Preparing For Braces - Second Time Around...

[mikesmile]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined last night & would like to make an introduction. I am a 52 (almost 53) year old father of 4. I wore braces for 2-1/2 years (stainless steel on tops & bottoms) in my late twenties for a crossbite on the right side and a "closed" bite in front. The closed condition in the front was such that when I bit down to chew, my top front teeth smashed into my bottom ones - hitting even before my molars did. This - combined with the fact that I grind sometimes at night - had caused my lower front teeth to wear down in an ugly jagged appearance. Well, my treatment corrected the crossbite (elastics), but the situation in front still looked kind of tight to me...but hey, I'm no doctor. I was too timid at the time to say anything to my ortho , and went home w/ my retainers - which I wore faithfully for a few years. At some point the retainers got lost and my teeth have shifted some. My biggest concern, though, is the damage to my front teeth which is now much worse. I consulted my regular dentist last week about fixing this. His solution is to grind down my top front teeth (which are small to begin with) so they clear the bottom ones when I bite down. Then we talked about putting crowns on these 4 lower front teeth. I want the crowns, but I don't want my top front teeth shaved down so they look like baby teeth. I've decided to get the opinion of an orthodontist. This makes more sense to me. Even at my age I'm actually looking forward to the whole thing. Soon, I'll be re-joining the ranks of adults wearing braces proudly. I plan to post regularly about my ongoing story...I'm thinking of going w/ stainless steel again...why not have fun with it!

[mikesmile]

Hi Everyone...Just wanted to say I'm enjoying lurking around this website enjoying everyone's stories and getting boned up on ortho terms & techniques as I get ready to begin my journey...again


[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[petitcanard]

Way to go! I think you're doing the right thing by getting an ortho's opinion. Good for you for taking the step!! Keep us posted
_________________




My story lives here

[mikesmile]

Hi Everyone Yesterday I had my first ortho appointment in 23 years! My wife & I both had appointments at the same time. She had a new top retainer made (w/ springs). It's kind of cool. When the doctor was done with her, he motioned me into his chair for my exam. He & his staff have all gotten to know us quite well through the course of Sue's treatment, and they all seemed amused to see me now as a patient. He asked me about my story, and what led me to seek out ortho treatment for a 2nd time. Then he examined me and took about 12-15 photos inside my mouth from different angles. He said there's "definitely room for improvement", and told me that my treatment would "not be complicated" but would "take a while" I'm not sure what that means, but I'm sure he'll elaborate on it next time. He also said that during the course of treatment, I'd have to wear elastics on my bottom teeth. Because I plan to do some restoration work after the braces, the next step is for my ortho and regular dentist to coordinate an overall treatment plan for me, which we'll then discuss at my next consultation. At this point, I'm not sure exactly when I'll be getting my braces on. (probably Jan. or Feb.) I'm very excited, but I know I have to be patient 'cause there's a certain order to this whole thing. I feel fantastic about making this first move!

[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[sdawdy]

Welcome and congrats on starting your journey.

You have hit on a very important item.....patience is the key. This is not an overnight fix...

Glad you are getting your smile worked out for the second time...
_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[mikesmile]

Thanks, sdawdy. Yea, the whole process does take time - every step of the way...but is so worth it!! It's funny though, how many of us have teeth/bite issues that we may have been living with for years...& once we finally decide to do something about it, it seems that things just can't happen fast enough!

[Desert Rose]

Hey Mike just wanted to stop by your page and read your story. I look forward to following your journey. It's so great that your wife will be able to understand everything you're going through during the whole ordeal! My hub is one of the luckies, no braces ever and great teeth.. grrrr lol
_________________

[/url]

[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]

[browneyedgrl]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to AW!!! I just read your story and there are a bunch of us going through this for the second time.

Patience is totally key, your given an estimate and you never know if your going to hit a bump in the road. I went 5 months over (stubborn teeth) it is what it is. The other great thing is that your wife will totally understand what you're going through.

Good luck with your journey!!!

B
_________________
Started the journey for the second time on January 10th 2008~Ceramic uppers and metal lowers. Removed on June 2nd 2009.




[/url]

[mikesmile]

Hi B

Thanks so much for the warm welcome! Yea, I'm very surprised to find so many "second timers" here. For years I thought about doing this again but just talked myself out of it. Even as my wife went through her own ortho treatment in the last few years, I didn't inquire on the subject for myself. I thought "once was enough". Then, when my dental hygienist suggested braces at my last cleaning, she started the ball rolling...& I ended up on this site. Soon enough, I found myself making an ortho appointment.

Yes, my wife is totally supportive, & that helps a great deal. It's been an empowering decision for me, as I'm sure it was for you. Thanks again for your encouragement & willingness to share this experience - even after you're own active treatment is finished.

[opera^gal]

Hi mike!
I had wanted to post to you prior, when I saw you mention in someone else's blog about how your top/bottom incisors were right on top of each other and you were a grinder. Me too!! My ortho has advanced my front incisors forward enough that they now clear the bottom and has discussed bringing them down a smidgen to make up for all the ground off portions. My overall bite in back was criss-crossed, which more than likely caused some of the grinding, in an attempt to find the 'right' bite subconciously. Hope you have success getting your situation worked out. So far, I'm thrilled with what's been happening. Best of luck!
_________________
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed, hawley retainers T/B

18 months and 18 days of dental bondage: worth every minute

[mikesmile]

Thanks opera^gal

WOW! It sounds like we have a lot in common. I do agree the grinding is an effort to find the "right bite". What really led me to this decision was the fear that I'd grind my lower teeth down to nothing. The front teeth slam into each other even during normal chewing , and then the grinding during sleep...
I can't wait to start treatment - Sounds like my front incisors need to be tilted out the same as yours. I'll check out your story...

[opera^gal]

They weren't tilted, as much as actually brought forward, along with the lateral incisors...imagine the archwire being ahead of the brackets on those teeth, and then the teeth connected to the archwire, while the archwire is anchored ahead of the molar bands, not allowing it to be moved back....I know, lengthy description but it's as close as I could make it...I have gaps now between the canines and lateral incisors to close up, and no idea how that will be accomplished...but then orthodontia is the 'joy of not knowing'...lol
_________________
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed, hawley retainers T/B

18 months and 18 days of dental bondage: worth every minute

[mikesmile]

Hey, that's a cool description opera^gal. I understand completely, and wonder if my treatment might involve the same. One thing the ortho did mention at my 1st consult was moving my lower teeth back w/ elastics. I'm so curious to see what my treatment plan is actually going to entail. You're so right about about the 'joy of not knowing' .
I do believe that even the orthodontists don't always know ahead of time the exact strategy they will use, because there's an element of unpredictability to this science. During my 1st experience with braces, I always wondered why the ortho waited until halfway through my treatment before he referred me to the oral surgeon for my wisdom teeth out - not beforehand! My wife also had 2 extractions in the middle of her active treatment, which was a real surprise to us.

[mikesmile]

Well, my wife & I saw the ortho yesterday. It was a routine visit for her (retainer adjustment), then the doctor was supposed to talk to me about the details of my treatment - which didn't happen. After the last appointment a month ago, he was planning to meet & w/ my regular dentist to discuss the details of my treatment plan. He apologized but told me he hasn't called the dentist yet. He promised this will happen shortly, & that he will contact me within the next 10 days. I think he's very busy (has 3 office locations) , so I have to be extra patient. Boy, it's so tough waiting once you decide to do this...

[mikesmile]

...So I finally heard from my ortho's office yesterday. He has discussed my case with the regular dentist so they are both clear on what's being done to my teeth. I have an appointment this coming friday to discuss my treatment plan w/ the orthodontist. After that, it looks like we can proceed with this adventure!