What was the last straw for you?

[musicalme]

I have been really struggling with the decision of whether or not to get braces. It's strange...I have not always been self-conscious of my teeth. Up until about a year ago, I didn't really think about it. Then my dentist commented that I should think about straightening my teeth because my gums would be healthier (my old dentist had suggested it too, actually, but I always shrugged it off because I figured he was just trying to sell me Invisalign). That put the bug in my ear, but even then it wasn't something I thought about much. At the time I was a student, so I figured "maybe someday when I have money."

About 6 months ago, I was looking at some recent vacation photos and had the sudden realization, "wow, my teeth look really bad!" I've been obsessed with them ever since, to the point where I'm not sure I can look at them objectively anymore. Sometimes I look in the mirror and they look terrible to me, and other times I think they look just fine and I wonder what I'm obsessing about.

I would just say heck with it and take the plunge, but I struggle with the feeling that spending so much money on braces for my teeth that are "not that bad" and not causing me any major problems would be frivolous. But on the other hand, I'm not sure it is...

Anyway, I know this is a personal decision that only I can make, so I'm not expecting any answers here. As I struggle with this, I'm just curious to know, for everyone else, what was the final straw that made you stop just thinking about it and actually make the call?

[musicalme]

I will say, I have (finally) made the first step and had a consultation. Unfortunately I am no closer to a decision because all they were able to tell me was the time frame (2 years) and the cost. They couldn't give me specifics of what would need to be done until they took x-rays and impressions and had time to study them. So I go back in about 3 weeks for more details of what they will do. I'm hoping whatever information they give me will make it easier to decide!

[Tobilei]

I was in the same boat. My teeth really didn't look that bad in my mouth. I'd always not liked them, but was never too worried to smile or anything. Then we got braces for my daughter and suddenly I felt like I was paying way more attention to my teeth. In fairness, the gaps had gotten larger since I was younger so it was more noticiable but not terrible unless I grinned like a demented cheshire cat or something.

I had my consult and it turned out I had quite a few more problems than I thought I did with teeth missing and the molars at the back etc so in the end I felt like it was the right decision. I still often wonder if I did the right thing now they're on. It's a lot of money and not all my family were supportive of me getting them (husband and kids were great, adult members not so keen).

[klobird]

When my dentist told me that maybe I should consider braces, it put a bug in my ear also. And it wasn't the first time I had heard it either.

I finally figured that if my gums, or the position of my teeth would cause more and more damage as I get older, that it would probably be more cost effective to get braces and not worry about losing teeth, or getting implants or even dentures.
And now that I'm almost done, having spent the money is yesterday's issue, and having healthy worry free teeth are in my future for the remainder of my life. And I will have a great smile also!

To me, it's worth every penny!

[Ciara]

I had a premolar removed in March this year. This tooth had cracked and was unsalvageable. When the dentist pulled it she told me this tooth had been acting as an anchor for all the teeth on one side of my bottom jaw. She said that once it was removed, I'd need braces in order to stop all the teeth on that side from tipping inwards. She also said I needed my bite fixed and that this may help my TMJ problems.
I'd been told the same about by my dentist as a child about the premolar and my dentist in the UK had also mentioned my bite. Once my premolar was removed, I really didn't have a choice. I then got my wisdom teeth removed, some old fillings replaced and finally, braces on Nov. 22nd. I'm still waiting for braces on my lower jaw but I need a bite plate to correct a deep bite first.

Ciara

[sweetcynic]

I gave some serious thought to it when my front teeth chipped a little and my dentist said my overjet was probably a contributing factor. Of course, easier to just have them fix that than the underlying cause. The last straw, for me, was when I started getting bad toothaches and headaches(similar to impacted wisdom teeth, but those had been out for 8 years) and could literally feel my molars pushing my front teeth further out of alignment. Extractions at that point were music to my ears.

[mollyluise]

I know this sounds dumb, but I had posted a video of myself on youtube and someone left a nasty comment about my chin/profile/bite and it just stung me to the core. Normally an anonymous comment wouldn't even phase me, but since it was already something I was self conscious about, it hurt. I decided I finally needed to just get over my fears and go for it.

[Missers73]

My front left tooth started moving, sticking out and turning a bit. My upper lip was really straining. That is what prompted me to talk to my periodontist about whether she thought my teeth would be okay going through braces. She then told me that it would actually help with some of the issues I had going on with the my lower teeth due to crowding. So it seemed win-win at that point.

This is my second time with braces. As a kid they were taken off too soon and I didn't have adequate aftercare. My wisdom teeth coming in didn't help matters either.

[oimysizex]

I didn't really realise I had a problem until I went to my dentist at 15. She did a filling and asked me bite down some black paper thing, (it looked like film that you develop to get your picture) and she said, 'your bite needs correcting, would you like me to refer you to an orthodontist, so I thought, why not?!

I actually didn't get my first appointment until I was 17, which I was told by that particular orthodontist she couldn't do anything for me and she refered me to her colleauge.By this time i was told the only thing that can solve my problem is surgery, no way did i think it was that bad the appearance of my teeth isn't even that 'bad'!

[Sportsman31]

I had a dentist all growing up that I asked several times if he thought i should get braces, and he always said no. I dont have any really major problems (minor crowding on bottom and small gaps on top) but I am very self conscious about my teeth. I changed dentists about 8 months ago and the first comment she made was that she thought that I would really benefit from seeing an orthodontist, without me mentioning anything. Over the years I have worn down my premolars to where they now have angles where my teeth come together and could have been prevented had I sought treatment sooner. Oh well, thats enough of my sob story. My brace date is February 7th and is rapidly approaching and the closer I get the more nervous I get, but I know that I wont regret my decision. A little bit of discomfort for a beautiful smile for a lifetime is worth it. Good luck with everything.

[tfischer]

I have always been told by dentists that I would need to have teeth pulled in order to get braces. I have never had a cavity or any dental work done with the exception of cleaning and xrays. I had a dentist last November tell me that I have been misinformed - that no teeth would need to be pulled. I went to the ortho within 2 weeks of that dental visit... no teeth pulled and a year later - teeth have moved and I am liking what I am seeing in the mirror. I made the final decision to get braces when the dentist told me that my daughter would need braces - we both have a gap in our front teeth...very fixable... so I knew I couldn't put my daughter thru something I was not willing to do myself. I was embarassed by my gap - so its a win - win situation for me!!

[Angel269]

Seeing my sons teeth coming through and seeing that he also had my horrible diastema, combined with the fact that I wouldn't easily be able to deal when his time came for this "ordeal" so I figured just get it out of the way before he was old enough to ask question or stare at my teeth.

I have always hated my teeth but my extreme dental phobia (up until 3 years ago) preveneted me from seeing an ortho. It was also seeing any photos that I was unaware of that were taken that showed my teeth (as I would always keep a closed mouth).

I also intend to smile alot in photos and be happy to have a photo taken with my son as he is growing up.

[Zaera]

For me, it was the dentist actually handing me a referral in the form of a business card and a realization that I could make a few financial changes in my life in order to squeeze in the cost of braces. I had wanted braces for as long as I can remember but my single mother with four daughters, who all needed braces, could not afford to have it done. So I refinanced my car, found a cheaper car insurance provider with the same coverage and utilized my tax-free HSA to make it happen. I'm almost 30 with about 9 months to go, but at least I will go through my 30s looking my best! And besides having great teeth, I'll also get back that large sum of money every month when they come off. :)

[junglejulie]

My last straw is that I am tired of not seeing what I like in pictures. The gap ("diastema") does not look good at all. What I mostly hate is when people tell me it gives me "character". I think deep down inside they really think it makes me look "like a character." LOL

Seriously though, I am realizing more and more how much this problem is detracting from my appearance. I want my smile to be right so I can enjoy myself without having to brace myself for seeing how my gap is going to look in pictures.

Luckily, I have my cleaning and fillings in early January and my ortho appointment is scheduled for February. I am ready to get this ball rolling.

[Tingrinteacher]

Mine started with an over reliance in composite veneers on my front teeth that left me a bloody wreck when one inevitably fell off, this was closely followed by constant abscesses from my crap wisdom teeth, and then following their removal, a jaw that over extends and has a sublaxive dislocation. (Quite a party trick, and the best way to get a class of 30 teenage boys to crack on with an essay with promise of a 'show' at the end.)

I had never realised how much my teeth affected my self esteem until I had my little girl and noticed her refusal to have pictures taken of her without her hand covering her mouth, or of her smiling. Can't have her grow up like that.