I thought I would like to share my story so far as I've found out a lot through this website. Also it might just help someone.
I did not get off to a very good start with my dental health even though we have the NHS. My parents did not take me to the dentist until I was 13 and by then I needed 12 fillings & also my lower R5 was extracted because there was not enough room for it to grow through properly. I was left to go to all those appointments on my own and because of this I did not carry on going for checkups.
Fast forward to my early twenties. After several attempts I finally managed to get myself to a dentist but needed to have my Upper L & R6 removed. My wisdom teeth started to come in and on the right moved my molars sideways & tipping into space left by the LR5. My wisdom tooth also moved my UL7.
So I then spent over 30 years looking at my teeth, wishing I could do something about them but assuming it was too late. I didn't even think of discussing it with my dentist. Then came the internet! I first found an article in 2004 and then found this website.
I did a lot of reading and realised all was not lost! I even got as far as looking in the yellow pages but then changed my mind and gave up thinking about my teeth for a while. That is until earlier this year.
I finally referred myself for a consultation with an orthodontist. I was told I had three options:
Do nothing
Slight improvements could be made with invisalign
Have fixed braces for 18 mths-2 years
I was a bit overawed that I'd actually got that far & was a bit lost for words so I was told to go away & think about it & put what I decided in writing. So I did & in September went for another consultation where Xrays were done.
I received my treatment plan which said I had irregularity of the top & bottom teeth, but the teeth are in a good horizontal relationship. The overbite is increased. The top front & bottom front teeth are across to the right. The side teeth do not mesh together as well as they should during chewing. The top side teeth are inside rather than outside on the right hand side. I also have an area of denser bone in the area of the extracted LR5.
The treatment is to :
upright tipped molars
close Upper L space - I have now decided to have an implant in the U R space
Attempt centreline correction
Class 1 canines
Reduce overbite
The treatment is by:
Upper & lower fixed appliances
Mini implant in upper left if required
Interarch elastics as required
Interproximal enamel reduction as required
Bite turbos
NO EXTRACTIONS - which I had thought possible with the lower teeth.
On 3rd November I had impressions taken & three separators put in. 2 on the lower left, one upper left. There was no room on the right hand side for them. I was quite glad about that too!
On 20th November I got my braces & I was quite surprised at myself I thought I would be really nervous that morning but I wasn't - just excited even at 53! I was even crossing the dates off the calendar all thorough October & November.
I took painkillers & used lip balm before hand - as recommended! I have ceramic brackets on the upper front 6 teeth, the rest are metal. I had molar bands on my UL & UR7 & LL6. Now the braces are on I can only rest my front teeth on the lower brackets so no chewing for me. That is the only place where anything meets! I was quite headachy & sore until Sunday but am now OK. I have used a saltwater rinse & found that good.
I thought I would want to try and hide the fact that I have braces but again I have surprised myself. Back to work tomorrow (I haven't been at home because of the braces).
My 1st adjustment is 2 January.
I do have a couple of photos but that's another whole new ball game and I need to find out about posting them.
Helen
My Braces at 53
Moderator: bbsadmin
Helen!!! Congrats on getting braces!!! I know what a hard decision it is to finally move forward and get them! I'm 41 and got my braces on 11/4/08. I had some teeth pulled prior with gum grafts. My progress seems very slow and I don't see any movement yet. Very frustrating.
Anyway.....hope you get to post some pix! I have not yet done my story or pix yet. Soon I hope.
Good luck!
Anyway.....hope you get to post some pix! I have not yet done my story or pix yet. Soon I hope.
Good luck!
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Sue
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Sue
Hooray for us late-starters! I'm 42, and got braced on 11/6/08.
That's a great story, Helen. Good on you for taking action. Won't it be nice to flash people a big smile, or look at photos where you're not the only one with their mouth closed?
Sue: I hear you on the movement thing. I was just lamenting the other day, "it's only been 3 weeks," and my wife countered with "it's *already* been 3 weeks." But, like you, I'm ready to see *some* movement... (my sentence is 26 months).
So far, no movement. I guess being braced will also teach us patience, which is a tougher lesson for some of us
That's a great story, Helen. Good on you for taking action. Won't it be nice to flash people a big smile, or look at photos where you're not the only one with their mouth closed?
Sue: I hear you on the movement thing. I was just lamenting the other day, "it's only been 3 weeks," and my wife countered with "it's *already* been 3 weeks." But, like you, I'm ready to see *some* movement... (my sentence is 26 months).
So far, no movement. I guess being braced will also teach us patience, which is a tougher lesson for some of us
I hope this reply comes out in the right place! Thanks for your support in November. How time has moved on!
Since November, the hardest thing was my upper left molar became very sensitive to hot & cold probably because it also became quite loose, but it settled down after about three weeks. I also kept squashing my bottom lip between the top & bottom brackets & once you start doing something like that it just keeps on happening!!!
I have had two adjustments, the first was fairly uneventful, although I could see changes in my teeth in just six weeks. My lower front teeth especially had become more upright.
My second adjustment was on 13 February. I had two new wires, both flat and thicker than the first ones. I could feel pressure on my upper front teeth which I hadn't felt before. I also have powerchain under the wire on my lower front teeth - those teeth have been a bit achy! Eating is still a challenge, two molars meet on the left hand side and at the moment my front teeth which were resting on the lower brackets are now barely touching them!
My next adjustment is 27 March.
I've had some interesting & encouraging conversations with people too!
Since November, the hardest thing was my upper left molar became very sensitive to hot & cold probably because it also became quite loose, but it settled down after about three weeks. I also kept squashing my bottom lip between the top & bottom brackets & once you start doing something like that it just keeps on happening!!!
I have had two adjustments, the first was fairly uneventful, although I could see changes in my teeth in just six weeks. My lower front teeth especially had become more upright.
My second adjustment was on 13 February. I had two new wires, both flat and thicker than the first ones. I could feel pressure on my upper front teeth which I hadn't felt before. I also have powerchain under the wire on my lower front teeth - those teeth have been a bit achy! Eating is still a challenge, two molars meet on the left hand side and at the moment my front teeth which were resting on the lower brackets are now barely touching them!
My next adjustment is 27 March.
I've had some interesting & encouraging conversations with people too!
-
LongInTheT
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:59 am
- Location: U.K.
- Contact:
congratulations
Congratulations on getting braced and on your progress so far! It sounds like you have a lot of movement, which is really good.. Getting a power chain on seems a good sign of progress, too (at least it was months and months before I got one..).
I say horray for us late starters with TinselTim, tho' at 56 I'm older than both of you. This is a good thing to do for your teeth at any age, I reckon.
Good luck with your treatment!
LITT
I say horray for us late starters with TinselTim, tho' at 56 I'm older than both of you. This is a good thing to do for your teeth at any age, I reckon.
Good luck with your treatment!
LITT
Thanks for your messages - I do appreciate them.
I have just had my third adjustment 27 March.
I kept the same wires and just had the lower power chain replaced - I had a wire chain on the front six upper teeth from day 1. I now also have a chain from my UL7 to UL5 to close the gap even more. My tipped LR6 molar has moved slightly but is making slow progress. I was told that I will be getting stainless steel wires top and bottom at my next adustment - is that good?? My teeth hadn't rotated enough to get them this time.
Next adjustment 7 May - checkup at the dentist 6 May. The cat also has her teeth cleaned that day!!
I have just had my third adjustment 27 March.
I kept the same wires and just had the lower power chain replaced - I had a wire chain on the front six upper teeth from day 1. I now also have a chain from my UL7 to UL5 to close the gap even more. My tipped LR6 molar has moved slightly but is making slow progress. I was told that I will be getting stainless steel wires top and bottom at my next adustment - is that good?? My teeth hadn't rotated enough to get them this time.
Next adjustment 7 May - checkup at the dentist 6 May. The cat also has her teeth cleaned that day!!
On 6 May I had my 6 monthly check up at the dentist, everything was OK, and he commented that my gums were looking the best they'd ever been, which was good news. 
The next day I went for my 4th adjustment - I was given a stainless steel wire on my upper teeth but on the lower, although the wire was changed it was not to stainless steel. The ends of the wires have been scratchy and I've used loads of wax after hardly using any up to now, but it does work OK. My upper front teeth have been quite painful but OK now. We reviewed my tilted molars, my UL7 is now upright and has moved into the extraction space next to it. The LR6 which has to move through an area of denser bone is now half upright - I can see more of the tooth than I've seen in years! After two more weeks I can feel it touching my upper teeth sometimes. I can also see that it needs to be rotated a bit to fall in line.
I was told I will be getting a bracket on my LR7 at my next adjustment - so it can join the party too!! At the adjustment after that - my 6th (at the end of July) all being well I will be getting an elastic to correct my upper midline - a gap has already been created to move my teeth round. I do feel a bit nervous about that but I'd rather know in advance.
One thing I have noticed & forgot to mention at my last adjustment - why do I always forget to ask !! ?? I always used to keep my tongue pushed against the back of my upper front teeth & still do to some extent but because my teeth have changed I can't do that in the same way, now I find from time to time I'm walking around with the tip of my tongue sticking out!
It's been like that for the last couple of months.
I told the orthodontist what my dentist had said about my gums - he said that by the time we'd finished they'd be even better. I liked the fact that he said 'we'.
Finally the cat was also given a clean bill of health - no teeth taken out just a cleaning.
5th Adjustment 17 June
The next day I went for my 4th adjustment - I was given a stainless steel wire on my upper teeth but on the lower, although the wire was changed it was not to stainless steel. The ends of the wires have been scratchy and I've used loads of wax after hardly using any up to now, but it does work OK. My upper front teeth have been quite painful but OK now. We reviewed my tilted molars, my UL7 is now upright and has moved into the extraction space next to it. The LR6 which has to move through an area of denser bone is now half upright - I can see more of the tooth than I've seen in years! After two more weeks I can feel it touching my upper teeth sometimes. I can also see that it needs to be rotated a bit to fall in line.
I was told I will be getting a bracket on my LR7 at my next adjustment - so it can join the party too!! At the adjustment after that - my 6th (at the end of July) all being well I will be getting an elastic to correct my upper midline - a gap has already been created to move my teeth round. I do feel a bit nervous about that but I'd rather know in advance.
One thing I have noticed & forgot to mention at my last adjustment - why do I always forget to ask !! ?? I always used to keep my tongue pushed against the back of my upper front teeth & still do to some extent but because my teeth have changed I can't do that in the same way, now I find from time to time I'm walking around with the tip of my tongue sticking out!
It's been like that for the last couple of months. I told the orthodontist what my dentist had said about my gums - he said that by the time we'd finished they'd be even better. I liked the fact that he said 'we'.
Finally the cat was also given a clean bill of health - no teeth taken out just a cleaning.
5th Adjustment 17 June
I haven't posted for a while, all the treatment planned for my 5th & 6th adjutments took place as it was supposed to. At my 5th adjustment the lower powerchain was extended to cover 9 teeth as well as having the bracket placed. I found this was a painful adjustment.
At my 6th adjustment the powerchain was extended to all my lower teeth. I was also given a stainless steel wire on my lower teeth. A hook was placed by the bracket on my UL3 so I have an elastic running from there to my lower left molar band. It's been OK except when I didn't realise there were two elastics stuck together & everything became more painful!! I don't know why I worried but I am a bit more self conscious about it than I have been about the braces.
I was told that most of the major tooth movement is coming to an end though my previously tilted lower molar still looks as though it needs to be rotated to come into line. At my next appointment the upper wire will be extended to my upper right molar so that the extraction space alongside (years old) can be made the right size & shape for an implant or denture.
Then at my appointment in October the orthodontist will start work on levelling my teeth.
Next adjustment 10 September
At my 6th adjustment the powerchain was extended to all my lower teeth. I was also given a stainless steel wire on my lower teeth. A hook was placed by the bracket on my UL3 so I have an elastic running from there to my lower left molar band. It's been OK except when I didn't realise there were two elastics stuck together & everything became more painful!! I don't know why I worried but I am a bit more self conscious about it than I have been about the braces.
I was told that most of the major tooth movement is coming to an end though my previously tilted lower molar still looks as though it needs to be rotated to come into line. At my next appointment the upper wire will be extended to my upper right molar so that the extraction space alongside (years old) can be made the right size & shape for an implant or denture.
Then at my appointment in October the orthodontist will start work on levelling my teeth.
Next adjustment 10 September
I had my 7th adjustment on 10 September. The upper archwire was not changed so my UR7 molar wasn't included on it as I had been told previously. I was a bit disappointed as I'd psyched myself up for that but pleased because it meant the adjustment was less painful & I'm on holiday!
The powerchain running all the way round my lower teeth was replaced & the four links on my upper left teeth UL7,UL5,UL4 & UL3.
The good news is that I now only have to wear the elastic a night for my upper midline and my lower right molar had moved 2mm in the past 6 weeks. So all in all not too bad.
I will have had the braces for 10 months on 20 September!
8th adjustment 23 October
The powerchain running all the way round my lower teeth was replaced & the four links on my upper left teeth UL7,UL5,UL4 & UL3.
The good news is that I now only have to wear the elastic a night for my upper midline and my lower right molar had moved 2mm in the past 6 weeks. So all in all not too bad.
I will have had the braces for 10 months on 20 September!
8th adjustment 23 October
20 September - 10 months today!
I am wearing my elastic to correct my upper midline at night as instructed but am finding that more painful than when I had to wear it all the time. I can feel it pulling on my teeth most of the time it is in. I do think the elastics vary within a packet as some seem quite 'tight' compared with others.
My lower right teeth have also been achy for a couple of days - thanks to the powerchain!
As I have now had my braces for 10 months I thought I'd put together some thoughts on how things have been so far.
Ceramic brackets - I'm not sure whether I would worry about having these given the choice again. The edges of the brackets can be irritating at times. I find the lower metal brackets are more comfortable, partly because the 'O'rings are tied on in a figure of 8, this holds the wire closer to the brackets but also provides more of a cushion.
There is also the issue of staining the 'O'rings - usually they stay reasonably clean for 4 of the 6 weeks between adjustments but this time due to a wrong choice of food they were stained within 3 days of my last adjustment! I have to avoid curry which I love - until the weekend before my adjustment.
Wax - I gave up trying to use this at first because it just wouldn't stay in place. When I had a scratchy wire I had to use it & once I'd got the knack found it really was useful!
Aches and pains - usually for a couple of days after an adjustment but otherwise any tooth at any time! Some wobblyness when teeth were moving more - this was a bit disconcerting but OK. I have also had, & sometimes still do have, some sensitivity in one molar but it does have quite a large filling.
Would I do it again? - I wish I had done this years ago. I have more adjustments to come but I have recently found I can already chew properly on my left side without biting my cheek (something which I've done for years). My gums have improved, especially behind my lower front teeth.
I've given up trying to take pictures of my teeth because I have to do them myself & in a mirror so they are usually out of focus & too bright.
On the whole this has been a positive experience - and so it should be as I have to pay for it for another 6 months!!
I am wearing my elastic to correct my upper midline at night as instructed but am finding that more painful than when I had to wear it all the time. I can feel it pulling on my teeth most of the time it is in. I do think the elastics vary within a packet as some seem quite 'tight' compared with others.
My lower right teeth have also been achy for a couple of days - thanks to the powerchain!
As I have now had my braces for 10 months I thought I'd put together some thoughts on how things have been so far.
Ceramic brackets - I'm not sure whether I would worry about having these given the choice again. The edges of the brackets can be irritating at times. I find the lower metal brackets are more comfortable, partly because the 'O'rings are tied on in a figure of 8, this holds the wire closer to the brackets but also provides more of a cushion.
There is also the issue of staining the 'O'rings - usually they stay reasonably clean for 4 of the 6 weeks between adjustments but this time due to a wrong choice of food they were stained within 3 days of my last adjustment! I have to avoid curry which I love - until the weekend before my adjustment.
Wax - I gave up trying to use this at first because it just wouldn't stay in place. When I had a scratchy wire I had to use it & once I'd got the knack found it really was useful!
Aches and pains - usually for a couple of days after an adjustment but otherwise any tooth at any time! Some wobblyness when teeth were moving more - this was a bit disconcerting but OK. I have also had, & sometimes still do have, some sensitivity in one molar but it does have quite a large filling.
Would I do it again? - I wish I had done this years ago. I have more adjustments to come but I have recently found I can already chew properly on my left side without biting my cheek (something which I've done for years). My gums have improved, especially behind my lower front teeth.
I've given up trying to take pictures of my teeth because I have to do them myself & in a mirror so they are usually out of focus & too bright.
On the whole this has been a positive experience - and so it should be as I have to pay for it for another 6 months!!
8th Adjustment 23 October - PAINFUL!!
I was given a new wire on my upper teeth to include my UR7 molar at last. At the moment it feels OK and the bare wire by the missing UR6 isn't bothering me - I was worried about that length of wire. My midline is looking good so no elastics!
In addition to the new wire I was given a powerchain on my upper teeth, this runs from my UL7 to my UR5 and all I can say is OUCH! But it's good as a gap by my UL7 already seems smaller. I also have a small gap by my UR2 & UR3 which still needs to finish closing. My upper front 6 teeth are still wired together under the archwire. The worst pain is in my front teeth because they haven't really changed much throughout the whole of my treatment, most of the activity has been concentrated on my tipped molars and lower front teeth.
My upper teeth do feel strange, difficult to descibe, solid with no 'give' in them.
I had my lower powerchain replaced. My LR6 molar which was tipped at 45 degrees is now only tipped at 10 degrees so it is moving well. This tooth has to move through an area of denser bone so it will take longer.
All in all I'm really pleased with the changes I can see so far. The only thing I don't like is seeing the edges of my lower front teeth where my teeth were worn unevenly and are now upright. Hopefully they can be improved at some point.
Next adjustment 4 December
I was given a new wire on my upper teeth to include my UR7 molar at last. At the moment it feels OK and the bare wire by the missing UR6 isn't bothering me - I was worried about that length of wire. My midline is looking good so no elastics!
In addition to the new wire I was given a powerchain on my upper teeth, this runs from my UL7 to my UR5 and all I can say is OUCH! But it's good as a gap by my UL7 already seems smaller. I also have a small gap by my UR2 & UR3 which still needs to finish closing. My upper front 6 teeth are still wired together under the archwire. The worst pain is in my front teeth because they haven't really changed much throughout the whole of my treatment, most of the activity has been concentrated on my tipped molars and lower front teeth.
My upper teeth do feel strange, difficult to descibe, solid with no 'give' in them.
I had my lower powerchain replaced. My LR6 molar which was tipped at 45 degrees is now only tipped at 10 degrees so it is moving well. This tooth has to move through an area of denser bone so it will take longer.
All in all I'm really pleased with the changes I can see so far. The only thing I don't like is seeing the edges of my lower front teeth where my teeth were worn unevenly and are now upright. Hopefully they can be improved at some point.
Next adjustment 4 December
9th Adjustment 4 December
My trip to the orthodontist was not good yesterday! ELASTICS!!
During the last week the wire had been poking on the upper left hand side which was good news because the gap between my UL7 & UL5 had closed. I had also found that none of my teeth were touching because my molars on the right hand side were hitting each other first - again good news because it meant my UR7 must have moved a bit since being put on the archwire.
My 15 minute appt turned into 35 minutes. I had my powerchains changed but I also came away with hooks put on the top & bottom wires & elastics which I have to put on in a zig-zag configuration on either side starting at my upper back molars. I have to use those 24/7 except when I eat - which is just as well as I can barely open my mouth, though talking is OK!
I also have a hook in the middle top & bottom & have to run an elastic straight up & down. This is just to use evenings & at nightime - then I can't open my mouth at all! The orthodontist said to keep a pair of nail scissors handy in case I felt I needed to take the elastics off quickly - a bit scary to say the least but a good idea! All this is to correct my bite & bring my teeth closer together.
It took me 15 minutes to get the 2 side elastics on last night - I took them off this morning. After breakfast I decided to put the middle elastic on first because that pulls my teeth together & did make things a bit easier. I am left handed and found I got the elastic on that side more easily - I definately struggle with the right hand side. After I'd got the sides sorted I took the middle elastic off - job done!! I have had the middle elastic in this afternoon as well as last night.
While I was out today I invested in a packet of straws & have found them very useful already.
I've had a bit of a headache and a few aches in my neck and a slight pulling sensation but all in all not too bad but it is does feel better to keep the elastics in all the time than to keep taking them out. I found that before with the elastic I wore to correct my upper midline. I know that my bite has changed already overnight.
I was told that if I didn't wear the elastics as prescribed my teeth would still come together but not as well as they could. As I have teeth missing this is important.
Next adjustment 15 January
My trip to the orthodontist was not good yesterday! ELASTICS!!
During the last week the wire had been poking on the upper left hand side which was good news because the gap between my UL7 & UL5 had closed. I had also found that none of my teeth were touching because my molars on the right hand side were hitting each other first - again good news because it meant my UR7 must have moved a bit since being put on the archwire.
My 15 minute appt turned into 35 minutes. I had my powerchains changed but I also came away with hooks put on the top & bottom wires & elastics which I have to put on in a zig-zag configuration on either side starting at my upper back molars. I have to use those 24/7 except when I eat - which is just as well as I can barely open my mouth, though talking is OK!
I also have a hook in the middle top & bottom & have to run an elastic straight up & down. This is just to use evenings & at nightime - then I can't open my mouth at all! The orthodontist said to keep a pair of nail scissors handy in case I felt I needed to take the elastics off quickly - a bit scary to say the least but a good idea! All this is to correct my bite & bring my teeth closer together.
It took me 15 minutes to get the 2 side elastics on last night - I took them off this morning. After breakfast I decided to put the middle elastic on first because that pulls my teeth together & did make things a bit easier. I am left handed and found I got the elastic on that side more easily - I definately struggle with the right hand side. After I'd got the sides sorted I took the middle elastic off - job done!! I have had the middle elastic in this afternoon as well as last night.
While I was out today I invested in a packet of straws & have found them very useful already.
I've had a bit of a headache and a few aches in my neck and a slight pulling sensation but all in all not too bad but it is does feel better to keep the elastics in all the time than to keep taking them out. I found that before with the elastic I wore to correct my upper midline. I know that my bite has changed already overnight.
I was told that if I didn't wear the elastics as prescribed my teeth would still come together but not as well as they could. As I have teeth missing this is important.
Next adjustment 15 January
I feel your pain hj55, as I too got elastics this past week. Which are you enjoying more? Jaw pain or neck pain or the headaches? Oh yes, the amount of time fiddling trying to get the tiny bits of latex over the correct hooks..that's a chunk of time out of the day. Here's hoping that the elastics do their job in a timely manner for both of us!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B