cdnbracegirl's story: Finally getting braces at age 30
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:20 pm
My Story
I’ve had crooked teeth since adolescence. My mom took me to an orthodontic consultation when I was 13 or so. We never went through with it because my dad ended up quitting his job and starting his own business so my braces were no longer covered. I was born with a cleft palate that was repaired when I was a baby. However, there is still a small hole in the roof of my mouth. My upper jaw is a bit smaller than my lower jaw. My teeth are crowded and I have a cross-bite.
My teeth are a very emotional and sensitive subject for me. I remember watching Extreme Makeover and just bawling when they revealed their nice, straight teeth. I thought I’d never have straight teeth in my life.
I never smile with my mouth open. I cover my mouth when I laugh. I don’t show my teeth. EVER. I feel like I’m being held back because of my crooked teeth. People have said I look disinterested even when I’m happy. I want to be able to show emotion without inhibition. I’ve been crossing off several items on my Life Goals list. I figure you only live once so I might as well straighten my teeth because I have the rest of my life to live.
Consultation
I finally decided enough was enough and made the decision to book a consultation with an Orthodontist. Being the researcher that I am, I started diligently looking up all the orthodontic practices in Edmonton, Alberta. I chose an all female practice. I thought I would feel more comfortable with a female Orthodontist and I was right. I emailed them with my story. It was a very hard thing to do because I had told nobody about the embarrassment I felt for having crooked teeth. I had not been to a dentist for a better part of 15 years. Eek!
Anyways, the doctor emailed me back and had some kind words for me. I booked a consultation shortly thereafter.
At the consultation, the RDA took two x-rays and several high-resolution pictures of my teeth. She told me to smile and my immediate instinct was to do it with my mouth closed. I didn't know how to smile with my mouth open so that part felt foreign to me.
The doctor inspected my teeth and gums and took some notes. She said I was not a candidate for Invisalign or lingual braces. The two types of braces I was a candidate for was the SPEED system braces and ceramic braces. She also noted that all four of my wisdom teeth had erupted so I'd have to remove them eventually and I could do it before or after braces.
She went over the financials with me. Thank goodness I have a great insurance plan through work. I have 50% coverage as well as $1000 per year in a Health Spending Account that I can use towards orthodontic services. I'm kicking myself for not doing this sooner. I could've had straight teeth by now! But I'm a bit glad I waited because I think I found a great, compassionate orthodontic team.
First dentist visit in ~15 years!
Shortly after my orthodontic consultation, I had my first visit to a dentist in approximately 15 years. I was a bit wary of this visit. I thought so many things would be wrong with my teeth but I was pleasantly surprised.
The teeth cleaning took about an hour. It felt so fresh and clean afterwards. The RDH was very kind and explained everything she did before doing it. I am definitely going to keep up with flossing from now on.
The dentist came in and inspected my teeth. He said he could send a picture of my cleft palate to a specialist to see if I could get it fixed. I said I would pass on it for now but getting it fixed is in the back of my mind now. I've lived with it for so long and it hasn't given me much trouble with the exception of sometimes getting food stuck in it. He said I didn't have any cavities. Shocking, I know! I was secretly proud of this fact.
I asked him if I should get my wisdom teeth extracted before or after I get my braces on. He said it was the orthodontist's call and the orthodontist said it was my call. I decided to get them extracted before so I made an appointment.
Records appointment
I had to go back to the Orthodontist for a records appointment where they take moulds of my upper and lower teeth as well as a bite impression. It didn't take long at all but it took a couple tries to find the right size of tray to use for my teeth since I still had my wisdom teeth in and they were sticking out to the side.
Wisdom teeth extraction
I didn't eat or drink anything before my appointment. I had my mom drive me to my appointment at noon. The DA put numbing gel around the wisdom teeth. The dentist came in and gave me a shot of anesthetic in my gums and in my lower lip. That part hurt a bit. The top right tooth popped out easily. The bottom right tooth proved to be more difficult. I could tell he was putting some muscle into it but the bugger didn't want to come out. He said he would have to cut it in half to take it out. So he did and out it came. I was in and out of the chair in about 50 minutes. It was quick and painless.
I chomped down on gauze for about an hour after the extraction and iced both cheeks. I filled my prescription of Tylenol 3 and antibiotics. I took the gauze out when I got home. My mouth was filled with blood and saliva because I couldn't really swallow with a numb tongue.
My mom is the best. She made 'jook' for me. If you're Chinese, you know what I'm talking about. It's congee or rice porridge. You eat 'jook' when you're sick or craving comfort. It gives you nutrition when you're feeling like crap. I like having mine with salted duck egg and soy sauce. I had to mash the duck egg so I didn't have to chew it.
My extraction sites stopped bleeding within a few hours. There was minimal swelling. My right side was a bit more swollen than the left. There was throbbing discomfort in my jaw so I took some T3s. I did feel feverish at times but took some T3s which helped.
It's now day 3 and I don't feel the need to take T3s anymore. There is no discomfort. I'm rinsing my mouth with salt water regularly especially after my liquid/soft meals. I think I'll be ok. Many people had told me horror stories about their wisdom teeth extractions. I thought it was normal to be in a lot of pain. Guess I lucked out!
Now I'm just waiting for my brace date which is September 19th. Now the question is whether I want SPEED braces or Empower ceramic. I'm leaning towards SPEED since ceramic ones will take a few months longer. Treatment time in SPEED braces will also be quicker. I also have a small mouth so the SPEED system will be less bulky.
I’ve had crooked teeth since adolescence. My mom took me to an orthodontic consultation when I was 13 or so. We never went through with it because my dad ended up quitting his job and starting his own business so my braces were no longer covered. I was born with a cleft palate that was repaired when I was a baby. However, there is still a small hole in the roof of my mouth. My upper jaw is a bit smaller than my lower jaw. My teeth are crowded and I have a cross-bite.
My teeth are a very emotional and sensitive subject for me. I remember watching Extreme Makeover and just bawling when they revealed their nice, straight teeth. I thought I’d never have straight teeth in my life.
I never smile with my mouth open. I cover my mouth when I laugh. I don’t show my teeth. EVER. I feel like I’m being held back because of my crooked teeth. People have said I look disinterested even when I’m happy. I want to be able to show emotion without inhibition. I’ve been crossing off several items on my Life Goals list. I figure you only live once so I might as well straighten my teeth because I have the rest of my life to live.
Consultation
I finally decided enough was enough and made the decision to book a consultation with an Orthodontist. Being the researcher that I am, I started diligently looking up all the orthodontic practices in Edmonton, Alberta. I chose an all female practice. I thought I would feel more comfortable with a female Orthodontist and I was right. I emailed them with my story. It was a very hard thing to do because I had told nobody about the embarrassment I felt for having crooked teeth. I had not been to a dentist for a better part of 15 years. Eek!
Anyways, the doctor emailed me back and had some kind words for me. I booked a consultation shortly thereafter.
At the consultation, the RDA took two x-rays and several high-resolution pictures of my teeth. She told me to smile and my immediate instinct was to do it with my mouth closed. I didn't know how to smile with my mouth open so that part felt foreign to me.
The doctor inspected my teeth and gums and took some notes. She said I was not a candidate for Invisalign or lingual braces. The two types of braces I was a candidate for was the SPEED system braces and ceramic braces. She also noted that all four of my wisdom teeth had erupted so I'd have to remove them eventually and I could do it before or after braces.
She went over the financials with me. Thank goodness I have a great insurance plan through work. I have 50% coverage as well as $1000 per year in a Health Spending Account that I can use towards orthodontic services. I'm kicking myself for not doing this sooner. I could've had straight teeth by now! But I'm a bit glad I waited because I think I found a great, compassionate orthodontic team.
First dentist visit in ~15 years!
Shortly after my orthodontic consultation, I had my first visit to a dentist in approximately 15 years. I was a bit wary of this visit. I thought so many things would be wrong with my teeth but I was pleasantly surprised.
The teeth cleaning took about an hour. It felt so fresh and clean afterwards. The RDH was very kind and explained everything she did before doing it. I am definitely going to keep up with flossing from now on.
The dentist came in and inspected my teeth. He said he could send a picture of my cleft palate to a specialist to see if I could get it fixed. I said I would pass on it for now but getting it fixed is in the back of my mind now. I've lived with it for so long and it hasn't given me much trouble with the exception of sometimes getting food stuck in it. He said I didn't have any cavities. Shocking, I know! I was secretly proud of this fact.
I asked him if I should get my wisdom teeth extracted before or after I get my braces on. He said it was the orthodontist's call and the orthodontist said it was my call. I decided to get them extracted before so I made an appointment.
Records appointment
I had to go back to the Orthodontist for a records appointment where they take moulds of my upper and lower teeth as well as a bite impression. It didn't take long at all but it took a couple tries to find the right size of tray to use for my teeth since I still had my wisdom teeth in and they were sticking out to the side.
Wisdom teeth extraction
I didn't eat or drink anything before my appointment. I had my mom drive me to my appointment at noon. The DA put numbing gel around the wisdom teeth. The dentist came in and gave me a shot of anesthetic in my gums and in my lower lip. That part hurt a bit. The top right tooth popped out easily. The bottom right tooth proved to be more difficult. I could tell he was putting some muscle into it but the bugger didn't want to come out. He said he would have to cut it in half to take it out. So he did and out it came. I was in and out of the chair in about 50 minutes. It was quick and painless.
I chomped down on gauze for about an hour after the extraction and iced both cheeks. I filled my prescription of Tylenol 3 and antibiotics. I took the gauze out when I got home. My mouth was filled with blood and saliva because I couldn't really swallow with a numb tongue.
My mom is the best. She made 'jook' for me. If you're Chinese, you know what I'm talking about. It's congee or rice porridge. You eat 'jook' when you're sick or craving comfort. It gives you nutrition when you're feeling like crap. I like having mine with salted duck egg and soy sauce. I had to mash the duck egg so I didn't have to chew it.
My extraction sites stopped bleeding within a few hours. There was minimal swelling. My right side was a bit more swollen than the left. There was throbbing discomfort in my jaw so I took some T3s. I did feel feverish at times but took some T3s which helped.
It's now day 3 and I don't feel the need to take T3s anymore. There is no discomfort. I'm rinsing my mouth with salt water regularly especially after my liquid/soft meals. I think I'll be ok. Many people had told me horror stories about their wisdom teeth extractions. I thought it was normal to be in a lot of pain. Guess I lucked out!
Now I'm just waiting for my brace date which is September 19th. Now the question is whether I want SPEED braces or Empower ceramic. I'm leaning towards SPEED since ceramic ones will take a few months longer. Treatment time in SPEED braces will also be quicker. I also have a small mouth so the SPEED system will be less bulky.