I went to see a dentist about crowns that needed to be done but mostly about Porclian veneers for cosmetic reasons. He told me I needed to have orthodontic work (braces done) before the other work would be successful. My bite is off. Has any one else been told this as well. I know our cases are different but I would apprecitate any input. Ps I am already in my 40s and find this a bit weird.

Well this may not help but I had braces a few years ago because my bite was too far back.. it was fine, my friend mom is 40 and has braces they actually suit her..

When looking at any costly elective medical care, it is always well worth getting a couple opinions. It may well be that he would prefer to do this or that, but will do what you want if you push it.

I know my dentist had about 4000 dollars worth of want list, but when he found out I only had 1000 to work with, he figured a way to do the main parts.

Hi,
Very good comments in the previous answer... money talks, or not; find ways around it!
I am not a Dentist; nor a Professional in this area; but am a 64 yrs old person who has had more teeth and gum problems over my life than most people.
I now have dentures, and for me, are GREAT!
At 40 yrs old or so, you can still have a bite that is "off". It means your teeth are crooked, not growing straight up as they should. It could mean you had a tooth extracted, not having another "false" tooth put in its place, and the teeth shifted into that blank space.
Might also mean they shifted either toward the "front" or "back", instead of sideways.
I would get another opinion, as the previous answer said. You are facing some costs here, and another opinion would help in making a decision.
If your teeth are too way out of alignment, it will be difficult to place crowns on the good parts of the teeth; that opinion though, is up to the Dentist.