Just not sure
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Just not sure
Hi, I've been lurking for awhile but finally decided to take the plunge and join in. I'm a 50 year old man and my job puts me in contact with customers face to face all over the country. Most people say that my tteth are just fine but I've always been embarrassed by my smile, so much so that I just don't very often. I made an appointment last week and the treatment time seems okay (18 months) but I am very worried about the extractions and how I deal with that. This site has given me the inspiration to at least go this far....but I am getting very cold feet.
Hi, welcome to the board and well done for getting this far 
I think its only natural to get cold feet because it IS a big deal, however the fact that you have got this far and have been inspired by other peoples journies kinda tells me you are ready.
Just think though!! 18 months from now you could smile without feeling selfconsious.
18 months isnt really a long time, trust me it fly's by, then you have the rest of your life to smile with ease...it is soo worth it.
Dont be worried by the extractions. I had 4 teeth out before my braces went on ant believe me if i can do it (i suffer with a major dental phobia) you can do it. Its not as bad as you think.
You just need to stay focussed and remember why you are doing it.
Remember you have this board too so you're not alone
I think its only natural to get cold feet because it IS a big deal, however the fact that you have got this far and have been inspired by other peoples journies kinda tells me you are ready.
Just think though!! 18 months from now you could smile without feeling selfconsious.
18 months isnt really a long time, trust me it fly's by, then you have the rest of your life to smile with ease...it is soo worth it.
Dont be worried by the extractions. I had 4 teeth out before my braces went on ant believe me if i can do it (i suffer with a major dental phobia) you can do it. Its not as bad as you think.
You just need to stay focussed and remember why you are doing it.
Remember you have this board too so you're not alone
I understand where you're coming from, jerseyman, as I had the same concerns you have going into treatment.
I'd been considering fixing my bite for over 30 years.....
When Invisalign came onto the market, I looked at that for a couple of years before plucking up the courage to get a referral to an ortho from my regular dentist. Picking up the phone to make an appointment was one of the hardest things I've ever done.
I soon learned that Invisalign wasn't an option for me, but linguals were so I forked out for those on top, ceramics on the bottom. I was 53 at the time and scared sh*tless.
To be honest, some people noticed the ceramics (the wire gives them away) and when I had vertical elastics in my mouth there was no hiding the fact that I had braces. But after an initial comment the topic never came up again. After 21 months I was done. If I hadn't done it then, I could still be wondering "what if?" now.
Have courage, it't not that bad.
I'd been considering fixing my bite for over 30 years.....
When Invisalign came onto the market, I looked at that for a couple of years before plucking up the courage to get a referral to an ortho from my regular dentist. Picking up the phone to make an appointment was one of the hardest things I've ever done.
I soon learned that Invisalign wasn't an option for me, but linguals were so I forked out for those on top, ceramics on the bottom. I was 53 at the time and scared sh*tless.
To be honest, some people noticed the ceramics (the wire gives them away) and when I had vertical elastics in my mouth there was no hiding the fact that I had braces. But after an initial comment the topic never came up again. After 21 months I was done. If I hadn't done it then, I could still be wondering "what if?" now.
Have courage, it't not that bad.
I am right there with you!! I have been very hesitant for over a year- lol! But I have been told to either do it now or have jaw surgery in ten years. I will need four extractions as well. I will soon be 32 and have a job where I work with people every day as well.
I have an appt tomorrow to see what the ortho says but I pretty much already know.
If I can do it (32 and single), anyone can do it!! Don't be like me, if I had just done it a year ago, I'd almost be done by now!!
I have an appt tomorrow to see what the ortho says but I pretty much already know.
If I can do it (32 and single), anyone can do it!! Don't be like me, if I had just done it a year ago, I'd almost be done by now!!
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TheNewEmperor
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:37 pm
- Location: A work in progress in Sydney, Australia
I haven't had to have extractions for my treatment however I can totally understand why you feel so apprehensive about having them done.
Look at it this way: most dentist will only do extractions when absolutely necessary (infact, my dentist is talking about shaving my teeth down on one side rather than extract my tooth) so you can rest assured that your dentist isn't doing this for unnecessary reason.
You may also be apprehensive about the pain: if this is the case, speak candidly with your dentist and ask him about pain relief options - he will probably advise you to take a panadol before the procedure. The injection, although in your mind sounds awful, won't be that bad - a tiny prick and then your gum will loose sensation then all you need to do is ensure you take pain tablets straight after the procedure and again a few hours later (it is easier to take the painkillers before pain sets in...once pain is there it is harder to shift).
In extreme case of phobia your dentist may even give you a valium before the procedure (but if he is going to do that you need to have someone with you to bring you home afterwards). It is unlikely he will give valium as removing teeth is generally fairly quick (depending on where they are, if they are impacted etc etc) but if you speak to him about your fear then he may do so for you.
Look at it this way: most dentist will only do extractions when absolutely necessary (infact, my dentist is talking about shaving my teeth down on one side rather than extract my tooth) so you can rest assured that your dentist isn't doing this for unnecessary reason.
You may also be apprehensive about the pain: if this is the case, speak candidly with your dentist and ask him about pain relief options - he will probably advise you to take a panadol before the procedure. The injection, although in your mind sounds awful, won't be that bad - a tiny prick and then your gum will loose sensation then all you need to do is ensure you take pain tablets straight after the procedure and again a few hours later (it is easier to take the painkillers before pain sets in...once pain is there it is harder to shift).
In extreme case of phobia your dentist may even give you a valium before the procedure (but if he is going to do that you need to have someone with you to bring you home afterwards). It is unlikely he will give valium as removing teeth is generally fairly quick (depending on where they are, if they are impacted etc etc) but if you speak to him about your fear then he may do so for you.
You guys rock. Thanks so much for the pep talk. It's not the pain at all that has me quaking, it's the comments from co-workers and customers alike as well as the Leon spinks type look post extractions. But the time is right and I do want to be able to smile as well as chew without pain at some point..sooooooooooo.
I was 47 when I was braced. I teach college and expected a lot of razing about getting braces at my age. My students didn't say a word. Those who later did commented on how it was when they had braces. Overall it has been a positive experience. It has had a few detours, but I'd do it again.
I would suggest you get three consults before committing to a treatment plan that involves extraction. For some it is a reasonable treatment plan, for others not. A lot of "old school" orthos use it out of habit when other methods may give as good of, if not better result.
Mike
I would suggest you get three consults before committing to a treatment plan that involves extraction. For some it is a reasonable treatment plan, for others not. A lot of "old school" orthos use it out of habit when other methods may give as good of, if not better result.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
Hiya
For me I think the extractions were going to be the worst bit of all the treatment..but in actual fact the extraction was strangely painless
And like emily25, if I can do it, then anyone can...I regularly faint at the dentist if I have to got anything done more than a routine checkup
Being self conscious about braces is only natural. But most people don't notice, or if they do, they don't say anything. 2 weeks in now and not one person has mentioned my braces. The hygienist's assistant today is the only person that I've seen so far take a double take at me.
Good luck with your treatment I bet it will be better than you think and as my dentist keeps saying to me 'it will all be worth it in the end
Fay
For me I think the extractions were going to be the worst bit of all the treatment..but in actual fact the extraction was strangely painless
And like emily25, if I can do it, then anyone can...I regularly faint at the dentist if I have to got anything done more than a routine checkup
Being self conscious about braces is only natural. But most people don't notice, or if they do, they don't say anything. 2 weeks in now and not one person has mentioned my braces. The hygienist's assistant today is the only person that I've seen so far take a double take at me.
Good luck with your treatment
I bet it will be better than you think and as my dentist keeps saying to me 'it will all be worth it in the end Fay
After thinking about braces and burying the idea many times, I finally figured to just do it. In all that time I'd been thinking about it, I could've been done already!
What I've discovered since getting braces a few days ago is that most people have had them and will sympathize. I'm 25 and work in biotech with a bunch of people in their 20's and 30s, and braces isn't really too distant a memory for them. If anything, they were able to offer me support and advice (nothing I hadn't already read about here, but still nice!)
Another bonus: braces make you look younger!
What I've discovered since getting braces a few days ago is that most people have had them and will sympathize. I'm 25 and work in biotech with a bunch of people in their 20's and 30s, and braces isn't really too distant a memory for them. If anything, they were able to offer me support and advice (nothing I hadn't already read about here, but still nice!)
Another bonus: braces make you look younger!