Metal Mouth Message Board

Terra, sadly I relate all too well! I was very resentful of my parents for not fixing my teeth. My parents were from the state of mind that braces were for vanity only, and they simply were not getting braces for me, end of story. They never saw it as their responsibility. It was like they were comp...

Well, I had my 4 premolars removed almost 6 years ago, and I still have a small gap in one spot. I had braces for well over 3 years, and one extraction gap never fully closed. There is still a small gap there even today, and fortunately it doesn't seem to grow (I faithfully wear my retainers). I thi...

I been out of braces for 2 years, and I am still very very thrilled with my appearance. I had 8 extractions - the 4 premolars and the 4 wisdoms. Like others mentioned here, I had fang teeth in their own rows in front of the rest of my teeth; plus had a couple of teeth pushed way behind. For all thes...

Actually, it sounds just right to me. I also live in NJ, where every kid gets braces, so no shortage of business for orthodontists around here so they can charge plenty! My orthodontist has a 2 million dollar estate here in town, no kidding. My braces were $6000, plus $2000 for surgery (no insurance...

To respond to the OP's original question, a resounded YES from me - I definitely saw my braces as a sign of "moving up in life". And yes, I definitely see straight teeth and braces as a sign of affulence and status. When I finally got braces at age 33, I was thrilled to finally join the &q...

Marguerite, thanks for sharing, I understand everything you wrote! And once again, any contrary opinion or experience is criticized line by line by the same small group of frequent posters, as they encourage and slap each other on the back. Sigh. It's sad to read this thread - we are all supposedly ...

Wow, just found this thread. I don't know if the OP is still reading, but I agree with everything she wrote 100%. Every last thing she said is exactly what I experienced in life when I had crooked teeth. I felt my crooked teeth stopped others from perceiving me as a "person of quality". I ...

This is bad of me, but I had to take out my upper Hawley at work when I first got retainers. I simply could not speak clearly with it. I only worked four hours a day at the time, and I could not afford to endanger my job. And I was constantly gagging and still do sometimes, it never went away. I am ...

I got my off last May, and my total time was 38 months, or three years and two months. I was quoted 24-30 months, but I just knew I would be in them far longer and I was right. It seems all the kids I know in braces also stay in them at least a year longer than their estimates. Very common to go wel...

My crooked teeth looked somewhat similar to your's. I had a protruding canine (my protruded worse than yours, even), and that canine completely overlapped the lateral (tooth between the canine and the front teeth), and then the lateral was pushed back as a result. I can't even begin to tell you how ...

Chris wrote: SUE - thanks for posting the retainer photo. Does the LAB put the spring into the mold? I suppose if it had to be put in later it could be...or would they have to make a brand new retainer? What did you mean by "currently inactive"? How does it become activated? Hi! Yes, the ...

I tend to disagree with the sentiment here, as I think interviewing with braces CAN prevent someone from getting a job. But I also think it may be a regional thing in the USA (like the NorthEast states), or a "corporate culture" thing, too. I am speaking of professional/office jobs here, n...

Not sure if I entirely caught what was going on here :shock: but ... I just got my braces off, and honestly, yes! My self esteem and confidence are much, much greater. Nothing has magically improved in my life (like finding Mr. Right or getting promoted at a job) but that's OK - but I do feel that h...

I think you would be OK. I didn't even get my retainers until two weeks after I got my braces off, so on "day 9" after debonding, I still had no retainers to even wear! My ortho didn't seem concerned at all that I had no retainers for about 14 days. And when I got my retainers, they fit fi...

I originally thought I wouldn't need any cosmetic dentistry, but now I am thinking I better start saving some $$$ for extra work! I just got my braces off, and honestly there was no "WOW" factor to my new smile. Probably because my teeth still don't look like those blaring white, perfect o...