New - wondering what I'm doing...

[chickoryjane]

Has anyone else had second thoughts about this whole process? I've wanted to straighten my teeth for a long time. I had braces when I was 15, but then age & bone loss - my teeth are crooked again. I've wanted braces for years but the cost was prohibitive. Now I've got a dental plan where my co-pay is $2000 so I went for it. Took a year to get all the pre prep - fillings, caps, root canal. Two weeks ago I finally got the braces on the top teeth - and now I'm thinking of giving up. I can't get used to this - there's no pain really, just discomfort and self-consciousness. I'm the only 64 year old on my street with braces. I was seriously considering having the braces taken off and kissing the $2000 goodby. I need to figure out what I'm doing soon tho - my next appointment is Tuesday afternoon. I'm having the center tooth on the bottom extracted, and braces put on the bottom. Then a bite plate for the top. The extraction scares me - I've never had a tooth pulled. I had no idea how serious this would be - glad to have found this board.
Thanks
Judyth

[LB]

Judyth

Congrats on taking the plunge. Hang on in there! Keep in mind how fantastic your teeth will look at the end of this process. I had braces on for 21 months, 3 less than anticipated. I absolutely love my teeth and having them straightened has given me so much more confidence - I didn't realise how much my wonky teeth must have affected me. I'm far more outgoing, more open and chatty with people and I feel like my life really has changed for the better. I'm 40 by the way, was 38 when I got them on.

Having extractions is fine. Sounds like you've been through worse with the root canal. I had to have an op to remove an impacted canine, and also had two upper teeth removed. I remember just after having that done wondering what on earth I was doing! The uncertainty didn't last long though - once you see your teeth straightening up it really is all worth it and the uncertainties become a thing of the past.

I really hope you keep going and start to feel more comfortable with the braces. The initial period is difficult, and 2 weeks isn't a long time to let yourself get used to them. I had linguals, so didn't have that self conscious feeling of people seeing my braces, but I did have a few problems with my speech initially, plus the discomfort that anyone with any type of braces will experience. But it really does get better - you kind of forget you're even wearing them after a while. And whilst you may be the only 64 year old on the street wearing braces, I bet there are plenty of people your age and younger who wish they could do what you are doing.

Good luck at your appointment!

[SilverGirl]

I felt exactly the way you did - wanted to rip them off my teeth! I got over it when I started to see teeth move (which was only about 3-4 weeks in). Then, I was so glad I did it. Until you see results, though, it is really hard to think that it's worth it.

You've been through a lot of the hard part, so hang in there and it will get better.

[meemsie]

I had braces when I was 14 and I felt extremely self-conscious in high school. I hated them enough that I didn't adhere to the treatment well, and within a few years my teeth got crooked again. Remember though that you're an adult, and adults are not as harsh about appearances as gangs of teenagers. In fact, most will be sympathetic. I was talking to my co-workers who are a little older than me and when they heard I was getting braces, they were supportive and even started to talk about their own bite and teeth alignment issues. Remember even Tom Cruise got braces too. I remember seeing him on a talk show, showing them off

I understand how you feel about about the teeth extraction. I'm 27 and the orthodontist suggested I extract four healthy premolars. I keep thinking, I can still get 30-50 good years out of them! The little beauties don't even have a stain or cavity on them! So I've been mentally torturing myself about that decision since last October. But I actually went in today to take my xrays for my dental record. I talked to the orthodontist about my concerns. He did give me a choice of 0 or 4 extractions, but he explained the pros and cons. So aesthetically and health-wise, four extractions is the better way to go. I also started telling him how squeamish I was because of a botched wisdom tooth extraction. Should I go to an oral surgeon and be sedated? Should I be given some calming drugs beforehand? But then he reassured me that he wanted to extract them himself with local anesthesia, and I didn't need anything extra. He pointed out that the extractions would happen two weeks after I get my braces, so the teeth will be a bit looser. He told me that it was a very simple process, taking about seven minutes and he would talk me through it.

So if you think orthodontics will help you feel good about your smile, and also help the health of all your teeth, then I think it's worth it. I think you can do it!

[Ellebraced]

Hi Judyth

Don't give us. Take it one day at a time. It has been 7 weeks and I have seen some awesome improvement, with lots more improvement needed and sometimes I think OMFG 2+ more years of this is CRAZY!!! but I didn't do this for fun, I did it because I was so unhappy with my teeth BEFORE and I know I HAVE to do this or my teeth will get worse and worse. The awkwardness goes away, no one cares that you have them, hopefully the time will fly by and everyone that gets them off on here is happy that they did it and it was worth the huge pain in the butt to have a beautiful smile you can be proud of.

Stay strong!!

Elle