Shock In the Beginning

[Pyrose]

Well, I got two teeth extracted today on top. So now I'm sitting here, face still numb, mouth full of gauze and I'm in shock. I just keep thinking: "What...have...I...done?" Yes, I know this needs done and yes I'm happy I'm finally doing it. But at the moment I'm just kinda numb mentally from the shock of things.

On a positive note, I'm actually getting used to having the braces in my mouth, so that's doing much better. And eating was starting to get better as well.

I'm just not feeling so wonderful right now with two gaping holes on either side of my mouth.

[MNBraces]

That's sort of my reaction. What have I done!

I realize that it's going to give me a beautiful smile, and that really helps. Plus, also knowing that for the most part there is no way they are coming off...so there isn't anything I can do about it..helps too.

[TigerLily]

I didnt have any extractions.

BUT despite how prepared I thought I was for my braces (took ages with my planning), but the day I got them on, I got a massive shock. I was really upset.

It passed. And now Im so pleased I stuck with it.

[Ravishing]

I had 3 teeth extracted and it sucked. It hurt. I whistled when I talked. Eating was hard and I looked awful when I smiled.

18 months later I have one gap completely closed and 2 more that are close to being closed. My overbite has shrunk a lot and my ortho isn't done with me yet. I really can't wait to see the final results.

I know the immediate aftermath of the extractions is unpleasant but things will only get better from here. Hang in there

[Beana803]

This post sounds VERY familiar to me. I had three extractions, and I was SUCH a baby about it (thinking back now). It didn't hurt at all, though I did bleed through a TON of guaze. I went home and just started tearing up. I don't know what had gotten into me. I felt a little like you, the whole "what have I done" thing. But I knew my treatment required this to be done. Still it was overwhelming...but I promise, you be laughing at how you felt in a few months. I have been in braces now a little over a year, and am THRILLED at my progress. I have had a positive attitude through the whole thing, except "extraction day". And I should have been a little more grounded there too. Good luck, and hang in there.

[mardziewall]

dont worry i got my bottom molar extracted 3 days ago im still ovewhelemd and im being a bit of a baby about it still

[DaneAnthony]

Hi there Pyrose,

Congratulations on joining the rest of us - I'm slowly realising that the world of braces can actually be really enjoyable!

I had my braces put on February 11 after 8 teeth being extracted and, having looked at a whole heap of pictures from the brochures in the Orthodontists office, I thought I was prepared (you could even say I was looking forward to it) I thought braces looked wonderful in the pictures, they looked great on all the models in the photos (of course, these models had perfectly straight, beautiful white teeth..)

Anyway, when my braces were put on, they looked NOTHING like in the pictures - I have spring coils both upper and lower and I had never seen them before...plus the archwire looked all wonky and crooked, highlighting my crowding even more. When the Ortho showed me in the mirror I was in total shock but put on a brave face - I'm sure he had no idea what I was really thinking... I paid for my braces, walked over to the car, sat down and started crying my eyes out (I'm a 26 year old guy, so needless to say I looked pretty pathetic)...I wouldn't open my mouth for anyone - all I could think was, "What have I done?"...

Naturally however, time is becoming my very special friend and is making things better. Just give it time, patience and keep thinking about the end result. Admittedly, I still have days where I look at my smile right now and think, "YUCK!" but at the same time I know that by taking it one day at a time my teeth are changing and eventually I will never have to think that I have horrible teeth because they will look beautiful, straight, healthy and white.

Also, this message board has been an incredible support network so actively use this board and read everyone else's experiences and kind words. It will work wonders!!

Good luck! Have a wonderful experience and I hope your teeth move along nicely (and quickly) for you!!!

Dane

[Pyrose]

Thanks so much everyone for the support and for sharing your own experiences with me. It is so helpful and encouraging to hear from others in my situation. No one else really gets it at all.

I'm trying hard to just accept that my teeth are gone. Sounds silly, but it just felt "wrong" to remove two healthy teeth. I've so far been resisting the urge to just start sobbing over the whole thing every time I look in the mirror. I really don't want to scare my poor husband though and I certainly don't want him to think that I'm not glad to be getting this done. I am, it's just hard at first. I suspect that later on I'll look back on this and laugh at what a silly person I'm being.

I actually find it amusing how different my braces look from the nice models on the brochures. My brackets are all wonky and the wires are going every which way. That part I found kinda funny at least.

Perhaps once the shock wears off I can have some fun with colored ligs and my ceramic tops. I was reading the colored ligs thread and it looked like fun. I think I'll have some fun with my braces once the shock of the extractions wears off.

[Becca]

Hey Pyrose! I didn't have to have any teeth extracted, but I definitely was thinking "what have I done to myself" after I first got my braces. It wore off eventually and now I don't even mind them. I didn't like to smile at first because I thought they looked stupid, but now I don't care. I smile big all the time. And they really don't look that bad! You just have to think about the end result. And it's funny that you say that about comparing your braces to the models' because I did the same thing. They all have straight teeth and you think "and WHY do these people have braces?!", lol. My wires are going in all sorts of crazy directions, too, so I know how you feel on that one. Hang in there! It gets better!!

[danish]

Hi Pyrose,

I had 6 teeth extracted (2 of them by surgery! Ouch) prior to being braced (2 wisedom and 4 premolars) which took a great deal of courage due to the irreversibility of the process once the teeth were out.

Once extractions were done and I was braced, I felt numb too. Thinking: maybe this was not the right decision!? Hehe. The good thing about extraction is that you cannot reverse the whole process so there is really no point in looking back or regretting anything. This has helped me to focus on moving forward and on the results to come.

Soon you will see results and won't regretting taking the step towards sorting out your teeth. The first days and the weeks can be a challenge because the mouth looks like a battlefield, your teeth feel sore and you cannot eat properly. However, with the time it gets easier. Trust me on this. You might not end up loving the apparatus in the mouth, but you will get used to the look and feel.

Godspeed

Danish

[lindesd]

I remember feeling the same way after my extractions. But, remember this.....it is going to look worse to you than to any others. To you ....you look like a toothless hillbillie(sp) to others, it is looks as it it is part of your ortho treatment (and it is). In the end, it will ALL be worth it.

Chin up!

Stacey

[KianaFran]

I completely understand. I had 8 extractions total [4 wisdom & 4 healthy, first bicuspids]. I was feeling a little sick about having perfectly healthy teeth removed. I was actually a little scared because I had to walk around with 4 BIG gaps for almost 2 weeks. I had to go to a job interview with them!!

But you realize it is for the greater good and your smile will be FABULOUS when everything is done. It will all be worth it once its over.