my first day........
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:11 pm
So.....I got braced today, clear on top and bottom! Here is what got me to this point:
My teeth are really not that bad, but I have an impacted canine, although it is exposed in the front (fortunately enough to put a bracket on). Last December, I began asking my dentist about my options to get it taken care of. Well, at this point, I was pretty much against getting braces, so I went to a consultation with an oral surgeon about an implant.
At this consultation, I found out that I would need about 3 surgeries to complete the process, including a bone graft! It would run me around $4500. At this point, I decided to visit an orthodontist, because (1) for just a little more money, I could fix ALL of my teeth as opposed to one, and (2) An orthodontist would allow me to make monthly payments, which the oral surgeon would not do. Therefore, I now have braces.
The appointment this morning was interesting, to say the least. They installed my front 8 brackets first (4 uppers and 4 lowers). I had to wear this very awkward device to keep my mouth open, and that stuff that they put on your teeth tasted awful!!!! After they finished these brackets, the assistant asked if I wanted to rinse at the sink. Fortunately I did, because it was at this point that I discovered that they put THE WRONG BRACKETS ON!!!!! They were metal, not clear (like I paid for). I went back, and politely told the assistant this. She checked the paperwork, and indeed, I was right!!!! I did not see her again, I hope that I didn't get her in too much trouble!
So, they removed these 8 brackets, and started over! about 1 1/2 hours later, I was done! I did not really hurt then, just felt wierd. Now, 10 hours later, the pain is setting in! I am on a diet of scrambled eggs, jello, and advil. I am very happy with the way that they look, though.
1 more twist, I am a middle school band director that happens to be a brass player! This is the one reason that I was against all of this in the first place, so if anyone has any advice about relearning how to play a brass instrument, let me know. I guess that you could call all of this a social experiment among all of my students! Maybe I will fit in better.....
I guess I will try to see how sleep works now...
My teeth are really not that bad, but I have an impacted canine, although it is exposed in the front (fortunately enough to put a bracket on). Last December, I began asking my dentist about my options to get it taken care of. Well, at this point, I was pretty much against getting braces, so I went to a consultation with an oral surgeon about an implant.
At this consultation, I found out that I would need about 3 surgeries to complete the process, including a bone graft! It would run me around $4500. At this point, I decided to visit an orthodontist, because (1) for just a little more money, I could fix ALL of my teeth as opposed to one, and (2) An orthodontist would allow me to make monthly payments, which the oral surgeon would not do. Therefore, I now have braces.
The appointment this morning was interesting, to say the least. They installed my front 8 brackets first (4 uppers and 4 lowers). I had to wear this very awkward device to keep my mouth open, and that stuff that they put on your teeth tasted awful!!!! After they finished these brackets, the assistant asked if I wanted to rinse at the sink. Fortunately I did, because it was at this point that I discovered that they put THE WRONG BRACKETS ON!!!!! They were metal, not clear (like I paid for). I went back, and politely told the assistant this. She checked the paperwork, and indeed, I was right!!!! I did not see her again, I hope that I didn't get her in too much trouble!
So, they removed these 8 brackets, and started over! about 1 1/2 hours later, I was done! I did not really hurt then, just felt wierd. Now, 10 hours later, the pain is setting in! I am on a diet of scrambled eggs, jello, and advil. I am very happy with the way that they look, though.
1 more twist, I am a middle school band director that happens to be a brass player! This is the one reason that I was against all of this in the first place, so if anyone has any advice about relearning how to play a brass instrument, let me know. I guess that you could call all of this a social experiment among all of my students! Maybe I will fit in better.....
I guess I will try to see how sleep works now...