![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
After 3 years and 3 months, 2 surgeries and many adjustments later--- I am bracefree!!
I was released into the world with a wonderful smile, a pretty pink retainer, and a ton of candy!
Taking the braces off didn't hurt at all and I was so shocked! It was just *pop* *pop* *pop* and they were off! But man did it feel weird... and slimey!
They feel much better now though. And I went straight to the store and bought some whitening toothplace and new floss! I am so excited to have straight teeth! It's... liberating, in a way. I've never been able to run my tongue across my teeth. I've never been able to smile without feeling ashamed, or talk in public without covering my mouth.
The process took much longer than I anticipated, was a lot more painful than I realized it would be... but I would do it all again.
Before...
![Image](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/jlondregan/photos/beforeaug03.jpg)
After...
![Image](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/jlondregan/photos/menobraces011.jpg)