The Dr. Gets Braces- Pics! UNBRACED! 10/20/06

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#1 Post by **BraceMD** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:35 pm

I actually had another thread on this board....go viewtopic.php?t=6174 to see it...but I got access to all my ortho's pics and they're SO much better than my own, that I decided to make a new thread.

I've had these braces for approaching one year and I am thrilled. I still have some issues with an open bite and overbite, but the end is near.

Here are my teeth last year. Most of all, I hated my "fangs" (canines). I didn't realize the other problems I had.

As you can see, great improvement! Still have bite issues so I have an "open bite".... but I'm happy.

This picture really shows the problems I had on the uppers.

Look how straight! (and, note the annoying turbos and peg for rubber bands, on the INSIDE).

My lowers weren't too bad...

But they're better now!

My only complaint is the rubber bands. I slur and stutter when I am nervous... and the rubber bands accentuate that. But the end is near! A few more months...

I'll update this as I get new pics. Happy Bracing!

#2 Post by **jcdamon3** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 2:38 pm

Great pics! Do you know how much longer you have? What wire size do you have currently?

#3 Post by **BraceMD** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 3:38 pm

Well, I have 3-4 months left.

As for wire size... not a clue. Sorry! I have Damon 3s, which are great.

Website · #4 Post by **alexa** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:47 am

Lookin' great! Glad to see you progressing towards the end!

#5 Post by **Leslie022** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:49 pm

Your teeth look great! Don't you wish we could take photos as well as the ortho?!

#6 Post by **BraceMD** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:57 pm

Don't you wish we could take photos as well as the ortho?!

Yes!

I was just told by the dentist that the mottled white color on my front teeth is due to "fluorosis" caused by over-fluoridation of the water when I was a child. It's permanant, obviously- I'm 28 and it's always been there. All of the kids in my neighborhood had "mottled" discolored teeth... and I always suspected it was from the water. Makes me want to go back and yell at the water treatment plant that did that! I hope whitening helps.

#7 Post by **Invisalignee** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:39 am

Get them alot of professional bleaching and whitening and whatever, anything in your power to make them sparkle!

I am planning on doing that at the end, I'll drop money even in the thousands if I have to, for a sparklish smile after this longgggggggggg ordeal!

Wow, those teeth...they kind of remind me of my own! In the left side, my arch is dented in just like yours!! Invisalign is putting extreme pressure on that area and has slowly started to straighten it up. God, it looks horrible on my teeth! I have a huge arch and when I smile, you can easily notice the arch not being all round!!

I am so happy for you and I envy you! If Invisalign does not correct the dent, I'll go with braces for sure.....anything until I have them perfect!

#8 Post by **BraceMD** » Tue May 09, 2006 3:48 am

Get them alot of professional bleaching and whitening and whatever, anything in your power to make them sparkle!

The one thing I regret about my braces journey is that I didn't whiten before the braces. I was thinking, oh that's too expensive, I don't want to spend $300 on whitening. Well, that's a drop in the bucket compared to the $4200 I paid for the braces... I am whitening the DAY I get the braces off.

have a huge arch and when I smile, you can easily notice the arch not being all round!!

That was one of my main reasons for getting braces, actually. I hated how my canines were so prominent, with no visible arch behind them. I'm thrilled at the movement so far. I almost went with Invisalign, actually, but decided against it. The baby tooth I still have on the lower right complicates matters... I've not had it braced because I'm afraid it will fall out.

#9 Post by **bobalonian** » Tue May 16, 2006 11:44 pm

nice photos. honestly your teeth didn't look that bad to begin with.

#10 Post by **BraceMD** » Wed May 17, 2006 1:30 pm

bobalonian wrote:nice photos. honestly your teeth didn't look that bad to begin with.

Grrrr... that is one comment that people make that frustrates me. I guess, if I put up pics of my entire smiling face before braces, you'd see the impact more. My "fangs" just stuck out. And, since I am in med school and I'm constantly around wealthy doctors with perfect white teeth, I became very self-conscious. Of course, I'm pretty self-conscious now with these braces on my teeth.

#11 Post by **momof2grlz** » Wed May 17, 2006 1:59 pm

I wouldn't worry too much about Bobalonian's inconsiderate comment. I think this poster's mission on the board was to create conflict. According to the "Alternatives to Expensive Braces" thread, Lynn felt it was appropriate to ban him/her.

I totally relate to your frustration with this comment. My teeth were physically straight, but my bite was so bad it was painful. I got so tired of the woman I work with saying "I don't know why you got braces AT YOUR AGE" and I finally told to MYOB!

Your teeth are looking great!

Chris

#12 Post by **jcdamon3** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:56 pm

People say that to me too and I think: Hmm then why is it I will be in braces for like 18 -24 months? If they were straight, wouldn't it take less time! Also, if they were so straight before why are they so much straighter now!

I think your progress pictures are phenomenal!

#13 Post by **blackcat20** » Sun May 21, 2006 12:58 am

Ive been getting that same annoying comment, from almost everyone: "you wouldnt have even known you needed braces...". But I noticed! So they werent that crooked, but I wasnt happy, and thats the important part. So congrats on making the choice, and ignore those that dont understand, they are not worth worrying about

#14 Post by **JumpTheDitch** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:43 am

I got a few of those comments, but not really in a nasty way. I think people were more surprised than disapproving. Like you say though, it was me that had to deal with the overbite and overjet, not them. There's no point being unhappy about an aspect of yourself if you can improve it! Nosey parkers anyway!

#15 Post by **CLAmom** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:48 pm

I get comments like this from time to time but most people seem to be more surprised and curious than anything else. There have only been a couple people who seemed "offended" by my braces. I don't know if that's the right word but they sure didn't seem to like it. What's up with that? Anyway, I'm pretty darn proud of myself for going through this (we all should be) 'cause it ain't easy!!!