Brace Yourself Ataerys @ 32...Let my journey begin!

[Ataerys14]

So after months of trailing the internet and this forum, after years of being fascinated by other peoples perfect teeth and quite often repulsed by my own... the day has finally come - I'm braced. And I couldn’t be happier
Everyone including those on this forum who gave advice and told me just to go for it has had an impact on me getting to this point , I know its early (very early) days and I only have 4 brackets and wire on until 3 weeks time, but I'm feeling optimistic! Despite the fact that some dull achy pain has literally just this minute kicked in

Brief History
Age 15 - Stupidly refused brace when my mother and dentist insisted I would need one. Why oh why did I think at 15 I was qualified to have an opinion?!?

Age 19 - Had an extraction due to decay which unfortunately scarred me for life, after numerous attempts (what seemed like hours) trying to remove the tooth I ended up having it surgically removed. Ashamed to say I didn’t return to a dentist for a number of years

Age 26 - Returned (by force) to a dentist and have another extraction due to pain & decay

Age 28 - Became pregnant with my beloved daughter, bleeding gums largely ignored by the dentist (and I) as I was pregnant and it was "common"

Age 31 - Told I have mild gingivitis and severe peridontitis in the same month, queue nightmares, real tears and depression (later advised this is mild gingivitis)

Age 32 - New dentist, orthodontist and hygienist working together with me to improve my oral health, nervousness and confidence and now I feel EPIC

Brace Day
Was up until 2am this morning worrying about all the "what if's" in the World and ordering vast supplies of wax, interdental brushes and a waterpik?! As you do
The appointment was today at 2.45pm my orthodontist is amazing - really makes me feel at ease and takes time to answer my questions, even the stupid ones lol. She now wants to take some time to review the treatment plan in light of my "newly found" impacted wisdom tooth and then discuss several options (all of which scare me)
I was meant to have an extraction of my lower right canine and IPR but today will just be the follow up photos, x-rays and the top 4 brackets and wire. My hygienist and next ortho appointment is 3 weeks away when the decision will be made on how to proceed with the impacted canine and the rest of the brackets put on...exciting

Will follow this up with a regular "how am I feeling" post
That's all folks, until next time
Ataerys x

[Ataerys14]

Braced Day 1 -

Mood - very good considering
Pain - just pressure immediately after. Now mild pain (dull ache) 5+ hours later
Feeling - like I cant bite down on my two front teeth, no no I actually can't bite down on my front teeth

[DaisySmith]

Congratulations! I too was a rebel at fifteen and refused to wear my removable brace. Now at 43, I am three months along, what is now projected to be a five month braces journey. (Having said that, I only had braces for my top teeth back then, now I am having my lowers straightened too plus I'll be having shaping and whitening at the end so in some ways it'll be worth the wait!)

Good luck with your journey.

[Ataerys14]

Many thanks DaisySmith and congratulations to you too!
Snap I will also be having shaping and whitening also, really sore this evening but trying to think of it as an investment

Too cool for school at 15 lol I've already told my daughter in no uncertain terms that she is having a brace (she's 4!!) lol
She thinks its "cool" and "pretty" at the moment bless her

Ortho did say 5-6 months in initial consultation (I'm in fastbraces) but that was before the impacted canine situation so will find out in 3 weeks what the real timescales

Best of luck to you

[Ataerys14]

Right reluctantly pictures are needed to compare before, during and after

[Ataerys14]

Day 1 - Top 4 Brackets only

[Ataerys14]

Braced Day 2-

Mood - feeling extremely self conscious, embarrassed even, talking like a mouse and very quietly (not like me AT all!)
Pain - very tender, unable to bite with front teeth, luckily I can chew (albeit carefully) on back teeth, but no real pain
Feeling - Hopeful I made the right decision!?!

Glad to report that so far my pain has never been more than a very dull and irritating ache except when I accidently bite together (note to self - do NOT bite together!) The dear hubbby and daughter have both been fantastic. First test was collection of my daughter from nursery, I could see them looking (even the ikkle babies lol) not in a weird way but just like "oh she got braces" I dont think I helped myself by talking very quietly and hardly moving my mouth. Then just to make sure they did notice my daughter yells "look my mummy's got braces" and "they're cool" lol. I tried to hush her but at least it was out there and we actually had a laugh and the nursery teachers then proceeded to tell me all about their "braces stories" which made me feel miles better!

Hubby has been extra attentive and loving and has made roast pepper and butternut squash soup (one of my fav homemade meals) and super soft bread. As an extra treat (and because I am partially wallowing in self pity) he is paying for me to visit my bestie in London tomorrow! He really is amazing

Found out last week that I'm to lead on part of a 3 year programme at work, which is in itself a very exciting prospect - whats not so exciting is that theres a workshop scheduled for next Monday that I'm to host at - oh brother

This month has been like a rollercoaster that only people going through this journey will truly understand. In addition I quit smoking (one month today!) so I dont have my oldest "friend" to lean on

Whilst there are still some unanswered questions as far as my final treatment plan is concerned around the impacted canine, I must say I'm determined to stay positive

[Ataerys14]

Braced Day 3,4 & 5

Mood - Feeling nervous about impacted canine and surgery
Pain - None but still unable to bite with front teeth
Feeling - Like I'm over it already on the grand scheme of things braces aren't that bad!

So he hubby packed me of to London and I was having a great time catching up with my bestie
I had a call from my ortho who advised that unfortunately my impacted canine will mean we need to sit ,discuss and revise my treatment plan. But also that the braces might need to come off while I wait for surgery, this is the lowest point for me so far along the journey.
I'd always been told that my sentence would be between 5-6 months which will now undoubtedly be much longer but in addition to this being such a nervous patient I am freaking out about what this means, I am part tempted to tell her I've changed my mind . Feel like this whole adjustment period has been for nothing