Hi from London

[Sahara]

Hi everyone!

I've had my braces for 3 days now, and I'm feeling very sorry for myself! It's my second time around with braces, but this time I've been promised they'll only be on for 1 year, not two like last time.

I've got ceramic braces on top. Nothing on the bottom at the moment: I'm getting metal braces in two months.

I've found this forum really great in helping me to make an informed decision about getting braces - as well as giving me loads of useful questions to ask my orthodontist. And I'm sure it'll continue to be a great help to me over the long year to come!

[marcusjb]

Don't feel sorry for yourself - the sun is shining for the first time in ages here in London!

But seriously, you know that whatever part of having braces you are feeling sorry for yourself about will pass in a few days and, whatever it is, will be worth it in the end (and a year is no time at all!).

Enjoy the sunshine!

Marcus JB

[cwatt1]

Let me second Karen's welcome, Sahara! You'll find tons of support here from great people during the course of your treatment. If you need a place to vent or ask questions, that's why we're here!

If you haven't done so already, may I suggest you take some pictures of yourself now, just after you're braced? You'll be amazed and motivated by your progress later if you compare later photos to where you are now!

Best of luck -- looking forward to following your story

[Sandista]

Hi Sahara and welcome!

I was braced 5 days ago for the 1st time at the age of 33. I have pretty straight teeth so I was really bummed when I found out that I needed braces to correct my bite problem (I have an anterior open bite) that developed from excessive clenching and the use of a splint.

I really felt sorry for myself too because I was really proud of the fact that I had almost perfect teeth - not even a cavity. The only dental work I have ever had were baby teeth and wisdom teeth extractions, which were a breeze for me. So in a way, I can kind of relate to you.

Anyway, I really made things out in my mind to be worse than it actually was, which is really something I need to stop doing! Now I'm looking forward to truly having perfect teeth. I figured it's better to focus on the positive than to dwell on the negative, so I am trying to keep my mindset focused on the outcome.

I'm sure I'll have my days where I want to scream , but won't we all???

Anyway, hope all goes well for you and try to stay positive. I only have an 8 month stint with my braces,and a year isn't much longer. Best of luck!

Sandista

[Sahara]

Gee, thanks for the lovely warm welcome, everyone! )

And the tips were really helpful, too. A week on, I still feel like Bride of Frankenstein, but everyone says the braces aren't really noticeable (or maybe they're just being kind! ) I just wish I could close my lips... *sigh!*

I've found the biggest surprise about having braces is the instant rapport I strike up with anyone similarly afflicted - or even those who have just finished their treatment. I've even found a 'twin' in my workplace - she also has ceramic braces on top and nothing on the bottom.

Also, the wire now seems to be sticking out a millimetre or two past the last brace on one side, so I guess my teeth have moved already - wow!

[Sahara]

I was going to leave the wire, so I could measure my progress but it started to get annoying. My ortho divides himself between other practices, a hospital and the university, so thanks to this wonderful forum, I'd already asked him what to do if the wire needed trimming when he wasn't there.

He said it was only a thin wire and that I could cut it myself with nail scissors. The scissors were useless, so I tried nail clippers - also no good. I even tried filing it down with a metal file!

Admitting defeat I went in to the practice. The receptionist thought it was hilarious that I'd tried to cut the wire with nail scissors, and the dentist herself was horrified: "He told you what!?" She made an appointment for me to come back later, and she filed it down with a diamond-tip drill. No wonder the nail scissors didn't work...