45, Getting braced on May 29!

[StaceyJeannette]

Hi!

I had braces when I was a teenager, lost 2 sets of retainers and never went to get another set. Fast forward 30 years- now I have 3 missing teeth, a jaw that clicks and pops, bruxism and dry gums from sleeping with my mouth open when I'm not grinding/clenching. My goal is to have my missing teeth replaced with implants, so needed to have everything in place for that. Hopefully having my teeth in order and the missing ones replaced will help with the other issues, but if not at least I'll be able to chew my food better! My orthodontist wants me to go to an oral surgeon for a consult about jaw surgery, but I am scared of surgeries so will see how much can be fixed with the braces.

Two of my sons just had their braces removed and I keep warning them to take care of their perfect teeth, they do not want to have all my problems when they are my age!

[bimax101]

Hi Stacey,

Another option for post braces is to have a permanent retainer consisting of a metal wire attached the back of the teeth. It may be a option to consider this time around.

[StaceyJeannette]

I actually had the permanent retainer on my lower teeth the first time around, but I was stupid and had it removed about 15 years ago. It is definitely something I'll ask my ortho about. Not sure how it would work with getting implants? The ortho told me they can make me a retainer to hold the spaces open until the implants are finished, so I guess it all depends on when the implants are done.

Thanks for your reply!

[Mrcf]

Never to old for braces my dentists told me.
I was 40 as I sat first in an ortho chair. But it took me a lot of years to made the decision. It’s my firs time in braces and hopefully after getting my uppers it will run as more or less without problems as I started 3 weeks ago.
From this point I do not know what hold me back all these years...

[Mrcf]

....and all the best for your brace day!

[StaceyJeannette]

Thank you!

[Mrcf]

Thank you!

....and? How was your appointment?

[StaceyJeannette]

It actually wasn’t too bad having the braces put on. Other than the thing they use to hold the lips open while glueing the brackets on.
I don’t have brackets on 3 of my back molars yet, they will be put on in 6 weeks. I’m not having too much pain, mainly just irritation of the inside of my mouth.
I think the most painful part of getting braced was making the down payment.