I'm going to get braces this year!

[NeilH]

Great photos! I hope your last few weeks of braces are uneventful -- can't wait to see your "after" shots!

Thanks Freya, I'm really looking forward to seeing the final result and really cannot imagine what it would look like. These next few weeks are going to fly by then its going to be four appointments for impressions, bonded retainers, de-bonding and retainer fitting so lot's to keep me entertained!

[NeilH]

Your teeth are looking incredible Neil! I haven't been on here for a few weeks and have been having a painful time myself so it's nice to see a positive photo.
You won't be able to stop smiling when they come off

Thank you Viconia, It's going to be really strange not having braces anymore after what will be 33 months and I'm having all these self doubts which are totally irrational and misplaced but I'm still looking forward to seeing the final result. Sorry you have been having a painful time of late and hope it gets better for you soon.

[NeilH]

wow!
looking at your first photo i never could imagine such an amazing result!! only a few days left!

Thank you! I'm pretty delighted too and often compare the photo taken on day one to see just how different my teeth now look. I must get round to posting a day 1 comparison photo so thanks for the prompt. Not long now, I still can't believe I'm approaching the end.

[NeilH]

Whilst travelling last week, I hastily replied to an email confirming I was happy to change the date of an overseas trip to bring it forward to the middle of February. I have just checked my diary and you can guess what that means! How can I be so daft? A few calls next week are in order I think.

[NeilH]

Phew, managed to change one of my appointments so will still be able to get my braces removed, travel overseas and have retainers fitted within the same timeframe. I have an appointment next week for a final check which will be the go / no go for de bonding on the 16th Feb!

[NeilH]

That's potentially my last proper adjustment finished, I can't believe this has been my 20th adjustment, just here has all the time gone? My ortho took a really good look, manipulating my jaw in lots of different ways to check the interaction between all the teeth. He placed a piece of waxed paper between my bite to look at where the teeth first meet and decided that he needed to make a minor wire bend to lift one of the upper side teeth a fraction. He did say that depending on how fast it moves and the impact on the bite that we may not be finished in Feb and he would not want to take the brace off until he was completely happy with the result but would review in a couple of weeks time and again two weeks after that so there is hope yet I will be finished in the next four weeks but less certain than I was a couple of hours ago. I had impressions taken for upper and lower fixed retainers which went fine as they were only partial impressions with alginate in the front part of the tray only so this wasn't too bad.

My daughter and I were discussing module colours in the waiting room and after debating lots of choices settled on pink, lilac and teal (or something similar) and I thought, why not, let's go for it. Much to my shock, when the therapist asked her what colour she was picking for her dad, she said 'grey'. Really, grey! What was she thinking? So for my potential last adjustment, I didn't get some wild colour choice that I was preparing myself for but maybe at my next one in a couple of weeks, will go for something else more adventurous.

So that's where I am, so close to finishing with the possibility of being brace free in four weeks if this one tooth moves a fraction but if not, maybe a few more months until perfection. I will update you in a fortnight.. Wish me luck!

[TheProfessor]

Sounds like your ortho is an extreme perfectionist! Good luck getting that last tooth into position!

[NeilH]

Sounds like your ortho is an extreme perfectionist! Good luck getting that last tooth into position!

When I look at some of the stories posted I count myself as very fortunate that I have a practice which takes so much care and attention and has people who are, without exception, just lovely. My ortho wants to do the very best he can and is doing exactly what we discussed three years ago so I don't mind it taking a bit longer. I would rather this than have the braces removed wishing I had kept them on for a few more weeks.

[oldfart]

I wish I could have had mine on longer. But had to move, pay more, and could only afford another six months. And had some molars with decay that I had to get out of braces to work on. Perfection is good!

[metalliKa]

I keep saying I can't wait to have them off, but now that I am in the finishing stage...I feel I won't mind if debracing is delayed because I want my teeth to not relapse once the power chains come off...because the months that I didn't have power chains on, I developed gaps. I'd like my teeth to settle firmly in their new place and so I'm willing to wait.

[NeilH]

I wish I could have had mine on longer. But had to move, pay more, and could only afford another six months. And had some molars with decay that I had to get out of braces to work on. Perfection is good!

Sorry that you couldn't quite get to the point you were hoping for, it's an expensive endeavour at the best of times and having to pay again at a new practice must have been disheartening. I'm delighted I'm getting the opportunity to have not only straight teeth but a stable bite and really don't mind how much longer it takes. Impressive retainer BTW! Are you used to it yet?

[NeilH]

I keep saying I can't wait to have them off, but now that I am in the finishing stage...I feel I won't mind if debracing is delayed because I want my teeth to not relapse once the power chains come off...because the months that I didn't have power chains on, I developed gaps. I'd like my teeth to settle firmly in their new place and so I'm willing to wait.

I said exactly the same thing. I had a list of prepared questions about retainers and the first one was why not keep the braces on for a while after active treatment to allow for settling and for the ligaments / bone to fuse in the new position. My ortho chatted through this idea and agreed to keep them on for a few more months which I'm delighted about. The issue with the one tooth needing to be moved is additional to this so I'm getting double the benefit as I see it.

When you get near the end you realise how little issue braces are and rather than being in a hurry to get them off, see the benefit of getting it just right for a long term stable bite and great smile.

[oldfart]

I wish I could have had mine on longer. But had to move, pay more, and could only afford another six months. And had some molars with decay that I had to get out of braces to work on. Perfection is good!

Sorry that you couldn't quite get to the point you were hoping for, it's an expensive endeavour at the best of times and having to pay again at a new practice must have been disheartening. I'm delighted I'm getting the opportunity to have not only straight teeth but a stable bite and really don't mind how much longer it takes. Impressive retainer BTW! Are you used to it yet?

I can't talk with it so wearing the Essix during the day. I have a retainer adjustment tomorrow and going to have the wings cut down a bit to more normal so I can talk. Just prefer it much better than the Essix
.

[NeilH]

And that, my dear friends, was my last adjustment before de bonding in a couple of weeks time. It was a really quick appointment to check all was well and to make sure that final tooth had moved following my last appointment, it had, and my ortho was really happy with everything. My fixed retainers have arrived so they were both checked ready for fitting on the 16th. I had my modules changed back to black which is by far my favourite colour and I'm now just idly spending the time waiting for my next visit.

I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad this journey is coming to an end, it's been a really fascinating experience and an extremely positive one too. I'm really looking forward to my next appointment to see what I look like brace free and to get my fixed retainers but part of me is apprehensive and I don't really know why. I'm going to write about my experiences overall in the hope that it may be helpful to someone concerned about getting braces as an adult and maybe through doing this will be able to better explore what I'm feeling right now. I think part of me was expecting my perfectionist ortho to say, "let's give it a couple more months" but I know he has not only gone as far as he can, but well exceeded my expectations and produced a fabulous result that is as near to perfect as is possible to achieve.

Not only that but the manner in which I have been looked after by all the staff has been exceptional. It's been an absolute pleasure to attend each appointment and I've thoroughly enjoyed each visit in the knowledge I would be receiving incredible care and kindness from everyone. It saddens me when I read of some people's experiences and I know I have been extremely fortunate to find a practice that is run and staffed by such dedicated and caring people.

I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this forum, reading stories, commenting on posts and getting to know such a diverse group of people from all over the world who are all sharing the same apprehensions, experiences and wonderful results that this journey brings. I'm going to miss updating my story and fear I will, like many have in the past, fade away into the archives as new people join and start sharing their experiences. I will hang around for a while to offer a thought of two about life post braces and retainers and as the last of the group who started with me and shared experiences on my story leave, will do so too.

I'm amazed that so many have read my posts and hope you have enjoyed reading about my journey through adult orthodontics. I have tried to be honest about my experiences and certainly have absolutely no regrets about doing this. If my posts have been helpful or offered some support that you have found useful then I'm glad I've been able to do something positive, your comments and helpful advice have been inspiring to read and I'm grateful that there are so many lovely people out there.

[ItsFreyja]

NeilH, I'm so happy for you that you're nearly arrived at the end of your journey. I've appreciated your thoughtful, knowledgeable, and encouraging postings. I'm thankful for all of the folks here who put in more than they take out, and you are definitely one of them!