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Although today was the day they had scheduled for my braces to be removed, I had told myself that it wasn't a big deal if my orthodontist said it may take a little longer. I was really so use to wearing braces that a little longer would have been fine with me. My orthodontist took a look at my teeth and bite and said he felt it was okay to remove them. My teeth look so much better than I had expected and they are so straight . The orthodontic treatment took about one year longer than they had estimated at the consultation, but, that never bothered me. My goal has always been to have my teeth look the best they can. They took a panoramic x-ray of my teeth, molds of my teeth and photos. They showed me the molds of my teeth prior to getting braces and what a difference! I will be getting my retainers next week.
I can honestly say that I never regretted getting braces and having two great orthodontists and their kind and caring staff made it enjoyable to go to my appointments. I never had any concerns of not getting anything but the best treatment from their office.
woohoo congrats! I too say the same thing that I will have them until the ortho or myself says they're ready to come off and I don't care if it takes longer as long as it's too my desire.
btw why did they take a year longer? Did they move slow? just curious.
Sentenced: 20-24 months
Braced May 11, 2007
Debraced Feb. 23, 2009
21 months in braces, 17 months in elastic, NO regrets!! Now in Hawley retainers!!
I think my orthodontic treatment took a year longer because my orthodontist didn't want to move my teeth too fast - I think they sometimes do this with adult patients. I know it took awhile to get a space in the upper back teeth to close, but, overall I do know it wasn't because of anything I was doing - in fact, I was pretty good about following their instructions (how long to wear the elastics, etc.). I think my teeth moved slower and they wanted to get it as perfected as they could, which was fine with me.
I do have to say I was so proud of myself for going through the orthodontic treatment. For me, the most difficult part was making the decision to go through with it, the rest of it was easy.
I'm sure lots of people would be frustrated having their orthodontic treatment extened by a year. I never even gave it a second thought because I knew it wasn't anyone's fault for this extended period in braces. I truly was so use to wearing braces that it really didn't bother me. I was just very glad that my orthodontist made sure that they didn't do any damage to my teeth by moving my teeth too fast.
Also, it's been two full days without braces and I often look at my teeth and am so amazed at how they look. I will be getting my retainers in a few days - I think this will make me feel better in being sure that my teeth remain straight.
Congrats!! I think you are the envy of everyone on here but we all just have to be patient! You DEFINITELY were! One extra year?!?! Good for you for having such a great attitude! Def post some pics when you get a chance! It will be nice to have something to refer to when I get fed up and want them off
It has only been four full days since my braces were removed and I am still amazed at how my teeth look. Yes, for anyone out there that may get discouraged whether it is just due to tired of wearing braces or if your time in braces takes longer than expected, it really is worth it. I knew from the beginning that the amount of time my orthodontist told me was just an estimate. In fact, I thought I might have been able to get my braces removed sooner than the expected estimated time because when they put in the quad-helix expander prior to the braces, it was removed about one month prior than the expected time, so, I thought the entire treatment would go a bit faster. I never even asked (throughout the entire treatment) my orthodontist about when my braces would be removed, although, he did mention a few times he knows it is taking longer than expected. I told him I had no problems with it. Believe me, I was so use to wearing the braces and as always, my goal was to have my teeth look the best they can and I really didn't care how long it took - I just knew that after making the most difficult decision of proceeding with orthodontic treatment, the rest of it was easy. As I have indicated before, what got me through all of this and making it a fun and enjoyable experience were due to my two kind and caring orthodontists and their entire staff - they are all the most wonderful and compassionate people I have ever met - if everyone was like them, the world would be a better place. This is why when I had to choose an orthodontist (and I went to four consultations) - I chose the office whose treatment plan sounded reasonable and because of their personalities. I know some people don't care about personalities and s/he just wants the ortho treatment to be done properly, but, everyone is different and we all have different needs.
For all of you that have braces or are thinking about it - be patient and you will find that you will be so pleased at the outcome of going through with orthodontic treatment .
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. The orthodontic treatment took about one year longer than they had estimated at the consultation, but, that never bothered me. My goal has always been to have my teeth look the best they can. They took a panoramic x-ray of my teeth, molds of my teeth and photos. They showed me the molds of my teeth prior to getting braces and what a difference! I will be getting my retainers next week.
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Good for you for having such a great attitude! Def post some pics when you get a chance! It will be nice to have something to refer to when I get fed up and want them off 
