Getting braces finally at 23!

[giraffington]

Hi everyone! I've been lurking through the message boards for the past few days and I've finally decided to register because... I am getting braced tomorrow morning! I'm excited and nervous as I have wanted these for a long time, and now it's finally happening. So here is my story!

When I was young, just when my two front adult teeth were mostly in, they were broken in half when I slipped and fell in a driveway. The dentist did what he could, but it is obvious where fake tooth meets real, and I have chips and yellowing now many years later. Then, when my wisdom teeth started coming in, they started pushing my teeth around. I had all four of the wisdom teeth removed and the damage done to my lower teeth mended itself but my upper teeth are still crooked. I still smiled normally in pictures but then one time a friend took a photo of me where my lips came down over my teeth and it looked like I only had one tooth right in the middle of my face! Everyone thought the photo was hilarious and I laughed along but I was mortified inside, so I stopped smiling with my teeth. I've cried about them on more than one occasion but just never had the money to do something about it until now!

According to my ortho I have an overbite and crowding on top. My case is pretty simple and I should be done within a year. She suggested that after the braces come off I can get my front teeth redone, which I'm so excited about! I hadn't considered that I could have them completely redone before.

So that's it. Tomorrow I am only getting the top braces on, which I will have on for a couple of months before the bottom ones go on. I'm getting all metal, and I'm going to ask for purple ligatures because I may as well make them fun while I have them! I have been joking with a co-worker that I will look like I am 14 and have a lot of trouble buying alcohol because I am already often mistaken for being 17-18 years old! I'm not really too worried about what people will think though. I'm mostly nervous about the pain and especially if my teeth feel loose.

Well, thanks for reading!

[Railroads]

Hello im 24 and i've had braces for 1.5years, so im kinda in your boat. I have never had anyone but close friends ask questions about them. Stupidly enough I tried to "hide" the fact that I had braces by not smiling much in the start, but now talk and smile flashing the braces like they are not even there and I have never had any negative feedback about them. About the pain, it's only bad for short amounts of time and you know it's worth it. The teeth wont feel loose at all, atleast mine didn't.

[giraffington]

Hi Railroads,

Thanks for replying! I'm glad that you didn't feel any looseness in your teeth. I'm hoping the same will happen for me

I just got my braces on a couple of hours ago and so far I'm starting to get a dull ache but nothing too bad yet. I was going to chicken out on the purple ligatures at the last minute but then I went ahead and got them anyway. They are dark purple. Since they are so obvious everybody at work has noticed but all of the comments have been positive and I'm not feeling self conscious about them! I kind of think they're cute, actually... for now while they are still new I'm guessing.

My biggest issue so far is that I'm so hungry! I was nervous beforehand so I didn't eat much, and now that they're on I'm starving, but I want to wait until I get home to practice cleaning and see how the food is going to get caught. My ortho gave me a bag of goodies like wax, toothbrush, superfloss, etc. I also got a Waterpik! I've never used one so that will be fun to try out.

[oldguy]

You are at a good age to start the journey..........I'm 3 times as old, and old teeth don't
like to move. Your waterpik is the best piece of equipment I own..I have 2, a base unit
and a portable. I have SL brackets so no color for me, I have had them for 8 months, and there is discomfort......especially eating.....the more you chew the better and faster the discomfort goes away. You will be surprised in the next few months at the changes. Take pictures so you can see your progress.


Oldguy

[jean001]

I'm 45 and I wish I had gotten them a few years ago.

[Confused123]

I am 23 and have had my braces for about 16 months. I was very nervous and finally built up enough confidence to go see an ortho and a couple months after that I got my braces on! I am getting ready to have the removed in a couple of weeks.

Your smile will be beautiful when you are done!

[giraffington]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I have been taking plenty of pictures (trust me, I now have a new obsession...) and I am finally getting used to the insane cleaning routine.

I could not really eat for the first week and it was making me depressed because I am a major foodie. There is only so much soup and yogurt I can handle! I ate french fries a week after getting braced and I was so excited to be able to eat somewhat solid food again... but then... I GOT THE FLU and the nausea to go with it. I spent the weekend eating and drinking absolutely nothing, and spent a day in the hospital on IV for dehydration. So it worked out that I barely ate for almost two weeks after getting braced. I definitely lost some weight and I'm a fairly small person so I didn't really have the weight to lose. Luckily I'm now back on track and eating pretty much whatever I want. Every opportunity I have to eat is like the greatest thing in the world!

I'm also seeing movement! Not what I was expecting so quickly SPAM SPAM SPAMMING. My top middle incisors were the most crooked initially. They have moved a tiny bit, but my rightmost incisor has really turned outward. It is now the most crooked tooth. That shift is making my entire smile look crooked but I know it's going to improve with time.

[Kurisu]

I was looking to get braces when I was 23... Wish I had done it sooner, so be glad you'll be done before your quarter century.

I swear - your struggles are similar to mine - I am 25 with metal brackets and I look like I'm still in high school! Now it's even worse, haha. Well, be glad that once you're done, you'll still look youthful and have a beautiful set of teeth! I'm also considered "thin" and lost weight, but it has definitely been attributed to a healthier diet.

Our teeth may get worse, but it will eventually get better. Always talk to your ortho about any concerns you have - you're paying $$$$$ for this, so make the most of it! I am thinking of purple or sky blue next. How's the purple?

[JeniK]

When I get my braces next month...I will have clear on top and metal on the bottom. Do you choose color of ligatures with the clear braces also ?

[Kurisu]

When I get my braces next month...I will have clear on top and metal on the bottom. Do you choose color of ligatures with the clear braces also ?

It depends on whether your braces require ligatures or are self-ligating. If they require ligatures, then you can always choose. Most people choose clear/white/smoke colored if they are looking to minimize appearance. But you can choose any of the offered colors!

[giraffington]

Hi Kurisu! I actually got asked what grade I was in a couple of weekends ago. So not only did that person think I was in high school, he wasn't even sure I was in twelfth grade!! When I stumbled a bit on my reply, he asked if I was in university. Then I had to tell him I'd been finished with that for a little while too As far as eating is concerned... I am finally starting to eat healthier again. I usually try to eat well but while I was sore I just wanted to eat anything that wouldn't bother my teeth. French fries, pudding, jello, tomato soup, cookies, etc. with plenty of brushing in between.

The purple is really pretty. I think it was "metallic purple" - so very dark and it looks almost sparkly if you look up close. My first adjustment is today and I'm trying to decide what I will get this time.

Jenik - as Kurisu said it depends on whether they are self-litigating or not. I have seen pictures on this forum where people with clear brackets had colored ligatures and I always thought they looked really pretty that way.

[JeniK]

giraffington and Kurisu, Thank you for your answers. I am really embarrassed on this one. I am not sure what type of braces! I was so excited when the decision was made about going ahead with this. Then the subject of the medication I was on...and had to get clearance before we could proceed with this....I totally forgot to ask! I think I will call the office today and ask ..that way I will know what will be going in my mouth. Only question I was asked that day...was if I wanted metal or clear. When I asked how much the clear would be...the Dr said ...."there will be no charge for you for clear". I have no idea if I got a bargain on that...or that is the normal at his office. But suggested the metal on the bottom to keep from the possibility of chipping my top front teeth on the brackets. So right now....I know metal on bottom and clear on top...and it is less then a month away!