Life before and during braces.... Pictures 4th adjustment

[leager2000]

I hate adjustments so much. I can deal with the pain after getting a new wire. The problem is getting the powerchains placed and getting the doors open on the brackets. I get a new tech everytime I go to the orthodontists and they are all very insensitive. I probably would not have gotten braces if I knew it would be like this.

Anyway, I this is after my fourth adjustment.

[SUGARANGEL]

Thanks for the great words!

[ElenaM]

Wow, your teeth have really moved.

[leager2000]

Thanks ElenaM. It just seems to be taking forever. The bottom teeth are not moving much at all.

[leager2000]

jt2lang,

Thanks for visiting and posting to my site. I think you smile is awesome also!

[leager2000]

I had my fifth adjustment today and my 1 year anniversity is in 2 months. I have been having issues with the techs at my orthodontists office, but recently I met someone who worked there in the past. She told me that she would call one of the ladies that work there and request that only the two experienced tech see me for follow up. My experience was almost painless this last time. Anyway, this is my lastest picture. My diastema has gone from 5mm to 1/2mm. The spaces have shifted and are annoying me.



[URL=http://g.imageshack.us/img265/dsc00464fl1.jpg/1/][IMG]

[leager2000]

I am in my late twenties and have been in braces since March of 2008. The decision to get braces as an adult was made after years of internal debate. Prior to getting braces, my diastema was 5mm (down to 4mm now after 4 months in braces yeah!). There were several things that influenced my decision: people looked at my teeth and not my eyes when I talked; children often ask me if I lost a tooth; I was rejected by men; and I was often ridiculed by family members. People in my family told me that my gap made me special and made references to Lauren Hutton. It really annoyed me that I was getting peptalks from people who obsessed over their teeth and had no gaps. I wanted to scream, "if you are so pro-gap, then lets extract one of your teeth and make you one!" The day I got braces was very traumatic for me. I have metal brackets on upper and lower teeth and was given an estimated wear time of 12-24 months. When I first looked at my smile, I almost cried. The braces seemed to magnify my diastema. The pain was another story. I am petite and had recently gained ten pounds. Those quickly went down the drain along with my self esteem. It has been almost 5 months now and I am gaining weight and feel more comfortable. I hate adjustments, however. On my last visit, some brackest were rearranged and I almost cried. It felt like a tooth was being extracted. I often look at before and after pictures of people with diastemas and get so excited. I am glad I decided to get braces now, but will be much happier when this experience is over.

[leager2000]

[quote="leager2000"]Prior to getting braces, my diastema was 5mm. I am down to 1/2 mm

[websterspaw1]

Hello Leager2000 and thank you for sharing your story. I've been searching all afternoon for profiles on people getting braced to correct a gap. Your story is almost identical to mine. Comparisons to famous people with gaps. "Leave your teeth alone...you look fine!"

Although I've been a public speaker most of my life, I have always been embarrassed by my gap. It definitely runs in the family. My mom opted for caps in the 50's because she was pursuing a singing career. When I would meet other members of my family with gaps, I would look at them and think that they looked fine, so why was it bothering me so much?

As a teenager, my self esteem (or lack thereof) could not handle braces. I was married in Sept 07, and I did not give an all out smile in any of my photos, although I've have my standard "hide your gap" smile down to a science!

Anyway, I consulted my dentist about veneers and he steered be toward braces. He advised me to at least obtain a consultation. My gap is substantial (about 5mm as well). I also have a slight gap b/w next to the canines.

Fast forward 3 weeks post consult and I walked out last friday 2/13/09 with ceramics on my bottoms. I asked for linquals on my uppers and I'm supposed to get fitted for that in about 3 weeks. Now, I'm not so sure since everyone talks about the pain related to cutting your tongue. Like you, I figured that the gaps would make the braces stand out more. Now, I may just go for ceramics on the uppers as well.

My husband has been so supportive. I've talked about doing something since we've met. Anyway, I'll see if I can post some pics.

So congrats to you and thank you (and others on this site as well) for sharing your stories. I never thought I would be doing this at 46! But I definitely feel better about my decision to do this. It's never too late in life to make yourself happy!

[leager2000]

Hey westerspraw1,

Thanks for visiting my story. It is great to have so many peopl acorss the world that can relate to you. Have you posted pictures? I will post new ones by the end of this month. I am approaching 1 year. I cannot wait to be free from the braces.

[leager2000]

I have been braced X1 year now. My central gap has closed, but ......




...... it is here now!

[leager2000]

It has been 18 months since I was braced and I finaly see the light at the end of the tunnel. My spaces are all closing nicely. Afer 30 years, I can finally smile without feeling self conscious. I will post pictures soon.

[leager2000]

This is after 18 months of braces. What a difference, finally!!!

[asabea]

congratulations! your teeth look amazing.

[leager2000]

Thank you. I am suppose to have a frenectomy to remove that tissue between my two front teeth.