First I would like to say how thankful I am I found this site! It's so great to hear stories from other adults about their experiences with braces. My friends are helpful, but they all had their orthodontic work in high school- not quite the same!
After years of toying with the idea, I finally got up the nerve to take the plunge and commit to braces. My top teeth look decent as is, but over the years they have started to shift. My bottom teeth are crowded and several have rotated. As a result, my dental cleanings have been horrendous, as it is difficult to keep the plaque out of my crowded, tight teeth. After my last painful, bloody cleaning, I decided once and for all it was time, and scheduled an appointment with an orthodontist.
After I had my consultation, I thought about it overnight (large money commitment obviously) and decided to go for it. I struggle with spending THAT much money on something cosmetic for myself (seems vain to me?), but my friends and family encouraged me to do it.
My damon brackets (clear on top 6, metal on the rest) were put on Sept. 10. I was disappointed b/c my ortho did not put brackets on my lower four (and most unattractive) teeth, b/c she said I would bite them off due to my overbite. Therefore I have no archwire on the bottom yet. First appointment is in 9 weeks, so hopefully by then my overbite will have improved enough to put the bottom wire on. Currently these braces feel awful- I just want to tear them off b/c it feels so strange in my mouth! Plus, my cheeks are starting to bleed from the friction and the teeth themselves are soooo sensitive. I am obsessing over cleaning and flossing, and eating is just not enjoyable. Braces are like an insta-diet! I can't wait for the day when this feels "normal" and I don't think about them 24/7. T-18 months until they come off.
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but I'm glad to say that my teeth are soo much better now that I'm 7 months in. It's good to know that we are all on the right way. 