"Why did you get BRACES?"

[LadyEleanor]

Hi All!
Newbie to the board here. I had braces as a teenager but wisdom teeth and retainers that no longer fit led me to getting braces again at the age of 32-Just last week! I got In-Ovation C on the top and metal on the bottom. It's not terrible so far, fortunately. SO many people, co workers, friends, family...They see me and say "WHY?? What was wrong with your teeth before???" Did anyone else go through this? I get tired of explaining myself, like I have to justify it somehow.

[Tyrantblade]

I have only had my Grandma say that to me (even though she said I looked like I ate rocks), although other family members thought that I didn't really need braces as well.

[Nozzelnut]

I got braces to fix my bite that had shifted because I clench and grind. The only reason I went in the first place was significant TMJ pain. After treating that for about 6 months with splints; my ortho asked if I wanted to continue to treat it; or fix it. I chose to fix it. Double jaw surgery, splints, braces, elastics and time; I'm getting very close to being done!

[LadyEleanor]

[quote="Nozzelnut"]I got braces to fix my bite that had shifted because I clench and grind. The only reason I went in the first place was significant TMJ pain. After treating that for about 6 months with splints; my ortho asked if I wanted to continue to treat it; or fix it. I chose to fix it. Double jaw surgery, splints, braces, elastics and time; I'm getting very close to being done![/quote]

Wow! Good for you. I wasn't brave enough for jaw surgery. I'm ok with still wearing a night guard, but the ortho says treatment will still help....and my teeth will be prettier : )

[FlowerPower]

I had a thumb sucking habit as a child that lasted well past the age that it should have and I developed an open bite. My parents couldn't afford braces so I had to wait until now to get them. No one has said anything to me, but then again I haven't shown them yet. My bite means you can't really see teeth at the moment so my braces are hidden.

[Plainj]

I want braces for the same reason as FlowerPower, a thumb sucking habit. I have an over jet/buck teeth & the bottom front are crooked/crowded. I've been told (teased) I have big teeth & I do but I don't think they're that bad. 2 consulting orthos said my teeth weren't too bad.
@LadyEleanor, we all have flaws that others can't see. I want to lose weight & those who know me always ask why since they see me as small already. If it's something that makes you feel better & boosts your confidence, I say go for it.

[puckloo]

Most people have been supportive (or even impressed) that I got braces at 63 years of age. Only two have said, "you didn't need them" or have been outwardly critical of my decision. My money, my mouth... and lots of us have issues like terrible bite issues and TMJ, some things show, but others do not. I am glad I did it, anyway.

[fvalentine1709]

I am going trought the same. I saw years after years my teeth changing, and i had to convince both my parents and family members that it was something i needed to do. Old generations they are not educated enough on How a bad denture structure can affect your autostime and health. I remember crying for days when i needed my wisdom teeth extraxted, because the muscle of my cheecks (i think is called massettere) were so tight to make me feel sore 24/7.

BTW parents didn't pay anyway for my braces and when i finally saved enough money and start the treatment, obviusly i told them it was painful. Answer of my mom "to be pretty you need to suffer". Like it was only a narcissist thing.

[Braces47]

I had a dental implant fail. After it failed, we started looking at my mouth and realized I had a bite issue. Before I try an implant for the second time, we decided to fix my bite. I do have a lot of people ask why I got braces and I just explain what I just wrote.

[Indels]

Just increase my self confidence! Have a better! Have a better bite is a bonus :D!