Braces getting on top of me. Bad week :(

[lisa78]

Ok so to recap, I'm 32, I got braced on top 16 weeks ago with fixed ceramic brackets to put an impacted canine down on the right side.
I've hated wearing the braces, every single day but have had a period of a few months of kind of being used to them and accepting that it will be worth it in the long run. My initial sentence was roughly 8 months. There wasn't a lot of work to be done, just pull the tooth down & line it up. Over the last 16 weeks I've watched my straight teeth move and look wonky. I've been reassured that this would be corrected once the thicker wire goes in (when the impacted canine tooth grows down a bit). Still very disheartening to see unwanted movement in straight teeth. Anyway today I go for my check up. Usually just changes the wire / ligs. Today he decides to put a metal bracket on the canine to try and bring it down a bit quicker (yes metal bracket and I have ceramics - WHY?) I make the fatal mistake of asking him 'How long do you think I'll have to wear the braces now' (confident of getting positive feedback as I can actually see the tooth from the side now so it's definitely growing) and he has a right go at me 'you ask me this EVERY TIME' (I don't BTW) and I've told you your treatment will take at least 18 months!!! (WTF)? He just doubled my sentence and made it look like I got it wrong.
I queried it and he said well you will have to wear a retainer etc. (yes I know that but how long in brackets) He doesn't know.
He also told me that not only is the canine tooth coming down further back than the other teeth, it's also rotated in the wrong direction to so he needs to rotate it and bring it down. In the mean time because the thin wire is still on my teeth will continue to grow more wonky.

I've come away DEVASTATED. I never signed up to 18 months. 4 months has been so hard, how on earth will I get through the next year?

[kennyandrew85]

Are you 100% certain he didn't initially say 18 months and not 8?
8 Seems very short.

I think you just need to put it in perspective. In the long term it's a small amount of time to have amazing teeth for the rest of your life.
People are doing this in their 50s and 60s so be glad you are doing it now!!

Im 26, and my estimate is 2 years for an 'overjet' my top teeth stuck out and were wonky.
Now they are looking nice 8 months later but still a long way to go.

It would bug me having a metal bracket on the top but I'm really surprised he would say 8 months for an 18 month job.

[lisa78]

Thanks. Actually he said 6-9 months as the tooth had already cut the gum but I figured it would be about 8. That's the reason why I'm so upset. I feel like I was kind of tricked into it. (I've needed a brace for years but always refused to get one). If I'd known from the outset it was at least an 18 month sentence I think I would have gone for a bridge / implant.

[purplepetunia]

Lisa78 I am sorry for your frustration. I know it's very difficult. I think you are doing the right thing by trying to save the healthy tooth rather than going for the bridge/implant. It's always better to keep your own teeth if at all possible. I agree with what KennyAndrew85 said about doing this now at age 32—it's so much better than waiting until you are older. I just turned 50, have had my braces on for 23 months with an original estimate of 24 months and just learned I will have at least another 6 months to go. I do wish I had done this when I was in my 30s. However, I'm still super glad I made the decision to get the braces when I did. I know it's difficult now, but try to think ahead to your 40th birthday when you will be done with the braces and have the smile you want—you'll be so glad you did it.

If you are starting to have concerns about your treatment plan and poor communication with your orthodontist, I suggest you start keeping notes. Nothing elaborate—just jot down the facts of what was done to your mouth on each visit and what you & your ortho discussed. You might also want to start taking photos of your teeth after every visit so you can mark your progress. (I wish I had done that earlier and just started doing this month.) Another idea is to bring someone with you on your appointment to help ensure that you are hearing & interpreting the information correctly. I started having concerns about communication with my ortho during my 2nd year of treatment and asked my husband to start coming with me on my appointments. It was a little embarrassing (for both of us!) but boy am I glad I did it.

Hang in there. Try to think about all the people in the world who have more challenging health issues and other problems. Also remember it is a privilege to have the opportunity & resources to get your smile the way you want it. You can do it!