New with braces

[oldwbraces]

Hello everyone, I am so glad to find this forum because I have so many questions, that I feel I can't really get answers from my ortho for. I am 34 and was a bit insecure to get braces on at my age, but I know thats nothing now I should be in braces for more than 2 years as I had a huge overbite,and my choices were to have top two first bicuspids(?) removed or just straighten my teeth without this extraction. So Thats where I'm at now. The extraction should be coming up in the next month or so, and Ive had braces now since August 2011, and after just these 5 months, I see the overbite much more retracted and am very pleased with my teeths progress!I wonder if its possible to just continue treatment without extractions? I've read some regretful stories here who wish they hadnt had it done, and are now trying to get implants to reopen up that space and start braces again?! Thats so sad! I wouldn't wish that on anyone!
I never had a problem with my smile as I have no crowding, just top protrusion. Which of cours affected speech, and was so obvious, thats why I wanted the braces, but I feel already much better. I think now it looks like without extractions, my teeth are becoming more aligned with a wider arch, and as I have a wide smile, I fear extractions will narrow out my smile, and create that sunken in look? Can anyone offer me some advice cause I don't feel my ortho is really spending time with me, I mean he doesn't look at my facial structure changes, or anything, just a quick look over the assistants adjustments and its all so fast, I don't want to regret it later. Please, any advice would be much appreciated! and has anyone had their teeth shaved down instead of full extractions? I had my dental assistant suggest this as she'd had it done herself, also in her mid thirthies cause she was afraid of bone loss later on in her jaw creating that sunken face look. I am so scared right now!
Thanks!!

[workingmomma]

Hi Old with Braces,

I'm around the same age and have similar concerns. I want to get my teeth, canines especially as right now I look like an extra from a twilight movie, filed down. My dentist told me that I would have to have 4 teeth pulled when I got braces, but my ortho advised that he would try it without pulling them first. I really would rather file them down than pull them.

As to your ortho, I know if he's like mine, you might have to speak up. Mine is super busy and it's hard to get his attention. But, I would make him address your concerns. Afterall, your paying for the braces, so you deserve some answers.

Working Momma

[oldwbraces]

You're right about speaking up and I Plan to next appt, thanks! I think there are lots of orthos that try to fix without pulling, and that option never really seemed to be discussed. I hope after he gets s look at this 6 weeks progress, he just may agree.
How much time do you have left? How long have you had them in? And when will u get your teeth pulled, if so. Good luck and thanks for your reply

[BracedInNOLA]

I just had my first appointment where I was in the general treatment area (for impressions - braces on next week - consultation and Xrays, etc were in different areas) and it is going to be very hard to discuss issues in much depth in there. They have 4 chairs set up that are just these big lounger style chairs - no adjustments to the height or the tilt of the back - if you're sitting in them correctly, you're laying down! Maybe that's normal in an ortho office - but never seen it in a general dentistry office.

If/when it comes time to really discuss issues, I figure I'm just going to make a separate appointment sitting down in his office. I tend to be an information junkie and very analytical/logic driven, and 'unknown' is a very uncomfortable position for me. If I need information, I'm going to do what I need to make the unknown, known. (Plus, those chairs are NOT conducive to having a real two-way conversation, let alone in private!)

If you're at a major decision/treatment point I'd recommend making a separate appointment just to discuss what is going on in your mouth and what your options are and the advantages and disadvantages of those options.

[workingmomma]

I just got them in yesterday.. So I am definately in the adjustment phase. The ortho said that I will have to wear them between 2-2.5 years. So far, he has not brought up pulling any teeth yet, and I hope it stays that way. It just seems a little odd to me to pull 4 healthy teeth. Although, when He put the braces on yesterday, he mentioned that I will probably need a bite splint after everything is said and done.

How about you? How long do you have to wear yours?

[oldwbraces]

hey there,thanks for your replies! It's great to share!
So, looks lik all Ortho offices are set up quite the same, wide open space, with all the chairs out in the open. That's cool to know everyone else is thinking the same as me about speaking up in such an open space, will definetely set up an appointment, but at this point, my teeth are more aligned than they were, and I think, even if I walk away after time's up, still having some gap, I may just choose to do that, over pulling teeth.That just seems too much, for me anyway, not for everyone of course.But I'm not getting any younger, although with braces on, some may think the opposite
Workingmomma, How are you feeling? First week is tough, but then its truly easy after that, you'll be fine

[workingmomma]

Hi Oldw/braces,

I'm hanging in there. My gums and cheeks are sore and mainly I'm feeling a lot of pressure on my teeth. (which makes sense, as the wire is moving them. )

Workingmomma

[oldwbraces]

Thats great that they're moving hun, in no time, you won't feel them as much.

[workingmomma]

Hi oldw/braces,

Thanks! It's getting a little better each day. How have you been doing?

Working Momma