This forum is a great idea.... so many times I want to learn more about braces or just discuss it and this seems like the perfect place
Here is a bit of my story:
I'm almost 45 years old. I've been wanting to get braces since I was a teenager but my parents either didn't have the money or didn't think I needed them. I have always been terribly self conscious of my teeth --- I had a gap in the front and it seemed like my top teeth just took over my whole face. Over the years I have gone for consults but never went through with it. I think I felt anxious about how braces would affect my social life.
So I found myself 44 years old. Recently divorced. Two young children. Deciding to divorce and the process itself forced me to examine my life and myself.... notably the fact that I will keep repeating my mistakes until I finally figure it out.
On December 24,2013 I had my top brackets placed on. I was very uncomfortable at first, I couldn't eat much for days and I was very self conscious and noticed people noticing my braces. Eventually I put on a happy face, made jokes about it at work and decided this is what I'm doing and I'm going to embrace it fully (but not without a month or so of trying to hide them). On my first 2 appointment I made sure to choose only silver power chains but this last appointment I decided to get green ligatures (for St Patrick's Day!).
So this being my first post to introduce myself I hope to hear from other people going through similar struggles and triumphs. One thing I find myself doing is trying to figure out how long I will have these on for (my orthodontist gave me a very broad estimate of one to two years). I wish I could just *know* an exact month they will be coming off. I've been coming up with mini goals for myself (like a to-do list) that I have to get done before my next appointment so that it changes how I view the time between visits.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!
