Introduction-braces at 21

[Braced engineer]

After about a year of thinking about it, I've finally decided to go ahead with orthodontic treatment. Had my separators placed today and am looking forward to beginning my 18-24 months of braces next Friday (Nov. 9). Should be an interesting 'adventure'!

[nancy13000]

Wow I'm 22 and I get mine on the 12th, I'm getting my 4 exctractions after thanksgiving though becasue I want to be able to eat a delicious dinner. Good luck with your braces. How's the spacers feel, idk if I'm going to need them too. I'm too excited.

[Braced engineer]

Good luck with your extractions. Luckily, it appears that I will avoid that step. As for the spacers, they aren't too bad. More annoying than anything.

I'm glad I found this forum. It's nice to see that there are others in their early 20's just beginning their time in braces.

[nancy13000]

Yeah I love this forum, it's pretty cool. Yay next monday is the big day!

[Braced engineer]

Tomorrow is the big day! Really excited to get things started

[nancy13000]

Good luck! Hope it doesn't hurt. Let me know how it goes

[Braced engineer]

Well, they are on. I just have the top arch for now and will get the bottom ones in a few weeks. They just feel really weird right now- my lips can barely fit around them. No pain yet, my ortho said that I could be a bit sore in a day or two.

[nancy13000]

Ah I got mine on yesterday and they hurt pretty bad. Hope it goes away so I can eat something solid. I tried eating a brownie but could aonly get through half of it.

[Braced engineer]

Don't worry, things get better much quickly. Mine hurt pretty bad the second day, but now they don't really bother me at all!

[nancy13000]

You're so lucky, with mine it keeps cutting up my lips and cheeks. I keep telling myself hang in there in a few days it'll go away. The wax helps a little though but I don't want to baby it I want to toughen up my skin so it's used to it. I jokingly said it feels like you're eating with barbed wire on your teeth. Funny but true

[MissMiataaa]

How are you liking them so far? And when will you get the bottoms?

[Braced engineer]

So far, so good. I went with all metal braces and have been surprised on how little they hurt or are cutting up my lips. I had one sharp spot I used wax on for a few days, but haven't needed any for a while now. Spacers were by far much worse! I get the bottom ones on November 30.

[Braced engineer]

Wow, it has been a while since I have been on here. Everything is going well so far. Can't believe I have had upper braces for almost 2 months already! I did not end up getting my lowers as planned on Nov. 30 as planned because movement wasn't as good as my ortho expected. The new plan is for next Thursday so hopefully everything will go as expected this time.

[Zoie51]

I gave myself braces for my 60th birthday, and I am afraid of the dentist! If I can do it anyone can! I wore them for 15 months and just got them off three weeks ago. changed my whole face appearance!