Confidence :/

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#1 Post by **VolinBraces** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:19 pm

Alright, so here's my story.

I'm a 24 year old guy, and started this life-changing experience of braces in October 2006. I had crooked, crammed, insane teeth that needed to be fixed. My family was never able to help. My job, however, afforded me the money and insurance to do it. I was nervous but decided to do it.

In October 2006, they put on my top braces, which are the clear colored brackets. My teeth moved quickly, and you could barely notice the brackets. I loved having these braces.

Before I could get my bottoms on (and continue movement on top), I needed 4 teeth extracted. I did that a few months ago. Just fine.

Then, yesterday, I go in to get my bottoms on. They go through the process, and I look in the mirror - horrified! I completely forgot that they don't have clear brackets for bottom teeth. I have the super shiny, metal mouth (I love this site

) brackets.

I'm in advertising, and 70% of my job is talking face to face with potential clients. I feel nervous, self-conscious, etc. Unlike my top brackets, these are like neon lights saying "This guy has poor teeth!"

How did you all deal with this kind of feeling? I'm sure when the teeth become less jammed, it won't look nearly as shocking. But right now, I feel like I look hideous.

#2 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:36 pm

They actually do have ceramic/clear braces for lower teeth, it's just a matter of your ortho using them and if they would be suitable for the movement you need. I have lower and upper clear ceramics.

#3 Post by **lionfish** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:41 pm

Actually, they do have "clear" braces for bottom teeth - I've got them.

Surely you must have known that you'd get metal on your bottom teeth well in advance? Or your ortho had particular reasons for placing metal rather than ceramic brackets and didn't advise the reasons to you? I find it hard to believe s/he wouldn't have discussed this with you.

I'm sure you don't look half as hideous as you imagine. And do you think your clients really care?

#4 Post by **METALMOUTHPOOH** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:05 pm

I get my braces on this coming Monday.... so I might be speaking out of line... but from what I have been reading on this site

1. no one really notices the braces most of the time... or they do and they dont care or say anything....
2. u end up worrying over them more then we should
and its all about how u handle it. Being strong and confident about your decision is all you need.
When I was younger I had the clear on top metal on the bottom and no one really notice the bottoms unless I showed them off .... hope that helps

#5 Post by **kiwigirl83** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 10:57 pm

Hey there and welcome to the board!

I'm the same age as you and I work in public relations so I totally get where you're coming from. Plus, I have the lovely shiny metal braces on both my top and bottom teeth!

I was a bit self-conscious at first, especially when meeting new clients or clients that hadn't seen for a few weeks. But, in the end, most of them haven't even mentioned the braces. The only one that did was a big, bolshy Australian property developer who blurted out 'Bloody hell- braces!' when I said hello to him which, awful as it sounds, was actually pretty funny!

Now, this may sound a bit mean but it's the truth....What makes you so sure that these clients give a damn about whether you have a bit of metal in your mouth or not? These people are (probably!) pumping a lot of money into your ad agency in the hope that they get some great advertising and a great return on their investment. When you are having meetings they won't be thinking about your mouth (for more than the briefest of seconds)- they will be thinking about the ideas that you are presenting, their budgets etc. I know that this sounds a bit harsh but it's something I realised after a few meetings with my braces

Clients have bigger things to think about than your teeth

Also, just think about how much more confident you will be after all this work is done and you have gorgeous straight pearly whites!

Doesn't mean that I don't get self-conscious but I just try to forget that I have braces and act/speak like I normally would

Feel free to message me if you have any other worries- stuff you'd like to talk about

You'll be fine!!

#6 Post by **Kbraced** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:51 pm

I have ceramics on my bottom teeth. But I wouldn't worry about it if I were you b/c it's unlikely that anybody can see your bottoms anyway.

#7 Post by **PARR** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:43 pm

seriously, I am a big smiler and have full metal and not a soul cares one bit. I am in health care and look just fine in my scrubs. You are in sales whatever and will look just fine your suit...besides, stainless steel goes with all colors! You will still look very professional. This is not a big honking nose ring or tongue stud. You are caring for your overall health, and there is no stigma to that. Be happy and positive. If someone notices say, "yup, I needed to take care of that and I'm glad I'm able to now."

#8 Post by **SnowSara** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:32 am

I'll just echo PARR! No one will notice and if they do, they will only recognize that you are doing something for yourself. Besides, I don't know about you, but I practically have to pull my lower lip down for people to see my lower brackets and I have a big gold posted wire down there!

#9 Post by **gunter8888** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:05 pm

This is a mighty common concern around here. To some extent, I think all of us have had these thoughts at one time or another. What I have learned in the year since I began is that to spite what I may think or feel, my braces are a much bigger deal to me than they are to anyone else. I have even found that even my wife hardly thinks about them - even when kissing.

I am a 35-year old sales professional. I regularly present to individual customers and large groups. I have never had a negative experience in those situations - or any other for that matter. I have had a handful of people approach me and say things like, "I had braces as an adult too. You'll be so glad you did it." I have had a few others say they have been thinking about it and ask questions about my experiences with braces. But, never has anyone even given me a look that would suggest they thought my braces were silly, nerdy or stupid.

In a world where people regularly go through painful and expensive surgery to alter or enhance every imaginable body part getting braces is pretty simple stuff.

#10 Post by **minnie2** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:32 pm

>Hi Volin braces

I have ceramic on top ( jan 2007) and metal on the bottom ( 6 days).
I have the same feeling!!! and i have the feeling that i have too much thing in my mouth! burk!!!!
For me, braces was a positive thing... with braces on top only! it was a great experience but it's different with my new metal mouth!
Maybe, after a few days, my journey will be more positive....now, i have really no pain but ....i have a metal smile! it's hard!

minnie

#11 Post by **Caseym** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:39 pm

After just being braced yesterday (full metal mouth!) i can understand how you feel.

But I keep telling myself that the only thing bringing this experience down is my attitude. Try to keep positive

#12 Post by **Sparrow76** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:52 pm

I am also getting ceramics on top and metal on the bottom, and I think it's great -- especially since I've heard that ceramic braces can be a bit tricky to remove. I like to think that I'm sparing myself half the hassle...

Also, like everyone else said, I think most of the self-consciousness comes from staring at yourself way too closely in the mirror (which I'm sure I'll do, too!)

Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:03 pm

I have ceramics on top and metal bottoms, going on 2 months now. Like you, I have a job that has me meeting and talking with new people all the time. And here's my take on it (keep in mind that my overbite/overjet leaves me unable to close my lips to hide my braces):

Bottom line is that you do have braces, and people are going to notice. You can't do much to hide these things that are sticking on the front of your teeth. Most people don't say anything about it, and those who have said anything to me just ask me how I'm feeling (i.e. do they hurt today), or tell me about their experience, or tell me that they want braces. I've even had people give me "props" because they are too scared to get braces. It's kind of like when you get new glasses - some will notice, others don't really care. Or, it's like when you wear an unflattering outfit - who is going to tell you that you look terrible?

I'm not trying to make light of anyone's anxiety, but over time you will notice your braces less, and they'll be fixing your smile, too