getting braces today.. age 24

[asimpson]

Hi all! I'm glad I came across this forum on the internet. I am two hours away from my appointment to get my top braces put on. I initially searched the internet because in three weeks from now, I have to have a front bottom incisor tooth pulled (ouch) and then have the bottom braces put on. Because of what seems to be my luck.. I will have to go almost 2 days with a gap in the bottom of my mouth!! At least with the braces on the bottom, people might not think I'm a hilbilly with a gap in my mouth (and yes I am from the country), but rather "oh, she's got braces so she's working to improve her teeth!" Has anyone else had a bottom front tooth pulled and have any pictures available?? My dentist showed me a picture of a patient who had it done, and honestly it didn't really help my nerves go away I'm already saddened by the fact that I'm 24, this is my SECOND round of braces (first round was about 10 years ago.. and my wisdom teeth ended up growing in and jammed my teeth back together).. but now I'm going to have a gap in my mouth too On the plus though, my ortho personally ordered me the clear brackets w/silver wire for the BOTTOM teeth because I told him I really didn't want the silver ones. He said in the 25 years he's been an ortho, everyone has always had silver on the bottom.. including the girls who work there that aren't very happy I get the clear.


Any help/pictures would be appreciated!!

[catgyrl]

Welcome!

You can read a bit of Shelby's story here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35311&start=15. She had a bottom central incisor extracted, and though I don't think her story is complete because she hasn't posted in a while, there are pics here that show how quickly and how well the gap closed.

I wouldn't worry too much about the gap, especially after you get the braces on. I had one upper premolar extracted, and although I did have my brackets on, my wire didn't extend across the gap until a week or so after the extraction. After that, I swear nobody noticed I had a tooth pulled. Now, when people asked me where the extraction was, it takes me a while to find it because it's almost closed and you'd never know I had a gap.

I think your ortho is right about most people getting metal brackets on the bottom because, for the most part, those teeth aren't very visible (unless you're one to "cheese grin" a lot). But hey, if he'll do it for you, then go for it. I have clear on top and metal on the bottom. Neither poses any more of a problem than the other as far as pain/irritation goes.

Good luck! Take lots of pics so you can follow your progress.

[Melody85]

I had 2 perfectly healthy top teeth pulled out after 4 months in braces and now, 8 months since that happened, the gaps havent fully closed, so I can understand why you would be feeling nervous. It's all part of the process. Sure it sucks, but hey, you are going to look AMAZING in the end