New here. 27 and finally getting braces!

[LadyJennifer]

Hi I'm a 27 yo mom of three, and I'm finally getting the braces I've always wanted! Tomorrow, in fact! I'm a tad nervous, and haven't quite decided if I want the metal on top and bottom, or ceramic on top; and my Rothko wants me to get four premolars pulled and I really don't want to:-/
But other than that I'm super excited!
Now off to browse the forum and hopefully learn stuff:-)

[nikkibabie19]

Hi Jennifer. Welcome. Congrats on taking the plunge into getting braced.

Im curious.......so u havent decided what to get (ceramic or metal)

By my ortho i had to choose 1st, then come up with a payment plan etc...before i was actually braced

Plus also you're getting extractions and upper and lower braces all happen tomorrow?

If so,
U're in for an enventful day tomorrow

Goodluck with everything. Let us know what you end up going with (ceramics or metal)

[LadyJennifer]

I was priced for both. We are paying the payment in full, so no plan. I just don't know which I want yet, though I did at first.
No extractions tomorrow! He said he wants braces on first. I'm going to tell him I'd like to try no extractions and see what he says. I think for many orthos extraction is a quick fix that makes their jobs easier, although I do know that sometimes it may be necessary, just not in over 50% of cases like the orthos I consulted with said.

[Sita]

Good luck for your brace day! I quite like having the ceramic uppers. I think it makes them less noticable on me. Fingers crossed for no extractions.

[NICURN85]

Hi Jennifer.

Welcome to the board. I will be getting my braces on Thursday so we will be a day apart. Guess we will be on here together talking about our adventure!! I hope everything goes well tomorrow and keep us updated as I will do the same on Thursday!!

[gj88]

im almost 25 and just got them on!!

[zdenka]

So how did it go, Jennifer?

[BraceFace2o1o]

Congrats on starting your braces journey! I also got my braces in my 20's, I'll be nearly 27 by the time they are removed. I'm so glad I eventually decided to do it.

How did it all go? Did you go for all metal or ceramic on top?

[LadyJennifer]

I had to cancel because my son developed a fever overnight:-/
I'm rescheduled for this week, but I think I might cancel and look for another ortho who isn't extraction happy. I can't get over the uneasy feeling about going with him, so I'm gonna go with my gut (even though I really want to get started now).

[RainbowWarrior]

Jennifer,

I am also 27! this is my second time in braces. I went with ceramic on top and bottom. I had to get 4 extractions (two on top and two on bottom). If I would have gotten these teeth extracted the first time around, I wouldn't be getting braces on a second time. I just had my extractions a few days ago (17-JUL). I had a really uneasy feeling about it as well... no way did I want to pull 4 perfectly healthy teeth!! But I realize now that it was necessary to achieve straight teeth that won't overcrowd again. I'm still eating soft soups and bananas, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Good luck in your journey!

[mrsbrandong]

Hi Jennifer I am pretty new here myself. I am 29 and finally in braces for the first time. I chose ceramic uppers and I am glad I did they are a lot less noticeable than metal and that was what I was looking for since I was unable to get invisalign. Good luck!!

[trisportgirl]

Congratulations on getting braces! I'm so glad I did, and it's totally worth paying out of pocket for, even if it's really expensive.

There are several ways of dealing with crowding (as explained to me by my orthodontist):
1. Extraction is probably the most straightforward method for orthodontists because all they really need to do is moved slowly the teeth around to close the gaps. Of course it is non-reversible and sometimes closing gaps completely can take a long time (I don't think this is a problem for most people, but I have read on this forum about others having trouble closing extraction gaps).
2. Push the teeth forward so the perimeter of your arch gets bigger (just like a bigger circle has a bigger circumference, by pushing your teeth forward, your ortho can create more room in your mouth). Obviously this doesn't involve extractions which is a plus, however it can put more pressure on your gums which can weaken them and potentially cause recession. Gum grafts are very painful, so you want to avoid this! You may have to see a periodontist to confirm that this method will work for you.
3. Shaving down the sides of your teeth to make them narrower can provide more space without actually removing any teeth. I don't recall what the cons of this were, but I remember not really liking it very much as an option. Offhand guess - maybe it weakens the teeth? Others may be able to provide some more input on this option.

I decided to go with an extraction, partly because my dad did the same thing a few years ago and his teeth look great, and partly because I had a tooth infection and would have needed a root canal if I hadn't gotten the infected tooth extracted (actually local anesthetic didn't even work because of the infection so I had to go under general...but that's another story). My extraction gap closed 50% in about 2 months, 80% in 4 months and now is about 98% closed - it looks completely closed, but I can tell when flossing that there is still a bit of a gap. I'm glad I went with the extraction route, and even though I now have an odd number of teeth in the bottom front, you'd never know!

Sorry about the short novel, but I hope that helped with your decision or gave you some questions to ask your ortho!

[LadyJennifer]

Sorry it's taken so long to update. I canceled my appt with the other ortho and started researching functional orthodontics. I found an ortho who practices functional orthodontics within 2.5 hours, and I'm beginning treatment now:-)
I will get my braces March 20, and I just got my expanders put in yesterday.

[Ciara]

Sorry it's taken so long to update. I canceled my appt with the other ortho and started researching functional orthodontics. I found an ortho who practices functional orthodontics within 2.5 hours, and I'm beginning treatment now:-)
I will get my braces March 20, and I just got my expanders put in yesterday.

Congratulations on getting started. I also went with a functional orthodontist.

Ciara

[LadyJennifer]

Sorry it's taken so long to update. I canceled my appt with the other ortho and started researching functional orthodontics. I found an ortho who practices functional orthodontics within 2.5 hours, and I'm beginning treatment now:-)
I will get my braces March 20, and I just got my expanders put in yesterday.

Congratulations on getting started. I also went with a functional orthodontist.

Ciara

Thanks!
What is your treatment plan, if you don't mind me asking?