34, male, about to be braced for the first time

Message

#1 Post by **marcusjb** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:28 pm

Hello there

Just a quick intro and to say I am pleased to find this forum - was beginning to think I was the only male in their 30s who was getting a brace.

I should have my brace fitted late June, early July (find out exact date on Thursday) to correct a prominent overbite.

Will have them on for 2 years before surgery.

Nervous for sure.

I am a director of two companies and am intrigued to see what people's reactions will be. One of my other directors knows about it, but none of the staff do - it will be a surprise I am sure.

The other obvious worries I have is dating - I'm single and I can not imagine that the braces is going to do much for my success! The end result might - but 2 years is a long time!

Ah well - I am just glad to read through other people's experiences.

I am nervous, but excited at the same time.

All the best

Marcus JB

#2 Post by **lilc290** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:25 am

Welcome! Glad you made the decision to improve your life with braces.

I haven't had my braces put on yet, but from a woman's point of view, braces on men are most definately not the end of the world. Personally, I wouldn't care at all! Anyways, if you find a woman that judges you for having braces, she isn't someone you want to be dating anyways! Usually when people judge you, they're the ones that have the problem.

Good luck with everything, were all here for you!

~catie

#3 Post by **MissDiana** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:02 pm

The other obvious worries I have is dating

Hi Marcus, welcome!

I know this might sound crazy, but I've actually been dating MORE since I got my braces then I did all winter!

Now, I can't be sure as to why, but I think that I'm actually more confident now. See, before I was always worried if people were looking at my teeth because they were (in my mind) so crooked and messed up, and I felt like guys would judge more for how badly they looked. Now ... I guess I'm just not worried about them because they're being taken care of.

I've actually had a few guys tell me that they think I look cute with braces!

#4 Post by **marcusjb** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:29 pm

Well thanks for everyone's replies.

Was just having a panic ahead of tomorrow's hospital appointment!

Last meeting with surgeon and orthodontist before getting my top brace fitted.

I think panic over and feeling more reassured today!

Thanks to everyone and I will let people know how I get on.

MJB

#5 Post by **Laurie** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:01 pm

I agree with the others. Braces can only enhance your confidence. I know just thinking about nice teeth makes me want to smile more!

#6 Post by **marcusjb** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:41 pm

Thanks again for everyone's comments.

Had a final appointment with the surgeon today and have a date for fitting my first brace!

Was quicker than I thought (the NHS can move frighteningly fast at times!) and I will have the brackets fitted on the 4th June and the wires a week later.

Now I am very excited I think!

I will let people know how I get on.

Marcus JB

#7 Post by **mikecl** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:07 pm

Marcus

As a fellow Brit and 34 year old male, I just wanted to say that you're not the only 34 year old male who has decided to get braces this year. There is also a growing UK based membership of this site which is also good to see.

I have been wearing an upper ceramic brace for two weeks and only one person at work has actually asked me about them. I am pretty sure others have spotted them but why they haven't said anything is anyone's guess.

I can't speak for the dating part (I am happily married with a 3 year old son) but I can say it's one of the best things I have done and I am very happy that I went through with it.

Good luck

#8 Post by **marcusjb** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:39 am

Well, once again, thanks for everyone's comments.

Everyone I have told so far has been really cool about it - people who had them as teenagers, have friends who've had them etc. So I am really pleased and excited. Roll on Monday!

Did warn my staff I might be a little grumpy over the coming weeks (more so than usual!) - so they better work hard and keep their noses clean!

I think I am prepared with supplies of things etc. and am really ready for everything.

I am going to take some photos over the weekend of my teeth as they are - so, once it's all done, I can remind myself about the mess my jaws are in at the moment!

Thanks again for everyone's comments and encouragement.

#9 Post by **dojo** » Wed May 30, 2007 3:19 pm

I am 28, a woman and also scared about all this. I am sure people will be OK with this .. I found my coleagues to be quite nice about my issues and supportive ... it will all pass ...

Best of luck with the treatment .. let's hope in some months time we can brag with an awesome smile

#10 Post by **marcusjb** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:39 am

Well - it's done!

Brackets on top teeth, a thin temporary wire and some rubber spacers in my rear teeth.

So far, it doesn't hurt too much - there's not a lot of tension on the wire (until next week), but I can feel the spacers quite a bit.

I can talk better than I hoped to be - but I can feel the brackets rubbing a little on my cheeks when I talk alot.

Anyway - so far, so good!

#11 Post by **marcusjb** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:43 am

The braces have clearly not given my any web super-powers!

Anyone know why that did not work to display the image?

#12 Post by **ctoler1920** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:23 am

What type of surgery are you having?

#13 Post by **marcusjb** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:42 am

Hi there

I have a nice big overbite - so lower jaw will be moved forward with metal plates.

The braces will move my front teeth forward (as well as an overbite, they are angled backwards (meaning I am stripping my lower jaw to bits))

At the moment, I'm not really thinking about the surgery (it's my first full day in braces - and so far, no real pain at all - though I am sure that'll change over time!).