I was just wondering if anyone here has ever considered getting braces despite not needing them. That could include the usual brackets and archwires as well as things like facebow tubes, hooks for elastics, and maybe even pistons.

To be frank, I'm mostly curious about how it'd work logistically speaking. Will orthodontists just install whatever you ask as long as you pay them? Is there a way to use a combination of appliances to prevent one's teeth from moving out of place, or is deviance inevitable? What extent of custom appliances can be made by request?

If anyone has had braces installed for recreational purposes, or knows somebody who has, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Have you looked on bracesshop? You can get quite a few different appliances and braces on retainers very easily

I was thinking more along the lines of fixed braces rather than retainers, since the former would require the help of an orthodontist to install — especially the more unusual appliances like facebows or Herbsts.

I have one set from Bracesshop and one set from Moonstruck effects. I highly recommend taking the plunge!

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When I was living in Scotland I got fake braces installed by a real orthodontist. This was back in 1999 and internet wasn't then what it has become now.
I've always been a braces fan since the early 70s (I'm 62 now !) but only got a retainer to wear officially in 1976. For decades, I wished I could wear fixed braces and I tried many orthodontists but no-one accepted to fulfil my wish.
When I found a job in Scotland in 1998, I took the plunge and tried every orthodontist I could find to ask if they were OK to install fixed braces on me. After several appointments and lots of refusal, I finally find one in the Glasgow area that was OK, but only on some teeth (8upper and 8 lower). That' wasn't so bad and I accepted (16 brackets are better than none!).
It cost me 1.000 £ (I could afford it at that time) and I kept them until I moved back to France in 2001.
Back in Paris, I found another ortho that completed my metal mouth with a complete set of REAL braces (molar bands and headgear tubes included) because I would really need braces at that time ! I had developed TMJ (not related withe the fake braces) and I ended with jaw surgery.
My braces were finally taken off in 2003, and I was very disappointed ! I got a retainer that I have been wearing since, but only at night.
But, in January 2024 I ordered a set of fake retainer (upper and lower) on the BracesShop website and I started wearing them permanently. At work, my colleagues find amusing to spot a 62 years old man wearing retainers, but I don't care 

I had a dentist/orthodontist a few years back and asked her if I could have braces  she said she would examine my teeth and give me an answer, unfortunatley not long after that my then partner had a big row with her so it never happened. I think now it would be impossible as my current dentist is not very approachable and the cost is a big problem as I have no money.