24 years old and finally getting braces

[Lisabobisa]

I have always wanted braces, but my family could not afford them when I was younger. I now have a full-time job and some extra money to spare, so I'm finally taking the steps to get this done.

I had a RPE "installed" yesterday. I will be turning twice a day for two weeks. I realize this is a controversial practice in adult orthodontics, but I am a petite 24 year old female, so we'll see what happens. After two weeks, I'll hopefully get my wires put in. I currently have brackets so I can get used to having them in my mouth. I will be only moving my top teeth, as my bottom teeth are fine.

I don't know any of the technical terms, but I have my lower teeth overlap my upper teeth on the left side. My right side is fine. My two front teeth have a tiny bit of overlap, as well as a few chips that my orthodontist is "so excited to work on."

Overall my teeth aren't soooo bad... but I've always been a bit self conscious of my smile.

Wish me luck!

[JeniK]

Welcome Lisa! And good luck! This place is great if you have any questions! I am learning all I can before I get my braces on in Aug.

[Lisabobisa]

I forgot to add in my initial post. My treatment time is estimated at 9 months.

[Lisabobisa]

One week with this expander, and I'm beginning to see my two front teeth are not so "overlappy". There is a tiny space, but because they were already overlapping it's not very obvious. I was at the gym, about three hours after I turned the key, and I felt a pop-like sensation in the roof of my mouth. Possibly the palate breaking? We shall see if I continue to see a space... I have a tingly ache behind my two front teeth pretty much all the time. My nose and cheeks are sore as well. Hopefully this thing is doing it's job though, and all of this will be worth it.

I have discovered the joy of smoothies, to get my fruits and veggies. So far, the only fruit/veggie I can eat outside of a smoothie comfortably is cantaloupe. It's not that I'm in pain, it's that I cannot stand the feeling of food being stuck up above my expander. When I do eat, I have to cut everything up super small, and I eat VERY slowly with lots of water.

I have begun obsessively cleaning my teeth more than ever before: brushing my teeth after every meal, picks, floss, mouth wash, etc. This is probably the best thing about having this thing because I wasn't so thorough about my dental hygiene before.

That's all for now... when I start to see a BIG difference, I'll post pictures. Right now it's not obvious in pictures.

[Angel269]

Hi Lisa

Welcome. My treatment was 9 months too and I had only upper braces, had ceramic. Feel free to check out my story, as there are pics too on there

[Kurisu]

Hello Lisa! Hmm feels like we are similar in age, petite frame, and only 9 months to straight teeth. Are your brackets metal or the ceramic one?

Improved dental hygiene is always a plus! Hope to see pics soon!

[Lisabobisa]

I decided I'm going to post pictures after my check-up on Wednesday. I'm kinda nervous that the changes I'm seeing are all in my head, so I want my ortho to confirm before I post. I'm paranoid like that.

Yesterday, I was watching some tv and filling out some job applications, and all of a sudden I felt (and heard) a "crackle" in my palate right behind my two front teeth. This was about 6 hours after turn 19. My mouth was just feeling okay again, but now I'm achy in my two front teeth all over again. Not pain, I should emphasize... just pressure. Still no obvious gap, but I went home to see my family today and my mom said she sees a difference in my teeth already. I saw her after I first had the expander put in.

We shall see what the Orthodontist says on Wednesday. I'm hoping it's good things!

Thank you everyone for replying.

@Kurisu I have ceramic brackets. I was going to go for metal because they were cheaper, but they offered me the ceramic for free, so I went for that instead.

[Lisabobisa]

I have a gap in my two front teeth. It's very small, but as those two teeth were originally overlapping, it's great to see some improvement.

But now my bite is completely off which is just annoying.

[SunshineRay]

Wow, fast moving huh? I have to admit the noises would freak me out a little but its showing progress so Im sure you love it.

[Lisabobisa]

I went in for my first appointment since getting the expander put in. The orthodontist was please with the expansion and gave me the lovely news that I get to stop turning. (WOOHOO! My key had gone all kooky anyway.)

Wires went on, and the expander will be out in four weeks.

Seems quick, but I didn't need that much expansion. 7 mm at my check.

I also got an amazing job opportunity and will be moving cross country in five weeks. I am super excited for this, but it gives my ortho more work now because he will be complying a list of orthodontists he recommends to complete my treatment. I realize it will probably be more expensive... but I knew that going in that this might be a possibility.

[Lisabobisa]

Omgoodness... the entire underside of my upper lip is about to become one gigantic canker sore. NOT HAPPY right now...