38 years old with Damon clear/metal - my journey

[nats80]

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

Thank you so much Jem. Your post was extremely encouraging

Well I'm on Day 4 now and I'm not sure if I've been really lucky or this is the calm before the storm but I haven't had any pain yet and the tightening feeling isn't bothering me at all. Eating isn't too bad either (plus I'm trying to lose some weight)!!

I popped back to the ortho today as I wondered why there was a hook on one of my clear brackets but not on the equivalent bracket on the other side. It was causing my lip to get caught on it a bit. I wasn't too concerned but thought I would ask.

It seemed to cause some confusion as they said that bracket always had a hook on it but when I pointed out there was no hook on the opposite bracket they said that they'd learnt something new and would change it!

So I've had a bracket change already!!

[Catpotat]

YAY a belated happy B-day to you, they look wonderful! How are you going so far on your journey?

[nats80]

YAY a belated happy B-day to you, they look wonderful! How are you going so far on your journey?

Thank you Meowmei. I can't tell you how much this Forum board is helping me through this...!

So far so good. Just had to get this bracket changed as they realised the 'hook' wasn't actually needed (at this stage anyway) and it was causing my lip to get caught on it when smiling.

Day 1.jpg

[Cyndi2016]

Congratulations on starting I definitely feel self conscious about them as well, I am in my 2nd week now.

[nats80]

Small update...

I had to go back to the ortho again (twice in my first week) but this time due to the 'metal thread' they had looped around the bracket on one of my front teeth slipping off whilst I was cleaning my teeth. A bit embarrassing to be back again so soon but both visits so far have truly not been my fault.

I am slowly but surely getting over the self consciousness but haven't had to face work colleagues yet (as on annual leave).

While I was at the ortho I actually 'complained' (tongue in cheek - pardon the pun!) that I had still not had any pain as I was concerned this meant nothing was happening. I think they looked at me a bit strangely and said everything was fine and I was just one of the lucky ones! I tried to say that they do don't need to go easy on me (which I meant) but they just laughed!

You might need to remind me of this when I get my first adjustment/tightening!!!

Serious question though - I have taken a selfie every day since day 1 and analysed every tooth/gap/positioning and I don't think ANYTHING has happened at all so far (I'm nearly 2 weeks in). I was really encouraged by the reports on here of miraculous changes within a week or 2 so I'm a bit disappointed. I wasn't expecting miracles or anything but it would just be nice to see something. Do you think there should be some movement by my first official checkup which will be in about 2-3 weeks time?

[Seasaltmind]

Im excited to see your progress!

[Sunnygirl807]

How's treatment going?

[oldfart]

Give it a month or so, instead of two weeks. Everyone's teeth move at different speeds.

[nats80]

Had my first checkup yesterday and my ortho explained that he is not even trying to straighten any of my front teeth yet so I shouldn't be disheartened. As I have overcrowding, he is first trying to make space at the back. That makes sense I guess so I feel a bit happier. As it was only 4 weeks in, they just checked everything was ok but didn't do anything for now.

Back in another 5 weeks for my hopefully first adjustment/new wire/tightening.

Thank you everyone for your interest and encouragement. It honestly helps.

[jem]

Good to hear all is going well, Nats, and that you are sufficiently over the initial self-conscious stage to be able to offer comfort to a newbie in another thread!

It can take a while for teeth to get moving; I didn't see any change by the time of my first adjustment, but gradually you will notice that your archwires are straighter. Make sure you take regular pictures so you can compare. My teeth needed a relatively small amount of movement so change was never dramatic, but in your case you should see a radical difference by 6 months.

Not everyone feels pain from their teeth moving. The pressure braces place on your teeth is supposed to be constant but only very gentle. I think damon and other self-ligating braces are good at doing this. I had damon brackets and never felt anything more than a bit of pressure for a short time after some adjustments.

All the best,

Jem

[LisainTX]

Hey Nats80!
Do you have an update for us? I hope all is going well

[Bracingmyself33]

Hi fellow bracer! Don't worry about the progress... I'm sure our pearlies are working 24/7! Slowly but surely.

I've passed the 2nd month mark and my orthodontist told me the exact same thing - she's working to create space for the time being, so she can work on straightening later on. I guess that explains my 24-month sentence!

Any updates so far?

[nats80]

Good to hear all is going well, Nats, and that you are sufficiently over the initial self-conscious stage to be able to offer comfort to a newbie in another thread!

It can take a while for teeth to get moving; I didn't see any change by the time of my first adjustment, but gradually you will notice that your archwires are straighter. Make sure you take regular pictures so you can compare. My teeth needed a relatively small amount of movement so change was never dramatic, but in your case you should see a radical difference by 6 months.

Not everyone feels pain from their teeth moving. The pressure braces place on your teeth is supposed to be constant but only very gentle. I think damon and other self-ligating braces are good at doing this. I had damon brackets and never felt anything more than a bit of pressure for a short time after some adjustments.

All the best,

Jem

Thank you Jem. Your words have definitely helped to put my mind at rest. I have stopped obsessing about looking for changes and just putting my faith into my ortho (who is very highly regarded). No one has braces for 2 years and has no movement in that time!!!!!!! Fingers crossed as you say - that by 6 months I will definitely see something happening.

I feel like I want to help people realise that getting braces is not nearly as bad as you imagine before you get them! How I wish I had done this many years ago!

Hey Nats80!
Do you have an update for us? I hope all is going well

The sensitivity has actually suddenly got 'bad' again like when I first had them fitted. When I say 'bad', I don't actually mean bad as it is not really painful or anything, but it is strange reverting back to not being able to bite again. BUT I am seeing it as a very positive sign that it must mean that things are happening...!!

Hi fellow bracer! Don't worry about the progress... I'm sure our pearlies are working 24/7! Slowly but surely.

I've passed the 2nd month mark and my orthodontist told me the exact same thing - she's working to create space for the time being, so she can work on straightening later on. I guess that explains my 24-month sentence!

Any updates so far?

Just like me - 24 month sentence and only a month or 2 into it My ortho used that expression too (slowly but surely)!! I'd rather 'fast and painful' but that's not up to me I guess

I've just got back from a weeks holiday overseas and was actually really nervous when I was there about what would happen if a bracket popped off or something. Luckily it didn't happen, but I don't know what I would have done if it had. I also found that I was zero self conscious abroad as no one knew me and also I noticed loads of adults with braces (which I don't see that much here in the UK).

Thank you again everyone for the support

[ntnch1776]

Congrats on taking the plunge!

[nats80]

Sorry I haven't updated for awhile.

I have had my first adjustment and the ortho took some up to date pictures. These are Day 1 compared to Week 8.

As you can see there are no drastic changes, but after the ortho talked if through with me, I could accept that there are some subtle changes and things are going as they should (although I wish it was happening faster). Good things come to those who wait (as they say)!

I'd be really interested to read your honest comments on the progress (or lack of)!

I can see the change the most in this picture although I think the angle is different so doesn't necessarily give an accurate view of the movement...

IMG_1640a.jpg

The ortho pointed out to me that the arch is becoming more rounded and the overlapping tooth on the left of this picture has moved slightly...

IMG_1639a.jpg

I don't really understand the change in my bite as before I started treatment the ortho said that my bite is actually pretty good, but now it doesn't meet anywhere. I presume this is just par for the course at this stage and doesn't mean it will be like this at the end of the treatment...

IMG_1638a.jpg