I've been lurking here for a few months and thought I should finally post. You guys seem like such a friendly and supportive bunch, and I think my friends and family just aren't in the talking-about-braces groove.
I'd declined treatment as a teenager since I didn't really have any bite issues, but had started to regret that decision in recent years. My ortho said that considering I didn't have anything done as a teenager, my bite was pretty darn good. But I have a small mouth (fortunately with small teeth to match) and there was some crowding. In particular, my upper and lower incisors were all wonky, especially the upper, and the contacts between my teeth were so tight as to make flossing difficult. After three different dentists in a row recommended braces, I decided to go for it.
I got my top brackets and upper spacers on December 22. I don't have a true Before picture, but this is what my teeth looked like on January 5, which also happened to be my 25th birthday.
By that point there had already been noticeable movement in my front two teeth, which had been facing each other at about a 30-degree angle when I started. Upper molar bands went on January 25 (yes, I was wearing spacers for a month
).
And finally, lower brackets, lower spacers, and a new archwire on top on February 22.
My next adjustment is March 22 (spacers for a month again
), when I'll be getting my lower molar bands.My ortho told me 24 months seemed like a reasonable treatment length, though it could be as little as 18, depending on how things go. At some point I may need to have my wisdom teeth out to free up more space. I'm not at all attached to my wisdom teeth, so I may see if she'll just yank them if it'll speed up treatment.
But I'm pretty happy with my decision so far!
