Braced after 20+ years of waiting

[tfischer]

This website has been wonderful for me over the last month. I was braced 12/28/11 at 41 years old. I have wanted to close the gap between my front teeth since I was a teenager but have been told so many times that I would need teeth pulled. I am very lucky in that I have never had a cavity or any issues with my teeth so having teeth pulled was not something I wanted to do, I would just live with my gap. When I went to the dentist in Nov 2011, I had a different dentist then normal and when I mentioned to him that I would love to close the gap but did not want to have anything pulled...well - he was about to change my world by informing me that more than likely I would NOT need any teeth pulled......so that began the braces journey. I have my first adjustment coming up this coming Tuesday and am looking forward to getting colored ligs (thanks to this site for giving the boost to try it). I am still very self conscious about peoeple noticing my braces - I only have ceramic on top for now but will be getting bottom braced sometime in the next few months. I am excited but scared all rolled in to one. This is something that my daughter will need to also do in the future (she has a gap also, possibly genetic) and I need to be an example to her so she will be more comfortable when the time comes for her to be braced (if she wants to). I am not very good yet with all the verbage or what I have exactly or need to do - but I am learning with every step and this site is aiding in my learning. So - welcome to my journey that will be ongoing for the next 2 years. Have a great day everyone!!

[kellyb]

well done on taking this step. i am also new to braces. had my lowers (radiance ceramics) fitted 3 weeks ago. my uppers to be fitted sometime in march. i will have the radiance ceramics on both arches. at 32 years old, this was a major step for me. my aim is to straighten and close gaps. yes, i have multiple gaps. ideally i would have liked to keep a small gap between my 2 front teeth as it is a part of me and also genetic however, the ortho hinted that he will be fitting permanent retainers at the end of my treatment so leaving a small gap between my front teeth would not be a good idea as the retainer would be visible between the gap.

looking forward to hearing more about your experience. we can be brace buddies

[Breel]

Congratulations to both of you for taking this step! I am 53 years old - and after lots of deliberation - I just recently got braces on Jan 18, 2012. I have all metal - upper and lower - to correct an overjet and lower crowding. Even though I have always wanted my teeth straightened - I, too, found it to be a hard decision and major step to take! The last 10 days have proved to be more than I bargained for but very exciting also!

I am looking forward to hearing about your journey's over the next couple of years

[tfischer]

This may sound awful - but its nice to have others in the same boat as me. I will also need permanent retainers on both top and lowers - I am actually excited to get the lowers now. I am amazed at the amount of movement or how my teeth are not in the same spots anymore. Its a very odd feeling. Do you have an overbite? How does that work with the lower braces - that is the part of the next steps that scares me - hitting the upper teeth on the lower braces in the front.

[Breel]

It is nice to know that you are not alone in this journey - and to know that others can relate to what you are going through. Before I found this board I thought that I was the only one my age that ever got braces. I was so amazed that there were so many "adults" on here.
I had all my brackets (upper and lower) but on Jan 18th but only a wire on top. Then on Jan 23rd I went in and had a lower front incisor extracted and two hours later had my bottom wire put in.

I do not have an overbite - where the top teeth come down to far over the lower teeth - I have a 5mm overjet - my top teeth stick out to far from my lower teeth/jaw. I have lots of crowding on the lower - hence the extraction. Once my teeth are all in place - I will have some interdental reduction (tooth stripping) on the uppers so that they can be brought in a little bit (2-3 mm).

Isn't it crazy how fast there are little changes in your mouth - and how such a small change is noticeable. I swear my teeth have moved just in the 10 days. I can already get floss between some teeth where it was impossible before. I am not sure how it works with the lower braces and an overbite. From what I have read - I think sometimes they put little "bumpers" on your back molars to keep the top teeth from biting down on the lower brackets. I am sure this is different for everyone based on their situation.

[kellyb]

This may sound awful - but its nice to have others in the same boat as me. I will also need permanent retainers on both top and lowers - I am actually excited to get the lowers now. I am amazed at the amount of movement or how my teeth are not in the same spots anymore. Its a very odd feeling. Do you have an overbite? How does that work with the lower braces - that is the part of the next steps that scares me - hitting the upper teeth on the lower braces in the front.

i have an overjet.