Braces at (almost) 49

[toothymonkey]

I get my braces off May 7...cannot wait!

Regarding the deep scaling...my advice is to ask for gas. It doesn't last (you can drive home) and it's great. I had it when I had my wisdom teeth pulled and it was almost a pleasant experience.

[shekhinak]

Toothymonkey, congratulations on getting your braces off soon! I'm very happy for you!

As for the periodontist, I've been getting cleanings 4 times a year, twice at my regular dentist, and twice at the periodontist. For the time being, I'll just have them all done at my regular dentist. I'm still fuming about my experience with him, but there's something very therapeutic about saying, "YOU'RE FIRED!!"

[Jethro]

Hey shekhinak,

The inappropriate (and inaccurate) comments some medical professionals make to their patients is astounding. And you were dead on when you said "Psychologically speaking, it's been hard enough coming to terms with being an adult with braces, and I really didn't need this jerk giving me grief". I completed my 2nd round of braces last year after putting off re-treatment for years because of all of the issues/anxiety that coincide with having braces as an adult.

Several years ago, I went to a new dentist for a cleaning/exam. He made me feel terrible about my teeth and told me I needed a deep scaling. Before the procedure could be scheduled, my insurance changed and would no longer cover the scaling. I was actually relieved. A short time later, I saw a perio who said that I could use a good cleaning, but a deep scaling wasn't necessary. I later found a great dentist who encouraged me to go forward with the braces as he too had them as an adult.

Best of luck to you and here's to an early release!

Jethro

[shekhinak]

I went in for my last visit, and it seems that one of my lower teeth popped a ligature. I suspect it happened when I went in for my last periodontist visit - so I think they may sentence me to 6 weeks more of braces

My daughter had braces, but then she started having terrible TMJ problems. We brought her to a TMJ specialist, and he said she needed to go back into braces. Our orthodontist balked, and said he would only treat her if a specialist at Mass General agreed she needed braces - and we can't get an appointment with him until October. And no other orthodontist will touch her, as they don't want to step on each other's toes. In the mean time, my kid is walking around with an appliance in her mouth 24/7, that is as big as a football player's mouth guard.

[shekhinak]

Arrrrrrrggggghhhhh!!! OK... I guess I'm going through another one of those stages of adult braces. I'm in the frustration stage.

Things haven't gone perfectly smoothly, but I was just informed that I'll have the braces on for at least (at least?) four months longer than originally planned.

My daughter was the first to point out, "If they haven't even started you on the elastics yet, there's no way you'll be done in two months." Isn't there some kind of a federal law that states a 16 year old isn't allowed to be right about such things?

[BracedBunny]

Hey guys!
I read your posts and have all my fingers crossed for you
I'm "just" 24 year old and I also feel the awkwardness of being an adult and sitting in the chair after a 12 year old kid with all rainbow metal mouth... But it's kind of fun
I'm not braced yet, I have another few months to go - damn financials... in Hungary the state insurance doesn't cover adult braces at all so I have to save a lot of money to start this journey.
But in one thing I'm sure: if I'll finally get the hardware I'll try to take it easy and don't think It's something creepy to hide. Cause it isn't! Even if you're a grown adult with a serious job
So cheer up ladies & gentleman and dare to be different

[numbchin2013]

I just wanted to stop in and say hello...so hello I was 47 when I first had my braces put on...that was 2 1/2 years ago...I will be 49 in April. Hopefully I don't have that much longer until I am brace free!!! I just underwent lower jaw surgery (BSSO) on February 19, 2013 to fix my overbite and to align my bite...something that the braces weren't able to correct. It's been a journey for sure. Anyway, nice to meet other people my age going through the brace face stage lol.

Numbchin

[Veviticus]

I am 50 and will be getting braces soon. I have gotten the x-rays, impressions, consultation, and am waiting for my Otho to call to tell me what the treatment plan will be. I'm going to a university dental school to have my braces done, because it's much cheaper, but the process is slower. I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard. I'm ready to to get my braces put on and let the magic happen. LOL.
I am very happy with the person who will be working on my braces. She is a dentist but is back in school to become an orthodontist. She even gave me her cell phone number in case I needed to ask questions or anything.
It's never too late for self improvement, and so I encourage everyone on this site to "hold your head up" and smile.
Have a happy braces day.

[shekhinak]

Seems that my orthodontist did "low ball" the estimate for when I'd be out of braces. The original estimate was 16 to 18 months, but it looks like it will be 23 months at the minimum. Now he just wants my dentist to sign off (my dentist will do some bonding work afterwards), and they just need to center my top teeth (they're slightly off to the side).

So now I've got these elastics that extend from one side of my mouth to the other, and I look quite ridiculous with them. I had been using tweezers to put the elastics in, but the last time around they gave me a plastic hook that helps TREMENDOUSLY! Who ever invented that plastic hook, deserves a Nobel prize!

[shekhinak]

OK, I'm getting excited - my general dentist said he's happy with everything, and he suggested that I ask for a "bonded retainer."

Now, just a few more tweaks, and I can schedule the appointment for the braces to come off.

[shekhinak]

OK... today is the day! 22 months, 1 week, and 2 days, according to my little turtle time line!!

The braces come off today! I'll schedule an appointment with my general dentist for whitening and bonding (to fill in the gaps), and then the orthodontist will give me a second set of retainers.

The end came VERY suddenly. I had an appointment on Tuesdays, and they said, "OK, next available time, we take them off." The next available time - was Thursday!

It seems now like I've ALWAY had braces, and I always will. But in an hour, they'll be coming off

[SunshineRay]

Congrats!

[debinator]

Congratulations!!!!! we want pictures!! I do at least

[shekhinak]

OK, I'll ask my orthodontist for their pictures I was stunned, my bite was awful when I first went in! What a big difference!

Taking the brackets off wasn't a big deal, but the grinding to remove the cement... that was unpleasant, and it hurt. I don't want to have to go through that again, so that's a good motivator alone to wear the retainer!

At first, the retainer is a bit painful, and you feel like you did when you first had the braces put on. A few teeth shifted immediately, even though they took the impressions within 15 minutes of getting the braces off. Now that I've had them for a while, it is getting easier (and less painful) to put the retainers in and out.

It's incredible - flossing and brushing doesn't take 15 minutes any more!

Now I just have to make an appointment with my general dentist for whitening and bonding

I have to say, the support I've received from this site has been wonderful, from start to finish! I have to recommend it to any adult who is getting braces, and I'll make a point of continuing to come here support any newcomers to the bracket club.

[debinator]