Preparing For Braces @ 23

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Mon May 14, 2012 1:26 pm

Hi!
So I'm 23 (going on 24 this August) and back in the beginning of April I had a consultation with an orthodontist here in DC known as Dr. Contract. During the visit he did the examination and discussed my orthodontic needs, recommending a full set of braces for me. After having expressed concerns about paying for the orthodontic work (I am a young adult with special needs and on disability), he informed me that since I am on DC Medicaid, I might be eligible for full coverage if the insurance approved. So, 3 days later I am back to the office to have the records taken for evaluation (It was fun to have the strawberry-flavored putty, I admit) and then I am informed that the evaluation process with Medicaid can take between 6-8 weeks and that the office will notify me of the decision once they know.

So after many weeks of practically praying to the higher powers that my coverage will be approved and driving my mother crazy, we just got a call from Dr. Contract last Thursday informing us that my braces will be fully covered ($4,850 that gets to stay in my mom's pocket) and that he'd like to discuss treatment with me and my mother the upcoming Wednesday. So I will be accompanying my mother to the office this Wednesday (which can't seem to get here fast enough) so that I may learn what my treatment will entail, take notes and ask some necessary questions to address any concerns that I might have. Honestly, as excited as I am at the thought of getting braces, it has now actually hit me and I'm almost fearful at the same time...

Is it insane to have mixed feelings for something you were initially excited for?

southernbelle · **Joined:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:56 am **Posts:** 16

YAY for you! I am 23 and will be 24 in July. I just recently got my braces on.. I will be getting the archwires and a pendulum appliance installed next Wednesday. I definitely have mixed emotions about the whole process. It is exciting for me knowing that I will have a near perfect smile when I'm all done, but at the same time I freak out just knowing i'm about to be 24 and in braces. At times I worry about how others will think of me, but then I have to tell myself that my family and friends will love me no matter what, and if they don't like it then they really aren't my friends. So, the feelings are normal!

Keep us posted on your journey!

CoryDaniels · **Joined:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:23 pm **Posts:** 139

Let me tell you a funny story......I am also 23 and have had braces for a little over 7 months. When i went for my consultation and found out all the details, I was SUPER excited....about 3 days before I was suppose to get my braces on....I thought twice about it....the day of my ortho appointment to get them on, I was THIS close to not going and just forgetting about it...but I told myself that in a few short months, I would already see progress and would be totally worth it.....My ONLY advice to you is...don't back out. After this first couple of days, you will be so glad that you did it!

Don't think about it anymore and just do it

Violetbloom · **Joined:** Sun May 13, 2012 7:09 am **Posts:** 1

Let all your apprehensions go! I just turned 25 and have had braces since I was 23. I hated the way that I looked in the beginning but once I started seeing improvement all of my insecurities went out the window. Just think about the outcome and your beautiful smile once they come off! Good luck!

CoryDaniels · **Joined:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:23 pm **Posts:** 139

Before I had my braces, I would always cover up my mouth when I smiled or laughed....and it got old....I would look around at people laughing and smiling with nice teeth and I wanted that....about 1 month after I got my braces on....and ever since..I have been laughing and smiling for the whole world to see...because I know...Its only gonna get better from here.

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Tue May 15, 2012 9:55 am

Thank you so much for the welcome and support! I'm looking forward to my transition to braces and can't wait to share the experience with all you guys! I'm currently in the process of making a blog to chronicle my journey as a brace face from start to finish, so when that is up an ready, I will post a link to it not only in my signature but in the "stories" section as well so that others may see it. I will debut the blog tomorrow after I get the run down on what my treatment will consist of so that I may include that in the first post.

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2012 11:02 am

UPDATE:

Hi hi! So today I went to the orthodontist's office and he outlined my treatment. I will be wearing a full set of traditional metal braces on my uppers and lowers for the next 2 years. I had asked him about the possibility of having Wildsmiles brackets (heart-shaped) on my front teeth (If I have to have them, why not make the experience that much more exciting, eh?) but he said that for a practice that doesn't readily supply them, it would in a nutshell be more hassle than it's worth for one patient. So while I was only slightly disappointed that I won't be able to have a jazzy metal smile, I took comfort in the fact that I can still personalize with colored ligs.

So my braces fitting is being broken down into two visits. The first will be next Wednesday in the morning. I will have the brackets placed upon my front teeth (uppers and lowers) along with spacers fitted onto my molars. The second visit, Thursday the 31st, will consist of removing the spacers and applying the last set of brackets to the back teeth and the placing of the wires.

My only concern now is that my mouth doesn't hurt too too bad, because on Saturday the 2nd, I have a ballet recital. Here's to hoping it won't interfere with my dancing =^.^=

PursueToTheEnd · **Joined:** Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:37 am **Posts:** 60

You should find one who follows the Roth William philosophy. http://www.rwiso.org/parents_patients.html
Here's a list: http://www.rwiso.org/listings/ListByReg ... USA-Canada But it doesn't seem to show everyone, as the one I'm trying to go to doesn't seem to appear on that list.

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2012 11:24 am

PursueToTheEnd wrote:

You should find one who follows the Roth William philosophy. http://www.rwiso.org/parents_patients.html
Here's a list: http://www.rwiso.org/listings/ListByReg ... USA-Canada But it doesn't seem to show everyone, as the one I'm trying to go to doesn't seem to appear on that list.

Um, no offense, but what does this have to do with anything?

PursueToTheEnd · **Joined:** Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:37 am **Posts:** 60

Other orthos only care about whether you teeth are straight, while these guys care about actual health of you teeth and how it should fit in relation to your face. If you haven't started I would suggest finding the nearest ortho who follows this philosophy.

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2012 6:02 pm

Thank you very much for your opinions and concerns, but I am perfectly content with my provider and would prefer you not tell me to seek care elsewhere when I haven't expressed any discontent with his methods. Thank you.

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 7:20 am

Hi hi!
So yesterday I had a meeting with a charity I work for in preparation for an event we will be holding come February and...when I get home later in the evening, I'm shocked to find that the DentaKit Braces Survival kit I ordered on Thursday was delivered along with the Surviving Braces handbook. Didn't know FedEx delivered on Saturdays

Anywho, this makes me all the more anxious for this Wednesday to arrive because now I have the book to prepare me for the process of the brackets and spacers being placed in my mouth. And the following week the rear brackets, bands and wires archwires will be put on. At least this week I can also take the time to get used to the brackets rubbing on the inside of my lips and cheeks. Here's hoping that the experience isn't too bad.

juliebraces · **Joined:** Sun May 20, 2012 11:49 am **Posts:** 5

I'm turning 21 and I too have mixed feelings. Sometimes I think I'd rather just be in college without braces than have to deal with everyone asking me why I didn't just get them back in middle school like everyone else.

bethanybroccoli · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 8:38 am

juliebraces wrote:

I'm turning 21 and I too have mixed feelings. Sometimes I think I'd rather just be in college without braces than have to deal with everyone asking me why I didn't just get them back in middle school like everyone else.

When I had my braces the first time I was 21 or so and I never had one person ask me that, so I wouldn't stress. It is common for adults to have them now

ShikabaneHime13 · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 5:26 am

So today is the day.... *Sighs* Right now I just wanna call up one of my friends and ask them if I can just hide out in the basement for the next few hours....

Preparing For Braces @ 23

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