Hoping for straight teeth by my 30th birthday!

[salsashark]

Hello everyone. I'm a new member who has been lurking and commenting the past few days and I figure I should make an intro post.

My teeth have been crooked since I was about 11 and my parents could never afford to have it fixed. My husband and I got dental insurance last year and decided to take the plunge and finally get my teeth fixed. Unfortunately I've passed the age range (by one year!) for my insurance to cover orthodontics so we're paying for that out of pocket.

I don't think I'm as educated as others seem to be on this forum about what exactly is going on in my mouth. I got top braces put on in June (I have ceramic on top) and have yet to get my bottom braces on (which will be metal). I have severe overcrowding and before last week still had a baby tooth and impacted canine. I had exposure surgery one week ago and my baby tooth was extracted. I feel this has been a very slow moving process, I've only had one adjustment in the three months I've had braces. My orthodontist doesn't really keep me informed on what is going to happen next and I have no idea why I haven't gotten braces on the bottom yet. Should I be asking more questions? My orthodontist is a little difficult to understand (he's quiet and mumbles a bit). I didn't visit any other orthodontists, I just went with him because he works out of the same office as my dentist.

I was told my treatment would be for 2 years, depending on a lot of variables of course but from looking at other members' pictures I feel like I'll need to be in braces MUCH longer. My mouth issues seem to be much worse than others who were also told their treatment would take two years... so I'm feeling a bit discouraged. Of course I shouldn't compare because everyone's mouth is different - who knows? maybe after my next appointment adjustments will be happening more regularly.

as I'm still a new member I can't post photos yet... and I haven't really taken any progress photos up to this point. I don't usually smile in photos since I'm embarrassed about my teeth but I'm sure I'll be able to find a few "before" photos for you all and I can take photos of my exposure / current mouth situation.

This is something I've wanted since 5th grade so I'm happy to finally be on the path to a straight smile.

[kingy]

Hi there! I'm also new to this discussion board and like you, hoping to have straight teeth by the time I'm 30!

I've had metal braces top and bottom for a week now and still getting used to the changing feeling in my mouth. I've had crooked teeth since my teens and my parents couldn't afford braces either. I'm hoping I'll only have them on for 18 months, worst case scenario 2yrs!

Like you I'm happy to finally be able to do this, and can't wait for a perfect straight smile!!

[salsashark]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I hope you only have to be braced for 18 months! My estimate was definitely 2 years... maybe longer.

[kingy]

Hopefully it will only be 2yrs for you, fingers crossed.

It's nice knowing we aren't the only ones lol I'm still getting used to the braces, a little self conscious at times. Especially when I go to my orthodontist and the office is full of kids and I'm the only adult there with braces!

But the end result will be worth it. Good luck with your treatment