I'm new here, getting braced on 03/02/06

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#1 Post by **LUV2SING** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:57 am

Hi everyone, I'm been lurking for awhile now and thought I'd join in. I just turned 40 and I'm getting braced on 03/02/06. I've had my spacers in for 3 weeks now. I started out with the metal because they couldn't get the rubber ones in (tight teeth.) I did not have a very good time at the orthodontist so far. When I went in for my first consultation, he informed me I will probably need jaw surgery. Apparently, my jaw is partially dislocated from a car wreck I was in a few years ago. It clicks and goes sideways when I open my mouth. He also informed me I would be wearing a palate expander to try and correct 4 crossbites. Then he told me 28 months. Augghh!! I didn't think my teeth were that bad. I have crowding issues, crossbite, and too small upper jaw. As they were fitting me for spacers, they discovered my fractured tooth was quite sensitive and suggested a root canal. I want to know why my dentist just capped it and did not suggest this 2 years ago. It didn't hurt until they started messing with it. I asked my Ortho to just diagnose me with a brain tumor to make the day complete. It was not fun. I went back after a week and had the rubber spacers put in, much more comfortable than the metal ones but they still hurt. I'm just now able to chew without severe pain. I'm really scared about how much pain I'll be in when they put on the braces. I'm going for 6 clear on the top and the rest metal. I'm not looking forward to the expander, I sing and am not too crazy about lisping. My mom is 62 and just got her braces off. Her teeth look great! I'm trying to concentrate on the end result. Anyway, that's it for now. I'm so glad I found a community like this. I definitely need the support.

#2 Post by **candygrrrl** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:30 am

Hi LUV2SING:

I can so relate! I'm also getting braced and expanded this Thursday and am facing possible jaw surgery. I've had my expanders in forever and a day, have been in pretty much constant pain the whole time, and haven't eaten anything more solid than applesauce and lettuce during that whole time. Yay! All at the tender age of 41! Take that number, flip it, and that's just about how old I feel at this point in the process!

But I think we've got lots of company . . . Hang in there!

#3 Post by **BraceFace12** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:20 pm

Congrats on starting your ortho journeys! Although I'm not being braced Thursday one of my friends is and I'm going in for an adjustment. Must be a popular day. Well hope everything goes great for you two.

#4 Post by **LUV2SING** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:54 pm

Well, I'm almost completely braced. Apparently, they forgot to give me spacers in the bottom molars so I could have metal bands. They couldn't get the bands on (hello tight teeth) so they had to place more spacers on. I will get the remaining pieces next week. I must say, this quad helix expander is extremely uncomfortable. My tongue is already shredded. I piled on the wax and used some rinse for canker sores. I feel O.K. I put on metallic blue ligs. They had placed all the braces on and were just getting ready to cure the glue. I asked for a mirror and realized they put on all metal. I was supposed to have 6 clear braces on the top. They rushed around, plucked the metal ones off and placed the clear ones on. I think they gave me the newbie in the office. Anyway, it feels weird. I think I look weird. I certainly talk weird. The ortho said it will take me about a month to get used to the quad and relearn how to talk. I called my husband and he couldn't stop laughing. Well, so much for support!! At least, I'm able to laugh at myself. I'm thinking the end result will be worth everything I'm going through right now.