Depression...??

[contour]

Since having braces, and completing my treatment.. I have been suffering from some sort of strange depression due to the physical appearance of my face changing.

Im a male, 27, my braces came off when i was 24, but ever since then, my self esteem has been on a downward spiral.

I use to model part time, and always had a concern regarding my teeth as they were crooked, so I decided to get them straightened, but in the process, the shape of my face and my photogenic'ness has seemed to have disappeared, and I've become extremely insecure about myself..

I always felt comfortable with my face before, and my teeth were the only issue, but now I sort of feel extremely ugly, and im always looking at old pictures of myself and comparing how I looked before treatment until after, and I've shown friends and family members, and they all sort of say the same thing.

Now, I just dont look good anymore compared to how I was before.

I recently had bonding done on my two front teeth as they were not aligned and slightly chipped, and I had a new essex retainer made. A composite bonding was placed behind my two front teeth as the dentist had said that they were heavily worn.. and now the problem seems to have worsened regarding my face changing again.. Now my lips for some reason have thinnned out and my forehead looks bigger than usual.. im happy about having two new front teeth, but i hate the fact that the shape of my face has changed yet again in the process..

Im not sure if im being self consious or am suffering from some sort of body dismorphic disorder or something, but if i can tell and other people can tell the difference there must be something not right..

I dont know what to do.. i wish i could go back to how I looked before..

[crazybeautiful]

It's a difficult thing to judge, and certainly not what any of us on here are qualified to answer (though I am studying clinical psych. at uni...still I'm not there yet ). It might just be the fact that you're not really used to your new smile yet. If you live with something for 24 years, then a change in your appearance will take some getting used to, because a feature of yourself that you once had isn't part of you anymore (which is why your friends and family would agree with you too). And if your job was centred on your appearance, then perhaps it's just a shock to you now, and something you are more likely to focus on. It should be more about embracing your new, straighter teeth

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is more about seeing a defect that isn't really there, rather than disliking a change that has been made to your appearance in the first place.

Have you felt like this ever since you finished your treatment, or has it just come about recently? Your issues might stem from something else

But anyway, who are we to say? If it's a concern for you then go and see someone about it. Hopefully it will help you out a bit

[khrystal1968]

I can totally relate! Lets do coffee lol!!! My face is not the same either, I used to have really poofy cheeks and now they are gone since my extractions. I have been eating like a pig to put weight back into my face but it isnt working. I have been in a terrible depression as well, and my orthodontist scares the crap out of me. Even if he looked like Johnny Depp he would still scare me! I did not look nor feel this way till my teeth were pulled. I went out last night for a little while and more people I hadn't seen in a while said: your face is thinner. Are you losing weight? AHHHHHH!

[roxiee]

Before I had my extractions, I worried so much about possible facial changes. That was 2.5 years ago. My braces are now off, and I couldn´t be happier. I think my face has probably changed a little, but I wouldnt totally blame it on the braces and extractions, rather, Im 2.5 years older and I have experienced natural changes, as does everyone. As we get older, our faces arent so full anymore, and it can happen within a couple years.

The more you obsess about it, the more it becomes a reality (in your mind). You need to stop thinking about it, and just be happy with yourself. Your state of mind can do wonders. Im sure you look great.

[mikesmile]

Hi there Sorry to hear about your dilemma...I have to agree with with the last post, though. I do think part of the change you see in the mirror may be related to the ortho work you had done, but it probably has more to do with the fact that you're simply a little older. The more you dwell on it, the worse it will appear. People's faces do change anyway as they mature. This is natural, maybe even genetic...
I'm preparing for braces again, and had an ortho evaluation recently (first in 23 yrs). I asked him how things could have changed so much in my mouth since I last had braces, and he said "Well, everything's grown since then."
So what I'm saying is that the physical changes you see may be the result of father time. I hope it doesn't get the better of you. To bolster your self esteem, draw on your other strengths and assets. A lot has to do with attitude! Best of luck to ya...

[contour]

Hey all, thanks for the replies..

I just cannot seem to come to grips with it.. If I still looked good in pictures then id be happy, but because i have lost my photogenic face, its literally tore me apart.

the modelling agency that i am joined to mentioned that to me.. that i just dont come out good in pictures anymore. I think thats the part thats killing me, but there is truth in it, as when i take pictures and look at them, i just dont look good anymore (modelling wise). Iv lost that structured jaw line (i never had extractions or anything) and now my forehead looks far too predominant.

I never once thought this would have happened.. it got made worse once i recently had a bit of bonding done on my two front teeth due to them being worn (acid erosion). Now my face has seemed to change again..

I can really notice these little things, probably because its was due to my part time work as modelling.

I really dont know what to do.. i feel like not wearing my retainer anymore and hope my face might go back to the way it once was..

[gracey82]

Human being are self critical and probably think worst of themselves than what others might think. We think to look at ourselves with the magnifying glass. I know I do!

So try not to be too hard on yourself. If you post a pic, we can probably tell you what we think, most often than not, it's not as bad as you have described

Stay positive

[starzz]

Well, our appearance will change with age. But being photogenic is about your attitude, the sparkle in your eye, the expression on your face...those are things you can control. If you believe your are attractive and photogenic, you will be!!! Most importantly, you need to learn to accept your current appearance and be comfortable with yourself, for your own well being.

[yj207]

I am so worried about how I will look in the end of my treatment! Maybe because of the modeling business you don't feel confident anymore. I know how harsh they can be in scrutinizing every little detail of your appearance. Also over time you get used to how your face looks, every time I look at my pics when I was younger I think about how much better I look younger, but at the time I was really unhappy with my appearance. So there is this endless cycle of dissatisfaction with my appearance I'm trying to get over.
I would stay away from those modeling people, and get your confidence back and maybe try again. Need to surround yourself around supportive people who appreciate who you are instead of around people who judge your appearance in an extremely harsh way. You're depressed you need to let yourself recover from this.

[vjammiez]

You've made me so sad! I'm sorry you feel like the braces simply didn't work for you. However, I do think that the modeling people aren't getting used to your new face and that's not helping you to cope. SOooo, while I understand the irony, I agree with gracey82 and think you should post a picture so that fellow metal mouths can give you affirmation!

You did the right thing for yourself. really you did. May you find some peace today!