Reluctantly leaning toward braces at 25

[Porge]

Hey Bec! I'm so happy for you, your smile looks fantastic and I am amazed by how quickly you have progressed! Your update came at the perfect time too, I get my braces in just 3 days and I am feeling nervous and unsure again. Seeing your smile is just what I needed, thank you

[Bec There]

Thanks heaps Porge! Don't be nervous! And promise me you wont back out! The perfect smile takes a little hard work, but it's well worth it!!

I see you live in Sydney, if you don't mind, I was wondering how much they charge for braces in the city? I live in a little country town in WA and I'm sure they take advantage of that and chuck a few thousand extra on top of the price just for good measure! haha

[Porge]

I promise I won't back out The cost of mine is $6800, ceramic on top and bottom. I hope you didn't get extorted for being in a country town. Were you told to put them down as medical expenses on your tax? I got told this so I hope to recoup a little something come tax time. Are they reducing your time in braces because you have progressed so fast? I was told 12 months because they are using but I feel like this is so short compared to everyone else, so maybe my ortho is having me on?!

[dojo]

It really doesn't matter what you wear, as long as IT WORKS. I used Invisalign for almost an year and it was a waste of time for me. Had a radio show back then so regular braces would have made me lose that job, since I'd lisp like there's no tomorrow. Used Damon for 7 months to repair my lateral teeth (didn't lisp in this case) and they worked WAY BETTER. I will resume my treatment this autumn and I don't want to hear about anything plastic anymore. Give me Damon and they'll do the job

In the end it's a temporary treatment, go with the BEST working solution, no matter how it looks. Focus on how your teeth will look AFTER the treatment, not on how they will look braced. Even so, they'll look pretty dandy

[Bec There]

I had no idea I could claim part of my $$ back after paying for braces, I did a little research and you are right, it seems I will get some back! (A big YAY! Spending money for Singapore) Does any one know about how much you can claim back? Also it says I have to itemize my expenses? ah what? Haha I'm very very confused. I hope my accountant will know what to do!

I haven't been to see my orthodontist since I got the braces on, so no idea about brace times, and it's a bit early SPAM SPAM SPAMMING for me to hassle him about it haha, if he brings it up though, I'll be sure to ask! My next adjustment is the 9th (next week) and I'm looking forward to it! Gotta decide what colour bands to get too!

All up I paid $6900 for my braces and $95 for my consult. This was for traditional braces only and covers all my appointments and my retainer when I'm done. He said it would be $500 more for each arch (from memory) if I wanted the clear ones. I remember stopping him halfway through whatever he was saying because I was very sure I wanted the metal ones anyways. Besides the fact they are cheaper, I heard the metal move your teeth faster and that's the affect I was going for!

[Porge]

Yay, I'm glad you know now! I believe it's 20% of whatever you spend over $2000 (the first $2000 you don't get a rebate, the rest - 20%). You can also include what you spent with your general dentist (me = lots!).

Tomorrow is the big day for me and I feel very unprepared. I thought I should buy one of those water blaster flosser things but they seem so expensive...! Should I be taking painkillers before my appointment? I didn't know that the metal ones moved your teeth faster, damn! Your results certainly are impressive Bec!

*edit - sorry about the excessive exclamation marks (!!!) , I am showing my nervousness

[Bec There]

Don't be nervous! (it's hard to not be nervous, but be nervous for the right reasons!! I was nervous because I was so excited to be one step closer to my goal, and my new smile!) The actual process of getting the braces on, doesn't take that long, and didn't hurt at all. From memory, I didn't NEED to take my first painkiller until day 3. Up til then my front teeth were tender when I ate, or knocked them etc, but that was it. You'll feel pressure on them, of course, but generally if you have pain the worse is just a dull throb, you'll know when to take some painkillers. Doesn't take long for them to work anyhow. I used nurofen plus. Soon you'll get used to the new hardware in your mouth, and believe it or not, soon you will come to love them like I do.

I was looking to buy one of those water flosser things too, but all the one's I found on the net were not compatible in Australia. If you or anyone knows of any that are, please let me know, I was thinking of getting one also!

I'd wish you good luck tomorrow but you won't need it. Instead, I'm excited for you! I look forward to hearing all about it! Are you going to post pictures of your progress also? Talk soon

[Porge]

It wasn't so bad you were right I was expecting to feel like I had a monstrosity in my mouth but surprisingly it all feels pretty okay right now! I wasn't expecting the big lips though.. The assistant called it "instant botox", it could be worse I suppose! When I open my mouth wide or smile my lips do get caught on the notches which is annoying. I then have to do a funny facial movement to move my lips back into the normal position.. (that probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me...!). If you do know what I mean, does it go away or is it something you just learn to work with?

I put up a separate "story" post too

http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42084

Regarding the water flossers I have seen them advertised at Shaver Shop (not sure if you have a store near you but you can buy from them online). They are just so pricey I think I'm going to play with the floss sticks and all that stuff first and see how I go. Here are the links

http://www.shavershop.com.au/products/e ... jet-system

http://www.shavershop.com.au/products/e ... e-airfloss

[Bec There]

Yes, my lips got caught on my brackets for the first few days also. But I don't notice or it doesn't happen any more haha.

Congratulations on getting braced! Let the fun beginnnnn!

Thanks for the links, I've never heard of the shaver shop before, I will look into them!

I'll head on over and read your story now

[bethanybroccoli]

I say go for it! I had braces at 22 and going to have to have them again at 29. They really aren't that bad. I say go for traditional or a ceramic as opposed to invisalign since the ortho is saying your bite might not be optimal with invisalign. I know my sister's friend got invisalign and wasn't happy with the results and ended up getting traditional braces after. Might as well get traditional instead of being unhappy.