New to the Club

[ChewyBacca]

Hi

Getting two extractions on 2 February, followed by ceramic braces fitted 5 February.

To get fixed:
Class II malocclusion
peg lateral incisor and undersized lateral incisor (to be extracted)
canine substitution and reshaping
chipped incisors
crowding in upper and lower arches
approx. 10mm overjet

When I write it all down, it seems a lot!

Feel a bit old coming to this at 37. Shame orthodontics was not a priority when I was a kid.

Feeling quite apprehensive as my job involves a lot of talking and a lot of meeting clients face-to-face.

I'll be documenting with photographs as I go.

[Lisamichelle18]

Welcome!!! I'm 38 and just got mine fitted on January 5th. My mom was too poor so I didn't get them when I was younger and have been putting it off as an adult because I was terrified of the way they would look.

I just got regular metal braces and I love them ... Well, I don't want them on lol but they are so much better looks wise than I would have ever imagined and I am very self conscious about the way I look. Wishing I had done it years ago. Just make sure to pig out on all your fav foods. It's a struggle to eat everything ... I had to cut up my hamburger today lol.

I don't know what the exact technical terms are for what is wrong with my teeth but I have moderate crowding on the bottom and my top left incisor is pretty high with the tooth next to my front tooth hiding behind it. These are pics right before I was braced

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Good luck in your journey!!!

[owira]

Welcome! And not late SPAM SPAM SPAMMING at all - I was 40 and get mine off next Monday yay! It's worth it and frustrating - you will wonder why you are doing this and will it ever end - is any thing even happening in there?? Ugh why is my mouth hurting again?
And most importantly and inevitably--- when did I eat that?? Omg I brush like a fiend where did that come from!1 - it happens
In the end it's all worth it
Stay strong!

[TheProfessor]

Welcome to the club! I was almost 40 when I took the plunge and also very concerned about how braces would affect my professional life since I talk in front of people all the time. It took a little while to get used to the braces (I was horrified when they handed me the mirror after putting them on), but I got used to them and reached the point that I don't think about them when interacting with other people (except for when I'm eating with people). After 22 months, I can honestly say that braces have had absolutely no effect on my career! Sure, people notice, but most are too polite to say anything and they really don't care. I've only had 2 strangers comment on my braces, and they were both nice interactions. You will be fine and also very happy when you start to see your teeth moving for the better!

[ChewyBacca]

Thanks Lisa for your reply - I can't see images yet as I don't have enough posts.

glad you are comfortable with your new look - I hope I will be too!

[ChewyBacca]

Thanks Owira

Good to know I'm not the only almost-40-year-old getting braces. My fifteen yer old nephew just got his fitted, so we can have our own little club!

[ChewyBacca]

Hey Prof

Thanks for your response. I run my own business, and I give legal advice, so I am very worried about not being taken seriously and, as a result, losing out on work and losing gravitas. Maybe I'm just being super paranoid?

[djspeece]

I think people will continue to come to you regardless -- you have skills and expertise, and that's what they are paying for. If it doesn't bug you it won't bug them (you may have to work at this) and just act like it is no big deal, and they will do the same. Frankly many people won't even notice you have braces even if you are sitting across the table from them, and it may be an interesting point of conversation if they do! I also have a very public position and lead a large team, but they really didn't care as long as I continued to perform miracles for them . I'm 65 and was recently debraced (October 2015) after a three year sentence. Welcome to the club and best of luck to you!

[ChewyBacca]

Thanks DJ.

I guess I'll need to "get over it".

I remember being at a seminar about networking and the discussion turned to being self-conscious. The presenter said something that stuck with me; she said "everyone is the star of their own movie".

I guess it applies to me now. Just because I think everyone else will be looking at my braces, chances are they won't be. Most people are too concerned about their own insecurities, which are amplified to them the same way that ours are to us.

[NeilH]

Hi, I think many of us had these fears before starting but soon realise that nothing really changes. No one pays the slightest bit of attention and it certainly does not have any negative impact as far as work. Since getting mine (metal brackets top and bottom) I have continued attending meetings, travelling overseas, delivering many presentations etc. without any issue at all. Most of the concerns are in our head and we often look for difficulties where there are none to be found. Good luck.

[Bracingfor33]

Just curious as to how it's going... I'm contemplating removing my central incisors soon. Your case sounds pretty similar to mine and I'm just trying to get as much info as I can! Hopeful that you're having positive results!