Another Newbie

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#1 Post by **jennandtonic** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:45 pm

Hi, I'm new here! I found this site today and now I don't feel so alone in having braces.

Here's my story. I'm 20 years old, I got my braces Thursday after saving up for 6 years for them.

My teeth all grew in a little crooked because my baby teeth were really stubborn, I had a hard time pulling them. In fact, the last 6 baby teeth had to be pulled by the dentist, and by then my adult teeth had started growing in around them. So of course that helped in having really crooked teeth.

I had 4 regular teeth extracted and all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out in late December, and had to wait a few weeks for the swelling to go down to get spacers, then my braces.

I'm still feeling a little self-conscious about my braces and I'm really having a hard time getting used to the feeling of having them on, but I'm excited for how my teeth are going to look after I'm done.

The orthodontist estimates 20-26 months, and hopefully that estimate will hold true!

I'm really glad I found this site!

#2 Post by **belmikry** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:51 pm

welcome to the forums jennandtonic! glad to have you aboard, and congratulations on getting braces!

my teeth grew in crooked because of one stubborn baby canine tooth, so I know how that feels!

What type of braces did you get? any chance of pictures? I'll tell you- taking before shots, plus weekly updates will really make you feel sooo much better baout getting braces! I just took some pictures on day 5 and already noticed some slight movements, which really helped with my self consciousness-

again- welcome and keep us updated!

#3 Post by **jennandtonic** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:56 pm

belmikry wrote:welcome to the forums jennandtonic! glad to have you aboard, and congratulations on getting braces!
my teeth grew in crooked because of one stubborn baby canine tooth, so I know how that feels!

What type of braces did you get? any chance of pictures? I'll tell you- taking before shots, plus weekly updates will really make you feel sooo much better baout getting braces! I just took some pictures on day 5 and already noticed some slight movements, which really helped with my self consciousness-

again- welcome and keep us updated!

I got the metal bracket braces. And I want to post pics, I just have to figure out how to do it at close range with my digital camera...plus I need to scan in my 'before' pics that the ortho took.

Thanks for the welcome, and I may just take you up on your advice about posting pic updates, because it's much harder to feel great when I feel like I'm going to have them for ages!

#4 Post by **belmikry** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:09 pm

I found the best way to take pictures with a digital was to lay on the floor underneath the light, tilt your head back and have the flash on, and start snapping pictures! you'll have to experiment with the angles, but that's what is nice about digitals- the delete button!

I know- the length of time sounds incredibly long and awful- but browsing around and seeing the progress makes me feel better about getting them

I'm still very self conscious about them in public, but really, most people dont notice my shiny metal brackets until they're close enough- and then they keep forgetting about them [which I wish I could do!]

So thursday hmm? on day 3- it's all going to get better from now on!

promise! I started seeing the wires straighten ever so slightly- it makes the whole experience worthwhile!

#5 Post by **jennandtonic** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:45 pm

Thanks for the advice on taking pics, I ended up using the bathroom mirror so I knew what I was aiming at, hahaha.

Wow, you've already seen progress? I don't think I have seen any so far. I can't find my 'before' pics that I took a couple of days ago, but here are my afters:

#6 Post by **belmikry** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:28 pm

looking great! can't really see since they are small, but are those self ligating braces or regular metal ones? I have the Damon #'s which are self ligating [ie: no elastics]

#7 Post by **jennandtonic** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:26 pm

belmikry wrote:looking great! can't really see since they are small, but are those self ligating braces or regular metal ones? I have the Damon #'s which are self ligating [ie: no elastics]

Yes, they are the self-litigating ones. Ha, my orthodontist didn't tell me which kind, she just said that they were ones with no elastics.

I made the pics kinda small because I wasn't sure how big was too big. I'll check the FAQs.

#8 Post by **belmikry** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:36 pm

take a look at mine here:
viewtopic.php?t=8901&highlight=

maybe we have the same ones

I've been sizing them about 200x200 pixels, enough to see everything but not take up the whole page

you can also check out my progress there- believe me seeing slight changes makes you excited!

#9 Post by **jennandtonic** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:59 pm

belmikry wrote:take a look at mine here:
viewtopic.php?t=8901&highlight=

maybe we have the same ones

I've been sizing them about 200x200 pixels, enough to see everything but not take up the whole page

you can also check out my progress there- believe me seeing slight changes makes you excited!

Hmm...after looking I'm not sure if they're the same or not. I'll enlarge my pics and take another look.

Wow, it really does look like you've already made progress. I'm glad! I haven't noticed any progress on me yet, but there's still time.

Plus I have a LOT of problems! First, of course is the gap in between my two front teeth, then over on the left side (your right) are several teeth that grew in crooked from stubborn baby teeth. I think I have a slight overbite as well, though not TOO noticeable. I have crowding on my right top side of the teeth, then the left top teeth are just fine. Then I have crowding on the left bottom, and the right bottom side is just fine. So several problems here!

However, it's nothing that can't be fixed.

Okay, I've enlarged my pics, however the picture is more blurred. For what it's worth, here they are.

I think if I keep practicing with the dang camera I'll get better, hahaha.

Oh, btw, I can completely empathize with what you said in your thread about being self conscious in college. The first day I went to my university in the braces I felt soooo self-conscious!

#10 Post by **jennandtonic** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:12 am

KK wrote:Hi and welcome jennandtonic ... great you've found our fantastic piece of orthodontic paradise!

You are fantastic to have saved for six years for this treatment ... wow ... that deserves a medal! Good on you for your share determination to have this done!

About your photos they're a good size (don't go over 500 pixels if you want to link them directly to this forum ... belmikry's are a great size) and they're aimed at your teeth great, but to get them clearer you need to put the macro on. It's a usually a button with a flower on it and is for taking close up photos. Once you get Macro on you'll be able to zoom in a little further and the photos should be clear. I also use the bathroom mirror as it helps me see where the camera is facing.

Good luck with your photos and good luck with seeing heaps of progress!

See that's the strange thing. I had the macro set. I think it's just the camera, it's a great camera...if you don't want closeups, hahaha.

#11 Post by **jennandtonic** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:17 am

All right, not to double post, but I think I'll just start considering this thread my 'practice thread' for my digital pics, lol!

Most of the pics I took didn't look that great, like I said I think it's not a 'close up' kind of camera, but one out of 15 turned out fabulous:

#12 Post by **belmikry** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:00 pm

great picture! your braces look fantastic!

How's things going with them? hopefully they aren't feeling as sore anymore! by day 4 I was feeling 100% better

#13 Post by **jennandtonic** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:09 pm

belmikry wrote:great picture! your braces look fantastic! How's things going with them? hopefully they aren't feeling as sore anymore! by day 4 I was feeling 100% better

Thanks, I was actually kind of proud of the picture, they showed off the braces really well. Now, if it'll take more like it I'll be happy.

I'm getting a lot more used to the braces. For the first two days I was having a LOT of trouble trying to talk right. I can talk pretty well now, and my cheeks are getting used to it now. I'm also pretty sure I could manage chewing things here and there. You're right, by day 4 it's much better!

Oh, and I forgot to say this in my last posts, thanks for the welcome, KK, it's really appreciated.

Also, I have a question, though maybe I'll address it in the 'Metal Mouth' section.

#14 Post by **jennandtonic** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:21 pm

KK wrote:Excellent photo jennandtonic it sure does show your teeth and brackets off really well!

Your brackets are interesting ... have ligs ... but instead of the more usual four wings they have a different set up. I love seeing all the different systems that orthos use ... it's amazing!

*** did you have the flash on for all your photos? I know when I'm taking close ups and the area is not well lit, my digital won't focus properly ... no idea why ...

Great that your mouth is feeling ok! Long may it continue!

Yes, I was looking around at other pics and thought 'hmm, these braces aren't like anyone else's!' I'll ask my ortho what kind they are when I go back.

Speaking of, I've been quite lucky to have the ortho that I do! She's very honest and upfront, and I had 5, yes FIVE people tell me that she does a fabulous job and they are all happy with the results they got with her.

I didn't have flash on for any of them, but I was in the bathroom, which has A LOT of light. I think with more practice I'll be able to focus a little better. We'll see!

#15 Post by **jennandtonic** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:53 pm

Hi everyone! I haven't been online much because...computer problems have plagued me lately! It's too much of a saga to go over, but I posted an update today in Our Braces Stories if you're interested. Here's the link:

viewtopic.php?t=9477&highlight=

I also wanted to thank all of you again for your kind comments, they are appreciated greatly!