Metal Mouth Message Board

My story is not very different than of most people here. At 27, I have hated my teeth for many years and finally got myself to do something about it. Now, 3 weeks after getting braced, I finally dared to produce 'evidence' of something that I didn't want to happen but now so glad I did it!

I got the 'Radiance' clear brackets on top with the clear ligs, and metal on the bottom. The day I got braced, I thought I was getting spacers untill she asked me 'are you ready for it'? Uhm ready for what?!!! I appears I didn't need spacers, but it was probably better that I didn't have time to worry about it. I didn't have a lot of pain, just a couple days.

The reactions were not bad at all! I am not as self consious as I thought I would be. I guess I should take it as a compliment that people think I am 17 now.

What bothers me is the people who act VERY suprised, telling me I don't need braces, 'why do want that', 'I can tell they are a little crooked but it isn't bad at all'. Anybody else had those reactions? I am just glad those reactions didn't hold me back from doing this. Its the best choice I've ever made. Only 20 months to go.

It already posted my message while uploading the second picture, mm I am obviously new here...

Sorry for the bad English, as you can tell its not my mother language. Anyway, hope the picture work now, I was just so happy to see its hard to tell I have braces on pictures dont you think?

Thanks for sharing all your stories, this site saved my life

Hello! Congrats on getting your braces. I've had mine for a little over 3 months. My teeth were really crooked, my front two teeth over lapped and I've had lots of people say "why did you get braces, your teeth aren't that bad". It's good to know people don't notice as much as we think they do

congrats on your braces! I'm the same, 3 week mark now
I'm only slightly older than you at 19

Yeah i've had the same from some people, but others have been like "you'll have the most perfect smile afterwards" which is true, i cannot wait for that bit!

Hi dutchness,

congrats on getting braces! Have to drop a msg as I think my case is very similar to yours! I'm getting braces at 27 too!

And like you, most of my friends kept asking why did I need braces in the first place

Hi Gracey, just saw your replay on my story today. I have no idea why I don't get email notifications but thanks! Our cases look similar a lot. Do you also have the radiance brackets? I saw a lot off progress on your pictures, definitely necessary for dealing with to things on your teeth

About people who think we don't need it: since I have them, they all see progress and most reactions were positive. Even if I am the only person who thinks I need them, its enough for me. I remember my ortho asked me on my first visit: Do you want braces? Duh!

Good luck with the braces. I'll try to post some new pics soon!
D

So, I am 2 months into braces now and I must admit that its definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, if I had know what I know now (that its really not so necessary to hide for 2 years), I would have gone with the metals instead of clear brackets because of the staining (I have to go in early to have the ligs changed because I can't resist the red wine).

My biggest concern is cavities, which results in me brushing and flossing several times a day. My husband called me obsessed, but I told him to take a look at this forum and see my behavior is completely normal lol (ok I DO look in every mirror to see if they have moved)

3 weeks ago I went for my first adjustment and that went really well. I had no pain or any discomfort afterwords. At first that made me a little nervous because I thought that means they don't move. But I understand now that slow and steady is probably better (though I still wouldn't mind if they let me come every 5 instead of 6 weeks

This is the progress so far:





My upper teeth have to shift about 1cm to the right, its slow but going. Next adjustment they can hopefully put a bracket on my middle bottom tooth. Sorry the pictures are bigger than I wanted, not used to this yet.

Try grey/silver ligs, they don't stain

Thanks Starzz! I have thought about getting the grey/silver ones, maybe I'll try that on my next appointment. I am going to search for some pictures here of people with grey or silver ligs

My ortho put white wire ties on my uppers so that they wouldn't stain, and they've enabled me to pretty much eat anything I've wanted. I'm not sure it's something that every ortho offers, but might be worth asking. You can see pics of same in my thread (link in my sig).

Just wanted to share the good news that my ortho just told me we are ahead of schedule and it will be 16 months instead of 20. YEAH!

Then:



Now:

Hi Dutchess

It appears you are making lovely progress! Great pictures and congrats on your news of being ahead of schedule. I read more about people's treatments taking longer than their doctor estimated - not shorter. You'll be one of the lucky ones.