good news and bad news - I need your advice!
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:58 am
Quick summary: I did not want to get braces, at all. In fact, I think I went home and cried after getting them on. I got them on when I was 22, last March. My bite was very off, I had a narrow upper palatte, and lots of crowding. Since then, I have become comfortable with my braces, and I am SO glad that I got them. I have had FANTASTIC results that I never even expected - woo!! I am graduating from college next month, and will be starting my new job. I've gone through a million job interviews and class presentations in my braces over the past year, its not the best, but not the worst either.
Good news: I went to the ortho earlier this week, and not only did he put in a "finishing wire" and started working on "refinements" he told me that I was pretty much done!! He said that except things that I want him to work on, there is not too much to do, and my bite is finished being worked on. SWEET!
Bad news: After images of my braces being taken off and the staff throwing me a party started running through my head, he told me I would have to keep them on for another 6 MONTHS to stabilize the teeth in place. Now, I know why he is saying this, and it makes sense to me. But of course I had to ask - "isn't that what retainers are for?" and he said "yes, but retainers come off, braces don't"... OH, makes sense too.
The rational side of me says "keep them on and do what he says. its for the best and it cant hurt" the impatient, shallow, and excited part of me says "get them off this summer! i'm sick of braces, flossing for 20 mins, eating braces friendly foods, and looking like a 12 year old. i'd rather not start my first job in braces, ugh"
What does everyone think?? Did your ortho leave your braces on for a while when you were pretty much finished, or did you get to wear retainers as soon as things were done? I'd like to take other advice whether its good or bad - I just want to do what is best : )
Good news: I went to the ortho earlier this week, and not only did he put in a "finishing wire" and started working on "refinements" he told me that I was pretty much done!! He said that except things that I want him to work on, there is not too much to do, and my bite is finished being worked on. SWEET!
Bad news: After images of my braces being taken off and the staff throwing me a party started running through my head, he told me I would have to keep them on for another 6 MONTHS to stabilize the teeth in place. Now, I know why he is saying this, and it makes sense to me. But of course I had to ask - "isn't that what retainers are for?" and he said "yes, but retainers come off, braces don't"... OH, makes sense too.
The rational side of me says "keep them on and do what he says. its for the best and it cant hurt" the impatient, shallow, and excited part of me says "get them off this summer! i'm sick of braces, flossing for 20 mins, eating braces friendly foods, and looking like a 12 year old. i'd rather not start my first job in braces, ugh"
What does everyone think?? Did your ortho leave your braces on for a while when you were pretty much finished, or did you get to wear retainers as soon as things were done? I'd like to take other advice whether its good or bad - I just want to do what is best : )