BracketRacket's story

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#1 Post by **BracketRacket** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:53 pm

Hi guys -- "pre-newbie," just want to share my story.

I've always had a small mouth and knew I would need braces, but didn't get anything done for a few reasons -- you know how that goes! Anyway, I'm 24 now, and my dentist really feels now is the time, since my front teeth are starting to show a little bit of wear from the misaligned bite. I also have a baby tooth that never fell out (a premolar, I think, I'm still learning!), with no adult tooth under it, so when that falls out (she feels there isn't much root left), my teeth would shift anyway. I also have some TMJ issues, but mostly just popping and occasional pain.

I went for a consult on Dec. 17, 2009 aaaaaand

Apparently I have lots of stuff goin' on!

Crowding, crossbite, the works -- not sure if I have an over or underbite, it kinda depends on how exactly I bite down, you know what I mean?

My arch on top is waaay narrow, so my top teeth basically sit inside the bottom if I let them, especially towards the back. The ortho wants me to consult with an oral surgeon, but I'm not quite sure if I'm up to that

However, he did say that that would be "ideal" and we certainly can do lots to work around it without surgery. He also tossed around extractions and other fixes, but of course until we do the next consult, I won't know exactly what different options I have. Now that I'm learning a lot more here (thanks guys!), I'm curious to know exactly what the specific issues are, too.

I'm basically looking at health issues vs. cosmetic issues. When I'm done, I'm sure my teeth will look nicer, which will be great, but I really want them to be healthier, aligned in a way that's not going to wear them down by the time I'm 40, alleviate jaw issues and avoid the other problems that the crowding is causing (harder to floss, more cavities, etc).

I'm anxiously awaiting my next appointment on Jan. 21, and hopefully we can get started!

#2 Post by **BracketRacket** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:18 pm

Thanks, Ken!
I've seen a lot of your posts across the forum -- lots of great information!

#3 Post by **mikesmile** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:21 pm

Hi BracketRacket

Congrats for taking the pro-active first steps. That's such a good point you bring up about health issues v. aesthetics. You want to make sure all your issues are addressed properly the first time. My case is a good example of that. Because of incorrect alignment, I have a lot of long term damage despite having worn braces for 2-1/2 years in my twenties. Now everything has to be fixed: braces to finally correct alignment, an implant and crowns.
The damage is easier to fix before it ever happens.

Good luck getting started. I'll be by to visit.....

#4 Post by **BracketRacket** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:07 pm

Thanks! Certainly will update after my appointment tomorrow (today -- see what happens you work nights?

), and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions, too!

Good luck to you!

#5 Post by **BracketRacket** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:19 am

Long story short, surgery's not "ideal" but necessary. Will update more later. I'm bummed...

#6 Post by **BracketRacket** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:20 pm

Sorry for the poor quality -- photos of photos in bad light!
It's weird when I look at these, because I don't feel like they look like my teeth. Also, to some extent, they didn't feel natural when they were taking them because they would be like "bite down" and my response would be "how?!?" My bite is always different, I have to concentrate to bite down on my left or right side on cue -- I guess the jaw size inequity is a good reason! Like, none of these feel like my "true" bite or what my mouth does at rest. Although I supposed photos don't lie! The giant filling on the left side is a baby tooth that supposedly had the equivalent of a root canal quite a few years ago -- the rest of the fillings are all me, although I'm sure the crowding doesn't help ) I promise I take much better care of my teeth now!

Eeek!

#7 Post by **BracketRacket** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:22 am

I'm getting a bit frustrated lately..I feel like I want to move forward and get things going (especially before I chicken out!) but things keep getting in the way.
Like...

viewtopic.php?t=34741&highlight=

Totally bogus. I can't help but think that every bit of delay means I shouldn't actually it persue it, especially the surgery.

Just getting bummed...

#8 Post by **cosmo** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:23 am

Don't let things like that get you down. I ran through some speed bumps too like 8 cavities and a root canal totalling up to about $3,000 dollars. Then my brace came out to $5,300 and they wanted a $1,00 deposit when their website said no deposits needed and i brought that up and they acted dumb saying they didn't know it said that it was so irrating. It brought me down but i kept trying and trying. So now i have the money and my 4 wisdom teeth don't have to be pulled out until towards the end.

so please don't give up think of how happy and beautiful your smile will be. You've gotten this far so keep going.

#9 Post by **BracketRacket** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:34 pm

Thanks cosmo

#10 Post by **cosmo** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:25 am

Kepp us posted!

Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:35 am

Discuss it with your Ortho/Dentist. I know that before every step I have to get authorization from the insurance company. Every little thing! including xrays. So it takes weeks and stuff. I bet they will be willing to work with you and such.

Youre going to have such a lovely smile!

#12 Post by **BracketRacket** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:54 am

Thanks!

I guess that's part of what's bothering me, too...the surgery will be done before braces, and then I need to wait three months before the brackets will be placed (the OS is going to use a bone-borne expander and from what I understand, it will be removed before the brackets are placed.) I'm trying to find out whether the bottom brackets can be placed before the three months are up, but I have a feeeling not. So basically, I'm in a complete holding pattern while everything gets straightened out -- just want to get started! Not looking forward to the surgery, expander, removal (needs novacaine to be done!), etc, etc, but just want to feel like I'm moving forward...

#13 Post by **cosmo** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:53 am

But you are moving forward. Maybe not in the way that hope but you are it's better to do it right then waste time and money trust me in the end it will be oh so worth it

#14 Post by **BracketRacket** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:00 pm

Appeal round 2! Grr...I'm kinda of annoyed at the OS's office with how they handled the first appeal, so I'm trying to be a lot more hands on this time. If the surgery gets denied again, then I have to wait at least 6 months.

I'm tempted to talk with my ortho and see if we can start the bottom braces. He said without SARPE he may be able to fix the bottom a bit (not fix the crossbite, of course) but deal with the crowding, so I'm kind of curious if we can start now -- that way, if the appeal is denied, at least we're working on something meantime. I guess it also depends on whether the OS will want to operate with the bottom brackets in place if the surgery is appoved (fingers crossed!). Ugh...

#15 Post by **DrBlur** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:58 am

^I'm currently waiting for authorization from insurance before the OS schedules my SARPE surgery, but I was told by my ortho and others that this OS office almost always gets authorization (they have connections, I've heard) so it's a wait and see thing. I hope you have better luck this time!