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Just a little background. I've never liked my smile and when I was a kid my parents couldn't afford braces. I hated smiling and rarely did in pictures. At 38 I finally had enough and took the plunge. Total time braced was 2 years and 1 day. It was worth every dollar and the days in braces
Day Before
First day Sorry for the gross stuff
year later
Final
From the front my lower teeth look like they're slanted. It's really how my teeth are shaped. I really don't notice it much since I don't show my bottoms when I smile. My bite turned out well. Compared to what they used to look like I think they turned out well.
When they put the permanent retainer on and removed my braces the lower teeth shifted slightly after a few days. I'm not sure if that's normal. I have a follow up in February.
Braced for 23 months 1 week and 3 days!
I had 4 extractions and all my wisdom teeth removed.
I decided to get removal retainers so it will be easier to floss.
Fantastic! Congratulations to you. Your teeth really do look great.
I notice that one of your lower incisors was initially chipped. Did you have that bonded by your ortho, or did you have to go to the dentist for that? I have a couple of teeth that have small chips like yours, and wonder if they'll be doing that for me.
My debanding is next week! Would you mind answering a couple of questions for me?
1. Is the permanent retainer annoying? I am getting one as well.
2. My lower teeth were really crooked before hand. I have to go a week without braces before I get a retainer and am afraid my bottom teeth will move. When you mentioned that your bottom teeth shifted, how so?
pigonthego wrote:Just a little background. I've never liked my smile and when I was a kid my parents couldn't afford braces. I hated smiling and rarely did in pictures. At 38 I finally had enough and took the plunge. Total time braced was 2 years and 1 day. It was worth every dollar and the days in braces
Day Before
First day Sorry for the gross stuff
year later
Final
From the front my lower teeth look like they're slanted. It's really how my teeth are shaped. I really don't notice it much since I don't show my bottoms when I smile. My bite turned out well. Compared to what they used to look like I think they turned out well.
When they put the permanent retainer on and removed my braces the lower teeth shifted slightly after a few days. I'm not sure if that's normal. I have a follow up in February.
hey man thanks for posting the pics
we have very similar teeth, this gives me even more hope mine we eventually look like yours right now, nice and straight, thanks for sharing your pictures. I hope mine are taken off in less than 2 years tho, hehe
Your teeth are looking great! Thank you for posting your pictures
Braces: Metal fixed upper and lower Estimated treatment time: 18-24 months Braces Removed: August 2013 (after 33 months in braces) Retainers: Upper & lower essix and lower bonded My Story / Before & After photos
VA5... I had SureSmile Braces. They put on an upper and lower permanent retainer with an upper removable I wear at night
haywire... Wow I just looked at your post and yeah that look identical. Crazy
catgyrl... The chip was never bonded. Over the course of treatment he moved the lower teeth up and leveled the teeth almost eliminating the chip. It's not perfect but I think it turned out well
hal2me
To answer your questions.
1. Is the permanent retainer annoying? I am getting one as well.
At first it was but nothing like braces. It took a few days and I hardly notice it now.
2. My lower teeth were really crooked before hand. I have to go a week without braces before I get a retainer and am afraid my bottom teeth will move. When you mentioned that your bottom teeth shifted, how so?
Mine moved a little the evening I had my braces taken off and the next day. It was very slight but I noticed. Only if I'm looking at my lower arch in the mirror. So really it isn't noticeable to anyone but myself. Does it bother me? yes just a little but I have a follow up in February. I figure if it still bothers me then I will see about getting a spring retainer. Hope that helps
Dilema
Yeah I was bummed 2 years in the end it was worth every single day. The original estimated time was 18 months. At about a year I was concerned about my overjet so my orthodontist used a Forsus appliance which added at least 4-5 months to my treatment.
