Reading this website has helped me a lot in preparing for my braces and so I though I would share my story too
So here goes....
I have wanted braces all my life. I went for an appointment for braces at my local hospital when I was 17 or 18, which would have been free on the NHS, but when I realised I would have to wear 'train tracks' I did a runner.
So that was that, I didn't think about it too much after that although I am always self conscious of my teeth. I cover my mouth with my hand when laughing etc..
It only seems to bother me though, and I was never teased about it.
I am now 29 and was braced 3 days ago on Wednesday 29th July.
I initially had a consult for '6 months braces' back in April 09 but they only straighten the teeth at the front and don't fix problems with the teeth at the back... and it turns out I have problems. Deep overbite, crowded teeth uppers and lowers, teeth don't fit together correctly at the back (don't know the technical term) and an off centre midline. This treatment would have cost £3,000.00
... so I had my dentist refer me to an orthodontist and the rest is history.
I went for Damon 3 braces which cost £2,950.00 and the consult fee, moulds, x rays etc were £95.
Before I could commence treatment I had to have 3 teeth extracted. Both upper 2nd premolars and lower left 2nd premolar, at £75 per tooth.
This was was by far the worst part of my braces journey so far.
I didn't cope well with having my teeth pulled out, I was short of breath, shaking and I couldn't hold the tears back.
After the 1st tooth the dentist said that he won't take out the 2nd one and I can come back another time and be sedated, which I already know costs £180!!! so I demanded that he take the 2nd one out and he did.
It didn't hurt during or after, it was just an awful experience.
When I went back for the 3rd one I knew what to expect, I was still a little shaky but this time I came out smiling
So on brace day, I was quite nervous but everything went fine. I was in no pain and didn't have to have spacers or bands or expanders and all this horrible stuff I have been reading about. They cleaned my teeth and fixed the brackets, I think it took about 40 mins. I only had uppers for now BTW.
The next day my two front teeth were sore and I could feel pressure all around my mouth.
The only problem I had was that I smacked my sore front tooth with my spoon..OUCH!!!! and then with my glass OWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...so smaller spoons and straws from now on!
Oh and my top front teeth keep hitting my front lower teeth when I speak which hurts.
Day - 3
The teeth in front of the extraction site on both sides are very sore... I am happy about this, I think It means the tooth is moving into the hole.
When I eat, sometimes the aforementioned sore teeth hit the bottom teeth which is sooo painful.... for about 5 mins
Day - 4
No problems, eating ok
The pains mentioned above are all impact pains, and generally the experience so far has been better than I expected, I expect my next adjustment will be worse.
I'm getting used to the three meals a day and regimented teeth brushing.
The braces are scraping the inside of my mouth a little, but I haven't needed wax yet.
My main problem is the look of them, they're more conspicuous than I thought they would be and I feel hideous. I'm self conscious with everyone I speak to and that makes me feel sad.... anyway I suppose I'll get used to it.
Sorry if this was a bit long winded
Thank you for reading my story.... here are my pics:
[/URL]Left profile
[/URL]Right profile
[/URL]Overbite
[/URL]Smiling - Lower midline is off
[/URL]Lower crowding
[/URL]Lower arch
[/URL]Upper Arch
If you look closely, there appears be some sort of hair growth on my upper lip on the top corners of this pic... never have I ran to the mirror so fast!... turns out it's my eyelashes!! ha ha
[/URL]Braced!
[/URL]
