July 20, 2005 is the date that I will join the masses (on this forum anyway) and officially have a metal mouth. I've waited forever and a day for this day to come, and now it is a week away.
Like many on the forum I've wanted braces for quite some time, but the money just wasn't there for such an expense, so it just kept getting put off. Now I've just transferred from an out-state private school and into an in-state public university, my job for the summer pays great and my dad is in the position to assist me with the monthly payments, so it is officially a go.
I had originally visisted my current ortho for a consultation back in October 2003, but of course money talks and I had to walk. 20 months later on June 23, 2005 I had an appointment for another consulation with my ortho, he of course told me what I already knew--that my teeth are crowded, slightly buck w/a small gap. I had a "yeah yeah yeah I already know" type of attitude (I was soo anxious) and after he knew we were serious we began to talk $$$$. The total came out to $3480, $150 more each if I decide to get upper and/or lower ceramics.
My appointment for records, spacing, x-rays etc. is on Monday, July 18, and I will officially have braces on Wednesday, July 20. I'm excited and nervous. I have wanted braces for quite some time. My friends know me to be the jokester, the reliable one, the "confident" one etc. I love them all dearly, but they rarely see the side of me that is self-conscious and depressed at times. Everyone is always telling me to smile in my pics...and I say I do...the "lips closed tightly together" smile lol
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
. I AM SMILING!!!!! I'm doing this to get a new outlook on life. I want to be able to talk to people and make eye contact, not avoid them because I think they're looking at my teeth and passing judgment, I want to be able to smile and be uninhibited and not worry what people think. I was reading on the archwired page to use this as your transformation time. That was music to my ears because that is what I intend to do...I know its not going to be a walk in the park, but I'm ready. My estimated treatment time is 12-18 months...I'll be able to walk in my commencement ceremony in May 2007 with confidence and pride, and I will be smiling in all my pics lol. After this process is over I want to visit a professional photographer and create a portfolio and actually send it out to various agencies as a hobby (and to help through b-school), go on casting calls just for the hell of it. And maybe meet the man of my dreams and hear him say "You have a gorgeous smile
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
." Who knows...this is just the start of the many opportunities I see coming my way. In order to have something you must first claim it...and that's exactly what I'm doing. Claiming my happiness, and not looking back or regretting the past. They say good things come to those who wait, and I would always tell myself that but I never felt like the good thing came until now (and 12-18 months from now ). But you know what....I'm on my journey to freedom and happiness. This is officially....
MyTimeToShine
[BEFORE AND AFTER PICS COMING SOON]