Good Luck Today Krystal!
My first "meal" was a fruit smoothie. Not really a meal but I was not really hungry that first day. I think I was trying to get used to the braces and at same time shocked that they were actually on. I am on day eight now and I am pretty much pain free and used to them (for the most part).
Keep us updated on how everything went.
Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insanity]
Moderator: bbsadmin
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Leigh
August 6, 2012- The day I got my upper braces on
Estimated Treatment Time: 9 Months- Ceramic braces on upper teeth
August 6, 2012- The day I got my upper braces on
Estimated Treatment Time: 9 Months- Ceramic braces on upper teeth
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Hey neighbor,
I hope everything went well yesterday!
My brace day is approaching fast, this coming Monday afternoon.
Let us know about your experience.
cheers,
JavaMan
I hope everything went well yesterday!
My brace day is approaching fast, this coming Monday afternoon.
Let us know about your experience.
cheers,
JavaMan
-
fulldiastemahead
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:34 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
1 day down, only 729 to go..
My appointment was mostly uneventful, but I'll give you a little play-by-play..
The assistant who would be prepping my teeth was quite nice. She explained everything as she went and tried to be quick about it. My orthodontist installs braces in such a strange way compared to the videos I've seen on YouTube. They glued the brackets to my impressions to get them exactly where they wanted them, then covered the brackets and teeth in a putty. They somehow dissolve the glue on the brackets and pull the putty off with the brackets stuck in it. They had these putty trays prepared before I got there. The assistant opened my mouth up, dried it out like a desert, polished my teeth a little, then painted on that stuff that tastes terrible (etching?
). Once my mouth was ready, my orthodontist came over to glue on the brackets using the putty trays. He put glue on the back of each bracket and just pressed the trays in one at a time (they were cut into four different sections). Has anyone else had their braces installed that way?
After that, the assistant cut around the brackets to loosen up the putty and pulled it off in a few chunks. Then, she scraped the excess glue off and around each bracket. I was allowed to rinse my mouth out after that and got to see my brackets for the first time. I was surprised to see that they put clear brackets on all of my top teeth except my furthest molars on either side (4 total). I was a little shocked to see the brackets and, honestly, I wanted to tell them to take them off and give me my money back, but I took a deep breath and went back to the chair.
Before we could put my arch wires in, I was told that we would be doing some IPR (shaving down the sides of teeth) on my bottom teeth. Oh goody!
I knew we would be doing this eventually, but didn't know I should expect it right away. While we waited for my ortho to finish with another patient (another adult! 
), the assistant decided to put my top wire in. While she was popping open the doors, she found one that had a bit of glue keeping the door shut. I felt a lot of pressure and heard her say "Oh my!" - she had accidentally broken the bracket trying to force it open! I got to feel what it will be like to get my braces off when she pulled the rest of the bracket off with some scary looking pliers. Then she had to completely re-prep that tooth and have the ortho manually install that bracket. In all, I think it cost me another 20 minutes, but no harm done. The only thing that worries me is that it was a clear bracket. I hope that they don't break that easily once I start eating real food.
After putting on the replacement bracket, we did the IPR. It felt like exactly what it is - someone flossing your teeth with a thin, metal nail file. Holy crap, that was not comfortable. The manual version is pretty bad because that's how they get real close to the gum line. The motorized one feels like someone is using a tiny jackhammer inside your skull, but it was less painful. After that, the assistant clipped in my archwires (flexible to start) and gave me the spiel about brushing, flossing, etc. I got a goody bag with some floss, floss threaders, a travel tooth brush, one of those little pine tree looking brushes for getting under the wires, super floss, some picks, another rubber, spiny pick thing, some dye tablets for showing the gunk I'm missing, a fluoride mouthwash sample, and a list of things I can't eat and what to do if something breaks. I was a little disappointed, if I'm being honest. I feel like we adults get the shaft. I like stickers too, darn it!
After my appointment, I met up with my mom for pedicures and manicures. The ortho had said that the pain shouldn't set in until the next day, but my bottom teeth were aching within 3 hours. I took some Aleve, which helped a lot. I manged to eat some salad, breadsticks, and pasta at Olive Garden, but the breadsticks were a pain in the butt and more of the chocolate mint at the end ended up stuck in my braces than in my stomach. For dinner, I had grilled cheese and tomato soup which went better than expected. Cleaning hasn't been too hard yet. I even survived eating lunch at work, though I only had Minestrone and a piece of toast. I think this whole braces business is going to make my fitness goals a lot easier since eating is such a chore now.
Work has been interesting. I didn't tell a soul that I was doing this and I didn't exactly come in and announce it to everyone today. Some people noticed right away, but mostly I've been avoiding eye contact and looking away when I talk to people..
I just wish that I had a chance to get over the weirdness of it before I had to debut them to the world. I don't really want to talk about them until I'm feeling a little less awkward. I know that the least attractive part about the whole thing (or any physical abnormality, really) is obvious self-consciousnesses, so I'm trying to get over it and just embrace these stupid things because they're going to be here for awhile and every day with them is one less day with the smile I've been self-conscious about for 3/4 of my life.
A few things I've noticed about wearing braces.. I can no longer close my mouth all the way and my molars do not touch anymore. I had such a crossbite that my front teeth always sat right over top of my bottom teeth. Now, because of the bottom brackets, they can't fit in that position. This has changed the way my face looks significantly. I kind of feel like it makes me look like my face is tense with anger when I'm mostly relaxed. Any smile I can muster looks fake because I haven't relearned how to smile with my jaw in this position. Also, I'm noticing now more than ever that my tongue doesn't fit comfortably in my mouth. The front of my tongue pushes against my front teeth and the four on either side, but doesn't really fit around my molars. I hope that my braces pull my tipped molars into their correct positions without needing a palate expander, but I have a feeling that's a pipe dream. I can't chew my fingernails anymore either, so that's a plus.
As far as pain goes, I'd say this is is about a 3 or 4. I have one sore spot on my cheek from how I slept last night, but no others. I'm trying not to use any wax so that my mouth toughens up as fast as it can. I took two ibuprofen this morning as a preventative measure because I've heard so many terrible things about the pain the next day, but it's been 8 hours and the soreness really isn't enough to make me take any more. In fact, I'm almost reveling in the pain because I know it means that things are actually happening. Some of my teeth are already feeling quite wobbly. My tiny little lateral incisors especially.
The only part that I've found uncomfortable at all is just feeling like there is so much stuff in my mouth. In some weird way, it was making me feel claustrophobic earlier. Something about how it's in there and I can't do anything about it even if I wanted to rip them out myself. I'm sure I'll get over that and forget they're even there in a few weeks.. That's what I keep telling myself at least.
Well, I know everyone is here for one thing, so I'll make with the pictures and shut up. I took a few more befores that I can upload when I'm not at work, but here's the gist.
Before:
Day 1:
I forgot to mention that my wire only goes to the second to last molar on all sides. I guess it's pointless to include those ones until we're using a thicker wire. Also, as mentioned before, I my treatment doesn't include molar bands. I asked about this and was told that my Orthodontist doesn't use them out of personal preference. They think brackets can do the job and are easier to clean around. They said that most often molar bands are used because brackets are more likely to break off of your back teeth. I was told that, if I break one off once, no big deal. If it happens continuously, they may switch me to molar bands. I was also told that I may have powerchains at some point. I plan to get a cool color because I'm kind of regretting the SL brackets with their lack of flair. I especially wish that my braces were either clear or metal instead of both. I feel like that calls more attention to them than anything else. Oh well.
Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes yesterday. I look forward to keeping track of your progress as well. If I can't be experiencing this teeth purgatory with anyone I know in person, I might as well be experiencing it with you beautiful people.
My first adjustment is September 10th!
My appointment was mostly uneventful, but I'll give you a little play-by-play..
The assistant who would be prepping my teeth was quite nice. She explained everything as she went and tried to be quick about it. My orthodontist installs braces in such a strange way compared to the videos I've seen on YouTube. They glued the brackets to my impressions to get them exactly where they wanted them, then covered the brackets and teeth in a putty. They somehow dissolve the glue on the brackets and pull the putty off with the brackets stuck in it. They had these putty trays prepared before I got there. The assistant opened my mouth up, dried it out like a desert, polished my teeth a little, then painted on that stuff that tastes terrible (etching?
). Once my mouth was ready, my orthodontist came over to glue on the brackets using the putty trays. He put glue on the back of each bracket and just pressed the trays in one at a time (they were cut into four different sections). Has anyone else had their braces installed that way?After that, the assistant cut around the brackets to loosen up the putty and pulled it off in a few chunks. Then, she scraped the excess glue off and around each bracket. I was allowed to rinse my mouth out after that and got to see my brackets for the first time. I was surprised to see that they put clear brackets on all of my top teeth except my furthest molars on either side (4 total). I was a little shocked to see the brackets and, honestly, I wanted to tell them to take them off and give me my money back, but I took a deep breath and went back to the chair.
Before we could put my arch wires in, I was told that we would be doing some IPR (shaving down the sides of teeth) on my bottom teeth. Oh goody!
I knew we would be doing this eventually, but didn't know I should expect it right away. While we waited for my ortho to finish with another patient (another adult! ), the assistant decided to put my top wire in. While she was popping open the doors, she found one that had a bit of glue keeping the door shut. I felt a lot of pressure and heard her say "Oh my!" - she had accidentally broken the bracket trying to force it open! I got to feel what it will be like to get my braces off when she pulled the rest of the bracket off with some scary looking pliers. Then she had to completely re-prep that tooth and have the ortho manually install that bracket. In all, I think it cost me another 20 minutes, but no harm done. The only thing that worries me is that it was a clear bracket. I hope that they don't break that easily once I start eating real food.After putting on the replacement bracket, we did the IPR. It felt like exactly what it is - someone flossing your teeth with a thin, metal nail file. Holy crap, that was not comfortable. The manual version is pretty bad because that's how they get real close to the gum line. The motorized one feels like someone is using a tiny jackhammer inside your skull, but it was less painful. After that, the assistant clipped in my archwires (flexible to start) and gave me the spiel about brushing, flossing, etc. I got a goody bag with some floss, floss threaders, a travel tooth brush, one of those little pine tree looking brushes for getting under the wires, super floss, some picks, another rubber, spiny pick thing, some dye tablets for showing the gunk I'm missing, a fluoride mouthwash sample, and a list of things I can't eat and what to do if something breaks. I was a little disappointed, if I'm being honest. I feel like we adults get the shaft. I like stickers too, darn it!
After my appointment, I met up with my mom for pedicures and manicures. The ortho had said that the pain shouldn't set in until the next day, but my bottom teeth were aching within 3 hours. I took some Aleve, which helped a lot. I manged to eat some salad, breadsticks, and pasta at Olive Garden, but the breadsticks were a pain in the butt and more of the chocolate mint at the end ended up stuck in my braces than in my stomach. For dinner, I had grilled cheese and tomato soup which went better than expected. Cleaning hasn't been too hard yet. I even survived eating lunch at work, though I only had Minestrone and a piece of toast. I think this whole braces business is going to make my fitness goals a lot easier since eating is such a chore now.
Work has been interesting. I didn't tell a soul that I was doing this and I didn't exactly come in and announce it to everyone today. Some people noticed right away, but mostly I've been avoiding eye contact and looking away when I talk to people..
I just wish that I had a chance to get over the weirdness of it before I had to debut them to the world. I don't really want to talk about them until I'm feeling a little less awkward. I know that the least attractive part about the whole thing (or any physical abnormality, really) is obvious self-consciousnesses, so I'm trying to get over it and just embrace these stupid things because they're going to be here for awhile and every day with them is one less day with the smile I've been self-conscious about for 3/4 of my life.A few things I've noticed about wearing braces.. I can no longer close my mouth all the way and my molars do not touch anymore. I had such a crossbite that my front teeth always sat right over top of my bottom teeth. Now, because of the bottom brackets, they can't fit in that position. This has changed the way my face looks significantly. I kind of feel like it makes me look like my face is tense with anger when I'm mostly relaxed. Any smile I can muster looks fake because I haven't relearned how to smile with my jaw in this position. Also, I'm noticing now more than ever that my tongue doesn't fit comfortably in my mouth. The front of my tongue pushes against my front teeth and the four on either side, but doesn't really fit around my molars. I hope that my braces pull my tipped molars into their correct positions without needing a palate expander, but I have a feeling that's a pipe dream. I can't chew my fingernails anymore either, so that's a plus.
As far as pain goes, I'd say this is is about a 3 or 4. I have one sore spot on my cheek from how I slept last night, but no others. I'm trying not to use any wax so that my mouth toughens up as fast as it can. I took two ibuprofen this morning as a preventative measure because I've heard so many terrible things about the pain the next day, but it's been 8 hours and the soreness really isn't enough to make me take any more. In fact, I'm almost reveling in the pain because I know it means that things are actually happening. Some of my teeth are already feeling quite wobbly. My tiny little lateral incisors especially.
The only part that I've found uncomfortable at all is just feeling like there is so much stuff in my mouth. In some weird way, it was making me feel claustrophobic earlier. Something about how it's in there and I can't do anything about it even if I wanted to rip them out myself. I'm sure I'll get over that and forget they're even there in a few weeks.. That's what I keep telling myself at least.
Well, I know everyone is here for one thing, so I'll make with the pictures and shut up. I took a few more befores that I can upload when I'm not at work, but here's the gist.
Before:
Day 1:
I forgot to mention that my wire only goes to the second to last molar on all sides. I guess it's pointless to include those ones until we're using a thicker wire. Also, as mentioned before, I my treatment doesn't include molar bands. I asked about this and was told that my Orthodontist doesn't use them out of personal preference. They think brackets can do the job and are easier to clean around. They said that most often molar bands are used because brackets are more likely to break off of your back teeth. I was told that, if I break one off once, no big deal. If it happens continuously, they may switch me to molar bands. I was also told that I may have powerchains at some point. I plan to get a cool color because I'm kind of regretting the SL brackets with their lack of flair. I especially wish that my braces were either clear or metal instead of both. I feel like that calls more attention to them than anything else. Oh well.
Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes yesterday. I look forward to keeping track of your progress as well. If I can't be experiencing this teeth purgatory with anyone I know in person, I might as well be experiencing it with you beautiful people.
My first adjustment is September 10th!
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Hey Krystal,
I am glad that everything went well with you today!! I hope that you will not be in too much pain later on. I got my lowers put on yesterday and I am sore and throbbing!! My first adjustment is Sept. 4, so 6 days before yours. I look forward to keeping track with your process!! GOOD LUCK!!
I am glad that everything went well with you today!! I hope that you will not be in too much pain later on. I got my lowers put on yesterday and I am sore and throbbing!! My first adjustment is Sept. 4, so 6 days before yours. I look forward to keeping track with your process!! GOOD LUCK!!
-
fulldiastemahead
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:34 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Thanks Kimmie!
I definitely think the lowers hurt the worst out of the two. I'm still just claustrophobic about all the stuff in my mouth. I can't wait to see some changes so that I can feel some validation about this ridiculous decision.
I definitely think the lowers hurt the worst out of the two. I'm still just claustrophobic about all the stuff in my mouth. I can't wait to see some changes so that I can feel some validation about this ridiculous decision.
-
fulldiastemahead
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:34 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
The longer I have these things, the more I absolutely hate the clear brackets. They are so HUGE. I would NOT recommend getting clear brackets. You can still see that there is something there and are so big that my upper lip literally sticks out. I just figured out that the reason I look tense is that I have to hold my upper arch wire between my lips to actually close my mouth. Every time I talk or smile, my upper lip gets stuck on them. I should've asked to see that the brackets looked like compared to the metal ones..
I wonder if my Orthodontist would swap them out for me? Has anyone done this (changed bracket type after installation)?
I wonder if my Orthodontist would swap them out for me? Has anyone done this (changed bracket type after installation)?
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Give it some time, if you can. I bet your mouth will adjust to the braces.
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Krystal,
Congratulations on the braces!
I'm sure that your teeth will look great when it's all over.
You will get used to it, give it some time. In fact it gets boring and wish that the ticker countdown would move faster
I often felt like my lips were velcroed to the braces.
Congratulations on the braces!
I'm sure that your teeth will look great when it's all over.
You will get used to it, give it some time. In fact it gets boring and wish that the ticker countdown would move faster
I often felt like my lips were velcroed to the braces.
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Hey!
You're all braced up
Just wanted to stop by and say they look great 
I remember the overwhelming feeling of 'bulky mouth' but I promise you it will pass. I'm with you, lowers definitely hurt more... How are you feeling now?
My 3rd adjustment is September 10th as well(I have a countdown ticker in my signature)! I can't wait!
Hope all is well
You're all braced up
Just wanted to stop by and say they look great I remember the overwhelming feeling of 'bulky mouth' but I promise you it will pass. I'm with you, lowers definitely hurt more... How are you feeling now?My 3rd adjustment is September 10th as well(I have a countdown ticker in my signature)! I can't wait!
Hope all is well
-
fulldiastemahead
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:34 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
I can't believe it has been two weeks. I really thought that time was going to crawl by, but it hasn't been so bad yet. I feel like I'm seeing a lot of subtle progress, but I could be imagining things. I'm getting used to eating and I kind of like brushing my teeth at work. It's like my 1 o'clock moment of zen.
But I do miss crusty breads, croutons, and raw vegetables
Day 1
Week 2
Sorry the color is a bit off. One was taken in my bathroom at home and the other one taken at my office. I can see some progress with my tiny little lateral incisors and my diastema. My front tooth on the right side is really starting to ache but, instead of being pulled towards the other more, it seems like it's getting longer (???). It's already uneven from the left one. I'm not really sure what to make of that.
My bottom teeth are showing no real change, but have finally started to hurt a bit. I realized that I accidentally deleted my Day 1 photo of my open mouth from my phone so I'm starting progress photos over at Week 2 for those ones. Whoops.
Halfway to my first adjustment
But I do miss crusty breads, croutons, and raw vegetables
Day 1
Week 2
Sorry the color is a bit off. One was taken in my bathroom at home and the other one taken at my office. I can see some progress with my tiny little lateral incisors and my diastema. My front tooth on the right side is really starting to ache but, instead of being pulled towards the other more, it seems like it's getting longer (???). It's already uneven from the left one. I'm not really sure what to make of that.
My bottom teeth are showing no real change, but have finally started to hurt a bit. I realized that I accidentally deleted my Day 1 photo of my open mouth from my phone so I'm starting progress photos over at Week 2 for those ones. Whoops.
Halfway to my first adjustment
-
Glandyover
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:58 pm
- Location: Austin, TX
- Contact:
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
You really gave up raw vegetables? Might start second guessing the crunchy granola bars I power through... But seriously, I eat all sorts of stuff but I'm careful to break it off with my molars and I chew carefully. You've gotta live a little!
-
starfish88
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 8:57 pm
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Hi, are you able to close your mouth now (you mentioned it was difficult with the ceramics)? I had the exact same problem with the clears the first few weeks, made harder by the fact my lips didn't really touch at rest anyway. But I'm pleased to say after a couple of months my lips now close and just do so when I'm not even thinking about it. Its meant I don't have to guzzle water like I did the first few weeks. I also didn't like how the clears were so obvious to start with but as my teeth got into line they look much more subtle. Theres been a big change between the 2 pics of your teeth, so hopefully it seems worth it now. Good luck.
16 months 1 week and 2 days in braces
12mm overjet and narrow jaws all fixed with braces and elastics.
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42441
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
Hi Krystal,
I was just reading your posting and wondering how long you're going to have to be in your braces. I also have a diastema between my two front teeth which is between 3.5 and 4 mm wide. My orthodontist said two years. I've decided to get full metal brackets after reading many of the posts on this forum by people who opted for ceramic braces. Just not sure I want to deal with brackets that break and all that bulkiness in my mouth. I think wearing braces will be bad enough without having to deal with those two issues.
I am definitely NOT looking forward to the experience but have pretty much resigned myself to it. Unless I want to spend the rest of my life walking around with a huge space between my teeth (and I DON'T!) I have to get them fixed.
A friend of mine sent me a photo of Gwen Stefani wearing her braces and she said, "See, if SHE can do it, you can, too!" But I know that she had hers put on as part of a publicity stunt. I wrote her back and said, "Yes, but I don't WANT to wear braces!!" I feel much better about the whole thing now.
I was just reading your posting and wondering how long you're going to have to be in your braces. I also have a diastema between my two front teeth which is between 3.5 and 4 mm wide. My orthodontist said two years. I've decided to get full metal brackets after reading many of the posts on this forum by people who opted for ceramic braces. Just not sure I want to deal with brackets that break and all that bulkiness in my mouth. I think wearing braces will be bad enough without having to deal with those two issues.
I am definitely NOT looking forward to the experience but have pretty much resigned myself to it. Unless I want to spend the rest of my life walking around with a huge space between my teeth (and I DON'T!) I have to get them fixed.
A friend of mine sent me a photo of Gwen Stefani wearing her braces and she said, "See, if SHE can do it, you can, too!" But I know that she had hers put on as part of a publicity stunt. I wrote her back and said, "Yes, but I don't WANT to wear braces!!" I feel much better about the whole thing now.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take,
but by the moments that take your breath away.
-- Maya Angelou
[
My story here: [url]http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=42752
and here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42976
My blog: http://dvorahstraintracksadventure.blogspot.ca/
but by the moments that take your breath away.
-- Maya Angelou
[
My story here: [url]http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=42752
and here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42976
My blog: http://dvorahstraintracksadventure.blogspot.ca/
-
plugnickel69
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 10:15 am
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
My experience with ceramics is totally positive. Mine are not much bigger than the metals and do not feel bulky to me--and pretty much nobody notices them! Your ortho should show you models so you can compare. Obviously there are quite a few different products out there, each with it's own look and characteristics...and none of them stain.
Re: Forsooth, Gap Tooth! [Getting Braces at 23 & Other Insan
I have so say that my ceramics are also very easy to live with. I've not had any problems with them rubbing or causing ulcers and they really don't seem that big.