38 years old with Damon clear/metal - my journey

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#1 Post by **nats80** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:27 am

I'm 38 and getting my part metal part clean Damon braces fitted. I am extremely nervous. Not so much about the pain and sores and not being able to eat, but more about how self conscious I am going to feel.

I'm getting cold feet to be honest...

Any reassuring comments would be greatly appreciated

#2 Post by **HummerMan3** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:07 am

Keep your eye on the end goal, at least that's what I keep telling myself. I'm starting my treatment tomorrow, so we'll be pretty much in the same boat at the same time. How long do you have to have yours on for? Good luck; looking forward to your progress!

#3 Post by **nats80** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:30 am

[quote="HummerMan3"]Keep your eye on the end goal, at least that's what I keep telling myself. I'm starting my treatment tomorrow, so we'll be pretty much in the same boat at the same time. How long do you have to have yours on for? Good luck; looking forward to your progress![/quote]

Wow. Good luck! I will definitely follow your story. They're saying 18-24 months but I'm not banking on anything less than 24.

I've got some before pics already but not sure the easiest way to post them?...

#4 Post by **Nolaterals** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:22 pm

You'll be fine! I had the same apprehension before I was braced. I've had them for a month now and I regret nothing. In fact, I've already had noticeable movement and that has got me more excited than ever!

I had issues with a long wire that I was able to have clipped a couple days after I got them on. After that, I have not had to use any wax or gotten any sores at all. My cheeks toughened up quickly!

#5 Post by **Nolaterals** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:24 pm

The easiest way for me to post pictures is to go to attachments - add file - wait for it to load - insert (not sure the exact language).

#6 Post by **nats80** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:55 am

Before:-

How embarrassing - they look awful and the staining looks terrible

14-03-2016 - 1 Initial Records_Center a.jpg

14-03-2016 - 1 Initial Records_Left Buccal a.jpg

14-03-2016 - 1 Initial Records_Lower Occlusal a.jpg

#7 Post by **nats80** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:56 am

14-03-2016 - 1 Initial Records_Right Buccal a.jpg

14-03-2016 - 1 Initial Records_Upper Occlusal a.jpg

Before a.png

#8 Post by **nats80** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:56 am

and after (hopefully).....

After a.png

I must add I am not having Invisalign - they just used the software to show the intended movement.

#9 Post by **27braces88** » Tue Jul 19, 2016 12:45 pm

Wow this is very cool. I wish I had something like this when I got my braces.

#10 Post by **nats80** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 9:26 am

2 days to go!!!!!! Excited but mostly dreading it. I may lock myself away at home for the next 2 years!...

#11 Post by **jem** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 3:38 pm

I think most of us are self conscious when we first get our braces. I certainly was for the first few months even though mine were damon clear and not very obvious. But after a while you will stop caring and/or realise that your teeth already look better even with braces on than they did before. You will be back to smiling your natural smile and just getting on with life.

Good luck with your braces. Make sure you take lots of progress pics; there may well be times when you get sick of your braces and being able to look back at the progress you have made really helps.

Jem

#12 Post by **Beckett** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 11:20 pm

I'll admit I'm still self conscious about mine, but almost no one has ever even mentioned them. Adults really don't seem to want to point it out, which is polite. You get used to them after a while, and then you start paying much more attention in the mirror, looking each day for those minute changes that mean progress is being made. It's pretty cool. My upper canines were rotate back so I had very pointy fangs. Those are disappearing now as they rotate forward and I couldn't be happier.

#13 Post by **nats80** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 12:45 pm

Beckett wrote:I'll admit I'm still self conscious about mine, but almost no one has ever even mentioned them. Adults really don't seem to want to point it out, which is polite. You get used to them after a while, and then you start paying much more attention in the mirror, looking each day for those minute changes that mean progress is being made. It's pretty cool. My upper canines were rotate back so I had very pointy fangs. Those are disappearing now as they rotate forward and I couldn't be happier.

jem wrote:I think most of us are self conscious when we first get our braces. I certainly was for the first few months even though mine were damon clear and not very obvious. But after a while you will stop caring and/or realise that your teeth already look better even with braces on than they did before. You will be back to smiling your natural smile and just getting on with life.

Good luck with your braces. Make sure you take lots of progress pics; there may well be times when you get sick of your braces and being able to look back at the progress you have made really helps.

Jem

Thank you so much. Your words of encouragement honestly help.

Well it's tomorrow now. Gulp!...

#14 Post by **nats80** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 12:40 pm

Well I've done it!...

FullSizeRender.jpg

I can't complain so far. The fitting was strangely relaxing (maybe because I got to lie down in peace for an hour and half without the kids)!!

They don't feel as strange as I was expecting. When I smile my top lip gets caught on the top wire. My only disappointment is that the ortho's assistant had previously told me that I wouldn't need the 'coil springs' (can't remember if that is what they are called) but I've got 1 on the top and 2 at the bottom. They said they are only temporary, but we'll see...!

They decided not to fit 2 of the clear brackets yet until some room has been made for them to rotate and move into place.

No pain (so far) but I am fully expecting that to come.

I'm sort of excited that I have finally done this.

I made myself go into a shop and speak to the sales assistant and they didn't bat an eyelid. I am still extremely nervous about seeing work colleagues, etc etc.

Thank you to all of you who have responded to my posts. Also for the really useful posts and stories on here. It is what finally convinced me to do this.

So my journey begins......

#15 Post by **jem** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 2:55 pm

Congratulations on getting your braces fitted. When you look back at this photo in 6 months time you will be amazed at the progress you have made and so pleased you decided to go ahead.

Don't worry about what your colleagues will think. The chances are that they will be very supportive. Once you have got over the initial stage of people seeing your braces for the first time, this will become the normal you and no big deal.

You will have seen other people on this site who have had coil springs. They don't usually seem to have them much beyond the first couple of adjustments, by which time the springs have created enough space for blocked out or rotated teeth to be bracketed and joined onto the archwire.

Don't be afraid to use plenty of wax if your brackets or springs cause you any soreness.

Jem

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38 years old with Damon clear/metal - my journey

38 years old with Damon clear/metal - my journey

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