If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!
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You made a lot of good points that I should apply to my own time in braces. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so self-conscious. As far as kissing goes, it's not that bad. Actually, before I even had them, I kissed someone who had braces and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, I enjoyed it a lot !
I'm no pyschology expert (although it would be fun to play one on tv), but being self-conscious is only a state of mind. Be confident. Carry yourself well, believe in yourself and people will notice and respond in a positive manner.
If people want to stare, that is ok with me. I smile at them and keep going about my day. OK, I better stop giving out advice, or I might end up on Oprah spewing lines of BS before a national audience...hehehe
'...your on the air with Michael...what's on your mind caller'
When I wake up, mirror. When I'm brushing, mirror. When I'm done brushing, mirror. Shower, mirror. Driving, mirror (ok I limit this mirror time). But I'm not looking at 'me'. I'm looking at my teeth. Am I expecting to see something? Hell yes, I'll admit. Where is my movement?!?!?
Okay, there's gotta be some movement by now, right?
Metal Braces: August 18, 2006-January 14, 2009
Essix-type Retainers: January 14, 2009--present
I did disappear! But now I've reappared. Only took me 20 login attempts to remember my own login name. Haha.
Ok, hi everyone again. I've been MIA for a long long time. Life got in the way but now I'm back. I just realized my photos are missing at the beginning of my post. Damn, i think I deleted that folder on my server. Whoops! I'll see if I can find the images again to complete the story.
I'm a bit frustrated at how long it's taking. This July is 18 months and I still haven't seen my upper middle teeth rotate into position. See that big tilt to it? How do they get that out?
To refresh, I have Damon3 Brackets. I currently where 3 elastics. One on either side and a 'box' pattern in the middle, as you can see.
Hi Michael, welcome back! After being gone for nearly a year, I'm sure you'll find a lot of new AW-ers to meet. There are some interesting stories to follow, with great pics to see.
I hope you are able to find your pictures. From reading the comments, it sounds like they are very interesting.
Click on WWW to see my braces story.
August 16, 2007 - Braced on top
January 3, 2008 - Braced on bottom
Jeez, how are your teeth so WHITE? I mean, sure, my teeth are moving and all, but I have a gross yellow line going on. Man... my turn to be jealous of you!
How long have you been waiting for those guys to rotate?
I tend to comment on all my pics as it seems I've always something to say...haha. I'm still looking for the pics from the first post, so perhaps I could post them again.
Reasons **probably** contributing to my white teeth:
1. I brush twice daily with Crest Whitening.
2. I stopped drinking soda in highschool more than 10 years ago.
3. Never had a coffee (or latte, or all that other starbucky stuff).
4. Never had a beer (do those yellow your teeth? I dunno.)
Hopefully my mid-lines line up soon. They have lined up a little. It used to be more 'off', but still, it's not where it needs to be.
But my biggest concern is that dang 'tilting' of my lower teeth and two front teeth. I *really really* wish those would get in line already!!!
As far as kissing goes, it's not that bad. Actually, before I even had them, I kissed someone who had braces and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, I enjoyed it a lot ! 
