Reader mail: Will braces hurt my interviewing chances?
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Today's reader mail comes from a 1L, who's just been told she needs braces…
I have recently been advised by a number of orthodontists and oral surgeons that I need full braces (including rubber bands — eek!) on both my top and bottom teeth for at least two years, followed by retainers, etc. My question is: would getting braces adversely my job prospects? I'm concerned that employers might somehow be distracted and/or put off by braces in interviews. Will they take me seriously? Have you ever come across an adult with orthodontia in your practice and, in all honesty, did it affect your perception of her and/or her performance?
Wow. This is a really difficult question, and, while we don't have any answers, maybe our readers do. (Pictured: Tom Cruise, who got braces in 2002.) Our advice is: if you're being advised by orthodontists and oral surgeons, go ahead and get the braces, because there just isn't going to be a better time, and people will be understanding about whatever circumstances (money, dental insurance, changing teeth, whatever) that prohibited you from getting braces before this point in your life. We actually have worked with one adult who had braces — it struck us as slightly odd, but not unprofessional (and his teeth were pretty bad so it was obvious that this was a necessary thing). The harsh truth is that yes, we noticed the braces, but we would have noticed his teeth anyway, and at least the braces showed he was being proactive about it. Go as high end as you possibly can — upgrade to invisalign or ceramic braces (or whatever) as soon as your doctors will allow it. Normally, we don't advise people to go in debt for vanity's sake, but we might break that rule here if you know you're going to be able to pay the debt off soon. If money is a real issue, you might want to approach someone at your law school and see if they know of an alumni who might be willing to sponsor you, or perhaps look into peer-to-peer lending like Prosper.com or LendingClub.com.
Otherwise, get the braces and be absolutely vigilant about keeping them clean. Try to avoid picking up any brace-specific ticks that make noise or look odd — in other words, the kinds of things that will call attention to you if you're sitting in a meeting listening to someone else speak. You might also check out sources like ArchWired, a site for adults with braces.
Readers — particularly those of you who've had braces or other dental problems — please weigh in — we're sure our reader would love your thoughts and advice.
Nowadays, braces by themselves are fairly inconspicuous (because of ceramics and invisiline, etc.). People may notice them, but they shouldn’t be an impediment to your overall appearance, especially if you otherwise look neat and professional.
That said, rubber bands can be a nightmare. I had them on my braces in 8th grade, circa 1991, and I remember being extremely self-conscious about them (despite it being rather ordinary for a girl my age to have rubber bands on her braces). The good news is, you can take them off anytime you need to – indeed, you’ll have to every time you eat – so you can certainly take them off every time you interview or go to a networking event. Further, the period of time that you have to wear rubber bands all day, every day, is usually pretty short in light of your entire treatment. I think I had 24/7 rubber bands for about 2 months out of 2 1/2 years in braces.
Good luck – you should definitely get the orthodontia. It will make a huge difference in your oral health and self-esteem, and it IS worth the trouble and discomfort.
I went to law school after a break between undergrad and grad school of 8 years. I was also 2 years into ann 18 month orthodontic treatment plan to correct some spacing issues that had developed as an adult. My braces came off mid-3rd year, so I did OCI and clerkship interviewing in braces. I received a summer associate (Am 100 firm) position, clerkship and offer for post clerkship all while in orthodontia, and I had the plain old silver kind, nothing fancy. So if you need, them, get them, because bad teeth lend far more of a bad impression, than the wisdom to fix them as soon as one is able, and whatever time they tell you that you will be wearing them, double it, and you won’t be disappointed.
Funny, when I began dating, my dad told me to look at 2 things, teeth and shoes. If a person doesn’t clean and care for their teeth, (in their own mouth) what other parts of their body are less than cared for…. And look at a person’s shoes? Are they cared for, cleaned, shined, if necessary? If a person doesn’t care for the details in their life, they won’t care for the details in yours…. I find it mostly true for all genders…..
oh, and I also re-met my spouse then too….
It’s just not that big of a deal once you get them. I had them in my twenties. I had my four front upper and lower teeth done in clear braces and the rest were normal– it cuts down on the cost of totally clear ones and makes it less noticeable. My orthodontist actually did that for adults for the same cost as regular braces. I would second the suggestion about keeping them clean– brushing/flossing after every meal, not eating things that you know are going to stick in your braces unless you will have immediate access to a sink and a toothbrush, regular visits to remove the plaque that can build up between the brackets, etc. Lots of people have braces now. Don’t worry about it, just do it.
To offer a counterpoint to RS I got braces in middle school and ended up with some freak tooth condition (resorption) that is often caused by braces-related trauma. I still have a really large overbite and I’m not sure I had any real benefit. I need to get a dental implant which costs much more than braces if you want to make sure the implant will last.
My sister also had braces when she was in middle school. She’s now 26 and has such bad TMJ that she’s going to need braces again to have full use of her mouth. It’s so bad that she can barely open her mouth. I have similar issues that come and go that I am sure were a result of braces. I’m not sure if it was worth it for either of us since we’re probably in worse shape than we were initially.
I have braces now (and rubber bands!), as a young associate at a firm. I haven’t had any problems at all, nobody has made me feel strange about it in the least. In fact, it’s sort of a conversation piece (“so how much longer do you have to wear the braces?”) and people seemed to come out of the woodwork with stories about how they/their spouse/neighbor/sibling/etc. had adult braces.
Braces have really improved a lot. Mine don’t need tightening, the ortho just uses different wires to change the tension.
The most important thing is being conscious of the fact that you’re wearing them, especially in terms of what you eat. If you were just at the ortho, you can’t eat that sandwich on crusty bread. And salads are killer. Be armed with lots of ortho picks and a portable toothbrush/toothpaste, and you’ll be fine. It’s temporary, and IMO totally worth it.
Cost-wise, if the person lives near a dental school, the student dental clinics can be a fantastic deal. The visits take longer, but the cost savings (particularly as this person is just a 1L) can be well worth it, and all work is supervised by licensed dentists.
I vaguely recall that one of our summer interns last year had braces of some sort or another. It’s a vague recollection, because I barely even noticed.
I take a bit of exception to the idea that the OP should rush out, take out a loan, and get invisalign as soon as possible to improve her work life. I don’t see much difference between that and advising someone to get plastic surgery to “fix” a “distracting” burn scar or previously broken nose. I like to think that the vast, vast majority of people simply aren’t so crassly judgmental (even unconsciously) that such physical attributes affect their perception of their co-workers or potential new hires.
I, like Sarah, just want to challenge the notion that braces are ever “necessary”. It’s crooked teeth, people, not antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
I have what many boyfriends politely referred to as the “Jewel” front-tooth situation and it has never occurred to me to get it fixed. It’s what makes me, me and if someone doesn’t like it, tough. If people judge you in a professional environment for a physical imperfection, you don’t want to work for those people. You’re a lawyer, not a runway model. It’s the “analytical ability” that counts as we all learned in Ezold.
I agree with this to some extent – but, braces are often not just for cosmetic reasons. My family could not afford braces for me as a child and I have damaged, chipped teeth as a result. Correction via braces and the like also improves one’s ability to brush and floss completely, thereby improving oral health overall.
Agreed. Yes, there are some jerks out there that might judge, but we shouldn’t give them more power than they already have, and they by no means make up the majority of the population.
I hate to say this, but the truth of the matter is that people ARE going to notice if you have seriously crooked teeth, and some of them are going to form a negative opinion based on it. It’s not that people will assume you are a bad person, but they may wonder why you don’t fix the issue or think you don’t take very good care of yourself. There is also a strong connection between poverty and bad teeth. If the OP or anyone else in her situation doesn’t want those connections made in the minds of others or feels uncomfortable about her teeth, I say go ahead and spend the money to change it (assuming you don’t have to go massively into debt). It’s not about vanity – it’s about feeling as comfortable as possible in your own body. I would say the same thing about a burn or broken nose if the OP felt uncomfortable about it.
I had braces for 3 years (from 29 to 32 years old). I had a choice between Invisaline and regular braces. My orthodontist said that regular braces produce better results. So talk to your dentist, don’t listen to anyone. Consider the cost too, since good-wishers won’t be paying for it, you will! Also, don’t go into debt over it, seriously. Orthodontists usually offer a % free plan, where you pay over a period of years.
It never hurt any professional interaction. As long as you dress and act professionally, people will understand and, actually, sympathize. Many people had braces, it’s almost like wearing a neck brace. People know it’s for medical reasons. When I started the braces, it actually prompted several other people in the office to start the braces. I just don’t get why people are so shy about them.
At some meetings I just said that I apologize in advance for my speech impediment due to my braces and they should ask for a clarification, if they can’t understand. That usually broke the ice and made people talk about their or their children’s braces experiences.
The only time I had a problem was when I was dressed in jeans and jacket on the bus and the bus driver yelled at me – he thought I was a teenager and didn’t pay my fare. I just showed him my pass again. But it wasn’t just braces, I look 5 years younger than I am on an average day. and I look 15 years younger when I dress casually.
If people ever made any negative comment, I just told them my story. Back home in my country when you had a tooth ache, they would just pull it out, no treatment, no nothing. So I was so happy to finally have an access to a great dentist, who helped me with many problems – improper bite, TMJ. That stopped a lot of negativity right away.
It is not about the braces. It is always about how you feel about the braces. If you feel insecure, it will be very obvious in an interview. And people won’t care what caused the insecurity. So wear them proudly. Most people don’t have money to have braces as adults, since the insurance doesn’t cover it.
I also had to go through 2 years of surgeries and implants after the braces. I paid the full amount (equivalent of a supped-up Jaguar) myself. I have used this experience in my interview. I had a budget, I took another job, I negotiated with my dentist, orthodontist, and surgeon ahead of time and worked out all the payments (insurance and mine), paid it off within 6 months of the dental work completion.
Also, believe me, perfect teeth will improve your interview and professional opportunities!
I had braces for 8 years growing up- rubber bands, retainers, night time headgear, the whole 9 yards. My advice would be: don’t point them out or act as though they are there. If you are not self conscious about them, others are much less likely to notice. Second, on the rubber band “chains” that they use to connect the brackets (the part where kids often get them in funky colors like lime green on black/orange….) always opt for the grey ones instead of the clear ones. The clear ones seem like they are less obvious, but they are quickly stained & become revolting. (Think marinara sauce remnants…) And for the rubber bands that connect your top & bottom teeth (the kind you take in & out) always take them out to eat- they will stay much cleaner & less obvious that way.
I had braces for 18months starting when I was 24 and had no problems with interviews. Like Sadie said it’s a conversation piece. I had quite a few adults inquire about the process b/c they were interested in getting braces.
I had clear braces on top so that they were less visible and the regular metal on the bottom. They now have lingual braces that go inside your mouth so that you can’t even tell that a person has braces but they are about twice as much as the traditional braces.
The one thing that I would like to stress is keeping your braces clean. If you have food in them it will draw attention. Also don’t pick at your braces in public or try to put your rubber bands on. I see people do it all the time and it is gross. Go to a restroom where you can practice good hygiene in private.
Being able to brush and floss is key. No matter how straight or white your teeth are, gum health has a direct link to the rest of your body. I went back to the orthodonist for a fix after almost 10 years post-braces, because my teeth were violently shifting and I couldn’t floss anymore. I would much rather see a colleague in braces then see someone else going through what I went through pre-round 2: headaches, teeth grinding, and gums bleeding from the press of a tooth that was starting to rotate counter-clockwise.
I did braces between 1L and 2L of law school. First, I would agree that you should go with your ortho’s recommendation. For me, the old-fashioned metal deals were not only cheaper, but faster in terms of how long I had to wear them. He knew I was in school, so he had me come in for adjusting twice a month instead of once a month to hurry up the process. It worked!
I never had any issues with working/interviews, or at least that I would know about. Many people are getting braces later in life nowadays. And – I agree with the other posters – you will be noticed more in the profession for crooked teeth than you would for correcting them.
Finally – I second the comment that everything you eat will stick to your braces.
I have invisalign now (on set 27 of 50. . .halfway there!) I went with invisalign because regular braces would have required headgear. Yes, you read that right, headgear at 28. My results won’t be “perfect” but I’ll be able to smile confidently, with teeth, when I’m finished and that was enough for me!
My only recommendation would be to get a orthodontist who you love. Mine is fantastic, was very informative about what to expect, and could not be more excited about fixing my teeth. (Seriously, he’s really excited.)
I second the recommendation for the Archwired forum.
I had braces as a child, and then had them again as an adult in my early forties. I was very concerned about what clients would think, but I found to my surprise that a lot more people than you think have either had braces as an adult themselves or have been thinking about doing so. No one will think ill of you; if anything, they’ll think positively that you’re doing something to care for your health.
My issues weren’t cosmetic; they were structural. My teeth looked straight before and after the braces.
Go for it. Adult braces just aren’t the big deal / novelty they used to be.
And don’t go Invisalign unless that’s the best treatment for your specific dental issues.
I have braces. Major braces (I have to have metal wires). My teeth were so screwed up that invisalign wasn’t even in the equation. So, while I was contracting at a major financial institution doing in-house litigation, and while being paid fabulously, I decided to get my teeth straightened. Flash forward six months and I’m laid off from said company.
Four months later? I have an interview for an in-house counsel position, braces, rubberbands and all. And I got the job. Even in this shitty economy. The braces were never an issue, and still aren’t an issue. I have a rubberband that is bothering me now and causes a slight lisp, so I just take it out when on an important call or in arbitration.
Do it- and don’t get substandard care (invisalign) if you really need braces. It’s well worth it. (2 months to go on my treatment- then home free!)
Kirs – so happy for you! I remember the only-X-months-to-go feeling. But watch out, my dentist kept saying, just one more month, just one more month. After a while (24 months total) I told her the teeth were fine enough for me, take the damn braces off. And she did. She was right, I should’ve gone maybe 4 months more, but I still love my non-gappy, non-crossover look. Just remember, if you’ve had enough, you can tell them to remove them NOW, although they’ll get all dramatic and make you sign a disclaimer.
Just to clarify here – Invisalign is not substandard. It was just developed with a different intention than regular braces and its use is limited. However, Invisalign users have straight teeth when they are finished just like wearers of traditional braces. Invisalign doesn’t work for everybody and there are certain movements that are just not possible with invisalign. If you have “minor” corrections than by all means you should give invisalign a try.
I had braces for 13 months during my 2L and 3L year, during which time I was also a summer associate at a large firm (I had already gotten the job by the time I got the braces). Mine were for medical reasons, not cosmetic ones–my smile was not perfect but was actually quite nice, all the problems were in the back of my mouth. If I haven’t been having serious jaw problems, it would not have been worth it to me.
My MO was to get rid of them as soon as possible, which meant (1) getting metal braces, because according to my orthodontist, you cannot be as aggressive with ceramic, clear, or invisalign braces as you can be with metal ones and (2) wearing the rubber bands pretty much constantly and the headgear whenever I was home or somewhere private (one of my college jobs gave me a shared office, so I wore it there when no one else was in).
Other advice:
– I never had anyone give me grief about it, including in a professional setting. Even if you feel like a teenager, put on a confident front and people will treat you well, at least to your face. And if they bitch about you behind your back, they’d probably find something else petty to criticize if you didn’t have braces, so it’s best not to get too worked up about it. I am sure I saw adults with braces before I had them, but I don’t remember it. I do remember seeing lots of adults with braces *after* I got my braces, both socially and in work settings, which I interpret to mean that braces are one of those things that are a bigger deal to those wearing them than to those they interact with. The latter don’t really find it all that memorable when they meet people with braces. The only exception to this was adults who privately told me they wished they had the guts to get braces, but didn’t.
-get a waterpik. Long live the waterpik. Flossing is basically impossible with braces, and a waterpik will keep your teeth clean, because otherwise everything will stick in there.
-Wear your rubber bands as much as possible, but take them out and put them in in private–the bathroom stall with a makeup mirror, if you are ou tand about. People with their fingers in their mouths in public is gross.
-in your bag, throw in some of the following: braces wax (so your mouth doesn’t get all cut up on the inside), extra rubber bands in case you take yours out to eat, kankaid/anbesol/some other mouth numbing gel, in case your wax isn’t doing the trick, and maybe sodium naproxene, which is key for days when you get your braces tightened.
–after you get your braces off, WEAR YOUR RETAINER EVERY NIGHT for as long as you can stand it. I managed it for about a year. When you get your braces off your teeth will slide around a bit because they just can’t set their position permanently with the stress of the braces on them. But the longer you wear your retainer after you get the braces off, the less your teeth will slide.
–The archwired forums and blog were a huge help to me both in terms of logistics and moral support. I don’t think I ever posted but it’s a goldmine of information.
I still wear my retainers every night – four years after the braces. My ortho recommends 3-4 nights a week for life for people like me who got braces in adulthood.
I’m willing to wear them just so that I’m assured my teeth aren’t going to drift back into their old spots! (Bonus: the retainers stopped me from grinding my teeth at night, too).
I had braces for 13 months during my 2L and 3L year, during which time I was also a summer associate at a large firm (I had already gotten the job by the time I got the braces). Mine were for medical reasons, not cosmetic ones–my smile was not perfect but was actually quite nice, all the problems were in the back of my mouth. If I haven’t been having serious jaw problems, it would not have been worth it to me.
My MO was to get rid of them as soon as possible, which meant (1) getting metal braces, because according to my orthodontist, you cannot be as aggressive with ceramic, clear, or invisalign braces as you can be with metal ones and (2) wearing the rubber bands pretty much constantly and the headgear whenever I was home or somewhere private (one of my college jobs gave me a shared office, so I wore it there when no one else was in).
Other advice:
– I never had anyone give me grief about it, including in a professional setting. Even if you feel like a teenager, put on a confident front and people will treat you well, at least to your face. And if they bitch about you behind your back, they’d probably find something else petty to criticize if you didn’t have braces, so it’s best not to get too worked up about it. I am sure I saw adults with braces before I had them, but I don’t remember it. I do remember seeing lots of adults with braces *after* I got my braces, both socially and in work settings, which I interpret to mean that braces are one of those things that are a bigger deal to those wearing them than to those they interact with. The latter don’t really find it all that memorable when they meet people with braces. The only exception to this was adults who privately told me they wished they had the guts to get braces, but didn’t.
-get a waterpik. Long live the waterpik. Flossing is basically impossible with braces, and a waterpik will keep your teeth clean, because otherwise everything will stick in there.
-Wear your rubber bands as much as possible, but take them out and put them in in private–the bathroom stall with a makeup mirror, if you are ou tand about. People with their fingers in their mouths in public is gross.
-in your bag, throw in some of the following: braces wax (so your mouth doesn’t get all cut up on the inside), extra rubber bands in case you take yours out to eat, kankaid/anbesol/some other mouth numbing gel, in case your wax isn’t doing the trick, and maybe sodium naproxene, which is key for days when you get your braces tightened.
–after you get your braces off, WEAR YOUR RETAINER EVERY NIGHT for as long as you can stand it. I managed it for about a year. When you get your braces off your teeth will slide around a bit because they just can’t set their position permanently with the stress of the braces on them. But the longer you wear your retainer after you get the braces off, the less your teeth will slide.
–The archwired forums and blog were a huge help to me both in terms of logistics and moral support. I don’t think I ever posted but it’s a goldmine of information.
Yeah, do what you need to do, but I second the caution on pulling out all the stops on the loans. A lot of law students “thought they were going to be able to pay off the debt soon” only to discover that high-paying law jobs don’t just jump into your bank account upon graduation. Many of us are happily installed at small and mid-sized firms grateful to be able to make our loan payments and rent and have some left over for groceries. If you just can’t imagine life without the latest greatest invisible braces but have to go into debt to get them, wait until you actually land that lucrative job to get it done.
oh, did anyone tell you that you will lose weight the first 6 months of braces?!?!?!?!? I lost about 15 pounds. It was fabulous!
braces are not hard, permanent and temp retainers for the rest of your life are hard. Braces is just training for retainers. Our teeth move constantly, especially, if you grind your teeth. Even if you don’t grind, they move. So majority of adults have either permanent (like me, they are glued to the back of my teeth) or temp retainers. Flossing with permanent retainers is just as hard as with braces. so floss, floss, floss! get ready!
Oh, boy. I had braces from 53 to 55 years old. Didn’t have the $ until then ($6000!!!). I took advantage of the fact that we had moved to a different country and I didn’t have a work visa yet anyhow. So, can’t help with whether or not potential employers will be put off by them, but it would be disgusting if they were. I couldn’t use Invisalign, teeth were too mixed up for that. The metal ones were a total pain-in-the-bleep for the whole two years. But it was still VERY worth it, I love my new teeth.
I wholeheartedly agree with C’s analysis. People will notice your teeth no matter what. One of my classmates has pretty bad teeth and I am not aware of anyone who hasn’t taken notice to it. I believe people will look more unfavorably at an individual with poor teeth than one with poor teeth who has braces. Additionally, as an individual who once endured braces, you will NEVER regret getting them. Just as you may encourage yourself that you can get through law school (it’s only three years!), it will only be a relatively brief period of time that you will have braces, but both (law school and braces) will pay dividends in the end.
I’m not the person who wrote the initial email, but I might as well have been. I’m in a similar situation and really appreciated everyone’s insightful thoughts and comments. Makes me more confident in making the jump to adult braces. Thanks all -!
I don’t think there’s much of a difference between going to an interview with braces and going to an interview with a cast on your arm. If it’s medically necessary, it’s medically necessary. No one will fault you for it.
I also agree with those who pointed out that, unfair as it is, there’s a stigma on crooked teeth and people will, at least unconsciously, judge you for having them. Better to have braces.
I was an adult wearer of braces, and I think it’s a great idea for you to get them at any stage in life. I’ve worked with a few people who had them in their 30s and 40s, and it seems like such a positive thing to do.
I disagree with Corporette though – why pay twice as much for ceramics or Invisalign? They do the same job, and you probably already have lots of debt from undergrad and law school. I suspect you cannot wear Invisalign anyway if you need rubber bands, I had the bands and Invisalign was definitely not an option because the placement of my teeth.
Good luck! You’ll be so so happy with your smile once they’re off. Even while I was wearing braces I smiled a LOT more than I did before!
My boss had braces for 2 years and no one thought any less of her. It was surely a bit of a novelty at first, but no one actually cared. I’d worry more about how you will sound speaking than how they look. I considered braces (but was told they would not help my particular issue) and was told that the ones they attach BEHIND your teeth are invisible, but you can’t talk for ANYTHING. If you work at a firm, the people who see you every day will think your braces are “old news” in about a day, but you want to be able to be understood to all of the people who are strangers listening to you on massive conference calls. It’s not so easy to break the ice and explain your braces to them.
If you need them, get them. I am 41 years old and currently wearing Invisalign.
Invisalign doesn’t work for everybody or every condition but it has certainly been the answer for me. I had braces in jr high but my teeth moved and need a correction in my 40’s. Some of the people I eat lunch with several times a week had no idea I was wearing Invisalign even after 3 months of seeing them every day. Love them!!
oh boy. I had braces as a pre-teen. I remember wearing my headgear to a store once…not sure if we were there late at night or I had not worn it enough the previous night. It made a toddler cry to see me. I was a tough kid, but braces hurt and eating is painful. Apples: lose a band every time. Possibly as an adult, you can be more mature about the whole situation, and if they are medically necessary, you just need them, but I guess I am glad I was subjected to them prior to the age of reason, because if I had to sign myself up for them and pay for them too…. too much torture.
I had braces all through law school and I think it did hurt my job prospects…I’m naturally shy and not too chatty, so that was part of the problem, but the braces made me look even younger than I was (and I already look younger than my age), which was bad. That said, it wouldn’t have been pleasant to wait and get braces later, because by then I would have been working and clients and partners might not have taken me seriously. So either way, there is a price to pay.
I think the very fact that so many people on here report having braces as adults should tell the original writer that it’s a lot more common than she might otherwise suppose.
You can take the rubber bands off when you eat?! My orthodontist never told me that!
I got braces on May of 1L and had them taken off May of 2L, so I had them for the full interviewing season. I had no problem finding a job because I didn’t try to be shy or hide the fact that I had a metalmouth. In fact, if given the opportunity and I felt comfortable enough, I made a joke about it during interviews! I wanted the braces because my teeth weren’t straight and I knew it was better in law school when my social life was at a minimum and before I started having clients or jury trials. I don’t regret it for one minute and it made for plenty of self-deprecating jokes.
Go for it! A nice smile is necessary!!
The good thing about braces nowadays is that they can be concealed. Just make sure that you ALWAYS get white backing. (People told me to get gray because it wouldn’t show stains, but TRUST ME…I ate everything I wanted with white and they never stained.)
Nobody can fault you for having braces. To the contrary, future employers might be impressed that at this point in your life you took the initiative to improve your smile!! So long as you are confident…it won’t matter. Best of luck!! Just think, you will be a lawyer in a few years and have a fabulous smile!
In fairness, everyone hated you behind your back b/c you had braces, Cara. Literally, people were all like “Wow that girl Cara is totally friend-worthy. But those braces! Oh man! Not accepting that facebook friend request! Hey let’s go get some Kirby’s!”
If it affects you getting a job, you don’t want to work there long-term anyways. I interviewed for 2L summer associate positions with braces and worked that summer with braces and got my job. Find a good orthodontist who specializes in adult orthodontia and go with his/her recommendations. Mine was mostly cosmetic but the end product certainly improves my confidence. Not worth it to some, but worth it to me. That being said, my parents paid for the braces (the cosmetic damage was due to an injury, not something I was born with, and they felt badly about it); I doubt I would have spent loaned money to do it, especially now that I’m paying off student loans and think every month about how much money I would have if I wasn’t paying them. I was lucky enough to find a great orthodontist during law school (got braces end of 1L year, they came off 2 days before graduation) who advised no invisalign due to the way my teeth were rotated, clear brackets for the top since my top teeth are always visible, and metal for the bottom because they are better than clear and no one sees my bottom teeth when I talk/smile. But def be good on the retainer.
Go for Invisalign if you can. They’re really inconspicous and you can take them out for interviews or meetings if you’re self-conscious. Even though they may not make your smile exactly perfect, I think it looks more natural to have slightly imperfect (but still straight) teeth.
I sympathize! I am a first-year attorney who is clerking for a federal judge, and my dentist told me two weeks ago that I need braces. This was not welcome news, particularly given the fact that I am getting married next year and absolutely do not want braces in the wedding pictures. All that being said, depending on how severely crooked your teeth are, I think Invisalign is a great option. My dentist told me it costs about $4000(!), but that my teeth would be perfectly straight in six months. Also, check with your insurance carrier — some companies cover Invisalign, although I think even the best coverage will only pay for about $2000. In any event, you should do what is best for your dental health. People should not hold it against you, just as they shouldn’t hold it against you if you have crutches or a cast (both of which I sported as a summer associate at a big Chicago firm). Go for the braces, and good luck!
I had braces as 2d-4th year associate, including while interviewing for a lateral move as a 3d year, and it didn’t cause any problems for work or interviewing. (Though there was a period when I had to wear a bite plane that made me lisp, so I would have to remove it when someone dropped by my office to discuss something. I just apologized and turned away from them to take it out.) In fact, a lot of people shared their own braces stories (and regrets for having given up on their retainers too soon).
I had ceramic braces, so they weren’t as obvious as a metal mouth; Invisalign would be even better if they’re appropriate for your treatment. (For what it’s worth, I didn’t have obviously crooked teeth, but braces were necessary because my bite was badly aligned and would have caused greater problems if not fixed.) As others have said, just keep them clean and be careful when you eat.
All it is going to do is strengthen the point that you are always looking for a way to improve things and that “status quo” is not your way of operating. Personally, I think it will help the interview.
I admire adults with braces. For any number of reasons, they didn’t get braces in middle school and have now spent the time and money on themselves to improve their health, self-esteem, whatever. I’m glad that those people are taking care of themselves and they inspire me to do so when I am financially able!
I admire adults with braces too, but I do feel compelled to point out that it’s problematic that someone with braces necessarily has more self esteem than someone who is happy with their not cosmetically perfect smile as is.
Not
Problematic *to assume*, that is.
I second (or third) the advice to absolutely NOT get the clear rubber bands around the individual braces (the ones that the dentist changes at each visit, not the ones you take in and out to eat). I did this when I had braces in college, and within a day or two they were stained brown from my coffee and Diet Coke habit. I wasn’t as embarrassed about my braces as I was about the icky stains on them. I wish I would have known there was another option (gray or white) back then!
Unfortunately, I used a dentist who happed to do braces. My results were not good, but my teeth aren’t bad enough now to justify braces, especially when I’ll need to pay to put them on my kids in a few years. My advice is to get some referrals and do your homework about the provider you choose.