Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello Everyone!

My name is Elle and in a few months I will be an adult with braces. After a few years of dental neglect, due to a combination of anxiety and finances, I've started a dental plan this month. In addition to wisdom teeth removal and a few fillings I will also be getting braces to correct a slight overbite and cross-bite at the top and some moderate crowding on the bottom. Apparently, I am also a tongue-thruster lol. I will be getting braced in September after celebrating my birthday and participating in a wedding this summer. All of the other work will be done this month and July.

I'm joining this site to learn as much as possbile to prepare me for this braces journey. There are SO many options! My dentist won't refer me to an ortho until we're a bit closer to actually getting the braces so I'm trying to research as much as I can on my own. I'm also looking for recommendations for a great, kind ortho in the NYC area. I'm super excited about finally working toward my dream smile. My only fear at this point is that I've heard that braces make your face change. I'm pretty fond of my face lol so I hope that isn't true, or isn't too noticeable if it is true. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences and stories here. I've learned a lot here already and look forward to sharing my journey with you all when the time comes.

Best,
Elle

hi Elle, i live in nyc queens , but i go into manhattan to the ortho very expensive but very good . Do your reasearch and get as many consults as possible, good luck on you journey!!!

Hi ljs!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Would you mind sharing your ortho's information? I'm paying out of pocket (with help from my Dad) and we really want to find someone great, highly recommended and kind.

Hi Ellie!

I live in Brooklyn and both my regular dentist and orthodontist is in Manhattan. My ortho is Dr Vaysman from Upper Eastside Orthodontists. I went with her on the recommendation of my primary dentist and am 100% satisfied with the service I've been receiving. I've had braces on my lower teeth since August and my uppers since Feb and with a little bit of luck will be out of them by the end of the year or shortly thereafter. Dr V is extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and going into this I was quite nervous of what the whole braces experience would have in store but have found it's not nearly as bad as I feared.

Regarding the facial changes, yes it is true. In most cases it is more subtle than extreme. As Dr V explained in my initial consult, Rather than just moving your teeth, orthodontics actually moves your bone and the teeth simply go along for the ride. I've definitely noticed some changes (especially on the inside lol) but others have noticed as well. One of the assistants commented a couple of visits ago that the changes to my profile were very apparent (and for the better!) Good luck and keep us all posted on your progress