Sorry to taking so long to write this. In fact I have been having second thoughts all along since I joined this site whether or not I wanted to share my story. Anyhow, seeing I have gained so much from reading others experiences, I thought it only fair that I share my story which will hopefully one day assist someone else on their journey.
I have had crooked teeth for ever since I can remember but I have grown so accustomed to them that I didn't really toy with the idea of getting braces until about 5 months ago (i will explain this further later on).
Growing up, the only times I can remember ever going to the dentist was when I had a toothache and such dental visit always involved either a filling or an extraction. I can't recall ever going for 6 monthly cleaning until I was an adult. Maybe growing up in the Caribbean it was not seen as a priority to the family at the time. However, even if I had wanted braces at the time, I can't see how my parents would have been able to afford it.
The main issues I have are multiple spaces (top and bottom between the front 6) plus also an overjet. Looking back, I cannot remember ever recieving any negative comments about my teeth/smile during my childhood. Maybe if I had, I would have taken the plunge sooner. I guess I was content.
Likewise, I made it through my teens and 20's with an active social life, have had relationships and a successful career. I have never felt in anyway that my teeth/smile held me back.
Fastforward to October 2011 at the ripe old age of 32 years old, I remember coming back from holiday and posting some pics on facebook as I normally do after any of my adventures. What pushed me over the edge was when I received a private facebook msg from one of my "facebook friends" saying that he noticed I never smile in photos and after he met me in person few years ago, he can only assume it is because of my teeth and he hopes I get them sorted before I am 50 because he would love to see me smile.....
I must say, I didn't even consider this person as a friend, in my opinion he was nothing more than a former work colleague but somehow we have mutual friends and he was a "facebook friend". I was rather angry by his msg but at the time I pretended not to be and politely wrote him back telling him not to worry abt me etc. We had a few msg exchanges throughout the course of the day till eventually he got angry with me as i did imply he had overstepped the mark and should mind his own business.
Anyway, despite all of this, his comments did bother me and I thought to myself, maybe this is what alot of other people are thinking but they are just too coward to say it. Maybe I should thank him for finally making me look at the issue. The day after this whole thing happened, I started doing research online into braces, went to see my dentist few days later and asked him to recommend an othordontist. I immediately booked an appointment but due to my schedule, the date of this appointment was about a month away. In the meantime, I also decided to go and see another othodontist who was offering a free consultation just so I could have more than one opinions. The free consultation went ok but as it was free, it wasn't all that detailed so I thought best to do the full paid consultation with the orthodontist my dentist had recommended before I made a decision.
So November 19, 2011 came and though it was just a consulation, I was really nervous. Went anway, had the 45 mins consultation and must admit, I was rather impressed with the orthodontist and the practice in general. After the consultation was over, he informed me that he would need to do a space assessment, work out the costs and then the treatment plan would follow in the post in a couple of weeks. At that point I felt I wanted to say "yes" straight away, no matter how long it will take and how much it would cost.
It was the first week of December by the time the treatment planned arrived. It basically highlighted all the things we had discussed, explained the risks etc, duration of treatment (18 mos) and cost (£3700). Despite me wanting to say "yes" straight away on the day of the consultation, when I saw the treatment plan I did feel abit overwhelmed and started having second thoughts. I think that 2 week wait did me no good whatsoever. Anyway, I decided to think about it and it was not until about 2 weeks later I built up the courage to contact the orthodontist again. By this time it was actually the week before Christmas and due to the Christmas/New Years holidays, the next available appointment on a Saturday (I can only do Saturdays because of my work schedule) was 2 and a half weeks later on 07th Jan 2012. I decided to book the appointment. The next 2 and a half weeks were like torture. I had sleepless nights and often wonder what the hell have I gotten myself into. Upto the morning of my appointment I considered calling them to cancel. I was so scared. In the end I asked my bf for a lift and decided to go for it. On that day, my lowers were fitted and I must say that walking out of the orthodontist office that day I felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulder. I can only imagine if I had cancelled the appointment I would continue having sleepless nights until I sorted it.
Had my first adjustment on 18th Feb and my second adjustment and fitting of my uppers yesterday 17th March.
Despite the rollercoaster ride, I think I have made the right decision and hopefully one day I will build up the courage to thank my "facebook friend" for being the driving force that aided in this decision
. i am still abit tender but it is getting better. if the last couple adjustments are anything to go by, i should be tenderness free by tomorrow/wednesday.