Over 50's club ?

[Realizingadream]

My last appointment, a couple of weeks ago, they had posted a note in my file to talk me up better. I think most of his patients are young 'uns, and don't care to hear it. But I want to hear it so this time, he told me all sorts of fancy things, and now I have forgotten it all!

He has finally decided that the teeth are definitely moving. SO ONWARD TO BRACES. I am excited. And scared.

Today was extraction day. I can't BELIEVE how GOOD the extraction dentist was! He says, "you'll feel a little pinch" for the first needle of anesthetic. I waited to feel INCREDIBLE PAIN as it usually is, that "little pinch." HEY. I FELT NOTHING. Wow best shot in the gum I have ever had!

The tooth is out. I am having milkshakes for lunch and dinner. I am drooling all over the place.

In a couple of weeks I will get a spacer, for a week; and then BRACES ON.

What have I done?

Real

[Clearmetal]

Hi, I'm new to the board. I too am "north" of 50. I'm starting my journey next week. Excited and a little nervous. I have to say after reading some of your stories I do feel better about my decision. Its nice to know I won't be alone in this, is a big help. Thank you to all that have and continue to share their stories. Its going to be a long 20 months!

[redwine]

New to the board, 55, and female. FINALLY life has settled down enough to do something for me! I've been to the ortho who plans to put enough hardware in my mouth to set off every metal detector in a 10 yard radius. Tomorrow I see the surgeon for the second time to discuss SARPE (for now) and lower jaw surgery (about a year or so later with any luck). I went to an orthodontist in my early twenties who wanted to put me in braces - after I had surgery to remove all my teeth and reposition them. That sounded so painful and barbaric that I haven't been back to an ortho all this time. Until four years ago, that is when my current dentist convinced me to see the ortho in the same office. He's the one who said there was something considerably less barbaric and far more efficient to fix everything. So, I make the appt. with the surgeon and the day before the appt. my husband has a serious stroke. Naturally, everything else went on the back burner. But now I'm gonna try again and I am so excited! Not just to be able to breath through my nose and chew without pain, but to find this thread on this forum. I'm so glad to see I am not the only person over 50 to try this. Does anyone know if there are AARP discounts for this stuff? (Just kidding - sort of). Would love to hear about others experiences and will keep coming to the board.

[RMB1013]

I am a married male over 50. 52 to be exact. I had to live with imperfect teeth my whole life. My parents didn't have the money back then.
Anyway, after years of my regular dentist advising me to see an Orthodonist, I finally did. The cost was in my budget so I decided to go forward.
But first I had to see an Oral Surgeon and Gum Specialist. The former to remove two upper molars so there would be somewhere for the teeth to move.
I already had missing bottoms so no extractions there. Then I had to have 3 separate gum grafts that were needed to cover up some exposed roots.
At this point, the cost was getting higher than I expected. But, I still proceeded after hearing not only would it be better cosmetically, but also would be
better for the health of my teeth and gums to get the braces. So I had the two teeth extracted, and a week later had the 3 gum grafts. Big mistake there.
Not on having the procedures done but by having them back to back. Luckily, they gave me a script for vicodin which couldn't kick in fast enough for my liking.
But when it finally did, I didn't feel a thing. Then two weeks later back to the Orthodonist who put on spaces. I had no idea what they do. That felt like I had food caught between my teeth. A week later and they replaced them with bands. Now I had to deal with prongs sticking in my cheeks. They gave me wax, but I
found that to a pain so I just got used to them and after a day no more cutting the cheeks.
Finally on June 19, I got the ceramic braces on but just the uppers for now. Right now, the Dr. is just trying to correct my bite (there is also overcrowding to be dealt with). The braces are another story. No pain there just a weird feeling in my mouth. At times I feel the pressure being exerted on my teeth. Especially the first night. I go back for a checkup in 6 weeks.

[Clearmetal]

And so my journey begins! I had my uppers put on 6/19. If I'm being honest, I was kinda freaking out the morning of. I had a BIG concern with them taking the impressions. I have a bad gag reflex and after watching some videos (I know bad idea) and seeing what was going to happen I just wasn't too sure. But my ortho and his team were just AWESOME! I had no problems with the impressions and no problems when they put my braces on. Not wanting to jinx it but no pain so far. I'm sure that will change at some point. Probably when I have the two teeth pulled in about 3 wks. Until then it's one day at a time. Thanks for all of the support this board has given me.

[redwine]

Whoo Hoo - getting spacers this afternoon. Plan is the same, braces (not sure if upper & lower or just upper for now), SARPE around the holidays, more braces, then BSSO around holidays 2013. I am sooo happy to get started! Besides, aren't "grilles" fashionable now? Where does one find those cool timelines?

[Realizingadream]

Hey red:
Glad to see you are getting started. I've had the bottoms braced for 6 months and the top for 1 month. I am seeing progress already. Good for you !

[redwine]

I'm seeing a difference just since I got spacers in! My front teeth are starting to look like the back of an adirondack chair - not pretty. Sure hope they move this fast once I get the actual braces on Aug 2nd.

[2XRound]

Count me a new member; at least I think that is what the ortho is going to tell me Friday. I will be a third timer if I get the news I fear. So here is the question for you guys. Clear braces like Faith Hill or self ligating metal? I almost forgot to say that am 59

[xanidu2012]

Im 50 years young and have had my braces 9 months. I had asked about self litigating braces. My ortho said the brackets sit out a little farther than conventional metal brackets so I opted for his suggestion and went with conventional metal braces upper and lower. I actually have fun with changing lig colors and my 5 year old son gets to choose colors huh some times . But it still comes down to personal preference.
Welcome and good luck.

[Dee17]

Hi Realizingadream,
I just found this thread tonight. I wish I'd found this about 4 months ago when I first got my braces put on. I'm 54 years old and will be in my Damon Q self-ligating braces for about two years. So far, it's been an interesting journey. Haven't seen a lot of movement yet but I just got a powerchain in mid-February so I'm expecting to start seeing some changes relatively soon.
I just wanted to check in with you to see how you've been doing.
Dee

[Realizingadream]

Hi Dee!

Congratulations on your shiny braces! I've had the braces on for almost a full year now, well, 1-1/2 years on the bottom. All that flossing and water pick-ing and brushing and rinsing has gotten to be the norm. My braces are Damons, too.

I have found that the small plastic cups that McDonald's has for their self-serve ketchup, those cups are excellent to take one into the bathroom to rinse rinse rinse after a nice dollar menu burger.

My bottom teeth are almost completely straight now. I had one tooth on either side that was canted way over sideways, and those two are almost straight up now. It is so much easier to brush them. The bottom front teeth went forward, back, forward back, their lineup was poor. Now, they are straight as can be. What a treat.

The upper teeth, the extraction over on my right, is GONE as of this writing. It tends to come and go, but I think it is gone for good, right now. Everything is straightening up marvelously. I had lost my midline, so the two very front bunny teeth were lapped over, and now those are side by side, but one is longer than the other! Horrors!

I have an appointment in a few weeks, we'll see what he has up his sleeve for me. It has all been very interesting.

A few weeks after I signed the contract for braces: I GOT LAID OFF! This was an opportunity (grrr) for me to go back to school to get some retraining, the field I was working in, was pretty much gone. So, ever since I have had braces, I have been a college student! What a ride. I look so precious with my shiny braces, eager smile (can't tame it, even with braces), grey roots peeking out, and backpack full of books. Sheesh.

The lady who does my taxes said the braces make me look younger, and to be sure I keep them on until AFTER I land a job, at my age. If the ortho will agree, I am certainly up for any edge I can get--I hear they don't like to hire the older ones. I'm going to be SO qualified though, I can't believe they would waste an opportunity to get me to work for them.

Well, we'll see.

Real

[debinator]

Count me in! Never too old to take care of your teeth- much better than getting dentures!

[xanidu2012]

Hello over 50s. Haven't been in the forum lately got caught up schooling my 5yo son. Have a moment and just wanted to check in. How's everybody's brace journey? Mine is going very well. Im in "zebra" elastics now and wearing them 24-7 changing them out every time I eat/brush/floss. See a lot of movement. Next appointment May 20th where I'll be getting a lower wire change. Im so glad to be able to get teeth straightened up. It truly makes a difference in your self esteem. I hope everyone the best with their journey. In the end when you smile it will all have been worth the trip.

[JeniK]

Hello Everyone...I am in the right group!! I am 55....and I am hoping to get braces soon! Because of a medication I am on...I have to have clearance from my family doctor. My appt for that is next week. Fingers are crossed!! I get the ok...I will probably call the orthodist from the parking lot to get it started! Sometimes I think I am going crazy for being this excited about braces at my age! I would love to be the one with the huge smile!!