Metal Mouth Message Board

I got home from work tonight with a message on my answering machine to remind me that I have an appt on Tuesday March 15th at 2:30 pm to get braced. Yes.. I remembered I had an appt on Tuesday, but with the reminder it seems even closer. While I am anxious to get this started, I must admit that a case of nerves has come over me. I know this is normal and I bet everyone here has experienced it. I guess I need some encouragement. I ran to the website to re-read all the positive comments everyone has made about their particular situation.

Part of me is nervous because I was down this road 20 years ago and chickened out. That is a big regret I have to this date so I know I won't be chickening out this time. I think maybe a big glass of wine will help calm the nerves. Deep breath.... thanks for listening and thanks for a forum that lets one express their feelings, nerves, rants, vents, etc.

I am posting a picture that was taken two weeks ago at the Orthodontist. Well... since I have never posted a picture before, I should rephrase that by saying, I am going to attempt to post a picture taken at the Ortho.

By the way... I am 46, never been braced, am missing a lateral, have a peg lateral, crowding in the bottom, and stupidly had a molar removed from the top when I was younger. The Ortho isn't sure about extractions, I will find out Tuesday.

i kno wut u mean!! im getting braced on wednesday the 16!!! im really xcited about it tho!!! lol..i just have spaces and a slight overbite!! good luck and tell us how ur banding goes!!!

Just a little encouragement for you from old Europe.
Beeing nervous in your situation seems to be quiet normal for me.
In the end I wish you a very happy smile as result of your courage (and the treatment)

Thank you 2Hot. I will certainly let you know how the banding goes on Tuesday. I think I am prepared - put away the George Forman Grill and brought out the blender. It looks like you and I will be doing this together.

And thank you too Anton. Where in Old Europe? It is such a beautiful part of the world. I was in France two years ago for some D-Day celebrations. I think it is Italy next year.
You are right.. nerves at this stage are nothing but normal and I know the end result will be well worth it. Thank you again.
Elizabeth

Good morning! Where in Europe? Well, the pen-name anton indicates a little bit east from France, Germany. Europe as a beautiful part of the world, I agree. And in Italy you will approach the roots, which can be found in Greece as original, because the Romans were copiing a lot in ancient times. So maybe reading interesting books will help to calm a little bit and gide your phantasy towards positive thoughts.

Good luck I know everything will be fine, just don't chicken out!! Think about it, wha is there to chicken out about? Getting them on doesn't hurt, it's actually kind of relaxing. I remember before I got mine on, walking into the room and thinking, I'm going to throw up. I am definately going to throw up. There is no way that I won't throw up. I was that scared, but I didn't throw upand everything turned out fine. Once you've been in the chair for 5 min. you'll know what I mean, it's not scary.

Good luck!
Eve

Elizabeth...your teeth look pretty good right now, it probably won't take long to get it fixed..whats the length of treatment time they told you?

You'll be fine. I'm 48 and wish I did it 20 years ago too. Better late than never. At our age, whats 2 years (average treatment)? At least they'll be off before we collect social security.

Thanks Chris and Evelyn.

Thank you Evelyn for helping to calm my nerves. Knowing that you felt ill, but ended up with a relaxed experience, somewhat puts my mind (and nerves) at ease. I get braced on Tuesday, but have already told my boss that I am taking Wednesday as a sick day. I have lots of soft food, advil and a pile of movies. Guess what I am doing Wednesday? (Other than looking at my teeth every 10 minutes).

Chris, the Ortho gave me 18-24 months for braces. I have a lot of crowding on the bottom. He has already warned me that I may have to have a tooth at the bottom removed - leaving an odd number and no midline at the bottom. I have researched and looked at pictures and I am OK with that. The top is different. He is going to see when he finishes the measurments, etc, but I might be getting the peg lateral removed. (Since I am missing the lateral on the other side). It all depends on spacing. The canines will be brought into place and I will have them veneered when I am done to look like laterals. I am very comfortable with the Orthodontist I picked. He is easy to talk to and I know he will do his best for me. Glad I got more than one opinion. I think part of the nervousness is what the final outcome is going to look like.

I know how you feel about wishing you had done this earlier. When I was in my late 20's and went for the consult, etc., I couldn't get past the fact that I would be almost 30 and wearing braces. I am now looking at it this way.... I don't want to be still wishing I had done this when I am 50 - this way the braces will be off before then. I was with my 92 year old aunt last weekend and she was commenting on a picture I had taken of her and how straight her teeth were. I started to laugh and said of course they are straight - they are dentures. I hope to still have my teeth at 92. So Id better take care of them now. I am starting to ramble...... Thanks again for the words of encouragement.

lilsisbet wrote:
I was with my 92 year old aunt last weekend and she was commenting on a picture I had taken of her and how straight her teeth were. I started to laugh and said of course they are straight - they are dentures. .

Thats ONE way of getting straighter teeth!

Elizabeth, once you get those braces on Tuesday you'll wonder what all the fuss was about and get on with your life. Keep us posted.

Elizabeth,

Good luck!! You'll do just fine!! If you weren't nerve wrecked a bit I'd say something was wrong. The expectation of getting them on is much worse then the actual installation process. You might get a flip flop feeling in the bit of your stomach but that passes too. Just remember that there are are whole lot of other adults out here rootin' for ya....and livin' the dream of a great smile. Come on along!! Heck, I've survive braces three times now. Making the decision to have it all done is the worse part.

.....and Good Luck to all the newbies this week!!

....ski

Nanski... thank you so much for your kind words. I can't express how nice it is to come to a place and be able to get not only information, but great words of encouragement as well. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I guess this will be home away from home for the next 18-24 months. Before you know it, I'll be welcoming the newbies and giving them words of encouragement and advice. Thank you again.

Hi Elizabeth,

Good luck for today!!

Let us know, how it went,

Tess

Hi, I'm Vicky, and I'm 28 years old, and am a little nervous as well. I currently have the spacers on, and have had them on for three days now. The ortho said that I would feel a "little" soreness, but never did I expect this! My teeth feel like gummy bears, and everything that I attempt to eat gets rejected. I read somewhere on this website, that the spacers may be the worst part of this whole process, but we'll see. I officially get the braces put on May 21st, Saturday morning, and I just want to get it over with. Any words of encouragement, because as of now, I'm very discouraged
Vicky

Thanks Meryaten,
I now have some relief with the spacers, but it still doesn't feel right. You are right about one thing, between the 8 extractions, spacers, and the soon to be braces, I'm looking at about 15 lbs lost!!! That's always a help with the summer approaching ...

Wish me luck...4 days to go..........