People are freaking me out.

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#16 Post by **Vieve25** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:06 am

ashesgap -
what kind of metal braces are you getting? I have been feverishly reading about ligs on here because I DO NOT wan yellow looking braces/teeth.... ortho promises i wont but... I dont know. my DH also thinks I should stick with my ceramic choice and I seem to like the non metallic look of the top teeth better (personally) but honestly I am back and forth about it because its so unknown to me!! its hard to make up my mind - I dont want to regret my choice!

#17 Post by **evilnel** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:57 am

I found the gray colored power chains didn't stain as much as the clear stuff they used to close a big gap. I'm not sure if that's like comparing apples to oranges, but my power chains don't really stain and I drink tea, though not a lot of coffee, wine, or pop.

#18 Post by **appygirl82** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:45 am

There are more than one type of ceramic braces. I have the Inovation-C on my tops. Granted they are not quite as clear as the ICE ones, but they are mostly clear (just little metal pieces on the side of each bracket). But.....they are self litigating so there are no ligs to stain!!

#19 Post by **Vieve25** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:47 am

One of the first Ortho's I consulted with had the Inovation C and I dont know that the Ortho I have chosen does - they only mentioned the clarity to me.... I didnt know there were so many different ones to choose from until just a couple weeks ago. I hope the Clarity ones look ok - they looked good on the little mold with the perfect teeth haha!

#20 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:01 pm

To the original poster:
I truly think braces are the best thing I have ever done in my life, and they make me feel confident, happy, clean, well cared for, less self-conscious, and just generally great.

You don't see that many posts talking about how happy we are with our braces, because we are satisfied and doing great, and don't need to post on internet forums to validate our happiness. Many millions of people in the USA alone are wearing braces, based on the benefits which are historically demonstrated, and the people who can't tolerate them are a low percentage.

#21 Post by **beth1966** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:19 am

tsmurfenator wrote:To the original poster:
You don't see that many posts talking about how happy we are with our braces, because we are satisfied and doing great, and don't need to post on internet forums to validate our happiness. Many millions of people in the USA alone are wearing braces, based on the benefits which are historically demonstrated, and the people who can't tolerate them are a low percentage.

By FAR one of the most accurate posts I've read! So very true - just like any other message board for any other process/procedure/surgery etc. You only read the horror stories of a very SMALL minority - you don't read about the millions of success stories because people have no reason to go on a message board and post about it!

Extreme pain and negative experiences with braces is a VERY low percentage!

Thanks for this post tsmurfenator - I am sure it will help many!

#22 Post by **drrick** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:36 am

Very true -- how often do you turn on the news to hear -- there were no accidents on teh freeway and everyone got home on time?

#23 Post by **cathykay** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:28 pm

I was 20 when I got mine on and I'm 21 now. After getting them on, I will admit that I cried and felt like I could never used to them but I DID! And it didn't take long at all. My friends and family were all supportive and once everyone I knew had seen me in them, I got more comfortable because I wasn't greeted with "LET ME SEE!" lol. Within a week (I'm not exaggerating), some of my friends started commenting that they saw movement. I didn't believe them until I saw through pictures how fast my teeth had began shifting. Once you see the effects start to take place, you believe it will be worth it.

You don't see that many posts talking about how happy we are with our braces, because we are satisfied and doing great, and don't need to post on internet forums to validate our happiness. Many millions of people in the USA alone are wearing braces, based on the benefits which are historically demonstrated, and the people who can't tolerate them are a low percentage.

I also want to agree with that! When I first joined, I thought I was going to practically live on this forum. However, I became used to braces quickly and I actually forgot about this forum for a bit. I recently started posting again because I want to help others who are feeling nervous about getting braces, and since I have had mine a while now, I feel like I have some useful to offer.

I understand that reading some posts can make you wonder if you're making the right decision. YOU ARE! I went through a time where I read posts that freaked me out. I thought I was going to have sunken in cheeks because I needed an extraction, I thought I would regret my decision to not have jaw surgery, I thought I would dwell on my braces every day! But nope. I'm happy! Straightening your teeth will do so much for your self-esteem, whether it's good now or not. I am more confident smiling in braces than I was without them because my teeth look pretty damn awesome now.

#24 Post by **fluffybottom** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:37 pm

drrick wrote:Very true -- how often do you turn on the news to hear -- there were no accidents on teh freeway and everyone got home on time?

Man, I would tune in to that channel. Would be a nice change from all the 'WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!' hysteria that passes for news these days.

#25 Post by **iBorg** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:44 pm

To quote John Prine, "You are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't." You will be either happy or unhappy. I think a lot of people will be happy or unhappy in their life and since they have braces they are unhappy with their braces. Some of us have had bumps in our treatments and that does cause periods of anxiety. For many of us who have been unhappy with our smiles, we'd like an instant result but that is unrealistic. Remember your smile is a work in progress much as your life is.

I'm nearing the end of my treatment. I'm anxious, happy and scared. I'm anxious to see what my teeth will look like. I'm curious how long it will take my wife and children to notice I'm brace free. I've kept my debanding a secret from them. I'm happy with the results of orthognatic surgery and my ortho treatment. For the first time in my life I'm happy with my smile. My treatment has been almost four years, I'm a bit scared to see it end.

Overall getting braced, even at 49, was a good decision that I do not regret. The result has been well worth the time, effort and money. It has made a significant improvement in my life. I'm healthier as a result of the surgery (I was suffering a collasped airway) and have greater confidence in my personal appearance as I don't have to hide my teeth.

Don't fear the experience, remember you're doing this for yourself. Enjoy it!

#26 Post by **Pattyb** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:34 pm

I too, was very excited and anxious to get my braces at age 52. I wish I had a little dose of reality before I got them on, though.

I quickly abandoned my rosy attitude when the braces hurt badly for the first week. I really thought this would be no worse than root canal. I guess some people have an easier time than others. Go into this with your eyes open, is my motto!

That's not to say the end results aren't worth it. I'm seeing my teeth straighten already at 4 weeks. Guess it's like having a baby--when it's all over you forget about the pain.

#27 Post by **Vieve25** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:59 pm

how come I had a baby and I still cant forget about that pain?? HAHAHAHA!!!! i think I am the only one who still remembers it like it just happened LOL!!! BUT since I could get through that - no doubt braces should be (hopefully) a piece of cake!!!!!!!

#28 Post by **jambo532** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:25 pm

I waited to get braces for a really long time also to accommodate for work etc. I think that if you really want it and think it will do good for you then go for it. I haven't had any regrets with my decision at all. I know it's not always glamorous or fun but in the end I think it's a great decision.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

#29 Post by **ashesgap** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:36 am

Well I'm pretty excited about getting braces now. I even bought myself a special bag to hold all my braces stuff. Its a Juicy bag, and i was just looking for an excuse to get one. Its just long enough for a tooth brush, and big enough to hold all the other stuff too, while fitting in my purse if i need it to.
I've decided to stop reading any posts with a sad or angry title. lol, that should help.
Thanks to all for answering and making me feel better.

#30 Post by **beth1966** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:46 am

ashesgap wrote:hold all the other stuff too, while fitting in my purse if i need it to.
I've decided to stop reading any posts with a sad or angry title. lol, that should help.
Thanks to all for answering and making me feel better.

Awesome idea!!!

Keep us posted on how you progress!
You'll do GREAT!

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