Photos of Ryoko from California

Ryoko is a 32-year-old stay-at-home mom of 3 children in Northern California. She started thinking seriously about braces a few months ago. 

Ryoko says, "I have always hated my teeth ever since I can remember. Now that my youngest child is almost 4 years old and things have gotten so much easier at home, I started thinking about MYSELF rather than kids kids kids all the time, and wished I had a nice smile!! (editor's note: that's exactly how I felt, too!)

"I considered cosmetic dentistry (laminate, bonding, etc) to get a quick fix, but since I plan on living 50 more years or so, I thought a few years with braces now wouldn't be so bad.

"I finally got my brackets on August 4, and the arch wire a week later. I have the clear ceramic brackets top and bottom (I paid $700 extra for those). 

I have been very happy so far. It is hard to imagine, but someday, I will have a perfect smile that I have always longed for?!?! 

I'm looking at 18 to 24 months, I hope this is true. I know a friend who was told 2 years, but ended up wearing braces for 4 years!