Beginning of the "journey"

Message

#1 Post by **Abby81** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:08 pm

I just wanted to say hello to everybody! My name is Abby and after agonizing about it for a couple of months I finally decided to go for it and get braces. I've been browsing this site for a while, it seems to be very helpful to read other people's experiences. I must say, I'm extremely scared of getting my braces. The treatment will last two and a half years and it just seems like such a horribly long time!! I'm scared of the pain, financial burden, the way it will change how I look...I know..very childish but can't help it. On the other hand, I dream of having straight teeth so I decided to go for it. I had my separators put in today and will have my braces put in on Dec. 5, which happens to be my birthday! Great present for myself, hm? I will have clear ones on the top and metal ones on my bottom teeth. I am still wondering, won't that look weird, different kinds of braces in my mouth? Also, if I do have the clear ones how much will they stain? Anyway..I guess I am looking for a little support, I don't really know any adults with braces. Thanks!!
Abby

#2 Post by **iBorg** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:19 pm

Congrats on starting the journey to straight teeth and a better bite. As for the mixture of braces looking strange, they only will be if you think they are.

If you've read any of my posts to anyone starting the process my standard advice is take pictures. Today before you start, when you start and every couple of weeks after. That way you can see the progess. When you get frustrated and "sick" of braces, the progress will be a great motivation.

Best of luck and happy birthday and B day!

Mike

#3 Post by **lionfish** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:30 pm

Hi Abby,

You only agonised for months? I agonised for half a lifetime!

All the emotions you're having now are familiar. The combination you're getting - clear on top/metal on the bottom - is quite common. The braces themselves don't stain, but the ligatures (those things that keep the wire in place) do if you pick certain colours. Clear ligs don't stand up well to any food with colouring in it e.g. mustards, curries, tomato based sauces, etc. There's a thread on colours which will give you some hints.

I know of one other adult in braces, a good friend. I've seen a few at the practice I go to, but other than that they're thin on the ground in my neck of the woods.

Good luck with everything.

#4 Post by **lisaemtp** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:45 pm

Congratulations on making the decision! I just got my braces on on 11/16 and it was strange at first, but only five days later and I'm pretty much used to them and weaned off the wax. Every time I have pain or get frustrated I remind myself of how much I want the end result and that all this will be worth it. My birthday is on 12/8 and I'm looking at all this as a great big 25th birthday present to myself

Best of luck and welcome to the board!

Lisa

#5 Post by **PrincessMelody** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:53 pm

Congrats on deciding to get braces. It may seem like a long journey, but trust me it will go by quick. I'm almost at 3 months and it seems like I just got my braces on. You get used to them quickly and the worse pain is where you are at right now... the spacers. Everything else seems like a breeze compared to the horrible spacers. As for having different types of bracers, I know many people, including my mom, who have/had ceramic/clear on top and metal on bottom. It is actually quite normal. I personally have all metal purely because of the fact that it was cheaper and I am a little short on cash since I am a recent college grad

Just think of the end result... your beautiful teeth.

#6 Post by **MarvinBrace** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:24 pm

Hi Abby81,

i just want to wish you good luck with your B-DAY and at the same time wish you a happy B-DAY on the 5th dec.

I also have the same emotions as you have, i will get braces on the 18th dec and my birhtday is on the 8th dec., so i guess this will be my "gift".

I hope you keep us posted about your yourney.

BY THE WAY: let me know what you choose for brackets (clear and metal or all metal or all clear) and how does it feels.

#7 Post by **acd** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:28 pm

It is amazing how much of a huge deal is is to us who decide to do this but how little it seems to matter to other people. I was just around 30+ members of my wife's family for an afternoon and not one of them said a word about my braces. Since I got them on November 1st I have not had anyone say a thing about them including my customers, the people who work directly for me and the CEO of my company who spent a day with me a few weeks ago. If I have any regrets it is that I did not do this years ago. I have clear uppers and will be getting metal lowers as soon as a wayward upper lateral comes forward and that can't come too soon. As for the money when you spead the cost over the next thirty months but will get the benefits for the rest of your life it becomes a no brainer. Keep going forward, keep a good attitude with your eye on the end result and you won't regret your decision. This is a great website and I'm sure you will find someone with a similar situation to yours to help provide you with the inspiration to go forward.

#8 Post by **turrrtlelove22** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:58 pm

Hey Abby81, I just realized that we will be like a week apart!!! haha. You got braces the day I got spacers...hehe

#9 Post by **Aquagirl910** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:54 pm

Hey Abby81! I see you got your braces put on on December 5th. Thats when I got mine off! Don't worry, time will go by faster than you think. Sometimes your teeth will hurt, but just know you will have a beautiful smile afterwards! I can't wait to hear of your progress, and like the others said, take pictures! Good luck!