Starting ortho treatment in 1 week!

[mapleleafman888]

Hey all, so after 5 years of thinking about going for the plunge I'm finally going for treatment! I've decided on damon clear and would love to know about anyone elses experience with them. I am completely new to this site and thought it would be good to get involved with the community. I will post photos as soon as I can get access to proper internet (using mobile).

I am a 25 year old guy (yes the smaller demographic who gets braces) single and not sure what to expect in the coming months! Looking forward to hearing from others.

[chichi]

Welcome and congrats on starting your journey!

I was in the same boat - 8 years of debating with myself over whether or not to get braces. Now I'm 27 and took the plunge last week.

I've got Damon clear uppers and Damon metal lowers. The clears are a little bigger and they feel rougher/dryer than the metal, but they're barely noticeable, which is exactly what I was going for.

Good luck with everything and I hope you keep us updated!

[Ciara]

Good luck! It's not as bad as we imagine at all. I've had virtually no pain, little discomfort and no speech problems. Cleaning thought is really a hassle.

[djspeece]

Congrats on starting your orthodontic adventure. You'll find a lot of support here, and realize that everyone has a different experience. I have the damons as well and my observations have been that (1) they are much more of an issue to you than to others, who usually find them only mildly interesting and (2) they become less noticeable to you over time. Lots of good advice here on oral hygiene issues (after I got my braces I went to the local CVS (drugstore) and bought one of everything that I thought might be helpful.) Best of luck.

[mapleleafman888]

[quote="chichi"]Welcome and congrats on starting your journey!

I was in the same boat - 8 years of debating with myself over whether or not to get braces. Now I'm 27 and took the plunge last week.

I've got Damon clear uppers and Damon metal lowers. The clears are a little bigger and they feel rougher/dryer than the metal, but they're barely noticeable, which is exactly what I was going for.

Good luck with everything and I hope you keep us updated![/quote]

Thank you, and congrats as well! It sure takes some mental gymnastics to get over being braced!

Sounds like my doc is going to be using the same configurations, lol my bottom teeth are high so they show more than my top teeth, wonder if he would do clear lowers?

Good to hear about the invisability factor, I'm pretty self conscious about how they will look.

I definately will keep posting updates and checking in. Same too you!

[mapleleafman888]

[quote="Ciara"]Good luck! It's not as bad as we imagine at all. I've had virtually no pain, little discomfort and no speech problems. Cleaning thought is really a hassle.[/quote]

Thank you, I am very encouraged to hear that! The cleaning is a hassle as in brushing and flossing 5 times a day?

[mapleleafman888]

[quote="djspeece"]Congrats on starting your orthodontic adventure. You'll find a lot of support here, and realize that everyone has a different experience. I have the damons as well and my observations have been that (1) they are much more of an issue to you than to others, who usually find them only mildly interesting and (2) they become less noticeable to you over time. Lots of good advice here on oral hygiene issues (after I got my braces I went to the local CVS (drugstore) and bought one of everything that I thought might be helpful.) Best of luck.[/quote]

Good to hear and thank you. I've seen alot of adults in braces lately actually,and yeah it's not so bad as I kind of feel proud for them for taking the plunge. Just got to stop being so focused on what others would think of braces on me. Good luck with your treatment!

[giraffington]

Congratulations on finally going for it! I am sure you won't regret your decision I'm 23 and I've had metal braces on for one month now. A few of my observations:

-Yes, they hurt for the first few days. It's depressing to be on soft food but it gets better!
-Cleaning started out as a pain but now I'm brushing 4-5x a day and flossing once a day. I'm already used to it and it's only been a month.
-Nobody else really cares about my braces. I've had a few comments, all pretty positive, right when I got them on. They are just a part of me now.
-My teeth started to move - and FAST. I can see big changes after only the one month. It makes me even more certain that the time, dedication, and money are worth it for a great smile

I hope that you discover similar observations when your braces go on!

[chichi]

Thank you, and congrats as well! It sure takes some mental gymnastics to get over being braced!

Sounds like my doc is going to be using the same configurations, lol my bottom teeth are high so they show more than my top teeth, wonder if he would do clear lowers?

Good to hear about the invisability factor, I'm pretty self conscious about how they will look.

I definately will keep posting updates and checking in. Same too you!

My ortho offered bottom front 6 teeth for an extra $300. I opted out of that since my top teeth are more visible, but it couldn't hurt to ask your ortho's office and see what they say.

The clear ones are really almost invisible. I saw a friend this weekend who didn't know I was getting them and he must've noticed while I was talking. He asked me if I got braces on my lower teeth and I had to show him that I had braces on the top too, even though he had already seen me smile.

[Matilda]

Best of luck, mapleleafman888.

[kathydell]

Good luck and welcome to the journey of adult braces. I'm 47 and 4 months into treatment. You will be so shocked how fast things change, and then change some more. It's a constant battle of learning how to eat again after each change but fun if it's bothered you for many years. I highly recommend taking pictures each week in the beginning, especially if you're like me and get discouraged if you don't see progress. I am so completely stunned at the great progress I've made so far. And, kicking myself for being afraid and waiting so long. One piece of advice .... get a really good Waterpik. I can't live without it and it makes cleaning your braces so much easier. I brush & Waterpik in the a.m. and p.m. and then I brush after meals at work on on the weekend. And I keep getting A's at the orthodontist for oral hygiene so I must be doing ok.

[kids041]

I am gonna jump in and say HI too! And Welcome to the forum. I have only started posting on here after lurking for quite some time. I too am taking the plunge soon. I am 43 and can't wait to get started! I am just getting the regular metal braces, since my ortho offers the clear for an additional $350 per arch!...Ouch! I will just rock the metal with colored ligs!!! Why try to hide what I am finally doing for myself?? I will have fun with the colors, and revel in the new straight smile I am getting.
I get my braces Aug 5th! eeeep! that is soon...
This forum has been quite helpful in letting me know what to expect, and what to do in case of "issues" (pokey wires, brackets, and hooks). I have started stocking up on the "necessary" things that your ortho does not give you. I hope to be prepared...
I know if you have questions- someone on here as answered it...
good luck!

[Ciara]

Good luck! It's not as bad as we imagine at all. I've had virtually no pain, little discomfort and no speech problems. Cleaning thought is really a hassle.

Thank you, I am very encouraged to hear that! The cleaning is a hassle as in brushing and flossing 5 times a day?

Yes, brushing 4+ times a day is a hassle specially if you are out of your house a lot. I can wash, dry and style my hair in the same length of time it takes to brush, floss, water-pic my teeth.