Feeling a little vain about getting started

[leadcat63]

Has anyone felt awkward about getting braces because they've seen others who had bigger issue than them? I was talk to a co-worker who told me all of the problems she had to correct as a child. When I discussed my new venture in getting braces she complimented me on my smile and wondered why I was deciding to go through all of this. I felt so vain and self centered about changing what a lot of people will perceive as minor issues. Anyone else with a similar story?

[klobird]

I have read on this website that an awful lot of people have run into this...I did, and I started with a 10mm overjet! I had to show my employer who is a physician what I was talking about-- by getting onto my private photos on my ortho's website! And when he saw that he was like "OMG!--I never noticed!"... It seemed that everyone was like that!!

I am 55. Why would a 55yr old want braces? There are reasons that are not visible, and having braces now will make my later years much more tolerable. Some people with near perfect teeth need braces to correct jaw problems (TMJ). It's just nobody elses business--just tell them it's for that--no big deal....

Good for you for doing something just for you!!!!!

[TMJJill]

My teeth were fairly straight, with a couple small gaps, before braces. I'd developed TMJ and my bite has gone wonky though and I had sue severe muscle spasming as a result. Hopefully the braces will get my bite back in order.

I've been dealing with the issue of people not understanding why I'm spending all this money and putting myself through this because my teeth didn't look that bad. I just figure it is my problem and I'm doing something about it. I'll be the better for having made the choice to go through with the braces.

You are choosing braces for yourself. Try not to let others bring you down when you are doing such a positive thing for yourself.

[leadcat63]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm in my late 40s and it seems that my teeth are make a slow shift (especially after having totally impacted wisdom teeth removed). I look very similar to one of my aunts and remember her minor overbite shifting forward over time. The thought of waiting until things got worse was not appealing.

[all48]

I am 6 days into having braces for the first time at age 48 (ceramics on top, metal on bottom) with anticipated treatment time of 12-14 months.

I too experienced comments from others asking why I was getting braces since my teeth were "fine." For many years I honestly didn't think much about my smile. It really wasn't until I went through braces with my two kids who are now 20 and 16 that I longed for their beautiful smile. After pondering it for a couple of years, I decided it was my turn. My teeth are in good repair but my bite is off and I clench/grind my teeth plus have crowding on the bottom and and spaces on top. My family dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry (veneers) even recommended I consider orthodontia over veneers.

I have mixed feelings at this early stage of this experience. I have been pleasantly surprised at how little discomfort I have experienced, although I anticipate it in the future. I am scheduled to have TADs in a few months as opposed to elastics to correct my overbite. I have had fleeting thoughts of wishing I hadn't done this but am drawing a tremendous amount of support from this forum. The biggest adjustment thus far is the builds up on my bottom molars (so my brackets don't collide) and feeling like my bite is way off plus the feeling of food everywhere when I eat. I already used a Sonicare toothbrush and just bought a Waterpik to help with cleaning. Flossing is definitely challenging.

[leadcat63]

all48, I checked out your braces story, congratulations on taking the plunge and thanks for your support. So far I have not had negative reactions from my co-workers, family or friends about the braces. And I have to say that once the braces were on, the flaws that I saw and others may have perceived as minor were very evident. In fact, I was a little shocked at just how much crowding, how deep an overbite and how many individual teeth were misaligned. I'm confident that this was the right thing to do, and I'm visualizing the end result making my 50th birthday a good one.

[all48]

leadcat63, congratulations and thanks for your support!! Sounds like we're both looking forward to our 50th birthday with a new smile.

[bracemyself23]

[quote="leadcat63"]Has anyone felt awkward about getting braces because they've seen others who had bigger issue than them? I was talk to a co-worker who told me all of the problems she had to correct as a child. When I discussed my new venture in getting braces she complimented me on my smile and wondered why I was deciding to go through all of this. I felt so vain and self centered about changing what a lot of people will perceive as minor issues. Anyone else with a similar story?[/quote]

My mom thought I was being vain at first but she came around to seeing crooked teeth are only part of the problem. My bite is very small and needs to be expanded. Since I have voiced my intentions, 2 coworkers have made appointments for consultantations so I'm kind of a Trendsetter!

[raefactor]

To put it simply, yes. Not before, but now I do. I know if I hadn't gotten them, I might have lost my front two top teeth, but I'm read stories worse than mine and yeah. I kind of do feel like I was being self centered before.

I think it shouldn't matter why someone wants braces though. If straighter teeth make someone feel better, they should get them. And if they have other problems like tmj and the like and want/need to fix that, then they should get them.

[leadcat63]

I recently found out that my cousin (who I thought had a very nice smile) has invisaligns. Also, two of my co-workers got their braces at the same time I did. So, with a lot of support here and a good look at my own teeth, I've made up my mind that this indeed was the right choice all along.

[pellepee]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a question for TMJJill... maybe you would be able to direct me to another post that already answers it? I wasn't able to find one.

I am currently waiting for my next orthodontic appointment for my treatment plan and am still trying to predict how everything will go for me (I'm impatient!)
I currently have a jaw re-positioning splint on my lower teeth still, and am eager to get rid of it simply because the quicker I get into braces, the sooner I'm out. May I ask what your treatment plan entails that you have braces on your upper teeth only whilst still having your splint? Were you at risk of having your jaw return to its original position? I think I might be, my jaw falls back a little still at night even with the splint in and after my first adjustment a few months ago my jaw went back to square one and I was in agony... remembering how bad that migraine was reminds me why I need to do all of this. I was taking ibuprofen like tic-tacs
The prosthodontist in charge of my jaw said he can add some sort of resin/glue to my teeth to simulate the splint without the actual splint when braces are on.

I have straight front teeth and it masked my problems at every dental visit I ever went to and my family never believed me when I said my bite always felt funny... wasn't until my jaw began locking that I realised something was really up!

Anyway, chronic pain and low self-esteem are things people should never have to go through. If braces will cure/help someone in that situation, all the better for it.

[leadcat63]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a question for TMJJill... maybe you would be able to direct me to another post that already answers it? I wasn't able to find one.

I don't have an answer for TMJ, but have you tried to PM TMJJill?? Or how about posting your story as a new thread so TMJJ or someone else with the same situation can offer some advice. Sorry I can't assist, but hopefully you'll find an answer somewhere in here.