I’m 34 and was treated in London. Treatment time was exactly 11 months; I had been quoted 18 months as an approximate time. I had Damon brackets with ICE clear on the top 6.
I found the whole treatment relatively painless and easy to manage. The first two weeks was the only time I had difficulty eating but this improved after the initial break in period and I ate pretty much normal food from then on. I never used painkillers or needed wax and had no sore spots in my mouth. I had a slight lisp while wearing the springs on the front teeth but that went away. I brushed after every single meal with a special soft toothbrush provided by my orthodontist and rinsed with Listerine. I had no plaque build-up over the time and only very minor staining on the lower arch around the brackets. I didn’t drink coffee or red wine during the treatment, but I did drink a lot of green tea. I had adjustments every 3 or 4 weeks.
I was lucky in that I found an orthodontist who would proceed without any extractions; I still have my full set including 4 wisdom teeth all intact. The first orthodontist I saw told me I would need 4 extractions and at least 2 years of treatment.
I’m very happy with the result!
![Image](http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4430/smile00small.jpg)
This is what I had to start with. Not pretty!
![Image](http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7191/smile01small.jpg)
I wore springs to separate my front upper teeth for the first 3 months.
![Image](http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/8428/smile02small.jpg)
I had IPR on my upper and lower front teeth at 4 months. Power bands fitted to close the gaps. At this point people start asking why I have braces, as apparently my teeth were fine to start with!
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
![Image](http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6563/smile03small.jpg)
The last 5 months I wore elastics but only at night. I increased the strength of the elastics from one band each side to three each side. Wedges were fitted to the upper central teeth to speed up rotation.
![Image](http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3724/smile04small.jpg)
11 months and they are off!
![Image](http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5241/smile05small.jpg)
No extractions, still have my wisdom teeth in there.
![Image](http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9030/smile06small.jpg)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I wish I had done it earlier!
Hope this is helpful.