Getting braces in two weeks- very nervous

[spree43]

Hi Aep4pDC-

I do have questions! Did u have any anxiety about removing the teeth? How long did it take? Do you recommend I take all 4 out at the same time? Was it painful? what have you been eating?

Ok I think that's enough haha
thanks!!

[kbrown6245]

Hi there! I am 19, almost 20, years old and got braces about 9 1/2 months ago! I also had to get extractions. I was so scared too about my face looking different but I am fine and still look the same. I actually got braces when I was 12 without getting extractions and because my mouth was so overcrowded, my teeth moved exactly back to where they were within 2-3 years. I went to two different orthodontists to get braces the 2nd time and they both told me that my teeth would have moved back even if I would have worn my retainer more often because of how crowded my mouth was. That's when I knew I definitely needed extractions as they suggested. I was still scared to get them, but it wasn't bad at all. I didn't even know they extracted my teeth yet until he was like "Well, there goes one!" Lol. I got all 4 extracted in the same day and I think it only took maybe 30 minutes. It was definitely a challenge to eat for the first few days but I got used to it pretty quickly. Oh and make sure you have a towel in the car with you for afterwards because you will droll everywhere without realizing it. I don't remember having too much pain following the extractions either. I took some ibuprofen the first few days to ease it up but it wasn't anything horrible. I'm sure you will be fine! I had my braces put on in the beginning of May, extractions towards the end of July, and they started closing the gaps right away. At first the gaps were huge and I was kind of embarrassed, but it really wasn't that bad. The best thing is the gaps closed SO quickly, you could hardly tell they were there by September and my ortho said they were completely closed by January! Overall, my experience with extractions/braces hasn't been bad one bit! Best of luck to you and I hope everything goes smoothly!

[aep4pDC]

I'd echo that. I was numbed up for the extractions and didn't feel anything, other than the pressure that wasn't bad. My teeth were out in about 20-25 minutes, and then I sat with gauze over the extraction sites for a bit while they went over the post-op instructions. I was very nervous about the extractions because of the controversy associated with it, but similar to above, all of my consultations indicated that I needed it. I had irritation at the extraction sites so I kept with taking the prescription that the oral surgeon wrote for me, once the irritation wore off then i felt pressure on my remaining teeth (almost like they were shifting as a result of having extra space). But, now that I am one week post-op, I don't really have anymore of that. I still eat carefully, but the healing time is surprisingly quick.

I got my braces on this morning, and they're interesting haha. No pain or discomfort when they initially go on, but as the day has gone on, I feel the pressure from the tightness (my teeth are sore to the touch) but I'm managing and have mostly gone about my day as normal. Before the "pain" set in, I decided to eat a bowl of cereal and man everything was stuck in my grill. I was worried that I'd be too lazy to keep up with the excessive cleaning that are you are supposed to do (my ortho says to brush after every meal) but I'm pretty sure I'm going to WANT to because food gets so...suck and trapped in the braces.

kbrown6245 - Did they put on chains to start closing your gaps right away or just a normal wire?

[spree43]

thanks again everyone for all your experiences- it makes me feel a bit better about the extractions. it's almost Monday and I'm freaking out about getting the braces on:( I know I have to get it done but I am just SO nervous to go to work and have people make fun of me that I almost want to cancel the appt but I'm not. Ugh I just wish I could go somewhere where no one knows me for 2 years ha

[Beckett]

It's Tuesday now... How did things go? We're on the same timeline, mine just went on yesterday as well.

[spree43]

Hi Beckett- Day 3 and I am not doing too good. I keep wanting to pick up the phone to make an appt to get them off..they are just so bulky and annoying and It's hard to focus on anything else. I know I'm being dramatic about it. There are far worse tbings. I just hate them and It's prob only going to get worse when the bottom is on. Obviously once I have the extractions there's no taking them off so I have to make up my mind soon. The pain is a little better but I still can't chew too well.Then I'm thinking maybe just fix the bottom crowding and forget about the top. ugh I sound crazy ha

[Beckett]

Hang in there! It all feels so weird but even my 10 year old reassures me that soon you will barely notice them. You're doing this for a reason and in the end all the discomfort, the irritation, and extra time you spend on mouth hygiene will be worth it. Take it one day at a time.

[MadSpinner]

@spree43

Welcome to the Metal Mouth world. Hahaha! (I'm 23)
I also felt the same thing for the first week but you can really survive that one. On the second or third week, you will BARELY notice you have them as you get used to it. Just think that this is for the better smile on the next two years or so.

Good luck and God bless!

[27braces88]

Hi Beckett- Day 3 and I am not doing too good. I keep wanting to pick up the phone to make an appt to get them off..they are just so bulky and annoying and It's hard to focus on anything else. I know I'm being dramatic about it. There are far worse tbings. I just hate them and It's prob only going to get worse when the bottom is on. Obviously once I have the extractions there's no taking them off so I have to make up my mind soon. The pain is a little better but I still can't chew too well.Then I'm thinking maybe just fix the bottom crowding and forget about the top. ugh I sound crazy ha

Yep, felt like this too. The second I got them put on I thought what the hell have I done and really considered getting them off. But I paid upfront and £3000 for a few days of braces is pretty expensive so here I am 6 months later.

It gets better. No one cares but you.