Overcoming phobia for a pretty smile :)

[MardyBum]

Hi everyone,

I'm 37 and I got Six Month Smile braces fitted 2 days ago. I really only thought about getting braces last summer, as I've struggled since childhood with dental phobia. I just got so fed up with people telling me to smile for photos and saying things like 'cheer up, it might never happen' (helpful, thanks!) that I decided to face it.

I had to have 3 fillings and an extraction before I could get started (eek) and finally got my braces fitted 2 days ago. The fitting was a bit of an ordeal...2 hours in total, and several times the dentist told me how crowded/twisted/difficult my teeth were 3 brackets popped off, and he told me he'd never used so many metal ties on one patient before!! (I'm not sure why he used those rather than bands, anyone know?). I had to have quite a bit of IPR which was HORRIBLE and I've got to wear elastics 24/7. Despite all of this *I GOT THROUGH IT* with only a teeny tiny panic attack.... I'm quite proud!

I am just about starting to get used to the feeling now, up until yesterday I felt like I was wearing plastic joke shop vampire teeth, SO uncomfortable!

I'd love to hear from anyone who has just got Six Month Smiles fitted, it would be nice to have a braces buddy! Looking forward to smiling in 6 months time

[metalliKa]

I'm just curious...did you get the 6MS through your regular dentist or an orthodontist?

[MardyBum]

Through a regular dentist.

So far I've mainly heard negative reviews on here of 6MS v regular orthodontics so I think I should possibly stay off the boards and see for myself in 6 months.

I didn't feel long term orthodontics were for me as I'm approaching 40 and just overcoming dental phobia to get this done.

Mardy x

[metalliKa]

Mardy, everyone's needs and wants are different. So if your main objective is just to have straight teeth, you've made the right decision for yourself. Good luck and do come back with results and updates.

[sharon49ncfc]

Full of admiration for you. Have an appointment to have upper ceramics put on in mid-November. So nervous but it helps to hear about others going through the same.

[MardyBum]

Thanks MetalliKa. I will. Once I'm allowed to post photos I'll put some on.

Sharon49ncfc - from your username I think we're in the same city nice to know of another 6MS-er!

[IrishSmiles]

I did look into 6MS but the orthodontist felt I had too many other issues for it to have realistic results.
I have an overbite a horse would be proud of for starters

In the end I thought 'if I'm going to go to the bother of doing all this, I may as well do it right'.
I didn't want to fix some issues in 6 months, and then not be happy with the results so I bit the bullet and opted for more in depth treatment.

I must admit, at times I wish it was as simple / easy as 6MS seems (a work colleague had them and everything seemed to go perfectly for her), at the moment I have bottom metal braces and a horrible biteplate that I'm really struggling with if I'm honest - but I just keep reminding myself it will be all worth it in the end, in this for the long haul!

I think 6 month smiles is a bit like Invisalign, some are lucky enough to be eligible cases but if you have more severe issues which go beyond cosmetics then its sometimes not an option.

[MardyBum]

Hi IrishSmiles

Sorry to sound silly, but what is a biteplate? I hope things get better for you.

I think I probably should have gone the long term route, but as I only managed to talk myself in to a consultation a few months ago and I get married next August, I didn't have time. I'll just have to do what I'm told *to the letter* with my elastics etc and hope for a miracle!

[teeebeee]

Well done, you! I know what it takes to get through the door that first time...I was shaking so hard at my first visit that the pen was making a tap-tap-tapping noise as I was trying to fill in the forms! lol..now I fairly skip in.

However, it is soooo worth it and, I think that we all learn something about ourselves along the way, too. Like how brave and butch we are!

I look forward to hearing all about your journey.

T xx

PS are you in canaries territory, too?

[MardyBum]

Hi Teeebeee,

Thank you. I had to go in this morning to get my bite guards adjusted as my top teeth were banging on the bottom front brackets - even that still made me feel a little sick with nerves....Not sure I'll ever be *totally* over it, but getting this far is good enough for me!

I am in that area, yes....are you?!

[IrishSmiles]

I did look into 6MS but the orthodontist felt I had too many other issues for it to have realistic results.
I have an overbite a horse would be proud of for starters

In the end I thought 'if I'm going to go to the bother of doing all this, I may as well do it right'.
I didn't want to fix some issues in 6 months, and then not be happy with the results so I bit the bullet and opted for more in depth treatment.

I must admit, at times I wish it was as simple / easy as 6MS seems (a work colleague had them and everything seemed to go perfectly for her), at the moment I have bottom metal braces and a horrible biteplate that I'm really struggling with if I'm honest - but I just keep reminding myself it will be all worth it in the end, in this for the long haul!

I think 6 month smiles is a bit like Invisalign, some are lucky enough to be eligible cases but if you have more severe issues which go beyond cosmetics then its sometimes not an option.

Hi MardyBum,

(Nice name BTW )

A biteplate is like a retainer, worn on the top of the mouth, it has like a thick shelf of plastic across the back of the front teeth and the purpose in people with overbites is to stop the upper teeth hitting the lowers (and knocking off brackets and things), as well as to improve / fix the overbite, according to my ortho anyway!

I must take a pic of mine when I get a chance, but here's one from the Internet:


The problem is they cause all kinds of speech and hygiene problems amongst other things, and because your teeth can no longer touch, eating is almost impossible (not to mention disgusting!).
That said it seems I'm one of the lucky ones, someone people have them fixed in according to Google!

Well at least they're not painful

As for the 6MS, they are very fast in the right circumstances for people, and next August is definitely not far away, I'm sure it will fly in and you'll be busy with wedding plans, braces will be the last thing you want to think about! Like you say if you're ultra good and wear your elastics etc to the letter then it will probably come out perfect, a lot of people I've seen with them have had really good results, I'm just jealous I'm not one of them! lol

Will be very interested to see your progress

[teeebeee]

Hi Teeebeee,

Thank you. I had to go in this morning to get my bite guards adjusted as my top teeth were banging on the bottom front brackets - even that still made me feel a little sick with nerves....Not sure I'll ever be *totally* over it, but getting this far is good enough for me!

I am in that area, yes....are you?!

You've already got over it, hun or you wouldn't be there!!

I'm near Dereham, work at Easton. Which dentist are you at?

T xx

[MardyBum]

That biteplate looks a little like an instrument of torture I'm not surprised eating is almost impossible! Do you have to wear it for very much longer?

I'm very close to Easton. Small world!

[MardyBum]

I'm with Corner House Dental.

[teeebeee]

Aha, I go into the city to Hellesdon. Gawd, it's a hellish drive but worth it!

We'll have to have a meet at TT's or something and compare notes!

T xx