This is the place to post general questions and comments about all areas of orthodontic treatment. Before you post a question, use the forum's SEARCH tool to see if your question has already been answered!
New Members: YOU MUST MAKE A POST WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REGISTERING OR YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED. In other words, don't sign up unless you plan to actively participate in the message board immediately. This is necessary to keep out spammers and lurkers with bad intentions. Of course, you can read most forums on the board without registering.
DO NOT POST FULL-FACE PHOTOS or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.
My braces came off yesterday and I am very happy! Will try to post before and after pics later. I only had the top social teeth fixed and braces were on a little more than 7 mos. It was difficult and my lips and the inside of my mouth never did adapt (I posted a complaint thread earlier...
I did not expect the removal to be so painful- I mean it REALLY REALLY hurt!!! - maybe because of my age - and they are still quite sore in a couple of spots. I know I have to get used to taking the retainer out to eat, but I'm very happy with the appearance of my teeth. Will also have whitening done soon.
Any tips about adjusting to retainer??? It really isn't painful, just very tight now and a bit of a struggle getting it in and out. It's the metal wire and plastic type (I chose pink) Have to wear it 24/7 for 2 mos and then at night. I can live with that. Maybe I will lose a little weight as I can't snack as often......
Thanks Kitty! Yes, I can't imagine going through 2 - 3 years like most people here are doing, especially at this stage in my life. Being offered the accelerated version was the only reason I decided to do it.
Now I am wondering about my retainers and my eating habits. I rarely eat 3 regular meals. I do much better with small more frequent mini-meals and I don't know if taking the retainer in and out so frequently will cause problems, like causing the teeth to shift. I only have them out for 15 or 20 mins at a time but probably more often than most people.
i met someone who had braces for 6 years of her life!! So 2 - 3 years seem like nothing... For her, it started out as a 2 year sentence, but went on for 6 years.
