Intro- 37 and looking at 2.5 yrs in braces :(

[Sallee]

Hi everyone! I'm Sal, 36 yr old wife and newish mum from Canada. I recently changed dentists and the new one is great, he finally saw what I've been trying to get them all to see- my bite is off, teeth shifting, whole thing looks like it will one day implode or the bottom front teeth will snap off. Anyway, he referred me to a very well respected ortho who told me this week I need full metal braces fir 2.5 years, including some bars inserted to rotate a molar, springs at one point, and a canine implant. I can't get the ceramic kind because aparently I grind my teeth way more than I realised.

I know I need it, but I was thinking maybe 6 months, not 2.5 years!

I'm applying to teachers college soon so I guess I'll have them for that, and all co-op placements. But they should be off when I actually start teaching, that's a light at the end of the tunnel.

There are much worse things going on in our family than this, but I have to admit I'm gutted. Feeling really down about it. I'm scared of getting depressed when I get them because that's such a long time! I'm basically entering a long transition phase where I'll have the most metal of mouths available.

Just wanted to reach out to people who know how that feels. Any words of advice on getting my head round this? Also should I be getting a second opinion?

[flynn]

Sallee,
I am scheduled to have mine for 2 1/2 years also, but I think it is quick, since when I was young I was always told I would wear them for 5 years!! Technology has come a long way and I am grateful. I am in the last 4 years of my military contract and I just started grad school, so I will be brace-free for my transition to civilian life and when it comes time to look for a professional job. This keeps me going, so far at least.
Good luck with your treatment!!
And keep posting

[Snowglobe32]

The time in braces goes by very quickly! You will be surprised.

Also, as time goes by when you have the braces on, you will feel better about yourself and be so happy you made the decision. You will wonder why you waited so long, trust me, I promise.

Good luck!

[poppy123]

I remember saying to my husband about 3 months into treatment that if I had the option to have my old teeth back or to keep the braces on forever I'd keep the braces on! Ha ha I know that seems a ridiculous statement to have made but as I saw my teeth changing I felt so much more confident than before having braces, my teeth looked so much straighter and prettier already and rather than thinking of the time frame involved I just kept thinking omg I'm SO glad I did this. You'll be ok, I sure of it! X

[bracketeer]

Sallee...try not to lament too much....time will go by regardlesss, so might as well put that time to good use! And as Poppy123 said, as soon as you start to see improvements you will feel so much better. Just think about the amazing smile and tooth health that will be yours before you know it!

[bracketeer]

AND if all goes well, you will have your braces off by your 40th birthday! Now THAT will be something to celebrate and smile about!

[Sallee]

Thanks so much for the support guys! Yes, 40! lol! I guess I'll be happier than most to celebrate that birthday!

[goodteethby2013]

I got mine on at age 36 and I remember walking out of the ortho office that first day and feeling a combination of dread and excitement, that the clock had started ticking and my teeth would only be improving from that day forward! The time has moved pretty quickly and I bet you will get into it once you start to see progress. I also think that at our age, we will really appreciate having great teeth when we are in our forties. Bad teeth really age a person! The worst part about getting the braces is deciding to do it and then having to wait for the weeks and months of anticipation while you get xrays and have consultations. Once they are on, you get in a groove. Good luck!

[Sallee]

Thanks GTB2013! I think a big part of my trepidation stems from the fact my teeth look fine from the front, so I don't think I'll *look* all that different by the end. I might be pleasantly surprised there though, fingers crossed. My bite is so off though. The more I read the more I realize that yes, fixing my bite is a big deal for my future health, so I am coming round slowly. I bet I'd have had a much harder time seeing the value of that in my 20's.

[ArchWired28]

Thanks GTB2013! I think a big part of my trepidation stems from the fact my teeth look fine from the front, so I don't think I'll *look* all that different by the end. I might be pleasantly surprised there though, fingers crossed. My bite is so off though. The more I read the more I realize that yes, fixing my bite is a big deal for my future health, so I am coming round slowly. I bet I'd have had a much harder time seeing the value of that in my 20's.

Sallee,

I am in the same boat, my teeth look fine from the front, but my bite is 100% off. Believe me, I feel like I dont have any bite at all. In addition, I started having TMJ issues because my teeth are pushing the jaw out of alignment. I have TONS of bite issues, but people who look at my front teeth will have NO IDEA. That is why I get so mad when I hear, "are you so rich to have the braces???" I want to shout, you have no idea how messed my bite is, and how much this is affecting my health, so better shut up and mind your own business.
2.5 years will fly by really fast. So don't stress about that. The most important is that you will have a great bite in the end and probably avoid numerous problems...

[goodteethby2013]

I totally get it - my teeth didn't really look bad either to any average person who knows me, and I have gotten a lot of "why did you get braces?" My lower teeth were much worse than my top and you just don't see my lower teeth unless I am really cracking up over something . But like you guys, it was my bite that was really off. I really didn't even realize exactly how bad it was before the treatment started. I'll also add that while I was sure my top teeth didn't need any treatment when I started, I see now that they were not great before, and the little changes now are definitely an improvement. Once you become an ortho geek and stare at your own teeth every day, you start to appreciate the tiny improvements. And knowing that you are improving your overall health and increasing the likelihood of being able to retain your natural teeth into old age is a good thing too! Best of luck.

[mettle]

Hello Sal, you should go for them!

Your subject line caught my eye because I, too, was 37 when I put my braces on. I had been grinding my teeth aggressively at night for years, with the result that from the front my teeth looked fine but my bite was going bonkers and I had very bad tension migraines from the clenching of the jaw and hard grinding during sleep. I was also pushing out my upper front teeth with the lowers, so the rest of the uppers on either side started crowded in to take up the space!

While braced, I went on to have my first baby, moved to a different job, moved to a new place.... so I'd like to encourage you that life goes on. Since you're going "back to school" for the next couple of years, that's as good a time as any to have your braces.

I've just gotten my braces off in July this year, after 2.5 years. And every day when I look in the mirror brushing my teeth, I am very happy that I took the leap and got my teeth fixed when I did, rather than put off the decision.

In terms of looking for a second opinion - by all means, make sure you find an orthodontist you feel comfortable with and whose advice you feel makes sense. I was an avid reader of the tips and watch-outs on this forum from other members, and I'm guessing you are doing the same. So you should be well-armed and know the questions to ask so you can have a clear discussion with your orthodontist.

While braced, don't think about "OMG 2.5 years!" Instead, just look forward to the next appointment. And, in between, you'll be excited & grateful because you will see movement, you will see teeth straightening out, sometimes slowly, sometimes seemingly more dramatically. And you may or may not have to deal with ulcers or sores, but if you do get them now and then, just wrap those offending wire-ends or brackets with the wax and you'll live through those too.

All the best!

[Sallee]

Thanks for the encouragement Mettle! It myst feel great to have them off! I'm hoping to have my second baby while braced, we'll see! I just had my impressions done today and a discussion about brackets. The brackets she uses are smallish, but not 'mini', and today she suggested ceramic whereas last week she said they wouldn't work for me, so I guess I have to decide now. She's not big on trying to convince me of anything. However i'm not sure if a second opinion's really a good idea for someone as indecisive as me... This Ortho is very good, experienced, and walking distance.

[Chuck1026]

I am 44 and just pulled the trigger this week. I have similar issues - my lowers are moving forward, messing up the uppers which look good. To prevent tooth damage / loss, I had to do this. It is scary, but I am already feeling better about my decision.

Go for it!!!