My story begins back when I was 10... it was very apparent that I need orthodontics as my 2 front teeth are set back from the rest of my top teeth and my mouth is very crowded. I got molds and pictures done and then... my family moved. My parents never persued ortho for me after that. I confess it's something that has upset me all these years but this braces thing is such an exercise in maturity! Here I am, 32, and have just begun the process of getting "braced". I had an initial consult yesterday and got very vague information... basically that I need molds, x-rays and something that determines my bite and how it needs to be fixed. Technical name, I can't remember. All this sounds like it will run to nearly $1000. My appointment is for November 2nd. I'm anxious and excited and so glad that I am getting up the guts to do this on my own (well, with the help of my wonderful husband).
My dentist only uses Speed brand braces- anyone familiar? They are self-ligating but all the info I read on them says they "may" speed up the time a patient is in them. Not very encouraging as I was hoping to cut the time down significantly. The dentist said about 2 years- again, very vague. She won't know for sure until I get the $1000 records done. She also only offers the braces in metal as they work faster.
I LOVE this dentist. And for me, that is saying a lot. Who loves their dentist? She loves my teeth. She makes me feel so comfortable. But I'm wondering if I should get different opinions/more info before I commit to spending all this money to have her do the braces. When talking to the finance guy, he was talking upwards of $7000. I was hoping for $5000.
And then there's the possibility of an expansion piece... Finance guy said it would speed up the process, but of course, more money...
I've read almost all your stories on here and I just love them! So encouraging to know that many have gone before me and I am not alone in my adult braces journey. I often wondered- am I the only one with seriously messed up teeth? Am I the only one with parents who didn't take care of this problem for me?
I'm fairly confident, but I NEVER smile with my mouth open. I always hide my laugh. I hate how I look talking so never show me a video of myself. I have thought about getting braces here and there in the past, but never felt the urge. My husband loves me, no one ever points out anything about my teeth, I just figured this is who I am. And that's okay... but then I thought of something one day that changed it for me...
My kids are going to get married someday and I don't want to be hiding behind my crooked smile in the photographs like I was at my own wedding. This may seem silly, but I finally occcured to me that I DON'T need to keep living this way. I can have a gorgeous smile... albeit, thousands of dollars later.
I'll post pics and more details once I have them. Again, thanks for sharing all your stories! I read many of them before I signed up on here, so I didn't leave comments, but they are much appreciated!
Mama2Cute- 32 and Getting "Braced" for Metal!
Moderator: bbsadmin
I would suggest visiting a few orthos for different opinions and of course the price 
I hope you find the right ortho that you are comfortable with and of course who would do a wonderful job.
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equaeternal
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:50 am
Questions! Help!
Okay, any help, encouragement, support would be appreciated!
I got molds and pictures done yesterday. The next thing my dentist want to do are a series of xrays- perhaps the cepholmetric ones? They call it something that sounds like "Catty-Ax". Anyway, this is to the tune of $850. It will help her determine if she wants me to use expansion appliances among other things.
No one else around here does this particular series of xrays, she said. So my ortho bill will continue to rise and I'm not sure this the route I want to go. I want to avoid a palatte expander (even though she used acrylic ones you can remove). I don't understand the complete necessity of these xrays. I don't want to be in braces forever. I'm just stressed. Can you hear it? LOL.
Some questions-
Is a palatte expander negotiable? Many of you have had them, others not.
How much of any of this is negotiable? I want this done right, but I'm paying this bill 100% so I want what I need, not the frills.
Does having a palatte expander take time off your braces? Have any of you worn both at the same time?
Thanks for any help!
I got molds and pictures done yesterday. The next thing my dentist want to do are a series of xrays- perhaps the cepholmetric ones? They call it something that sounds like "Catty-Ax". Anyway, this is to the tune of $850. It will help her determine if she wants me to use expansion appliances among other things.
No one else around here does this particular series of xrays, she said. So my ortho bill will continue to rise and I'm not sure this the route I want to go. I want to avoid a palatte expander (even though she used acrylic ones you can remove). I don't understand the complete necessity of these xrays. I don't want to be in braces forever. I'm just stressed. Can you hear it? LOL.
Some questions-
Is a palatte expander negotiable? Many of you have had them, others not.
How much of any of this is negotiable? I want this done right, but I'm paying this bill 100% so I want what I need, not the frills.
Does having a palatte expander take time off your braces? Have any of you worn both at the same time?
Thanks for any help!