The Time Has Come

[plugnickel69]

After many consults and re-consults over the last nearly year and a half, and after preparing myself for braces but then convincing myself to wait, it's finally going to happen in just a week. After all the waiting, it's now fast forward. Ceramic Clarity, top and bottom. As I sat making the final financial arrangements it hit me. This is it. The decision is made. In a week I'll be fully braced!

All the anxiety, the wait, will soon be behind. Like many of you I wondered what other people would think, would say. How would I react to my new accoutrements? I've told a few people, and lo and behold, no big deal. A non-event. It's only a big deal to me! But I think I'm getting over the shock. Reading this forum has helped.

I had an interesting experience last week. The cashier at a restaurant, a girl in her late teens, had a full set of metal braces and looked to be nearing the end of her treatment. She talked and smiled as if there were nothing on her teeth, giving the braces no thought, not worrying what others would think. And I wondered whether I could ever be like that, or will I try to keep my braces hidden, always wondering what others are thinking, and thinking the worst myself. I'll try to keep her smile in mind.

Quick background. Am soon to be 65, and this is my second time around. The first experience began in 1959 -- four extractions, full metal bands, three-and-a-half years total. Next week I'll compare the the bracketing experience.

Anyway, some 50 years later, my teeth have slowly shifted. Not so you'd notice when looking at me. You probably would wonder why I would be doing this. The simple answer is that my lower canines have rotated and migrated enough so that they contact my upper lateral incisors, so my back teeth no longer contact when I bite, and the condition has been worsening. Of course there are some other problems that need to be addressed as in the 60s they didn't seem to be much concerned about the positions of the roots, and I'm seeking as stable a result as possible and retainers forever.

Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it went.

[braceface74]

good luck, i'm sure it's a decision you will not regret .

I had my uppers fitted almost two weeks ago and will get the bottoms done on monday! I think it's fair to say i'm used to the uppers already although i still find eating a challenge!! thats no bad thing for me.. stops me snacking .

[gramma2xander]

Good luck,hope it goes well.

[auco99]

Good luck! I get my uppers on Tuesday. Like you, I put it off, put it off, and now that the time is here, I can't believe it's really going to happen. Makes me really nervous. I'm dreading it, but at the same time I'm also looking forward to just getting them on, because once that happens, there's no turning back. No more second guessing, no more "well, I know I should do it, but..." That's it. It's done.

And, like you, the people I've told surprisingly think nothing of it. It's encouraging.

I am really enjoying this website. It both scares me and comforts me.

[plugnickel69]

I went to four different orthos and got multiple choices on how to proceed. One said there's nothing that could be done short of crowning most of my teeth anad the problem was way too minor to go that route, just the natural progression of aging. Another said he could do regular braces or linguals, but it wasn't an emergency, and invisalign wouldn't do the job. The third said regular braces only but never tried to push me into starting. When I sat back in his chair my jaw was in an abnormal position and my bite didn't seem as bad. He gave me some alternatives to doing a full job and we had lots of conversations, but doing a partial remedy on only my bottom teeth was not going to give me the best result and wouldn't be as stable in the end. Retention is a big concern. The fourth ortho said that full braces would be overkill and pushed for invisalign. That one bothered me as I knew that was a poor solution and I didn't trust him.

I decided to go ahead immediately for two major reasons. One was that my bite was changing for the worse on a weekly basis. The second was a change in the maximum for flexible spending accounts beginning in 2013, so if i wanted the maximum savings I had to begin in 2012 and work out a satisfactory payment plan.

Meanwhile, I feel surprisingly calm about my decision and actually am somewhat looking forward to it. I will be bracketed on Thursday, but do not yet have spacers, and I assume that will be part of the procedure as my teeth are so close together that Glide floss is the only kind I can use successfully. Also, I will need something to stop me from biting off the lower brackets and we had a previous bite plate discussion. But don't know yet for sure until he completely studies my case. But I certainly will know in less than a week!

Good luck to you as well!

[plugnickel69]

gramma2xander and braceface74: Thanks for your good wishes! Hope your experiences all go well too.

[kellyb]

good luck! i had my lowers (radiance ceramic) fitted 3 weeks ago and expected to have my uppers on in a few weeks. it was such a relief the day i had my lowers fitted as upto the morning of the appointment i considered calling in to cancel as i was so nervous, worried about what people would think and if i was making the right decision. at 32 years old, this was not an easy decision to make at all. the only people i told i was getting braces was my sisters, my boyfriend and a friend. no one at work noticed i was wearing them until i told them 3 days after i had them fitted. you are right when you say it is only a big deal to you. people may ask questions as first but after a while, it is stale news lol.

[sea54change]

PlugNickel-

GOOD FOR YOU in taking the plunge. You will be so happy you did this.

I was 59 when I started, now 60. My parents couldn't afford braces when I was in my teens. You're also right on about the teeth moving faster as we age. The older I became the faster my top and bottom teeth started to overlap each other. Flossing became a major nightmare. Glide wouldn't even fit between the upper and bottom teeth that were overlapped.

So now I have a permanent wire bracket on the back of 4 of my lower teeth. It is still a major nuisance. However not nearly as bad as the brackets were! I wear a retainer at night on my top teeth, which I am religious about putting in.

[plugnickel69]

kellyb; good luck to you as well. I'm exactly twice your age, and I suppose all of us go through various stages of nervousness. I've been examining my emotions and am amazed as to how they have changed. For the last year-and-a-half braces have been on my mind, and the ups and downs of it's going to happen it's not going to happen have played havoc with my emotions. Worrying about braces vs no braces. Braces vs invisalign. Ceramics vs metal. Ceramics on top, metal on bottom. Staining of ligatures. Type of ceramics. Self-ligating or not. And now none of that seems to matter. It's interesting that once I made the final decision to go ahead everything has changed. I am actually much calmer about it and am ready to start immediately rather than having to wait for Thursday morning. Only 120 hours to go, but who's counting?

My wife had to get braces again at about your age after she had her wisdom teeth removed (I have all mine.). I actually was a little jealous. She seemed only concerned that she would be in pain, and seemed totally unconcerned about what others would think. And as I think back, no one ever made an inappropriate comment to her. Yet my biggest concern has been what others will think, no fear of the pain and discomfort. However, I've pretty much gotten over that as I've realized as I previously said that it's only a big deal to me.

It's interesting reading how people are always concerned about getting braces in their 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. It doesn't make any difference. Each decade has it's own challenges and rewards, fears and opportunities. And before you know it you're on to the next decade, or retainers, as the case may be. At almost 65, and considering my years of experience helping others deal with emotional, legal, and a myriad of other problems, and being emotionally very stable myself, I find my own emotions going through the process have been an interesting study. I do feel for many out there whose lives are not yet stable, who worry about how their sex lives will be affected, who even worry if they'll not be able to kiss someone again for the next few years, that they have to put their lives on hold. Thanks to Lynn for making this forum possible as I'm sure it has helped thousands to make their experience a little easier!

I did have one question for you. Any problem with the ceramics on the bottom? My ortho does it, but I know that many won't, including the other one I had considered.

[plugnickel69]

sea54change: If it makes you feel any better, it's clear that even those of us who were fortunate enough to get our teeth sorted out as teenagers find we need additional sorting as we age. Sometimes it's the fault of the ortho, sometimes it's our own fault for not wearing our retainers, and sometimes it's just a fact of nature. I notice lots and lots of people who look like they once had braces who obviously to me look like they need additional work. I and know there are many people who had extensive work done when they were younger who now look like they never had braces.

In any case, if one is not committed to retainers for life, I wonder why even begin to go through the discomfort and cost? Retainers seem a small price to pay. And I have worn a positioner to prevent bruxism every night for over two decades, so I'm not speaking from inexperience.

[Breel]

@plugnickle69 - I found your comments so interesting. I also believe that I am very emotionally stable and work in a profession where I help others who often are not - and I was shocked by how overwhelming the braces decsion was. At 53 years old - I believe this has been one of the most mentally time consuming decisions I have ever made. I have thought about it - in the back of my mind for 20 years - and seriously for well over a year. I finally had a consultation in October 2011 - but did not make a final decision until early Jan. The decision about what to do - should I or should I not - metal/ceramics - etc etc... was totally consuming me. Whenever I tried to discuss it with anyone else - they acted like it was no big deal. It was a big deal to me.

Once I made my decision -it was a good thing my orthodontist was able to work me in quickly so I did not change my mind.

Now that I have my braces on - I am both amazed and intrigued about how the decision making process about getting braces affected me. At first I thought it was because of my age - but after finding this board - I realize that my age had little to do with it. I agree too - that now that I have them on - all my previous concerns seem so unimportant and I am calm and actually excited to be on my journey!

[kellyb]

hi again

so far i have not had any issues with ceramics on the bottom. my ortho specialises in adult orthodontist and so he only uses radiance ceramics top and bottom (well that is what i was told at my consultation anyway). he also uses white coated archwire and after only 2 weeks, mine was stripping. i really hope i don't have to go through this every month.

[plugnickel69]

Breel: We naturally tend to see things only through our own eyes. Fortunately, the trials and tribulations we individually face help us to some degree to understand what others are going through, and through those experiences we can help others deal with their issues. That's why reading about the experiences of others going through the orthodontic process is so helpful. We're not alone. I certainly can relate to your experiences and emotions, and it is very comforting to read your last line, " ...that now that I have them on - all my previous concerns seem so unimportant and I am calm and actually excited to be on my journey!"

I still can't get over my feelings as I sat working out the payment plan at my records appointment. A few weeks before, when I went for another consult after waiting a year to see what would develop, I was told by the assistant financing person that I'd have to wait to near the middle of the year to begin treatment to meet my needs to use my flexible spending account. So I knew I was going to go through with it, but now I was on another journey of waiting. So although told to wait until May or June to call for my records appointment, I decided to set the records appointment and see what I could work out. I've negotiated many contracts in the past and figured there was a great chance we could work things out. And we did -- without any hassle at all, and the next thing I knew I had set up an appointment to be braced eight days later. What a strange emotional experience. Exciting, yet calming. Thinking I'm entering a new phase in life, sort of like becoming a new person, thinking I'd have to act differently, that my braces would impact my dealings with others. But after a day or two I realized that nothing will change. It's no different from wearing glasses. No one else will care. Probably many will be jealous, knowing they need braces too.

One other issue. I feel for all those in braces land who are fearful to ask their orthodontist any questions. I agree that if your treatment has gone very poorly and your doctor seems incompetent and doesn't seem to really care about you, that this can be a difficult and uncomfortable situation. But generally, one should be able to ask questions without getting worked up about it. It's usually good advice to present one's concerns calmly in a non-accusative manner. Backing someone into a corner will usually not get the results you want unless you are also holding a gun. Make it personal, explain you concerns and why they affect you, and ask how he can help you. I deal all the time with counseling people on how to approach others in what could be very tense situations. But speaking to one's ortho about how long he thinks the treatment will last or sharing the exciting news that one may be getting married are not cause to get oneself worried and worked up. Getting married is very positive news and every ortho should attempt to help out the future bride, or mother of the bride. Again, those are very common problems, and one is not alone. Of course, that's also why it's so important to pick your ortho very carefully. You need to know from the start that you'll not only be treated by an expert, but that you will have a relationship that makes you feel comfortable.

Best of luck on your journey.

[plugnickel69]

kellyb: Thanks for the info. I assume a bite plate/bite turbos/molar build-ups will protect me. As I need some extrusion of my bicuspids and molars, I assume molar build-ups are not an option. Probably some sort of bite plate, could be lower or upper.

[sea54change]

Breel and PlugNick69-

I've known I needed braces since my 30s. Just never wanted to spend the money or the time. Finally- my teeth were getting really bad. I do many public presentations, lots of marketing meetings. I really really wanted perfect teeth like my daughter (after her 4 years of braces), so I could smile with CONFIDENCE.

I finally went to the same ortho for a consultation that did my daughter's teeth. He took molds, photos, the whole 9 yards. It took me almost 18 months to get back in and say- "Do it!" The lowers, metal, went in first. I was not prepared for the pain, and also had not found this board. A few weeks after the lower braces went in, my Mom's cancer kicked into overdrive. A month before she died, I had the uppers put on. Probably not the best timing for braces, however that's the way it was. So in my mind, I've labeled the 15 months of braces "the year of pain", both physically and emotionally. It was a journey moving through the pain of the braces, as well as the grieving process.

Breel-
I agree too - that now that I have them on - all my previous concerns seem so unimportant and I am calm and actually excited to be on my journey!

Your comment is the way I felt too, after getting the lowers on. I kept asking myself: Why did I wait so long?