Metal Mouth Message Board

Well I started a story about a month ago but for some reason I can't edit it, so I'm starting a new one.

Where can I start? I've hated my teeth basically ALL my life. I've hidden them from everybody. When I say everybody, I mean everybody. I've hidden them so much that many people don't even know that my teeth are jacked up. When I told people I was getting braces alot people asked why. & I responded, because my teeth aren't straight. They would say, "Really, I never noticed." As I get older, my teeth are really taking a toll on me. I can no longer continue to hide behind a hand when I smile, or make sure my top lip is safely covering my teeth. I'm ready to laugh at jokes, smile at my graduation & wedding, & let people know that I'm not mean, I just don't smile because I can't. Well enough of that, I could write a book if someone let me lol.

So with that said, I started my braces journey last summer with a consultation but I didn't have the money until this summer. My top was put on last week & I got my bottoms put on today. My ortho says I will have them on 18-20 months. But I'll believe it when I see it. I'm in college so my appointments are really spaced out but she told me that wouldn't be an issue, she would just put stronger wires on. So on to the issues. I have a huge gap in between my teeth. My teeth are very "flared" out as my ortho calls it. & I have a tooth at the bottom that sticks out. I'm sure there are other things wrong but those are the things that bother me the most. I have to get a frenectomy, possibly two teeth pulled, wisdom teeth pulled, & crowns? I believe on two teeth at the top that are too small.

Yes, alottttttt going on with my teeth but I'm glad I'm finally being proactive about it, than pushing it to the side. So on with the pictures. Plz be nice. I'm so self conscious about me teeth it's pathetic. Good luck to everyone on their brace journey, & good luck to me I'll be updating monthly w/ pictures.

Happy smiling

Before the braces

First Week w/ Braces

Pics are big, hopefully I get it right the next time

Congratulations on starting your journey! Your teeth look nice and white and look to be nicely shaped too, which means they're going to look amazing when you've finished your treatment!

I too might be having a frenectomy, but not until later in my treatment. At what stage will you be getting yours?

Good Luck!

Congratulations! I hope you're not having too hard of a time with them...your teeth will be fab before you know it!

Harriet wrote:Congratulations on starting your journey! Your teeth look nice and white and look to be nicely shaped too, which means they're going to look amazing when you've finished your treatment!

I too might be having a frenectomy, but not until later in my treatment. At what stage will you be getting yours?

Good Luck!

Thankyou! I don't see anything positive about my teeth at all & I won't be getting a frenectomy for a while. My orthos focus right now is to see how my bottom teeth adjust & rather or not I have to get teeth pulled. I pray I dont. When do you have to get yours?

Crazy4Snow wrote:Congratulations! I hope you're not having too hard of a time with them...your teeth will be fab before you know it!

Thanks. Things are quite painful & boring right now. I guess things get worse before they get better when it comes to braces.

Well my top braces have been on for 19 days. It doesn't even feel like it. I'll have to take pictures soon, to see if there's any movement. I would have to say the worst things about braces, for me are: FLOSSING, cutting up almost everything I eat, & my intimate life. Sorry if that's TMI. Each morning I wake up, the first thing that comes to mind is, "I do not feel like flossing today." Lol. The food thing is getting to me, because I only weigh about 105 pounds & I DO NOT want to lose any weight. & kissing has become so uncomfortable. But other than that, I'm a happy bracer.

I hope everyone else is doing well. Happy smiling.

Update.

Well it looks like my teeth have done a little bit of moving. Especially the little tooth at the bottom that was sticking out a lot. Its finally starting to move. My gap doesn't look like it has closed at all. But I'm pretty sure that won't start happening until I get the power chain put on which I hope she will be doing next month when I get my second adjustment.

Happy Smiling Everyone!

I definitely see movement in your teeth- how exciting!
You are going to have an absolutely gorgeous smile when you are through. I also know about being self conscious about teeth. My story is similar to yours, so self-conscious! I can't wait to smile freely (without braces!).
Keep posting

I'm kind of late but congrats on your braces! I can definately see some movement! Your teeth are going to look wonderful when you get debraced.

Also, your story is very similar to mine. I was self concious, and hated to show my teeth. I also have a gap, in need of a frenectomy (later on down the road.)

Just remember that all the pain and discomfort you have to go through will be worth it in the end!

Keep up the posts.

Thanks for the kind words Flynn & AM21 I hope your journeys are going well also! We will be happy smiling in no time, w/ all the confidence in the world.

AM21 wrote:I'm kind of late but congrats on your braces! I can definately see some movement! Your teeth are going to look wonderful when you get debraced.

Also, your story is very similar to mine. I was self concious, and hated to show my teeth. I also have a gap, in need of a frenectomy (later on down the road.)

Just remember that all the pain and discomfort you have to go through will be worth it in the end!

Keep up the posts.

I just looked at your blog and and our stories are kind of the same! It's kind of exciting to see some one going through the same journey as you. Are you going to get powerchains to close up the gap?

SiNsation wrote:

AM21 wrote:I'm kind of late but congrats on your braces! I can definately see some movement! Your teeth are going to look wonderful when you get debraced.

Also, your story is very similar to mine. I was self concious, and hated to show my teeth. I also have a gap, in need of a frenectomy (later on down the road.)

Just remember that all the pain and discomfort you have to go through will be worth it in the end!

Keep up the posts.

I just looked at your blog and and our stories are kind of the same! It's kind of exciting to see some one going through the same journey as you. Are you going to get powerchains to close up the gap?

Yeah, I agree! It is exciting. Yeah, I just got a power chain on my two front teeth on Monday. I don't think it's a very strong one because I've only noticed my gap closing a little bit.. So that kind of has me worried when my ortho decides to give me a heavy duty one.
I'll tell you one thing though, powerchains do make your teeth ache and throb... lol.

At the moment, I must admit I am not the happiest w/ my brace journey. A little progress has happened. My teeth don't "flare" as much as they did before. & the tooth that was sticking out at the bottom, does not anymore. BUT what I dislike about my teeth the most, the gap, appears to not have moved at all.

I want to blame my ortho. I feel like I should have powerchains, and my gap should be a lot smaller than it is. But she told me that she can't start moving my teeth until she makes enough room in my mouth, by extracting a tooth at the bottom. Because my college is 6 hours away, I can't see my ortho like I normally would If i was at home. I'm scheduled to get extractions at the end of the month. So I'm praying by the middle of summer my gap will be closed, & my braces can be removed before I graduate the following year...

Here are a couple pictures