I am 27, I had braces as a child for 4 years, my parents took me to a dentist and not an orthodontist since it was half price, but I’ve learned that you get what you pay for. I still had an impacted tooth and an overbite (because I refused to wear my elastics or headgear).
My current dentist had been suggesting braces to me for awhile and I dismissed that idea, but finally after deciding the alternative could be worse I went for the consultation. After the issue shock of the price and length of time I would have to wear them I decided to go for it. I was surprised that I would have to have full braces for 1 to 1 ½ years since I had already done 4 years, my teeth still looked straight to me but I never really wore my retainer.
I got the braces on four months ago, ceramic on top and metal on bottom. I had to have 6 spacers put in and they were hard to go in and had to be worn for two weeks, I think that is one of the worst parts actually. The day the braces were put on I did not take any painkiller before hand and wish I would have. About an hour after they were on I was feeling the pain, I took the afternoon off of work and took a nice long nap which seemed to do the trick!
The impacted tooth came up in no time I noticed it being up with the rest within the first two months. Today I just got my third set of wires (rectangular) on and to my surprise I had to get power chains on top and bottom and am wearing elastics for 22 hours a day. I am surprised at the process I think everything is going well and things are moving faster than I originally thought they would.
I am supposed to have forsus springs but they said if I wear the elastics like they suggest it may be possible to fix my bite without the springs. I am going to wear them for sure this time around and hope to not have those springs in there taking up more space. I can definitely feel the pressure but I am determined to do what it takes and get these off as soon as possible.
I take so much better care of my teeth now, brushing, rinsing and flossing is pretty easy if you get the floss for braces with the reinforced end. I have no problem’s flossing the front and side teeth but the back ones can still be a little difficult.
It is definitely not always pain free or comfortable but once the pain subsides after new wires, etc I have found that is pretty easy to eat the foods you like. I have put together a little braces kit to keep in my purse containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth rinse, mirror, Floss, wax (which I haven’t really used) and elastics all together so I always have what I need.
I now look forward to just being able to wear a retainer, I am so looking forward to that day and am glad I have decided to do it now at 27 instead of waiting till later or till I possibly had more problems. I will still probably be wearing them at my ten year reunion but I don’t think that is a big deal, most people notice I got them and some people tease but I smile as much as I always did before and wear them with pride, there is nothing wrong with taking the steps to take care of yourself and your teeth!
Haley J's Story - Second time in Braces
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hi,
Nice to hear your story. I can definitely empathize with what you're going through. I first had braces put on when I was your age(27). I wore metal brackets and elastics for 2-1/2 years. The treatment corrected some of my alignment problems, but I also had issues with having a "closed bite". This had caused some damage to my 4 lower front teeth. When the orthodontist removed my braces, I felt like this problem wasn't entirely resolved, but was too sheepish to say anything to him. I went home w/ my retainers, which I wore for several years 'till they were accidentally thrown away!
Now at 52, not only have my teeth shifted, but this closed bite issue has come back to haunt me. At a teeth cleaning appointment a couple of weeks ago, the hygienist and dentist both commented on the damage to my front teeth caused by the fact that they slam into each other when I bite down. Since that day, I kept thinking about it until finally calling to schedule an appointment (next friday) w/ an orthodontist. I'm confident that the problem can be fixed - once and for all, & I'm preparing mentally for what he has to say, 'cause I'm quite sure that he's going to recommend putting braces on me again. I am both nervous and excited. I never thought I'd go this route a second time around, but It's great to know that I'm not the only one. 
Good Luck & thanks for sharing your story.
Nice to hear your story. I can definitely empathize with what you're going through. I first had braces put on when I was your age(27). I wore metal brackets and elastics for 2-1/2 years. The treatment corrected some of my alignment problems, but I also had issues with having a "closed bite". This had caused some damage to my 4 lower front teeth. When the orthodontist removed my braces, I felt like this problem wasn't entirely resolved, but was too sheepish to say anything to him. I went home w/ my retainers, which I wore for several years 'till they were accidentally thrown away!
Now at 52, not only have my teeth shifted, but this closed bite issue has come back to haunt me. At a teeth cleaning appointment a couple of weeks ago, the hygienist and dentist both commented on the damage to my front teeth caused by the fact that they slam into each other when I bite down. Since that day, I kept thinking about it until finally calling to schedule an appointment (next friday) w/ an orthodontist. I'm confident that the problem can be fixed - once and for all, & I'm preparing mentally for what he has to say, 'cause I'm quite sure that he's going to recommend putting braces on me again. I am both nervous and excited. I never thought I'd go this route a second time around, but It's great to know that I'm not the only one. Good Luck & thanks for sharing your story.Not so bad
So just for an update here - after getting the elastics and power chains my teeth were VERY sore for the first 36 hours or so, but now it's my fourth day with elastics and I am confident that I can wear them the recommended 22 hours aday. My teeth are still a little sore when eating but it is getting better and better!! 