To brace or not to brace? UK Newbie 32 Fast Braces

[Matilda]

To brace!

[Ataerys14]

To brace!

Thanks Matilda - mind's made up...12 days and counting...tick tock lol

[Bakey]

Hi there, I'm a 42yr old female in the UK & decided to get braces last year. The cost was a bit scary (3k) but I don't regret it at all. I had the braces fitted last September & October and had to have 4 extractions before that over 2 dentist appointments. For someone like me who really dislikes going to the dentist this was quite some achievement. I started seeing improvements very quickly and strangely I'm less concious of smiling with braces than I was before with crooked overcrowded teeth. My orthodontist estimated 15 months treatment time & that is still on track. Yes the braces take a little while to get used to and after some wire changes I've been in a lot of pain but I've never regreted it and already my teeth are less crooked. In fact if they'd looked like they do now I wouldn't have wanted braces.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine

[Ataerys14]

Hi Bakey, thanks for the words of encouragement, I think I understand the feeling of being more confident smiling with braces than crooked teeth, I always hide my smile now which is no fun.
The cost, extraction and "tooth filing" all very scary to me, luckily i think I have found the most understanding hygienist and orthodontist in the World!! Both very patient and understand my nervousness
So glad you have seen good progress in the time so far...and hope the pain isnt too bad now

[Langers00]

So how did you get on?

All done?

[Ataerys14]

Hey Langers00 no I had to move my appointment so now next week Tues
Bricking it already!

[Langers00]

Now think rationally. Think long term. Any pain you feel will be minimal and short term.

Once on, there's no going back and you'll seriously wonder what all the worrying was about.

Try not to get yourself worked up, it's really nothing to worry about. I'm sure the putting back of your appointments isn't helping either. Do whatever you can to make Tuesdays. It's easy to push it back, but just go for it!!

Trust me I'm a doctor. (Well actually an Operations Manager)

You'll be fine.

[Ataerys14]

Langers00 all I can say is bless you...it makes all the difference hearing from someone who actually knows how I'm feeling (the great humour is also an advantage) all I'm getting atm is "I dont understand why you need a brace" from family, I'm wondering if they all need glasses more than I need braces ahah!!

Your so right, putting back the appointment didn't help and I've have no excuses left to move tomorrow, I am going to suck it up (though at the grand old age of 32 I have mum coming with for moral support... plus I know she wont let me back out of it)

Pretty sure I am working myself up over nothing (not uncommon for me - Lord knows how I made it through childbirth lool) But am going to focus my energy on a diary which will hopefully help someone else

Eeek this time tomorrow I will be braced....bring it on!!

[kids041]

Good Luck! you will do great!!

[Ataerys14]

Many thanks kids041 - will keep you posted - appreciate the support

[kids041]

Many thanks kids041 - will keep you posted - appreciate the support

Your welcome!

[oimysizex]

Hello! I see today is the day you have your brace put on! Hope all is well! I'm also from the uk!

[Ataerys14]

Hiya oimysizex thanks for reaching out!!

Yes I literally just got back, so far so good (although my ortho has only put top 4 brackets on so far which left me feeling kinda cheated lol)but apparently this is "how she rolls" so to speak.

Bit gutted I found out I had an impacted canine (which I wasnt previously aware of - mix up with my old dentist and OPG) so she has taken this information away to rejig my treatment plan - booo
Hoping this doesnt add too much time to my sentence (or pain)
Next appointment booked for 3 weeks time

Hope all is well with you, whereabouts are you in UK? I'm Birmingham

[oimysizex]

3 weeks time! Yay for close appointments!
I'm from manchester so not too far away. I've only seen around 5 adults in braces around here which is strange!
I'm glad you took the plunge! The only time you will regret them is when you have had an adjustment haha!

[Ataerys14]

I know oimysizex - 3 weeks I just need to stop wishing my life away and "embrace" it LOL see what I did there
Oh cool I have family in Manchester, in Birmingham it's quite common to see "grown ups" in braces in fact I work with two other ladies who also have braces, were setting quite a trend lol
I'm so glad I did too, had some minor pains today but nothing like what i'd worked myself up for
Hope everything is good with you