Finally Braced!

Message

#1 Post by **SoCalBoi83** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:43 pm

Hi all. First of all let me introduce myself. My name is Kevin, I'm 22 live in Los Angeles, and I just got my braces put on. I'm very excited because I have been waiting for so long. It's been an expensive trip but I'm glad I am finally to this point. It's hard to pay for braces when you're my age, lol. Especially when you're on your own, and your mouth is a mess.

Anyway 7 fillings, 3 wisdom teeth extracted, and a couple deep cleanings later I finally got my braces put on today. Man the worst part was the spacers. Those things were evil. I can tolerate pain, but that was just ridiculous. From what I have been reading from you all that is the most painful part. Thank god then that it's over.

I have a few questions though, that I hope you all might be able to help me with. I'm getting an expander put on in 2 weeks, and they are hoping that it will widen my upper jaw, but if it doesn't they want to break the jaw in a year and a half. They already want to break my lower jaw in a year and a half and realign it since I have a major under bite/TMJ symptoms. I'm really hoping there is some alternative to breaking one's jaw because I have read people have experienced problems with their jaws years after the surgery. Anyone have any suggestions?

I bought a waterpik today, and a floss threader. I am taking all the necessary precautions to make this experience a smooth one. I have also stocked up on my soup and pasta, lol. Anyone know any other free soft food recipes? lol. Anyway I look forward to hearing your responses, and I look forward to being a part of this community for the next few years! Thanks!
Kevin

#2 Post by **perfectangel818** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:11 pm

SoCalBoi83, Welcome and congrats! I also had to do major amounts of restorations. I did all of the top restorations and got top braces on the same day. OUCH!

I do want to say to ask your ortho about Damon 3s. I went to a ortho who was talking about breaking my jaws and that scared me away from getting braces. Then I went to a new (and highly recommended) ortho who said that my chances of having extractions and or surgery with Damons was significantly less. We of course have to reevaluate it after 6 months to see how it's going.

Anyway, goodluck and congrats once again! You'll find that everyone on this site is great!

#3 Post by **SoCalBoi83** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:38 pm

Wow, Damon 3s huh? Sounds interesting. I will definitely ask him about them when I go to my appt in 2 weeks. What are they exactly? I was reading a couplke places but couldn't find a good answer. Looks like they are brackets? What exactly do they do? Thanks for the help. And thanks for the welcome. I appreciate it!
Kevin

#4 Post by **perfectangel818** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:42 pm

http://www.ormco.com/damon/theSystem/da ... damon3.cfm

That's the website for damon. There are some people on here that have great reviews and some that have terrible reviews of them.

Here's a picture of mine, sorry it's not very good. I haven't quite figured out the whole taking pictures of my own teeth. lol