an adult, I can speak from personal experience. I don’t recall much pain as an adolescent. As an adult, there would sometimes be pain for a day or so after they were tightened (about once a month), but most of the time, there was just mild discomfort, not actual pain. However, the big difference is that, as an adult, your teeth are harder to move. I had to wear my braces for three years for a much smaller amount of adjustment than when I was young (and, if memory serves, I wore them for less time). Also, I need to be more diligent about my retainers, until the bone sets around the repositioned teeth. You should probably look for an orthodontist who specializes in treating adults; that was the bulk of my doctor’s practice, so he had a good feel for the issues. Of course, if you need more extreme movement than I did, you may well experience more pain. If it’s a concern, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.
Having had braces both as an adolescent and an adult, I can speak from personal experience. I don’t recall much pain as an adolescent. As an adult, there would sometimes be pain for a day or so after they were tightened (about once a month), but most of the time, there was just mild discomfort, not actual pain. However, the big difference is that, as an adult, your teeth are harder to move. I had to wear my braces for three years for a much smaller amount of adjustment than when I was young (and, if memory serves, I wore them for less time). Also, I need to be more diligent about my retainers, until the bone sets around the repositioned teeth. You should probably look for an orthodontist who specializes in treating adults; that was the bulk of my doctor’s practice, so he had a good feel for the issues. Of course, if you need more extreme movement than I did, you may well experience more pain. If it’s a concern, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.
