After putting up with kids constantly calling me "Chicklet teeth" and "rabbit" as a child, at 21 I decided to take the braces plunge! My teeth were by no means as bad as some people. People often question why I was getting braces, even my parents. I had the opposite of why the majority of people get braces. Instead of crowding, I had spacing, and lots of it! I also had a slight overbite and after doing some research on spaced teeth I decided that it was time to do this. So I told my parents that I was going to do this and that I would pay for it on my grocery store cashier's salary. Luckily, my father has excellent dental and health insurance and my treatment was covered by 50%!

So in April of 2003 I had my consultation with my Ortho (whom is wonderful) and he told me that I was looking at a full year of metal braces on just the top teeth because my bottom teeth were essentially perfect. I had already had a panoramic x-ray done when I had my wisdom teeth removed the year before and I had already had impressions done (which were nasty!) a few months before for a grinding problem I had while sleeping. So I was just put on the waiting list.

They didn't call me until the end of August and that was when I had my braces put on. I was a little nervous, but VERY excited. I couldn't wait until I was no longer able to spit water between my two front teeth! I went in and sat in the chair and they first gave my teeth a cleaning. Then they dried them off, stuck some gauze thingies in between my gums and lip, and started putting the brackets on (no molar bands for me!). The smell of the glue was disgusting and I could only imagine what it actually tasted like. After all the brackets were on, he took the "gun" (don't know the proper name) and placed it on each tooth. I'm assuming it's too bond the glue and set it (?). He put the wire in the brackets and he tried to get me to choose a funky color (no thanks!), I chose silver. I worked in a grocery store and I didn't want them to be to noticeable. The whole process was over in about 45 minutes. I was really surprised.

I got up from the chair and all I could taste was the glue. It reminded me of rotten carrots. I paid my first monthly payment and searched around in my purse for a mint or something. A Halls cough drop was all I could manage. It worked though! The braces felt weird at first, but I got used to them fast. Within a week, the space between my front teeth was gone! I couldn't believe it.

My braces have since been gone and I am in retainers now. I would recommend anyone who is unhappy with their smile to look into orthodontics. It does a lot for your self-confidence as well as your oral well-being. Keep on smiling!