Today is the day....

[auco99]

Yesterday I wanted to vomit. Today, I am reasonably calm, sort of numb really. Just ready to do it so I don't think about doing it anymore. Today I get my uppers. In 8-10 weeks I get the bottoms. I have an overbite. I will be getting ceramic clear on top, and metal on the bottom.

Not really worried about how they are going to look (yet, easy to say at this point, I guess). I am extremely worried about the discomfort, the inconvenience, and the length of time I'm going to have these things.

I am a 35 yo male. This will be my first experience with braces. Baby is on the way, and I thought if I didn't do this now, I never would. I have been contemplating doing this for years. I could kill my parents for not making me do this as a kid, especially since we had the money (and insurance) to do it.

Anyway, that's my story. Pray for me. :)

[klobird]

Auco---nothing to it!! And I think that starting with the top and then adding the bottom later is an easy transition. While there is an adjustment period, it's not intolerable. And actually getting them put on is really a piece of cake...

[Ellebraced]

LOL, OMG you are funny. I wanted to vomit too. The anxiety and the anticipation of the unknown is the worst part. Give yourself a couple weeks to get used to them and you will love the results. You are already finding the humor and congrats on starting your journey now.

Good luck. Remember to breath!!!

[auco99]

One hour to go. I haven't vomited since 1997, but that streak may end today.

[auco99]

Well, day #1 is officially over. I have really been surprised at the lack of pain. They were really uncomfortable at first...felt like someone was pushing my fronts with their thumb. Now, they are fine, just kind of a nuisance more than anything. I haven't needed ibuprofen since yesterday. Not much fun to eat, and frankly it is kind of depressing to eat at this point. Sort of dread it. Hope that goes away soon. I hope I eventually get over the fear of regular, non-hard or sticky food, popping my brackets. Hate talking in them due to the way they feel on my upper lip, but I think that will get better. Plus, a bit of a lisp. Positive reaction from everyone so far. A lot of "you can't even see them" and "you didn't need them (which, I know I did)."

No regrets so far really, though kind of "down" emotionally. I know it will get better though.

Onto day #2....

[musiclady2340]

You making headway. First few days can be the hardest. Hang in there. It will all be worth it.

[Marie45]

Congratulations !!! You are over the worst part which is the anticipation of the whole thing. Good Luck.

[workingmomma]

Auco99- I was the same way when I got mine. I've had them almost a month now, and it gets easier. Eating will get easier too! Hang in there.

working momma

[denSMSgt]

Very nice! It may not seem that way initially, but before long you'll nearly forget about the extra hardware at times.

Welcome aboard and don't forget to SMILE! May as well have fun with it.

[auco99]

Thanks for the support everyone. This website is a God send.

[CoryDaniels]

In a few weeks you will be SO used to them, you will forget you have them on. I honestly, don't "feel" them in my mouth anymore....I love the fact that my teeth are always moving and I love looking at my teeth now...where before, I would never look at my teeth.

Trust me...If I can do it....anyone can do it.

[BracedInNOLA]

The day after I got mine I was an emotional MESS! The logic side of my brain was trying to convince the emotional side of my brain that this was a good thing - but it took until the NEXT morning for it to sink through adequately. I think it was the combination of the unknown and change (two of my triggers for emotional response) and the natural "OMG what have I done"

But I was fully recovered from that emotional spiral after 3 days - and after 2 weeks, I didn't wake up in the morning thinking I needed to take stuff out of my mouth.

At not quite a month in things are pretty much to the 'new normal'. Though there are times I miss certain foods.

I feel fortunate that I haven't had any real 'pain' - and keeping my fingers crossed that that streak continues through the next 3 years!

[N'awlinsRach]

These posts made me smile...Im do ready to be done with all this braces business.

[auco99]

I get my lowers on Thursday. I was originally told 8 to 10 weeks from 1/31, and I'd actually still be waiting until sometime in July if I hadn't asked my orthodontist if we could speed things up a bit. I have to say I have quite a bit of anxiety about the lowers. My uppers are clear damons, and the lowers will be metal brackets. My uppers are almost impossible to see, but I really didn't realize how visible my lowers will be until I watched myself talk in the mirror. Ugh. These are going to hurt, too. My upper teeth weren't too bad (and look GREAT now, in my opinion), but my lowers are crowded, and one of my molars is just hanging out by itself, so I don't know what on earth my ortho will do with that tooth. But yeah, big time anxiety, though I know I am being irrational.

Anyhow, no point to this post, I just needed to whine, plus I think it's fun to memorialize these events so that I can re-read how I felt prior to them happening later.

[elainek]

Hi Auco,

You're the exact opposite of me...I got my metal lowers on 2 months ago and they're fine - people notice them a bit when i talk but only up close and I don't even mind so much. I'm smiling away much more than before. BUT I'm getting my ceramic uppers on next month and I'm super nervous that they'll be really obvious!! Hope mine are as invisible as yours!

I too have a rebel molar hanging out by itself and even in 2 months its amazing how much it's moved so don't worry - these ortho's have magical abilities.

Good Luck getting your lowers!