Finally taking the leap

[Harpua]

Well, I've been lurking around this board for some time now. I'm 29 years old and have pretty bad crowding my front teeth top and bottom. My parents just didn't have the $ back when treatment was probably most appropriate. I was able to get my wisdom teeth removed my senior year of high school, but college then became the priority and even with scholarships, grants, financial aid, going to a private school was quite a financial strain on my folks. I've now mustered up the courage to see an orthodonist and put my teeth on display. I had records done and then had a consultation appointment. I have a pretty narrow arch, but am opting out of surgery due to costs and professional concerns. I'm sure the result will still be quite dramatic - there is a lot of opportunity for improvement. I was referred for a periodontal evaluation and got a big thumbs up just yesterday - thank god I'll still be able to afford a solution. I'm about to schedule an appointment now with my general dentist to discuss my 4 extractions, and have a cleaning, and general evalutaion (other than my wisdom teeth removal, I haven't been to a dentist since I was about 10 years old) I am assuming (and hoping) that I don't have any major issues as no one has mentioned cavities or other problems thus far. It would show up on X-rays wouldn't it? Surely the periodontist would mention any glaring issues? I'll have to have my extractions done, wait a week, have spacers put in, wait a week, have some kind of fitting for a device that connects 2 molar bands, wait a week, and then get the braces on - at least thats what they told me today on the phone - this is going to be a scheduling nightmare at work. I want to be sure that I have a bit of recovery time for anything that will be a nuisance, but I need to minimize my time out of the office and I have a feeling that my appointments won't be as convenient as I would like. I still haven't told anyone at work that I'm doing this! Anyhow, I'd just like to say that I REALLY appreciate this board and had I not come across it, I probably would not be taking this leap. I feel so much more informed after spending hours reading the posts and it is calming to know this resource is here for me as I start this process.

[Kell]

Best of luck to you. I agree that this board is a wealth of information.

[IndyBraceFace]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[Harpua]

OK, so I'm trying to get my appointments in order. Looks like my dentist is probably going to do my extractions over 2 seperate appointments. My question is 'Do spacers need to be placed only to make room for molar bands?' I'm getting bands on the top with some sort of fitted device that connects them together. I'm wondering if I can get my spacers in the same day if I get my top extractions first and then I could get the other extractions done before the fitting for the molar bands and connecter. I'm ready to get this going!