I'm 21, and I've wanted braces since I was around seven/eight years old (when my front tooth came in crooked). Due to financial reasons, my family couldn't afford braces when I was young. Having crooked teeth has hurt my self esteem and self confidence A LOT. I was made fun of a lot because of them. I'm still wary about smiling around people because I'm not sure what their reaction will be. Anyway, I finally took the plunge this summer and went to three ortho consultations.First guy: Wanted to use damon braces, said I'd have them for 20 months and that I might have to get one of my lower incisor teeth out. He said I was lucky because I didn't need jaw surgery. He was the most expensive.
Second guy: Wanted to pull out four teeth. Then he said something about how i'll need gum surgery for my front teeth and he'd be more than happy to do it himself, but we'd "talk about the price of that later."
(No one else mentioned this). 21 months total time. He was the cheapest, but that didn't include extraction costs.Third guy: He did my sister's braces 18 years ago. And he said that my palate needs to be expanded because my upper jaw is v-shaped. Told me I'd wear an expander for around 6 months, and if it works then I won't need jaw surgery. Then braces will be on for a year. So 18 months total time.
After A LOT of debate, and research, I decided to go with the third ortho. I know there is much debate on whether an expander at my age will work, and maybe it will, maybe it won't. I figured I'd at least try it. Besides having a v-shaped upper jaw, I have a crossbite, 10 mm overjet, and my midlines are off. Basically all these things because my teeth are too big for my mouth and my jaw didn't grow properly. Whoo-hoo.
Anyway, so I did all my records and molds in August, then I had an appointment on August 28th to get my spacers put in. At my next appointment I was supposed to get the bands fitted for my expander. Or so I thought. My ortho informed me at that appointment that he has decided I need a "bonded expander" instead of a "banded expander." He's worried that my teeth will tip too much with a banded expander and this way it won't happen. Bonded expanders are supposed to be more difficult to get used to talking with, so I'm not really looking forward to that.
The other piece of bad news is that I have to get my wisdom teeth out. Which I knew I'd have to. My ortho seemed like he wanted me to get them out right now, but he said he understood if I couldn't get them out right away. My insurance more than likely won't cover it, even though they're impacted and my dentist told me a couple years ago I should get them out. Anyway, my ortho said he needs them out at least before I get my braces on, which won't be for 6 months or so anyways. He was supposed to give me a copy of my x-rays so I could show my parents my teeth, and give me a referral, however, the office ladies told me to leave because the paper work wasn't ready. So I left even though the girl who took another mold of my teeth told me to wait and meet her at the front desk.
Anyway, now I just have to wait for my expander to be made. My next appointment is for Oct 1st, but I'm going to see if I can change it to after I get done with my classes on October 4th. Then I'll have more time to adjust to it.
Here are some pictures of my teeth. I took them when I had the spacers in.
And yes, it seems like I'm going to be very busy with appointments and everything else. Has your adventure been good so far? 
Hopefully someone else might know more!
I'm OFFICIALLY started with my treatment!
