Metal Mouth Message Board

I had my braces off last July, 11 days before my birthday...so many of my co-workers suffered through them so I didn't feel too bad talking about it. So it was kind of a big deal when they came off...so I got lots of comments when I did...also, I just felt more compelled to smile and not feel weird ...

There were times it felt like it would never be over. Particularly towards the last few months when my teeth seemed straight but the ortho wanted to make some last tweaks to my bite before taking the braces off. Not to mention some of the more painful adjustments. Otherwise, the time did go by prett...

Got 'em off yesterday....and my birthday's in less than 2 weeks so it was perfect timing!

So after 2 years and three months I'm out of braces...I'll attempt to post the before and afters (although the before pics are day 2 in braces) http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/acidcookiegirl/Spaces.jpg http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/acidcookiegirl/Underbiter.jpg And the final result!!! ...

I had a burrito today (just got my braces off!!!). My teeth are still sore from the removal. Although once my teeth settle CANDY APPLE!!! Everything else, I ate anyway with the braces on.

Yesterday was my last adjustment! All that's left is closing some spaces that resulted from some ahem, overzealous rubber band use (my bite shifted so they had me in class III elastics on one side and box elastics on the other). Unfortunately that means a power chain across each set of teeth! They a...

So for the third time, the wire began poking my cheek the day following the adjustment and since it was done on Friday...I have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. Usually, it doesn't bother me until I chew or the next morning following the adjustment. This time, it's also drawing blood. *Sigh* ri...

I got mine two months into treatment. Then they were off the following April/May of last year. Unfortunately, my bite shifted on one side so I'm back on them again :-/

It'll be two years at the end of March since I got braced. My ortho has been happy with my progress and things were going really well. Then the bad news, my bite (originally a Class III) shifted back on one side by 2mm. So while the thoughts were that I'd be done in April, it's looking more like &qu...

I'd pass too. I used elastics for several months, it just becomes much easier and convenient to pop them in/out with my fingers.

"My question is: is it unreasonable for a patient to ask questions about progress and next steps at each visit?" Short answer, god no! Admittedly, I have to prod a little when I ask my orthodontist how things are going and what's the next step or what are my teeth doing, or what do they ne...

I'm on month 18 now. My class III bite is gone, front spaces are closed up and my bite's in really good shape. My molars however, are now in the "tweaking" phase. First it was to close some spaces on top, now they're fine tuning the arch on the lower teeth and to do that, they want to put ...

Go for it! I waited until I was 28 to get braces because I was convinced with my underbite, I'd need jaw surgery which may/may not be covered under insurance (they're VERY hard to fix with just braces). Also, I never had the money, dental insurance, etc. to do it. Last year, I went to the dentist an...

I've had braces for a year and started venturing into the no-no foods list several months in. I haven't had any trouble with my ceramic brackets (and never broke one). My best tip is (if you MUST have that pretzel), wait until you're used to chewing with braces on. Don't chomp as hard as you can and...

I just had an adjustment. It's been a year since I got braced and things are going great. Today was a new wire on the uppers and pulling my second molars forward with a power chain from end to end. The poor things haven't really been moved throughout this treatment. I've been cranky all afternoon. I...