Newbie...Aged 40, braces in 6 weeks, here goes..

[Hash]

Hi all, I am new to this forum just having recently found it and think its great. I am about to go reading everyone's story so here's mine so far..
I am 40, late to the braces journey but I have always hated my teeth, over crowding top and bottom so very crocked teeth! I had asked at aged 20 and 30 about getting teeth straightened but at those times there was no way I would wear braces! I wanted to wear something overnight every night that would magically straighten my teeth. Vanity! So just ignored problem and carried on. When I hit 40 all of a sudden I realised I didn't care about wearing the braces or what people though but I hated the thought of hitting 50 with crooked teeth! Funny how we grow up also my teeth were moving so year by year i could see my front tooth in particular was sticking out more and more cause the ones either sides wanted to meet up behind it!

I have all 32 teeth and was very proud of the fact that I never had any teeth pulled and had taken good care of my teeth but now I realise all these teeth don't fit! I always notice how one of the top teeth in particular stick out in any photos and am really looking forward to having a great smile!

So my story is to have 4 pulled , 2top 2 bottom and braces for 2 years, retainer 24/7 for 6 months then retainer nightly for life. My orthodontist has also said in about four months I will need 2screws ( think they called tads) in top gum to pull front line back, I really nervous about this so if anyone can't help me on that I would appreciate it! I freaked a bit when he said that but figuring now it can't be that bad...can it? I choose ceramic on upper and lower front 6 and rest are metal. The worst part for me was the feeling of my lips and gums hitting me brackets for the first time when they took off the gum guards, I nearly felt like crying, it just felt so weird and huge in my mouth but it's amazing how you get used to it. I have had to use wax on brackets for some days at a time but in general an immunity had built up!

I have to say I researched my ortho choice, got a lot of personal recommendations and he is great, but having read yer stories I have realised I didn't really ask loads of questions and at each appointment we don't do the big discussion as how it's going or what has to happen etc. not that I am unhappy about it, sometimes I think the less I know about all the details the better!, I guess what I am saying is that he does his job but he is very matter of fact!

So far I have my 2 bottom teeth pulled and have had braces on for 5 weeks, started 26 march. He couldn't but a bracket on one lower cause it's to far in and could put wire through another of the brackets he has on the bottom cause of its position so next app hoping to see those teeth wired as well. I really see any movement yet and although I know it's early days yet, I have read that some people notice moving early so I am a bit disappointed. Going to start shoving them with my tongue from now on! My next app is end of April so will see how that goes.

So anyway I am off to read some more stories. Thanks for reading.

[Alee]

Congrats and good luck!

[parsleysage]

Hey there Hash Nice to read your story!

The TADs shouldn't be too bad from what I've heard - you are numbed up for the insertion, so there is no pain. The only thing I've read is some people's TADs can break, where the screw part stays in but the anchor on the outside breaks off. No pain or anything, but they have to go back for reinsertion.

There is a huge variety on the boards in terms of how "in tune" with their treatment people are. Some (like me) want all the info it is possible to know and want to discuss it at length, hehe. Others are just here to support and be a part of the community and don't know that much about their treatment other than how to take care of their braces and when approximately they should come off. So don't feel bad if you didn't ask a ton of questions!

Next step... now that your username is GREEN.... pictures! Pictures!

[Hash]

Thanks guys, now I have to figure out how to do pictures that can be my project later tonight!
Yea sometimes I think I am better if I don't know everything in to much detail, prob would never have done it if I did!

[NeilH]

Good luck, I'm looking forward to hearing how you are getting on.

[Hash]

Trying to add pictures, see will it work! So here should be some before and after brace on pic's.

[Hash]

oh my god now theres a picture!! Sorry about that! How do i resize!!

[jenna88]

I resize mine in paint (program that's on windows)

[Hash]

[Hash]

Trying again..

[Hash]

my last try to get these smaller.... fingers crossed and apoligies for huge mouthfull's !!!

[SunshineRay]

I have TAD's but havent had the best luck with them. I do need an implant on the one side that has given me all the trouble. Ive swallowed the screw and broken 2-3 brackets....I cant even remember anymore. lol Mine also hurt going in but it was my first ortho appt and I was suuuuuuper anxious so I know that contributed to it.

[Hash]

Thanks SunshineRay, but dam it , I didnt even think of tads braking or worse still swallowing a bit !!! . I am going to go heavy on the numbing available whenever I get them in. Do you find them annoying and do they scrape your gums? I have gotten used to the brackets and they don't really irritate anymore so is it kind of like that? Gonna forget them then till I get them in . I just going one day at a time!
I also have noticed today a slight movement yipppeeee on the bottom beside where tooth pulled there was some food stuck (so I thought) but it wasn't it was a hole where tooth has moved!!! Didnt really know if I was to happy about the hole! But at least it's progress
Don't know if anyone is reading this but again apologies for the big pictures

[SunshineRay]

Thanks SunshineRay, but dam it , I didnt even think of tads braking or worse still swallowing a bit !!! . I am going to go heavy on the numbing available whenever I get them in. Do you find them annoying and do they scrape your gums? I have gotten used to the brackets and they don't really irritate anymore so is it kind of like that? Gonna forget them then till I get them in . I just going one day at a time!
I also have noticed today a slight movement yipppeeee on the bottom beside where tooth pulled there was some food stuck (so I thought) but it wasn't it was a hole where tooth has moved!!! Didnt really know if I was to happy about the hole! But at least it's progress
Don't know if anyone is reading this but again apologies for the big pictures

I do not ever feel the screw part and they have no idea how I actually swallowed one. The bracket that attaches from the screw to your tooth....you do feel that and I think it affected my speech a little but like the braces you get used to it after a little bit. I know I'm in the minority with TAD problems so dont be too worried.

[Hash]

Ok great, I have just read your full story and wow you have been through it all! But you nearly there and your teeth look fab so well done , I will be looking for the finished photo and really hoping I don't have a quarter of your tad problems good luck with removal.