Second time around, but now I know how to be my own advocate

[pmae]

I have viewed a number of very interesting posts as I reconciled my need for second time orthodontia with my fear of appearing vain.

I had upper "social six" done when I was nineteen. I was thrilled with results but didn't have the internet then to see if I would be better served by getting my entire mouth treated (the answer is yes). A year later I had a grand mal seizure, clenched my teeth, and broke five teeth. I was crushed and sad because I thought that would mean I could never get to go back and finish correcting the crooked, crowded bottom teeth, that were in fact hidden by my uncorrected overbite. I am guessing, because my mother and ortho did all the planning, I had an overjet corrected, not the bite.

Now I am 41-years old, and beginning ortho treatment alongside my three kids. The kids got my family's crowded, crooked teeth, compounded by their own unique issues. My 12-year old just got his on about two weeks ago for bite correction, overjet, overbite, and crowding. My six-year old begins hopefully next summer for an open bite, crossbite, and what appears to be the genetic crowding. The eight-year old starts in a couple of years.

I am happy to report that not only CAN I still have comprehensive orthodontic treatment, but the busted teeth were due to the overbite and crowding. I have apparently ground down and cracked many teeth over the years, which I chalked up to residual damage from the seizure. I was wrong, as learned I actually clench my teeth (Bruxism), day and night, perhaps related to uncorrected bite and ADHD meds. I used to have the grinding issue in college, attributed to stress, but thought it had resolved itself after my parents' nasty divorce was over.

I head to the ortho in 1 day, and will have the Empower brackets put on my top and bottom teeth, and will get a new Brux guard. Treatment should last two-years, and then I will get my busted teeth restored properly without worrying about the veneers inexplicably coming off every couple of years or so.

I am glad that the damage over the years can be addressed and that I have teeth I can floss because my crooked and crowded teeth will have breathing room. I will have to get over worrying about all the questions I get asking me why get braces now when I have such nice teeth. I do not want to appear be vain. i am taking care of my teeth for my health and to avoid having to get much more expensive dentures in the not so distant future.

Hard to explain how little things like an overbite/over jet can contribute to broken teeth and shame about smiling with all my chips showing (not that the shame stops me from smiling because I actively laugh out loud all day long because of funny or amusing things). I enjoy life despite lots of crummy things that occur daily. I shall keep on "making lemonade" with life's lemons and intend to enjoy my new, improved smile.

[sc2012]

Happy for you, you will be very happy once everything is done!

[Tobilei]

Hi Welcome to the boards! I too had people tell me that I don't need braces. I have a few small gaps in the front that are being closed up and people assume that's why I chose to do something but really it was the back that needed most of the work done for the same reason as you, to avoid dentures or lots of expensive dental work in the future. I look forward to following your journey

[JEK]

I had braces from 36-38 yrs old. No one ever said a thing. It was the best thing I ever did for myself.
GL to you.