The beginning-normal to be emotional?

[eeyore1997]

Hi everyone--I'm new

My teeth have been horrible for as long as I can remember (I'm 30 now). I have a huge overjet (at least 10 mm), terrible spaces between my top two front teeth and all my teeth on the bottom. My parents obviously didn't take me to the ortho when I was little, and they didn't take me to a dentist, either. It wasn't a financial issue--they were scared of dentists so they never took my brother and I. I have wanted braces since I was 10 years old (you can imagine the names I was called to want them that young), but since I had never been to a dentist I was terrified to go in. Every year I waited made the fear worse. I finally started to face my fear in February, and after some deep cleanings, many cavity fillings and wisdom teeth removal I am finally on my way to braces.

I've read bits of this forum and know I'm not the only adult getting ready for braces. But this is going to be a long haul for me--everyone I know personally who have had braces were able to have clear brackets, Invisalign, etc and only had to deal with it for two years or less.

I have to have metal braces on top and bottom--my ortho says that since my case is complicated (i.e. I have terrible horrible teeth) he doesn't want me in ceramics--they break too easy and would prolong my already extensive treatment time. He said he would try his hardest to get me out of braces in 3 years, but he didn't tell me that doesn't include the expander time.

I got my expander this morning--ortho estimates I'll have it for 4-6 months. Once it is removed I get my upper and lower braces for 3 years. After reading this web site it seems that treatments always end up taking longer than planned. I figure I won't get my braces off for 4-5 years.

I've been crying on and off all day. I'm so mad that this wasn't taken care of when I was little--and that I have just signed myself up for years of pain and embarressment. I'm an optometrist and have to be in people's faces all day long--soon I'll have to do that with a mouth full of visible metal. I'm trying to be happy that I'm on my way and proud that I even made it to this point--but right now it is all really overwhelming.

Sorry for the long post--I was just wondering if anyone else was this emotional at the beginning.

Thanks......
--eeyore1997

[blindboarder2008]

First of all I would like to say welcome aboard eeyore and you are on your way to getting a new smile that hopefully you will enjoy and like once everything is said and done.

I think its perfectly normal to be emotional. While every person case is different there will always be those cases where people have had to go through long haul in order to get to where they are today. I will not lie and say that every day will be good for you because obviously that wouldn't be true and I dont want to steer you wrong. I will say there will be days where you will be thinking "what they heck have I got myself into" and there will be days that you will be happy you have made the decision to get a better smile. Everyone goes through at some point of the treatment and its perfectly normal and your not alone so don't worry. WEre all here to help each other out as best as we possible can. were kinda like a huge family, its neat because we each bring our own unique experiences. with that being said let me give you a bit of background on my situation.

I'm 22 and have had braces now a little over a year. Thanks to my dad side of the family I developed an semi severe overbite and virtually the only teeth that would go together was the very back teeth (molars). I also developed misaligned jaws and the one jaw was smaller then the other jaw so I underwent surgery a few weeks ago to get everything fixed. I had my wisdom teeth taken out last year in June and am very happy I did before I got my jaw surgery as this would of been one more thing to deal with once i got my jaw surgery.

I will be getting implant surgery once my jaws heal more. I need 1 implanted tooth. I will also possibly be getting gum restoration surgery as some of my gums are mishaped and some are thinner then the other ones but that one is still not fully offiical as of yet.

one again welcome aboard and no that your not alone. were always here to help each other out and venting is allowed. You'll find lots of people do that on here and it just helps to get it out and maybe people will offer some good advice or just so you can vent to people who have a shared understanding of how you are feeling.

[Blossom]

I am 29 tomorrow.. so close in age to you. I was a bit of a wreck when I first got braced.
The first day I had my braces on, I bawled my eyes out - which was kind of silly looking back.
My self esteem took a massive beating.. but in the last 6 weeks, I have found myself smiling and even smiling with my braces showing!

It sounds like your treatment is going to take awhile.. but think, from the moment you started you are on the road to having a smile you can be proud of. No more feeling self concious about bad teeth!
I had my first adjustment yesterday, in 6 weeks my bucked two front teeth have almost aligned with the rest of them. My ortho was amazed and has said if this continues my time in braces will be much shorter than he originally estimated!
Think positively and remember that you are doing this for yourself. it will be worth it in the end!

[jxds]

I'd say it is quite normal to feel that way, I really felt miserable when I left the ortho office with my braces in for the first time. I couldn't believe I had done that to myself, and every time I would see my mouth full of metal I would really wonder why that was happening to me. However, don't think you'll spend 3 years of pain and self-consciousness, believe it or not, in a few weeks the pain and most discomfort will have gone away and you'll start to fell comfortable with your braces. Now I smile much more than before getting them, and I am happy to show them. Had anyone told me at the beginning I would feel that way, I hadn't believed him, but now I'm really happy with my decision.

[sarahlynn]

You are definitely not alone in feeling emotion over this process, I was too. Your story is similar to mine in that I've wanted braces forever and as an adult I've put it off way too long due to fear (I'm 28 and soon to be 29).

I'm almost 2 weeks in and the first day in braces was the worst for me. I had spacers in for a week before and I was so excited to get the process started (nervous but excited). I went into it thinking "this is fantastic, maybe I'll even like how they look on me" - but at the end of my bracing when they gave me the mirror I had to fight back tears right then and there. And I did cry on and off throughout that day. I felt ridiculous and silly with a mouth full of junk. But I kept telling myself (and people here kept telling me) that it would get better, that these first few weeks would be the worst, and it would start to get better - and it has.

I'm still adjusting to everything, especially smiling around others in these (metal here too) - but I've just seen my first sign of movement (a small space created in my front teeth - not like I need more spaces, but it's something!). And now I'm really looking forward to seeing some movement and getting my first adjustment next week.

I've had positive responses from people around me, and that has helped ease my anxiety about this all. I'm sentenced for at least 3 years too, for a terrible bite and crooked teeth, but I'm trying not to think about that length. Right now it's more of a day by day and week by week thing. I know that a few months down the line when my teeth are moving to where they should be, I think I'll feel pretty great about this experience. You will too at some point, even if it's not right away.

[eeyore1997]

Thank you everybody--I feel a lot better knowing that I'm not the only one going through this.

Day 2 of my quad helix expander is going well--I'm learning to talk without a lisp and my tongue and cheeks haven't been bothered yet (knock on wood). It is still very painful to chew, so I'll stay on my jello/noodle/pudding/yogurt diet for another day or so.

I will look at this one day at a time, one week at a time. Hopefully, before I know it, I'll get the expander out and get my upper and lower braces started.

Thanks again--I hope to post again soon

--eeyore1997

[EmptyNester]

Hang in there! I just had to respond to offer you encouragement! Once you get started, just think you are on the road to better teeth, a better bite, and a better smile. I got braces last year at age 46 and my ortho said I will be in them for two years. I have crowding and a crossbite.

I read with interest that you are an optometrist. My daughter just graduated from optometry school in St. Louis in May. In your occupation, think of what an inspiration you will be to all your patients. You just may give someone out there the confidence to go ahead and get braces just like yourself.

One of the most frequent comments I see on Archwired.com is that people wished they had gotten braces sooner (I certainly wish I had!). You are getting them at such a young age that you will enjoy the major part of your life with beautiful teeth.

Whenever you you get to feeling blue, just go to this website. It has been such a help to me and so many others!

[tingrin in OR]

Welcome to the world of braces!

I understand where you are coming from. My first dentist visit wasn't until I was an adult. My parents didn't take us to the dentist for anything. I had several molars that had rotted in my mouth and what was left of them had to be removed. Needless to say, going to the dentist was embarassing for me. I had YEARS of plague build up, had to listen to the dentist beat me up over the state of my teeth and sat in the chair bawling. This has been a long haul for me.......every dentist appointment was scary and to listen to the dentist go off on me about things I had no control over growing up was more than I could handle. I felt awful about the neglect, and had lots of anger towards my childhood situation.

Fast forward 16 years I've grown up and I'm in a much better place. I have been braced for 2 months- full metal top and bottom. When I first was braced, I was horrified at what I had done to myself. To see the wires on my teeth showed just how crooked my teeth were. It was enough to send me into hysterics. I've spent my life trying to hide my teeth and here I was adding something shiny to them! I even told a friend that I would not get colored ligs, I was too old for them and thought that it would be even more flashy! BUT, here I sit sporting fuschia ligs- got them to match the wedding dress I have to wear for my sisters wedding. Already thinking about what color to go with next time. I've come a long way in these 2 months. I even forget I have braces on most of the time. (except when eating or talking)

Once you start seeing the progress from the braces, you will be amazed. I'm sure my husband gets tired of hearing talk about my teeth and the space I have now! I've had nothing but nice comments from co-workers. Many of them had told me they have thought about being braced. Many of them had been braced in the past and like to tell you their story. BUT this was by far the best comment. While volunteering for my daughters class field trip, one of the kids told me I looked like an 8th grader. OH yeah, made my day! I'm 36- granted they are 7 year olds, but whatever, I don't have to think about that!

Keep reminding yourself you are worth it! I'm sure once you get the braces on you will feel better. Stay strong and positive, just go with the flow and remind yourself of the outcome. No pain no gain!

[rolo]

Somebody posted a while back that they would rather have someone look at them and think "she has braces" than "she needs braces". Good luck

[amandajane]

I've been crying on and off all day. I'm so mad that this wasn't taken care of when I was little--and that I have just signed myself up for years of pain and embarressment.

Hmmm..... Wow!Ditto! I felt the same way. I don't really cry its just a permanent sadness. This website helps me cause I read it to stay focused on my goal of a beautiful smile.

Here's my story: viewtopic.php?t=31380[url][/url]

[MakePinkNotWar]

I didn't read all the posts but I think you should look at it that now you will be in people's faces with your teeth becoming perfect. Since you say your teeth are horrible, isn't it better having your teeth improving while doing this than having them stay the same and do it?

I don't mean to be rude but I am not familiar with this mindset. I smile a lot more with braces...I smile whenever I get the chance. Maybe it is different because I am younger than you but how I think of it is..when I have to give an oral speech..why should braces make me feel worse than my actual teeth did? Every month you wear braces you will notice improvements in your teeth. All I am saying is every month your teeth will be upgraded to a newer and straighter smile and that is better than doing the same thing with your old teeth.

Even if my teeth aren't moving with my braces I feel better having them because I know when I smile/talk people know I am on the road to straight teeth and I will have straight teeth one day.

[Keeyo]

I just got my braces 3 days ago. I am 49. I always wanted them as a kid and my parents didn't have dental insurance. Always went to the dentist, was always told I needed them, but didn't do it until now. When I sat in the waiting room before they put mine on, the lobby was filled with kids and their parents. I wanted to tell each of them how lucky they were that they were having this done now, not waiting until almost 50 to fix their teeth. I think I have been pretty lucky so far. I've had a headache, but my teeth don't hurt and I ate really soft stuff for two days and today I slowly ate a taco salad with no problems. I don't feel self-conscious about them. At this age, it is what it is. I've had people tell me they are proud of me doing this and that makes me feel better. No one has said, "why are you doing this now?" My teeth weren't horrible, but I was self-conscious about them being crooked, so here I go. My parents and siblings are thrilled for me. My mom always told me that I would have to wait until I got married so my husband could pay for my braces, but I'm tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come along and pay for my braces!

[eeyore1997]

Thanks everyone--You are all making this much easier and I am certainly glad I found this forum

I think I was upset that first day for other reasons--psychologically it brought back uncomfortable feelings from my childhood, and I was expecting to actually get braced this past Monday. I was incredibly dissapointed to only get my expander. I had been talking to my coworkers and patients I see every week (I see many children for vision therapy) about my new braces I was about to get, and here I am with nothing to show for it. I know I'm working towards a better smile (and I'm darn proud of myself for doing this) but I wanted others to see I was working on it, too. Right now I have messed up teeth AND I can't say words that end in -ty My ortho banded my bottom molars two and a half weeks ago and I'm not sure why he bothered since he told me Monday he won't put the bottom ones on until the top ones are on, and I have to wait for the expander to do it's six month thing before I get the top ones. I am incredibly excited for December to roll around so I can actually get the braces and show people that I care about myself.

I'm sure I'll be emotional the day I finally get my braces, but after going through the expander buisness this week I know the sadness won't last long!

[classII]

Somebody posted a while back that they would rather have someone look at them and think "she has braces" than "she needs braces". Good luck

WOW!

Succinct as can ever be. That is what it is all about.

It's always been puzzling why people would be so embarrased to have braces when without them their teeth are hideous to start with. Makes no sense.

I'm scared to get braces because I'll look silly.

hey, everyone thinks y'all look like a freak right now.

silly vs. freak

[Tweetin]

I was soo excited to finally be getting my teeth fixed. I've always dreamt of having a beautiful smile that I could show off instead of hiding.

I do get a little negative and emotional at times because it just feels like it's taking so long and it took me a while to feel comfortable with the braces. But I find I smile alot more now with them on and am less afraid to show teeth, even if they are covered in metal contraptions.

It feels great to be making a positive change even if they're not perfect yet.