Treatment way longer than expected...severely depressed

[chocomorsel]

Wow, this sounds really sad. I don't understand why your gaps aren't closing. What is the orthodontist saying? In the previous 9 months did you tell him/her that you were unhappy? You think he/she could refer you to a different orthodontist to finish your treatment on a discount or give you a partial refund since you are not getting anywhere ahead.

I don't know what to say except try different orthodontist and that will likely cost more money.

So sorry you are going thru this. But it sounds like you are close to the finish line and need to change course maybe with someone new.

[klobird]

When I am done with my braces, in the cost of the process is included an invisilign type retainer. I don't know if that would work for you or not. My regular dentist told me that she had braces around the age of 47--she's 58 now--and here's were on for 4 years before she finally told the ortho she had had enough and to take them off...Now her teeth look amazing.

I would just come out and tell your ortho that at this point in your life with everything going on, that you would like to know the fastest way to end this process and still get an acceptable result. Just tell him you can't take it any longer, and that it is really affecting your life situation right now.

Hopefully, he has heard this before and will be compassionate toward you...

I truly sympathize with you...this has got to be really difficult for you....

[Crazy4Snow]

Wow, I don't know what to say except what I would do and that would work only for me. First, I'd get a second opinion. Secondly, I wouldn't stop treatment until I achieved the result I was going for. If I went through something for 4 years I would not give up and make it all for nothing, I'd ride it out.

Consider this also...if you're bite isn't completely fit and you stop treatment, you are opening a whole new can of worms there.

I'm sorry you're depressed and you do have reason to feel the way you're feeling but life isn't over in your 40's...lot's to look forward to.

Keep us posted and don't give up!

[rhomboid]

Trying to empathize such a situation is depressing in of its self, don't give up you have the courage to keep going. It appears like it would be a mistake to quit at this point if there is yet potential for improvement. A second opinion may well be worth an effort.

[benj]

I can really relate as I'm approaching my fourth year next month and am starting to worry that having braces will damage my teeth if i leave them on much longer. I'm a little ahead where you are in extraction-closing in that I only have a couple of gaps left under 1 mm. I know its getting close to that for you and .5 cm (where I was a few months ago) turns into less than 1mm surprisingly fast... The fact is that once the extractions are closed and the teeth are properly aligned, the orthodontists start to push the boundaries of what is possible for most people and I would also say that a 2nd (and 3rd) opinions would be very important if you want to opt out early. Maybe another persons approach would help better.

[bedazzlemouth]

If you think it is obstucting your employment efforts then tell the ortho you've had enough. Seek alternatives like implant or bonding to fill the gap. If your not a perfectionist you will probably be happy with the result and happy about getting your life on track. Your post really got me thinking...at my last dental checkup (not my ortho) the assistant made a point to tell my about another patient of theirs that has his braces on for 5 years! I never signed on for that type of term so I would have had them removed long before that. Also, at an ortho appointment I overheard an ortho/patient conversation where ortho was asking questions trying to help himself to determine why things were'nt going well, for example, "are you wearing your runbberband", etc., then proceeds to inform her that things are not going to improve beyond that point and told her about bonding etc. I think sometimes perfection isn't possible. I'm only 14 months in so its difficult to feel your distress but it makes me think that I should set a maximum target date so I don't end up having people tell me to hang in there for a few months only to have the final result be a 5 year sentence...no way! Sorry, I do wish you luck but sometimes you need to cut losses and move on.

[benj]

Yep, I NEVER would have signed on for this adventure if I knew that I was in for a 4 year + sentence. Some Orthodontists can make this more difficult I think, as they are more used to communicating with kids and they obviously have a vested interest in the outcome of the treatment as a whole.

I think the key to surviving the past year for me was learning how to lower my expectations (not that easy because the results have been so encouraging) enough to get through the next round of treatment... At the moment I am keen to continue, but I am also building up the courage to tell my ortho that as soon as the gaps are closed I want the braces off.

Good luck with everything kittyhead, and please keep us informed...

[ArchWired28]

I wanted to pointed out several of my own thoughts that may or may not agree with everybody else's opinions. This is my own prospective, based on what I have read in the 1st post.

1. If it was my mouth, I would be absolutely opposed to leaving the extraction spaces open. Teeth do and will shift into the open spaces regardless of the retainer, especially if the space is as big as 5mm... If you do go for it, be absolutely sure to fill this space with something, be it bonding or whatever.

2. I do agree that, in general, having extensive orthodontic appliances in your mouth may impede on your ability to find a job or to date a decent man. However, I am not sure that having all orthodontic appliances out of your mouth, will automatically guarantee you a job or a date. My point is that, maybe something besides braces/turbos etc stands on your way of finding a dream job or a dream man. If this is the case, why not work on those issues first?

Of course, I wish you the best of luck regardless of whatever you decide with your ortho treatment.

[TumbleDryLow]

2. I do agree that, in general, having extensive orthodontic appliances in your mouth may impede on your ability to find a job or to date a decent man. However, I am not sure that having all orthodontic appliances out of your mouth, will automatically guarantee you a job or a date. My point is that, maybe something besides braces/turbos etc stands on your way of finding a dream job or a dream man. If this is the case, why not work on those issues first?

Well said! I agree 100%. I have a friend who has changed states 5 times and careers 4 times thinking that each move would make her life better and fix her problems. It didn't. It's easy to find exterior things to blame. It's much harder to look inward.

While having braces on much longer then originally planned would be a major drag and pain in the butt (I definitely understand your anger and frustration) braces should not rule your life nor dictate your actions. If you go out into the world with confidence and a smile on your face, it won't matter that you have braces on that smile. Any new orthodontic equipment put in ones mouth will require an adjustment period. You are assuming that you won't EVER get used to the bite plate or turbos. Yes they will be difficult at first, but I really do think you will become used to them and learn to eat and talk with them in. I think you should give it a shot. This may be the last little push your teeth need.
Good luck, and hang in there.

[ArchWired28]

I agree, and I also think that you should give it a shot. I don't think you should give up at the last step after having to deal with this for so long. After all, you will be able to see if there is progress in just a few months. This is not such a long period of time. In the meantime, have you tried antidepressants maybe? Sorry to suggest that, but sometimes they do help.
Things will get better. Good luck!

[pinaypie]

I hope things would get better for you...and I hope you'll find a solution to your problem. Just ride it out and hang in there! GOODLUCK!

[ambraced]

Wow! This really sounds like a difficult ordeal! So sorry for you! I can't really say what I would do if I was in your position.....but usually I like to finish what I start....but 4 years is difficult. I'm a bit annoyed because my ortho had said 1 year for my lower teeth and a year later my lower teeth are still crooked, two are still rotated and I have 2 gaps. But he said everrything is going o.k. and I believe him. So I'm not worried. It seems you don't fully trust your orthodontist?

Regarding finding a new job I don't think braces should be in your way. Last year after only being a month in braces i.e. I still spoke somewhat funny, I had a job interview. I got the job.

Hope that your mood has lifted and you're feeling better now!

[Rusty'sMom]

Sounds like you are going through some tough times here. I can only suggest that you trust your gut feelings on this and do what you think is best for yourself and your future needs. Good luck!

[24braceface]

I'm gonna take a different angle. I do understand that having braces as long as you've had them sucks. But at the same time, life isn't over. Plenty of adults with braces have active social lives, good jobs, and significant others. I think it's more common to see adults with braces. I was in the hair salon a couple of months ago and there were FIVE women in there (including me) with braces. Also at my job, I see adults with braces all the time and make conversation with them about it. Many of them had braces before at some point. My point is, that all of them seemed to be going on about life just fine. Models and actors and actresses have braces and continue on in the spotlight. Nobody wants to wear braces, but I think you should approach the situation differently and stop being so down on yourself about it. The fact that you are so down is what is keeping you from a dating life and seeking jobs, etc.--the braces don't have as much to do with it as you think. What kind of men are you interested in that would care if you had braces? Smart men can see that braces are not a permament thing. So while you're being self loathing about your braces, remember that there are some people out there without an arm or some other disability and you're sitting here complaining about braces--something that is temporary. With that said, voice to your ortho your dissatisfaction and tell him that since you've had the braces on for so long, that you don't want them on much longer b/c you're concerned about the health of your teeth. Pin him down.