Taking the First Step

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#1 Post by **Grover** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:43 pm

Hi from Australia.

I'm a 28yo male with crowding top and bottom, especially my top left canine and left lateral incisor. I also have a retained pre-molar baby tooth on the bottom, which does not have an adult equivalent below it. I have already had my four wisdom teeth surgically removed.

I was offered braces as a teen but never wanted them as I didn't enjoy having a plate to correct my underbite (which did work), but now I really wish I'd just got it out of the way. The past few years I have become very conscious of my teeth and rarely, if ever, feel comfortable smiling broadly and I can never fully relax in social situations due to being self conscious.

I've spent the past few years trying to convince myself that my teeth aren't really that bad, and that we don't all have to give into the ideals of absolute immaculate teeth which seems to come out of America. But I've lost that battle, and after swearing I'd never have braces I very suddenly capitulated and did a complete about-face!

I made a dentist appointment last week for today and have been told that whilst my dentist does do braces, I really need to see an orthodontist, as I gather the dentist only does fairly straightforward cases.

By some miracle I managed to get an appointment tomorrow with their recommended ortho, so I'm nervously awaiting my appointment and its outcome. My biggest fear is that he will say I'm too hard to brace or something silly like that, or that he'll want to put me in a palate expander which I don't think I am prepared to do. I am quite happy to have extractions to make the required room.

As is normal with me, once I've made a decision I'm like a bull at a gate and I just want to get on with the whole process as soon as possible.

Anyway, that's my introduction and thank you for reading it. This site is fantastic and seeing some of the rapid results that you guys have been achieving is much of the reason that I've finally been spurred into action.

I will write again tomorrow after my first ortho appointment.

#2 Post by **petitcanard** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:24 am

Hi Grover! Your story sounds a bit like mine.. I'm 37 and was also offered braces as an early teen but declined (why? why??). I've definitely regretted it over the years. I'm also self conscious about my crowded teeth, also said I'll "never" get braces, and very recently did a total about face

Sooo... the countdown is on. Looking forward to following your story and congrats on taking the leap!!

#3 Post by **Grover** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:42 pm

Hi petitcanard, thanks for reading my story thus far. Sounds like we're in much the same boat. Keep us up to date on your progress too.

So today I had my first ortho appointment, with the Dr that my dentist felt I'd get along with best. He was great; totally non-judgemental, very practical and straightforward and made me feel relaxed.

I only need two extractions apparently (on the top) and he's going to leave my bottom baby tooth in and when it eventually carks it they will rip it out and put an implant in I suppose. I will stick my head in the sand about that issue until the time comes.

So, next week I have an appointment to have impressions done, and then a couple more follow up appointments for which I have forgotten their purpose, and then the big day is December 3.

I'm getting the top ones on first, followed by the bottoms a little bit later as my current bite is fairly tight. Not sure whether to get ceramics or metal on top yet, there's only a $400 difference.

#4 Post by **petitcanard** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:09 am

Sounds like it went well, Grover! I'm happy you're comfortable with your ortho, I think that makes a huge difference. Are you getting nervous, now that dates are set? I just want it all over with!!

And I hear you with regards to sticking your head in the sand, I'm worried as my dentist doesn't want any extractions - but how will everything fit? I'm worried I'll end up looking like Bucky the Beaver, or that he'll decide after to extract. Oh well, I'll think about it... later.

We sound like teeth twins, LOL - I also have a tight overbite, and the dentist said he could just brace the top until my bite opens, but that will slow things down for me. He wants to put them both on at the same time... so hellllooooo bite ramps. After reading everything on the forum here, they sound like loads of fun. Who needs to chew, anyway?

We'll be on a similar timeline.. I get records done Oct 22 and will be braced on Nov 5, so we're really close for D-Day! (B-day?) Tic, tic, tic..

I was also wrestling with whether to get ceramic across the top "social" 6, but the thought of stained ligs puts me off a bit, after reading posts on the forum.

And I confess, the thought of suffering through braces without coffee, tea, red wine or curry just makes me feel like poking my own eyes out and getting it over with LOL. I could do colored ligs to get away from staining, but there goes the "subtle" with ceramic so decided on metal. What the heck. At least then, I don't have to worry about what I eat & drink!

Let us know how your records appmt goes - you'll be first for that and I'd love to know what to expect!

#5 Post by **macgirl4ever** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:41 pm

Grover and Petit,
I know the decision to get ceramic vs metal seems like a big one, but it isn't. I had ceramic as a teen and went to the ortho every 2-3 weeks because of broken brackets. I have metal ones now and have not had one problem with the brackets in 6 months. I don't think it's really the brackets that look as horrible in your mouth as all the extra hardware that comes with it (ie elastics, springs, etc) that scream, "HEY I HAVE A TORTURE DEVICE IN MY MOUTH! CALL THE GENEVA CONVENTION!" Seriously though, make the decision that feels best for you. Do a little research on the pros and cons of each type of bracket as I did this second time around and then enjoy the bumpy yet satisfying ride.

Good luck on waiting- I honestly thought that was the hardest part, watching the progress of everyone on this board and wanting to get mine started!

#6 Post by **Grover** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:37 pm

PC - probably more impatient than nervous. Waiting until Dec 3 to get them on is doing my head in. It's a flaw in my personality, I can't wait, I am so impatient. I am pretty bloody excited about it to be honest! Remind me one week in that I said that when my teeth are hurting.

Don't worry about the lack of extractions in your case. That's a big bonus and we've all just got to trust that these ridiculously well paid know what they're doing!

As for ceramics, yeah my main concern is staining so I'll talk to the ortho first but I reckon I'll just go metal. I figure people will still know that I have braces either way.

MacGirl, thanks for the advice and based on what you and others have said along those lines it certainly helps with my decision.

#7 Post by **jiggawatt** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:59 pm

Hi Grover,

I'm 42 -- but never had the opportunity growing up to get braces as my parents did not have the money. As a young adult, for a period of time, I too would try to convince myself that my teeth were not that bad - and that the idea of straight teeth was overrated.

My full story can be found on my blog: http://bracesjournal.blogspot.com/

I hope all goes well with your venture!!

#8 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:47 pm

I agree waiting is the hardest part. Need for patience + hope and excitement = impatience!

I'm currently waiting to have surgery, and it's killing me!

Once you get going it'll be fine. Good luck!

By the way, if you do need an expander- whilst they are annoying to start with, after a while you do get used to them to the point you don't really feel it in your mouth anymore.
Also, I have full metal Damons (or some such self-ligating braces) and I've never had an issue with them; no breaking, no abstaining from food that could stain..and maybe this is wrong, but ceramics seem quite a bit bigger than normal metal ones anyway, so though less visible, they're still quite bulky (or so they seem to me. correct me if I'm wrong, people!

)

#9 Post by **petitcanard** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:07 am

How's the impatience going, Grover? I had to call the ortho yesterday and let them know ceramic or metal... I decided on metal (is that your final answer? haha) and am now totally chomping at the bit. The ortho has yet to decide what type of metal system to use, IE self-ligating or not, so I guess it will be a "surprise", oh joy!

I'll have to make sure to remind you a week in that you wanted them on NOW, and will likely need the exact same reminder myself as well (grin).

It's great to have so much feedback on everything.. this forum is wonderful. You'll have to let us know what you decide!

#10 Post by **dblaney** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:08 pm

Grover wrote:Hi petitcanard, thanks for reading my story thus far. Sounds like we're in much the same boat. Keep us up to date on your progress too.

So today I had my first ortho appointment, with the Dr that my dentist felt I'd get along with best. He was great; totally non-judgemental, very practical and straightforward and made me feel relaxed.

I only need two extractions apparently (on the top) and he's going to leave my bottom baby tooth in and when it eventually carks it they will rip it out and put an implant in I suppose. I will stick my head in the sand about that issue until the time comes.

So, next week I have an appointment to have impressions done, and then a couple more follow up appointments for which I have forgotten their purpose, and then the big day is December 3.

I'm getting the top ones on first, followed by the bottoms a little bit later as my current bite is fairly tight. Not sure whether to get ceramics or metal on top yet, there's only a $400 difference.

I would go with metal to be honest. $400 is a lot of money and ceramics are still obvious and in my opinion kinda looks gross at time. People stare at ceramics because from a distance they look like something is stuck on your teeth. They also are usually bulkier. Just my personal opinion.

#11 Post by **Ladybird** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:31 pm

Hi Grover,

I was exactly like you, sooo impatient. You need so many appointments and you have to wait ages between each one!

It's a bit commitment though so I guess it gives you time to make sure that it's what you want.

I was also like you in that I couldn't decide whether to get metal or ceramic. I would definitely make my mind up and then two days later I would be debating it again.

My ortho said I could choose on the day but said that Damon brackets are a nicer appliance so I decided on that once and for all. Then on brace day my ortho said "So we're going with clears then?"

I couldn't cope with on the spot decision making so I stuck with Damons and I am now a metal mouth

Also I think with ceramic it's hit or miss on whether they look nice or not. There are some photos on this site where ceramics look really nice, but my friend said that her colleague has got them and at first she though he had bad plaque on his teeth and then realised later that he was wearing braces!

I've only had mine on for just under two months and I already feel more confident smiling.. it's a really great feeling and hopefully Dec 3 will come quickly and you can start your journey.

Keep us posted

x

#12 Post by **Grover** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:59 pm

Jiggawatt, I've now read your story and am pleased for you that you've been able to do this now given that you couldn't as a kid.

CrazyBeautiful, good advice re the full metals. Everything I'm reading seems to suggest what you're saying is true.

PetitCanard, impatience at an all time high! Waiting sucks! Good work on the metal choice - a good move I reckon.

Dblaney, I've noticed that too. Sometimes you aren't sure if they have braces or if they just have bad dental hygiene! I guess it depends on the type of appliance used...

Ladybird, as above. With the ceramics sometimes you're just not sure, and I don't want people thinking I have gunky teeth as well as crooked ones! You're right about the numbers of appointments too - I had no idea it was such a drama before getting them on!

I had my records appointment yesterday and was in and out within about 20 minutes. They took a couple of photos (side on, front on w/mouth closed, front on smiling, inside my mouth etc) and then did the impressions. I thought the plaster stuff was pretty cool - I liked the squishy feeling around my teeth! I didn't have any problems but I can see for some people how easy it would be to start gagging on the stuff.

Next appointment is Oct 7 where the ortho makes the final decision on how he wants to approach treatment. I'm tempted to advance book my 2 extractions at the dentist, who is always crazy busy) before knowing which ones are being taken so as to speed the process up and maybe get my later appointments moved forward, but given my ortho travels between clinics it probably won't speed things up anyway because of his availability issues.

#13 Post by **ANGELFLUTTER** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:32 am

I am about to take the big leap as well. I went in for my 2nd consult today. I did the x-rays and impressions last week. Today I went in for what is called here a "banding consult". I am pretty lucky. I don't need any extractions, or expanders and more than likely will only need to wear 1 possibly 2 elastics. I don't need any surgery to widen my arch so thank God. I haven't set up the date to get brace faced as yet. On the 23rd of October, I go to get the plaque dug out from underneath of my gumline. They can only do half of the face at a time - I guess because of the sedation and more than likely because of the pain that will occur afterwards. Then I need to wait at least a week before getting the other side of my gums done. But, mine will probably be done around the first week in December. YAY!!!! I had to make the choice today about ceramic or metal. Heck - I am paying $5480.00 for those buggers - I am going to SHOW THEM OFF. Actually, I really liked the different lig colors. The sample teeth that they showed me - each tooth had a different color of lig on them. ( Have you ever seen those sets of teeth that look like a full set of dentures? That's what the sample that they showed me looked like.) Really liked the saphire blue ( Probably will be my first choice ) I am 53 year old woman, and I don't care if someone thinks the colors are a bit flashy for someone my age - as long as I need to wear them ( and pay for them ) - I might as well have fun with them!!!!

( Besides - the blue matches my Harley )

But, I was also shown a ceramic set. Thought that they looked funny. I guess if you have perfectly white teeth that they might look okay - but it just looked odd. I too would worry about staining.
Most of us are only having a routine type of cleaning done before getting braced ( my ortho said that having teeth whitened or using whitening strips can cause the brackets not to bond well ) , so most of us probably do not have the "perfect pearly whites" - Food for thought !!! As for me - I AM GOING FULL METAL !!!!!!

#14 Post by **HeyBuckey!** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:38 am

Good luck on your journey!!! I know you've got some time to wait until your treatment begins but at least you know you've got a good Ortho who's taking sometime to really look and take your case practically. I definitely went with the metals because I too heard someone say they thought the ceramics looked like plaque on someones teeth. Uh gross! And I'm with ANGELFLUTTER on that one!

I am paying $5480.00 for those buggers - I am going to SHOW THEM OFF

And...from what I've read, ceramics can increase your treatment time. It may not be a significant amount of time but good grief! After being metal ridden for 2 years or more how much more can you take?

Best of Wishes!!!

#15 Post by **petitcanard** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:46 pm

Hey Grover, tick tick tick!! LOL Look, it's October already... we're getting there

Sounds like you have a nice, thorough ortho, which is great, and good job on not sounding like you're attempting to eject a hairball while getting impressions... I wasn't that talented the first time I had impressions done several years ago, gack. It actually scared me off braces and right now I'm more worried about that than anything!! Ha. We'll see how I do this time, my records appmt is the 22nd.

Sounds like you're going to choose all metal too? And I love ANGELFLUTTER's attitude, you go, girl!!! I'm actually hoping for non-self ligating too, so I can choose colors wildly inappropriate to my age and profession. We have to have something to look forward to, right? Hang in there!

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