Metal Mouth Message Board

I am almost done with my first day in Braces. I have bands around all of my first molars and all of my premolars. The process of trying on the sizes and wedging them on and off was almost unbearable. I have worked in dental for general dentists, and I know nothing about orthodontics. I saw kids crying in pain and that scared me. I'm 37 but Im not a "tough cookie". So I promised the doc I would try not to cry but couldn't say I wouldn't.
I have the clear porcelain brackets on the upper teeth and traditional brackets on the lower. Im not in pain like I thought I would be, that will come next month. At the next appointment I will get springs put on the the lower anterior teeth that a crooked and couldn't even have brackets because the wire would be too wavy? So my kids are looking at me strange and I could't even kiss my hubby goodbye. I just have to keep thinking how beautiful I'll look with straight white teeth in two years.

Yes the pain will come, but so will the reward. And you're right, you have to keep reminding yourself of those things or else you will go batty. Today as I was shoving meds down my throat, I asked myself why I was willing to put myself through all of this. My answer, because I've always wanted to have a nice smile and I wanted to stop being ashamed of my teeth. I want to be able to go out and not feel awkward by covering my mouth when I speak. I think it's all worth it!

Hello and welcome,

I read that you are getting a spring on your teeth!! I had one placed at my last appointment and i will admit it wasn't the most comfortable thing to have put on about the same as having the ligatures over the brackets. I thought the pain was going to be horrible but i was surprised it really was hardley any at all ( am i am far from brave) mine was placed to push teeth apart for space, it seems to be very gradual, the coil is quite tight. the thing that i had to get use to was all the gaps between the teeth ( that was really bizarre to see in the mirror).