Brace Face from New Zealand - My story with pics

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#1 Post by **Brace Face** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:46 pm

Hello everyone!

After reading everyone's journeys, I was inspired to do the same!

Growing up my mum didn't have enough money for braces, so the dentist (yes, the dentist... not an ortho), gave me a plate/retainer which I wore from the age of around 14 to 18 years old. As most of you will probably know, a retainer simply isn't enough to hold the teeth etc.... therefore, my teeth are fairly crowded. In my early 20's, my teeth never really bothered me too much, but over the past 3 - 4 years, I've pondered the thought of correcting my teeth. On a visit to the dentist in July 06, I asked the receptionist about braces and she recommended an excellent ortho. I finally made the initial appointment to see her last month.

To date, I have had my x-rays, moulds, photos done. On Nov 28th I will see my ortho about my treatment plan..... To date we have already discussed having ceramic braces on my top teeth and metal ones on the bottoms. I also have to mentally prepare myself for (maybe) two extractions later on!!!! Ouch!!! This is cool though.... I have to remind myself over and over again of the end result!

At present, my brace day is 'pencilled in' for the 11th Dec.... I am very excited about this but also quite nervous!!! As an adult with braces (I'm 32 years old), I do wonder what people will say/think, but at the end of the day, it's my life and if I feel the need to improve myself, then this is my choice ah??? I have already told all my family, friends and most of my workmates I'm doing this and everyone is very supportive and happy I'm undertaking this process!!

Here are some photos taken last weekend (18th Nov 06) of my teeth. As you will see, the front four teeth are very crowded and my bottom teeth are also out of alignment.

Thanks for reading my story and I will update often!!

#2 Post by **joney** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:21 pm

Hi Brace Face

Your teeth look really nice. I bet when they're done they'll be gorgeous.

I'm 42 and have had my brace on for 10 days now. I wish I'd done it years ago but like you I was very nervous which I think is quite normal, it is a big decision and a time committment. It has been a lot easier than I expected. I had two extractions which have healed up just fine now. I can even see some movement after ten days which is very exciting.

People at my workplace either aren't bothered about it or are curious and I have had people tell me that they've considered braces too. I was a bit nervous my first morning and showed them to some colleagues but after a minute they moved onto the next subject. It's good that your family are behind you on this, it's great to have their support.

Good luck on the 28th and the 11th. I look forward to seeing your updates.

Regards
Joney

#3 Post by **Sweet L** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:29 pm

Hi Brace Face!!

Great pics! your have good teeth to begin with, so I'm sure that the results are going to be great....

Good luck...

#4 Post by **Brace Face** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:53 pm

Thanks guys for your comments! It's really appreciated!

I'll keep you updated on my progress over the next month or so.

Tracy

#5 Post by **Brace Face** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:27 pm

Right, so I had my treatment plan yesterday and I have a few more issues than initially thought.. I'll update you all with the list tomorrow as I cant remember it all!

So it will be 2 - 2.5years for braces, and then a suck down and retainer for another 1 - 1.5 years after that. Initially I will have only 6 bracket on my bottom front teeth as they're sitting too high and need to be pushed down and ceramic ones on my top front teeth. I also had four spacers put in my back teeth and OMG the pain!!

I'm now sitting here at work, trying to eat some veges and I simply can't bite on my back teeth! I'm taking Panadol every 4 hours, but this isn't helping much at all.... Is the pain of having braces the same or worse than this???

I'll now be getting braced next Tuesday 05th Dec due to a cancellation! I had heart palpatations when told this as I'd mentally prepared for the 13th Dec!

#6 Post by **Brace Face** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:06 pm

Hi Linda21

The orthdontist called the suck down thingee which is very similar to the invisalign contraption.... It probably is that...? So I'd wear that during the day and then the retainer in the evening.

Thanks for your comments!

#7 Post by **Brace Face** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:59 pm

Okay, I now have the "List" from the Orthodontist of my "issues"!!

1. Mild-moderate crowding of the upper & lower teeth, resulting in rotations, tipping and displacement of teeth.

2. Asymmetric alignment of the teeth in the lower jaw.

3. The upper back teeth bite further forward, more so on the left side.

4. An increased overjet, where the upper front teeth bite further forward.

5. A traumatic deep bite, with the lower incisors biting up onto the roof of the mouth. This is likely to get worse with age.

6. Mild recession of the gum around the lower left central incisor.

7. The lower teeth are proclined.

8. Dental decay associated with the lower right second premolar, as suggested by the panoramic xray.

Recommended Treatment:

1. Dental examination/treatment

2. Placement of fixed braces on both the upper and lower teeth. Initially fixed lower braces will only be placed on the first molars (teeth no.6) and the front teeth. Once the bite relationship between the upper and lower teeth has improved, braces will be placed on the remaining lower teeth.

3. As the alignment of the teeth improves, the asymmetry of the teeth in the lower jaw can be reassessed. May require extractions of two upper premolars and possibly two lower premolars.

4. Once all spaces have been closed, overbite and overjet corrected and the teeth are fully aligned, the braces will be removed and retainers placed. A retaining wire will be bonded to the two upper central incisors and at the same time a clear upper suckdown retainer will be worn during the day for 6 mths with an upper removable retainer plate being worn at night for 1.5 - 2 yrs. A retaining wire will also be bonded to the inside of the lower front teeth, to remain indefinitely.

Sounds alot ah!!!

#8 Post by **David** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:42 pm

You've got a lot of work happening there. You have nice shaped teeth, so you'll have an awesome smile when it's all finished.

Hope it all goes well on Tuesday.

#9 Post by **Brace Face** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:01 pm

Just for the record.... I'm starting to totally freak out about tomorrow!!

24 hours to go.....

#10 Post by **kay** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:22 pm

Hi Brace Face!

You have a similar crowding problem to me! I have had my braces for nearly a month now and my overlappin front tooth has moved slightly. Its slightly more bent than yours so you should definately see a lot of changes by your first adjustment!

My first week in braces was weird as my gums just couldn't adjust but if you do the warm salt water rinses like KK has said it should toughen it up! And yes you will need lip balm too as your brace might keep getting caught on your gum when you try and close your mouth!

After the 1st week i didn't even need to use wax! I am not even feeling them in my mouth anymore!

Good luck, you will be fine!

#11 Post by **Brace Face** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:40 pm

Thanks guys for your comments!! I have just indulged in some chocolate and have calmed down now!!!

#12 Post by **cowlypso** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:26 pm

Weight loss!

Anyway, best of luck tomorrow. Hopefully, you'll come back and tell us all how easy it was!

#13 Post by **Brace Face** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:19 pm

Okay, so I'm now braced!

I will get some pictures taken this weekend and put them up here for all to see!

Getting the braces on was actually okay except for the disgusting cement stuff they put on the brackets - it was probably one of the most foulest tastes ever! Overall it took about 1 1/2 hours to complete. So I have 6 metal brackets on the bottom front teeth (which are now COVERED in wax as they're really irritating my inner lower lip) and have 6 ceramic on the top and the rest are metal. The orthodontist didn't want to put ceramic brackets on the teeth which will eventually be extracted (2 at this stage).

The pain is slowly getting better but am still only inhaling soft food - biting is just too painful at the momento! Oh, and the electric toothbrush hurts on a couple of the front teeth.....

Let the fun begin!!!

#14 Post by **Brace Face** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:20 pm

Okay, I've finally got some pictures to upload here of me braced!

These were taken within the first few days of being braced. As you can see, the ortho put yellow stuff on my two back teeth as stoppers so I don't bite down on my lower braces (oh so attractive!)

haha

#15 Post by **overseasmel** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:48 pm

I was going to ask what the yellow stuff was? Ah well, unless someone sticks their head in your mouth I doubt they can see it, so I am sure its better to have it there and have you not hot your braces than not.

Anyway.... congrats on being braced! I'm always extra excited when I see people on this board who have been braced around the same time as me. Feels like we'll (virtually) be going on this journey together.