I'm going to get braces this year!

[NeilH]

Oh no, the doubts are starting to set in! Must try and remain positive...

[Sheryl 54]

I'm right there with you 24 days till I get my spacers in then wait two more weeks for upper brackets and palate expander. I'm trying to keep busy and not think about it to much or I'll talk my self out of it again like I did 2 years ago. But I think about when I'm going to see my teeth all strait for the first time in my life I'll feel like crying
the happy kind of crying.

[rhibee83]

Hi Neil

Doubts are normal and I had them as well. How long now till you get your braces?

I was really nervous the week leading up to it and was thinking "what am I doing!" (bit late after already having extractions lol so there was NO turning back! haha!)

But now i have them, I am going ok, one month in now, and my first adjustment is next week. I am a bit excited and seeing the movement is amazing

you won't regret it once they are on, GO FOR IT!

[Tobilei]

I second that! Doubts are normal! I remember sitting in the waiting room the morning of getting them on and all I could think about was running out the door and never coming back! I didn't though and it was fine

[NeilH]

Hi, thank you, life is returning to normal now and I'm starting to look forward to getting them again. It feels so strange that I only have Wednesday and Thursday to get through as normal days and on Friday morning it all changes! I fully understand where you are coming from about wanting to rush out of the surgery and not get started and no doubt will be sitting anxiously waiting to be called through having similar doubts. I had a load of plans for various meals / foods this week but to date, haven't got round to eating any from the soon to be banned list.

[debinator]

You better get cracking on the list of forbidden foods!! You will be sorry when you realize you should have after it's too late

Good luck on Brace Day!

[NeilH]

You better get cracking on the list of forbidden foods!! You will be sorry when you realize you should have after it's too late

Good luck on Brace Day!

You are so very right!

[Tobilei]

Hi, thank you, life is returning to normal now and I'm starting to look forward to getting them again. It feels so strange that I only have Wednesday and Thursday to get through as normal days and on Friday morning it all changes! I fully understand where you are coming from about wanting to rush out of the surgery and not get started and no doubt will be sitting anxiously waiting to be called through having similar doubts. I had a load of plans for various meals / foods this week but to date, haven't got round to eating any from the soon to be banned list.

I had a list too and ate none of it. I don't feel too awful about it though seeing as my soft foods diet seems to contain way more junky food than I ever ate before. If I'd known what was coming I think my last meal might have been a salad Only 2 more days!!! That's super exciting

[debinator]

I agree with Tobilei- Salad is the thing I miss the most! there are so many things in salad that I can't quite manage these days and it was the mainstay of my healthy eating plan. I'm going to have to go on a major diet once the brace come off if things continue the way they are- I am going to do my best to figure out how to eat without adding all that junk and carbs that comes with the soft foods limitations (also have to curb my urge to go for pudding and mashed potatoes when forced to eat soft foods as I really hate soup!)

[Tobilei]

Hahaha, me too! The only soup I like is tomato (but it has to have cheese AND herb bread-not exactly diet friendly choices ) and I'm totally sick of tomato soup at this point (sorry Neil, totally taking over your thread here!).

The good news is.................1 more day Woo!

[NeilH]

Starting to get really excited about getting my braces tomorrow. Can't wait!! I thought I would be really nervous but not at all. Have arranged to go back to work after getting them for some charity collection activities and to meet some friends for lunch on Saturday so will be starting this journey in a positive state of mind. Half nine tomorrow morning I will be there ready to go and hope this optimism lasts through the night.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, it's much appreciated.

[rhibee83]

GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR BRACE DAY!!!!!!

[debinator]

Good luck!!

[Tobilei]

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (plus WOO! IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! )

[NeilH]

And they're on!! So happy and really pleased I have started, should have done this a long time ago.

I had a bit of a sleepless night last night although I wasn't consciously thinking about the appointment so guess my mind was working overtime. I got to the surgery half an hour early but the time flew by really quickly. Once I was called through, the orthodontist explained all that was to happen and showed me the brackets and arch wires waiting to be installed. I was given a mirror so that I could watch what was going on and then he got started. After preparing the teeth, brackets were attached one by one over the course of around half an hour. I don't have molar bands, just traditional metal brackets on each tooth. The arch wire was fitted and grey ligs were used to tie everything in place. I have a short power chain under the arch wire on two teeth to get one to rotate but at the moment can't feel it.

It feels really strange to have braces, not at all uncomfortable even though my bite feels strange as different teeth are now hitting brackets at the side and at the front. It feels nice and tight but again not in an uncomfortable way. After a chat about do's and dont's I was given a goody bad and headed off.

I went straight out to do a couple of hours collection for a charity with a colleague so the braces 'ice' was broken really early on which I think was a good idea. I feel really confident wearing braces and didn't mind who I smiled at, I had nothing to hide and felt really proud and fortunate to be doing something so positive. It was then back to work for a sandwich, again, no problems other than having to take small bites and clean the bread out of the brackets afterwards.

I left the office a couple of hours early and headed for some retail therapy (didn't get anything much other than a small travelling case for the small array of dental equipment which will be heading out with me from now on).

So six hours since getting started, they still feel strange, there is no pain or discomfort, I can't stop smiling and feel really good about the months ahead.