astw22's Story - first adjustment pics July 8th

Message

#1 Post by **braces4astw22** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:42 pm

Tomorrow is the big day I start my braces journey with my first consultation appointment. My appointment is at 9:00am

Back in 2003 I had gone for an orthodontic consult as this is something that I have wanted badly since I was a teenager but it was an expense my parents couldn't afford. Over the years I have been so self conscious hate smiling open mouth for pictures, and have been made fun of for. The first time I went for a consult I was scared away. The orthodontist talked about maybe needing several surgeries including possibly needing major jaw surgery. My head was spinning after and for a cosmetic reason I didn't want to go through all of these surgeries.

I did have the 4 wisdom teeth removed that were advised but I chickened out and didn't get the 4 other teeth extracted that the orthodontist wanted. I just never bothered going back. My regular dentist advised me to seek another opinion or see if there is other options for me.

I am excited and apprehensive about tomorrow. I am 29 years old and really want to do something that will improve my smile and give me the self confidence I want and need. Im nervous because I really don't want to have any major surgeries. Of course like most adults with braces I am hoping for ceramic braces. I look forward to meeting everyone. I have been doing lots of reading already and its so nice to hear what everyone else is going through. I will let you know the outcome tomorrow!

Shannon

#2 Post by **victor36** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:25 pm

Hello, Shannon, welcome to Archwired and congratulations on your decision to get braced!!!

here is some advice that was given to me by a moderator that is no longer a member of the board, so I'm going to pass this advice along to you.... Hopefully you'll read it before your appointment:

Before Your B-Day:

Remind yourself why you're doing this: to create a beautiful smile!
Take pictures of your teeth from all angles: Front, Left, Right, Top Arch, Bottom Arch
If you don't already do this, drink plenty of water
Get into the habit of toughening up your cheeks by rinsing with warm salt water rinses (just a pinch of salt... if you can taste the salt then you've used too much)

On Your B-Day:

Use the "facilities"
Use lip balm (otherwise the spreaders may get uncomfortable)
Remind yourself why you're doing this: to create a beautiful smile!

After Your B-Day:

Always drink plenty of water
Use lip balm as needed
Use wax as needed
Make good oral hygiene a priority
Rinse with warm salt water rinses at least once a day
Chew to increase blood flow in your gums
Remind yourself why you're doing this: to create a beautiful smile!
Take pictures regularly (like once a month or after every adjustment) to keep yourself (and your fellow ArchWired members) motivated
Stay positive!

See you in the forums!
~Victor

#3 Post by **TheNewEmperor** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:01 am

Good Luck!

I'm 40 and have similar story to you - have been advised in the past that I would have to have jaw surgery etc etc and it put me off doing anything about braces for too long. Now I have my braces I feel so relieved to have taken this huge step. I have the braces in the hope that I'll get a good enough compromised bite but I haven't 100% closed the door to surgery in the future but, fingers crossed, I'll not see the inside of an operating theatre.

Just be really frank with your ortho - cards on the table tell him that you will do anything to avoid surgery and can he work with you in that regard and then take it from there.

Best wishes

#4 Post by **braces4astw22** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:28 am

Thank you Vincent and thenewemporer! today went amazing!! Im so glad I waited now and got a second opinion with this orthodontist. I am over the moon right now to know at in 8 days I will be braced and on my way to a perfect smile!

I got there for my consult today and they took xrays and pictures. The doctor examined my mouth and said there was a few issues but that they could all be treated very easily.

First no teeth will have to be removed even with the overcrowding he felt removing teeth would affect my facial profile. He never mentioned anything thing about jaw surgery he said it was fine and that expanders would just have to be used to widen the jaw. Eventually these spring like things would be added as well, not sure what they are called.

Total time is 24 months and he felt that with the treatment plan I will have a perfect smile.

When asked how soon I wanted to get started I said right away. They said they could do the impressions and spacers today if I wanted and could come back next week for braces and the expanders.

I know its fast but I just felt so comfortable and at ease. This is something I really wanted to do so bad so why wait! I had the impressions done and the spacers put in. They are not bothering me too badly at all, just feels weird between the teeth.

So next Thurs May 22 at 9:00am I am having ceramic braces placed on top, they are doing half of the bottom for now and are putting in the expanders as well. I am just so happy this is going to really happen and without surgery! I will let let everyone know how it goes next thurs and see if I can figure out how to post some pics.

will have to do some tickers as well

#5 Post by **jenny101101** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:17 am

Hi Shannon,

Thanks for visiting my journal! Thought I'd check in to yours and see how you're doing. How's the spacers treating you? I didn't need spacers but I hear they're worse then braces(so don't get discouraged if they're bothering you). That's great that you don't need extractions or surgery! I look forward to seeing your pics.

#6 Post by **braces4astw22** » Fri May 16, 2008 3:58 pm

hi jenny thanks for stopping by! these spacers are really such a pain the first day wasnt so bad but now they are hurting a bit and if anything feel really irritating, like you have something stuck between your teeth you cant get rid of. I will be relieved when they take them out next thursday.

Im going to see if I can take some decent pics of my teeth tonight and post them otherwise im going to see if my ortho will email me the pics that were taken there.

#7 Post by **Twinjoy** » Sat May 17, 2008 12:17 am

Congrats on your upcoming brace day! I truly believe that spacers have been the worst part of braces so far so it will be over soon! Can't wait to see some pics!

#8 Post by **braces4astw22** » Mon May 19, 2008 7:24 am

Twinjoy - Thanks for stopping by and reading my story. The spacers have been very irritating but im just trying to focus on the bigger picture and in just a few days they will be gone. Im going away this weekend after I have my braces put on so I really hope they dont cause me too much discomfort.

Bracedagain - Thank you for popping by. Im very excited for thursday and cant wait to start my journey on my new smile.

Well here is my before pic its not the greatest and wow I have to say I didnt realize my teeth looked THAT bad before. Im so happy that I have made the decision to go ahead with this.

Its really nice to have so much support from every one its a little scary to go through this journey as an adult when most people go through it as a child or teenager. Im just happy that there is a community like this of such supportive and friendly people to help each other through it

Im off to do more reading but I will be sure to post some more pics once I get my braces on. oh and I have no idea why my pic is showing up SO huge I resized it in photobucket to be a thumbnail size but its showing up monster size lol..

#9 Post by **insinu8** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:39 am

shannon, good luck with your bday tomorrow! My top arch gets braced later today. Luella and swtmisery are also having their bdays today so we can all compare notes & pics and cheer each other along

You'll be SO happy when you get to trade your spacers in

You're almost there!

#10 Post by **kittymeow84** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:58 am

Good luck with your Bday! Can't wait to see pics

#11 Post by **callmeswtmisery** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:15 am

Braces4astw22,

Tomorrow will go by really fast! OMG You already know that I got mines done yesterday 5/20/08, and to get honest with you I am in not type of pain (only when I am eating it feels a lil tender) I know that you can't wait to start this process! I am here with you!! We will do this together!!!!!!!

No worries tomorrow! Everything will go by really fast, and before you know it you will be braced. Just make sure you brace yourself when you look into the mirror for the first time!!!!

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!!!

Make sure you put pic's up!!!!!

#12 Post by **braces4astw22** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:00 am

Hey Everyone Thanks for checking in with me! I am so excited for tomorrow I dont know how im going to get any sleep tonight!! I drop my daughter off at daycare first thing tomorrow then my appointment is at 9am.

They told me it would take about 2 1/2 hours to put the expanders top braces and part of the lower braces on.

I will definitely post some pics and let everyone know how it goes

Wed May 21, 2008 10:17 am

brces4astw22,

Trust me it is a breeze!

#14 Post by **fluffybottom** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:54 pm

Best of luck tomorrow!

#15 Post by **Sweet L** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:16 pm

Hi braces4astw22!

I just wanted to say

ON YOUR B- DAY!!!!