Confidence

[nhyn]

I have yet to get braces but because I have been thinking about it for a long time, I started to notice people with braces. Obviously metal is more noticeable than ceramic, but even then, I get used to seeing people with metal braces after a few minutes. Recently I found myself staring at this one girl's braces, but only because I really admired her courage and was dying to ask her about her experience (we weren't that close so I didn't)! So if you find people looking at you with interest, it's more likely that they think it's amazing that you'd put up with braces as an adult, than that they think you look funny.

[djspeece]

Absolutely. I imagine they're thinking "That guy is so incredibly good looking and yet he wants to improve his smile even more, OMG." OK, not really, but I agree with the gist of your post .

[lilyflower]

I have Invisalign so my case might be different but already my confidence has improved dramatically - where I bite with my aligners in has reduced how visible my overbite is which makes me want to smile more. Also, even though I have a LOT of attachments they really don't show that much unless you actually get really close and look for them so that's also been a big boost to me.

I'm actually very very pleased because I didn't think I'd see this result this early on. I find that since I feel prettier that I want to do other things like put on makeup, wear jewelry, etc which sometimes I haven't always bothered. I have major self-esteem problems and have always had a problem with my appearance so this is major for me.

[dejavu]

I'm only a month in but I feel like my confidence has gone down with braces. That may be because I haven't seen any changes yet, though. My confidence improved slightly when I was able to eat normally again and stopped lisping, but I still feel a bit self conscious when I smile with braces.

[metalliKa]

I never did lack confidence even prebraces. And I certainly won't now with braces especially since I'm doing something to correct my bad teeth. When I get comments on my braces, I smile really big showing my metal mouth in all its glory. No shame! I'll even point out which teeth needed rotating.

I recently ran into a guy I went out on a date once some years ago. He commented on my braces and said seeing me will help to inspire him to finally take the plunge himself.

[Prometheus]

Yeah Metallica! Confidence is something you can develop and will it serve you well throughout life. Take it from an old guy, there is a lot to be said for being comfortable in your own skin.

[nitro]

When I get comments on my braces, I smile really big showing my metal mouth in all its glory. No shame! I'll even point out which teeth needed rotating.

I honestly think that even before I've officially started, and thanks to the folks on this forum, I'm already at this point. I was really concerned last month when I started this whole process and I think I've been to enough orthodontists and gotten enough opinions that the whole thought has become commonplace and now that I've finally decided on a doc and have a date set, I'm pretty okay with the whole thing.

TLDR: You guys rock.

[lilyflower]

When I get comments on my braces, I smile really big showing my metal mouth in all its glory. No shame! I'll even point out which teeth needed rotating.

I honestly think that even before I've officially started, and thanks to the folks on this forum, I'm already at this point. I was really concerned last month when I started this whole process and I think I've been to enough orthodontists and gotten enough opinions that the whole thought has become commonplace and now that I've finally decided on a doc and have a date set, I'm pretty okay with the whole thing.

TLDR: You guys rock.

Seriously, those of you who've developed confidence totally rock. I can't quite claim the same (since I'm not in traditional braces) but go all of you!

[Viconia]

When I get comments on my braces, I smile really big showing my metal mouth in all its glory. No shame! I'll even point out which teeth needed rotating.

I honestly think that even before I've officially started, and thanks to the folks on this forum, I'm already at this point. I was really concerned last month when I started this whole process and I think I've been to enough orthodontists and gotten enough opinions that the whole thought has become commonplace and now that I've finally decided on a doc and have a date set, I'm pretty okay with the whole thing.

TLDR: You guys rock.

What set-up did you go for nitro? And when is your brace date?

[nitro]

What set-up did you go for nitro? And when is your brace date?

I can see why my earlier comment might've been confusing. I have a date set for records. It's the 2nd of November. I think the plan for treatment at that point is metal brackets on the bottom left half, aligner on the bottom right half. My tops are pretty solid so I'll just be getting a retainer up there. I'll definitely post an update on the 2nd.

[metalliKa]

Yeah Metallica! Confidence is something you can develop and will it serve you well throughout life. Take it from an old guy, there is a lot to be said for being comfortable in your own skin.

Absolutely! We, old geezers, have developed armadillo skin that can deflect even speeding bullets!

[Tyrantblade]

I think im getting closer towards true confidence about having braces, not that im shy or self conscious because im not trying to hide it

What makes me really happy and a bit more confident is my right side of my top row of teeth has already leveled out in the middle of last week apparently and when i went to the orthodontist to see why elastics on that side they said ive been doing good with elastics, that side is corrected and no more right side elastic wear during the day

Im also starting to feel like my left side might not be too far behind, im getting close to my first adjustment and now the next thing im hoping for besides my left side leveling out is for a rotsted tooth to finish rotating, but i know that could take months longer