Newbie here... need encouragement. Help? (pics)

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#16 Post by **JavaChip** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:14 pm

Thank you ALL for your replies. They really mean a lot to me.

I'm kinda embarrassed it took so long, but after another while of putting it off, I finally did some research and found a place that has regular dentists and orthodontists in the same place. Sooo, I called today (I'm so proud!) and made an appointment to see a regular dentist. It's on Saturday morning. I figure I'll ask there about braces (they'll probably bring it up anyway, I do need them after all!). I'll make sure I'm happy with the place, but it'd be really convenient.

I'm just really glad about the progress. I know I won't cancel it, and once I'm there... yeah, I feel I'm finally one step closer.

#17 Post by **Bellalalala** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:46 am

I've said this before, and I'll keep saying it: I feel SO much more confident with braces on and straighter teeth than I ever did with no braces and crooked teeth.

Also, A LOT of guys find braces really cute. I get a lot of flirty comments about my braces from guys all.the.time.

Braces are not fundamentally ugly, contrary to what you might think, just a lot of people feel ugly with them on. It's like glasses, some people rock glasses with confidence, others feel insecure.

I know that from the first day I got brackets, I was smiling more, and more confident about my mouth because I knew I was finally doing something about my teeth!

Now, I know I'm on a pretty far end of the "liking braces" spectrum, but just so you know, it is possible to love your braces. I'm actually going to miss them when they're gone.

#18 Post by **DrBlur** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:50 am

I know I'm getting a little nervous/self-conscious thinking about when I get mine on in a few weeks, but my wife has told me she won't mind them a bit and my kids are looking forward to seeing them (they're 5 and 3 yrs old so they're naturally curious)...still I think it's a normal feeling.

#19 Post by **40WithBraces** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:11 am

I love the photoshopped braces!! lol My advice would be to go ahead and go for the braces now, while you are still young. I have always wanted braces but couldn't really justify the expense... but after many years of being unhappy my DH told me to go ahead and get them. My son is 14 and will finish up with his braces this summer, and I am 40 and just got my upper braces 2 weeks ago, I will get my lower braces at the end of May. Even at my age, everyone is being so supportive and telling me that I am not going to regret having them.

Heather

#20 Post by **DrBlur** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:16 am

Do they usually do top and bottoms separately or at the same time?

#21 Post by **40WithBraces** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:37 am

My uppers and lowers have to go on separately because I have an overbite. The ortho wanted to bring my top teeth out a bit so there would be room for the brackets on the bottom teeth, otherwise I would be biting down on them. My son had both his top and bottom braces put on at the same time because his overbite wasn't as bad.

#22 Post by **DrBlur** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:40 am

^I see, thanks for the info. My ortho had said my top and bottoms will go on at the same time, which is good, because that means they'll be off at the same time, too, I hope!

#23 Post by **loradora** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:43 am

I didn't need braces when I was younger. I just got them today - age 56. As you get older, everything moves forward and down, so it will only get worse as you get older. I have crowded bottom teeth, so they removed a tooth that had been getting squeezed out and put the braces on the rest. Good luck making your decision.

#24 Post by **Kitagirl** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:52 pm

Go for it! You can even do ceramic uppers if you don't like the metal look....I have waited a long time for mine (I'm 35) and am so happy to finally be doing this.

#25 Post by **JavaChip** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:57 am

Aaaah I have my appointment in 6.5 hours. It's not even with the ortho, just normal dentist, but I'm freaking out a little. Also embarrassed since I haven't been to a dentist in 2+ years.

I hope it goes well and I can ask about braces... I should really go to bed now.

#26 Post by **JavaChip** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:10 am

Yes!! I've done it.

Went to the dentist this morning... I really liked the place, and both the receptionist and him were quite nice. I've never had a male dentist before, and I think I feel more comfortable with him. It's like guys are sometimes nicer than women to other women. He saw my i.Phone and started talking to me about how he wanted to buy one for himself.

Good news! He said I didn't have any cavities or anything and congratulated me on my oral hygiene. I so wasn't expecting that! It made me feel great, and relieved (I always seemed to have some cavity the few times I'd been to a dentist, so I didn't know it was actually possible to visit and have things be okay

). So I'm also motivated me to be more careful (I don't brush as often as I should, I do brush thoroughly but only twice a day and sometimes once

).

As expected (thankfully!) the first thing he mentioned when I opened my mouth was braces. He sort of prompted "And braces?" and I got the opportunity to say that yes I was interested. He said the waiting time for a consult at that place might be two months, but that it'd speed up from there. Gave me orders to get X-rays, photos and all that stuff done in the meantime though, and I'm calling on Monday afternoon to get an appointment with the orthodontist.

I'm really, really hoping I won't have to wait two months. I want to do it NOW! I'm so excited, and so happy.

I hadn't been to a dentist in over two years... I overcame a big phobia and it really feels good. I feel I've taken a hell of a step in the right direction.