Braces

[luckyteeth]

I got them yesterday and I'm 28. I probably wont get them off til I'm 30. Eeep! But I'm okay with this.

[Bernadette007]

Congrats! I'm 30 and just got braced yesterday too. Whats your expected treatment time?

[helricha]

Congrats!! You'll have them off before you're as old as me and I just got mine on! Lol

[Ciara]

Congratulations! You'll have them off 12 years before I got them on! I've been told 3 years. I've read here that the time flies...I certainly hope so!

Ciara

[luckyteeth]

Hello, Ciara, helricha, and Bernadette!

Here's a little more info about myself. I have all ceramic braces, upper and lower to fix a gap between my front to teeth and small gaps between my bottom incisors. Also I have to correct an overbite and a crossbite (not sure how many milliliters), I'll have to obtain that info at my next appt. The expected treatment time is 24 months! Eep! That's a lot of time so I try not to focus on that too much but the eventual outcome.

By occupation I work as a dental assistant in a dental residency clinic where we perform all types of procedures. However all orthodontic procedures performed in our clinic are under the supervision of a certified orthodontist. So because of this, I was already familiar with the process, which made the first appointment a breeze. I could have started my braces journey over a year ago, but I waited. I wanted to make sure it was something I really wanted to go through with because I would be changing something major about myself and there was a time commitment. Ultimately, I'm happy with the decision. I find myself smiling more already.

I'm also documenting my braces journey through a blog: luckyteeth. posterous . com

I'm excited to become more actively involved in this forum!

[Dee17]

Hi Luckyteeth,
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're making a great decision for yourself. There are lots of very supportive and encouraging people here so if you need any support, just let us know.
I also have a space between my two front teeth which is why I am in braces too. I't s been about two months since I got them on and so far, so good. Have started to see just a wee bit of closure of the space. I'm going back for an adjustment on December 17th and I'm hoping he'll be impressed with my progress and change the estimated treatment time.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to following your progress. I've also been told that the time will just fly by. I must say that these two months have gone by very quickly!

[luckyteeth]

Nice to meet you Dee! I'm still adjusting through the initial awkward phase with braces, but so far so good! My 1st adjustment isn't until 21st of January. Seems so far off, haha!

[Dee17]

Hi, nice to meet you, too.
I know what you mean about adjusting to the awkwardness of having braces. I'm 54 years old and this is the LAST thing I had planned for my life. I am still fairly self-conscious of them and I really hate when I'm out in public and someone decides to make a comment about them. But it's starting to get a little bit better. I can almost bring myself to smile at people now.
Your time to your adjustment will go quickly. I can hardly believe that it's been almost two months for me already!

[luckyteeth]

You know what's funny, Dee? I feel less self conscious with these things on. It's weird, but I find myself smiling more. Maybe it's the psychological effects of knowing that I'm fixing what made me so self conscious before. I find the only time I feel self conscious about them is after I eat. In which I make a straight beeline to the nearest restroom, lol.

I do find that I hate when people ask me why I got braces or why I'm closing my gap. I know most people mean well, but it's such a personal question and I hate talking about my insecurities. Maybe I'll get more comfortable with that question as time goes on.

[Dee17]

I can certainly understand why you feel that way. I think I feel so self-conscious because up until this past summer I never had any problems with my teeth. The space between my teeth opened up fairly quickly and it was just devastating for me. I agree that most people mean well when they ask questions and I think most of the time they're just curious but it just feels very intrusive and pretty rude to me and I just don't like it. So I usually just say something like, "It's a long story" and then try to change the subject. That usually works.
You must feel very good that you're finally doing something to fix your teeth. Good for you! It's going to be SO worth it when you're all finished!

[NICURN85]

Hi Luckyteeth,
Welcome to the board!!! I was trying to follow you on your blog, but couldn't figure out how. The ceramics look great on your teeth. I look forward to following your progress!!

[Ravinkarry]

Hey Lucky

I too took the plung @ 28 and so kindly pointed out by the orthodontist office 6 months (guess they do that to keep track of children)

Glad that you knew what you were getting into before hand. I know what you mean that you want to smile more just knowing that you are a work in progress to a beautiful smile. Similar sentence of 24 months so 30 it will be if they can fix my teeth in that time.

I look forward to following your progress!

[Ciara]

Hello, Ciara, helricha, and Bernadette!

Here's a little more info about myself. I have all ceramic braces, upper and lower to fix a gap between my front to teeth and small gaps between my bottom incisors. Also I have to correct an overbite and a crossbite (not sure how many milliliters), I'll have to obtain that info at my next appt. The expected treatment time is 24 months! Eep! That's a lot of time so I try not to focus on that too much but the eventual outcome.

By occupation I work as a dental assistant in a dental residency clinic where we perform all types of procedures. However all orthodontic procedures performed in our clinic are under the supervision of a certified orthodontist. So because of this, I was already familiar with the process, which made the first appointment a breeze. I could have started my braces journey over a year ago, but I waited. I wanted to make sure it was something I really wanted to go through with because I would be changing something major about myself and there was a time commitment. Ultimately, I'm happy with the decision. I find myself smiling more already.

I'm also documenting my braces journey through a blog: luckyteeth. posterous . com

I'm excited to become more actively involved in this forum!

Oh, it is great you have so much experience and knowledge about this! Should make the process a whole less stressful for you.
So far, I've had no problems or pain. I even have given 2 research presentations, and judged a speech contest where I had to give the closing address. I'd worried about being self-conscious about wearing braces but I'm not at all. It is a major change and I took a while deciding too but I'm glad I decided to do it.
One of the dental nurses at the dental clinic I attend (the orthodontist comes to this clinic 2 days a week) has been thinking about getting braces. She'd said to me when I first got my braces on, that I'm the guinea pig and that if I am ok and not in too much discomfort then, she is going to get them too. I saw her yesterday, and when she heard that I was doing fine, she started asking the orthodontist about getting braces (this is while the othodontist was giving me my first new arch wire).
Will go look at your blog now

Ciara

[SunshineRay]

[quote="luckyteeth"]You know what's funny, Dee? I feel less self conscious with these things on. It's weird, but I find myself smiling more. Maybe it's the psychological effects of knowing that I'm fixing what made me so self conscious before. I find the only time I feel self conscious about them is after I eat. In which I make a straight beeline to the nearest restroom, lol.

I do find that I hate when people ask me why I got braces or why I'm closing my gap. I know most people mean well, but it's such a personal question and I hate talking about my insecurities. Maybe I'll get more comfortable with that question as time goes on.[/quote]

I actually have the same concerns about people asking me why. I know it will only last for a little bit but it seems so uncomfy to be put in that situation.

[plugnickel69]

Over 10 months in and I only once had someone bring the subject up and the conversation was basically, "Oh, you got braces. Is this the second time for you?" I answered "Yes," and we got back to business. End of discussion.