I'm a 21 year old student and today is my third day in braces. I am so glad that I found this place, as it helped me a lot over some doubts and troubles. Thank you!!
This is my second time in braces (first time from 8 to 14 - I had a severe overjet, looked like a rabbit and an open bite). My ortho died shortly after my braces were removed and it took quite a while until a successor for her office was found - Voilà , I had no proper retainers and as neither my parents nor I knew what would happen without the right after treatment my teeth started moving back. Today my lowers are severely crowded and my bite is slightly open on one side.
It took me quite a while to start treatment again. Whenever I thought about going to the ortho I found some excuse why this was exactly the wrong time to go.... I guess I was just a little too afraid of what everybody would say and how they would react. One night
I suddenly realized that the whole thing was not about anyone else but me. If they have a problem with my braces - hard luck for them, but my mouth is my business and I am the only person who can do anything about my teeth (apart form the ortho of course...). I knew that I would think about my crooked teeth whenever I looked into the mirror for the rest of my life - so why start it later and not begin now?! Two days later I called an ortho who is specialised in adult orthodontics and now two months later I have white ceramics on uppers on almost all lowers (and some canker sores and a little pain). Being braced was not that bad, except for the long time I had to sit in that chair (I had a backache that was worse than my toothache
). My expected treatment time is two years - it seems quite long but from my last time I know how fast I got rid of my braces and had a beautiful smile.Pain? Not that bad - I haven't taken any painkillers up to now ( I swallow pills only when absolutely inevitable). There are only two uncomfortable things - some canker sores (I use moutwash after cleaning my teeth - relieves the pain well and fast) and the fact that I can only bite down on two teeth, which makes eating difficult.
First look into the mirror? I expected it to be worse - the white braces are barely visible from a distance (I chose white as I have to talk in public quite a lot and I want people to concentrate their attention on what I say rather than on my teeth).
My family and especially my boyfriend have been very supportive which made everything a whole lot easier for me (I think I would have been too self-conscious to go through this without their support!).
Well, I´m glad to be here , I hope I can also contribute a lot (after almost 7 years in braces I have some experience I guess).
Looking forwards to talking to you,
TessaLeonie
