Done.....Finished......I have a SMILE!

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iBorg
Posts: 1877
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:34 pm
Location: West Virgina
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Done.....Finished......I have a SMILE!

#1 Post by iBorg »

After three and a half years of brackets and wires, major double jaw surgery and literally ten thousand tiny rubber bands, I'm braces free!

I can not say enough for the positive experience. I went from a smile I was very self conscious of to a smile that I'm happy to show. My wife's first comment was "Wow." She then asked if I had gotten what I had hoped from the brace experience. I had three goals less TMJ issues, less grinding and more visible teeth. My TMJ is much better but without my retainers (Essix) I do have a bit of TMJ. Minor but there. Hopefully when I get used to the retainers, this problem will go away. Grinding doesn't appear to be a problem. I'll find that out when I look at my retainers in a month or so and check for damage. I actually have teeth when I smile. That's a big change from before. Plus my breathing was greatly improved in the double jaw surgery. That alone makes the brace experience worthwhile. I quite literally feel ten years younger. My endurance is much better. It is not without cost. My lower lip is still very tingly and doesn't have natural feeling. I still believe it was a good trade.

And know for the comparison photos.....
Before Surgery....
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After Surgery.....

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For all of you considering braces or undergoing treatment and wondering if it is worth it, for me at least, the brace experience was both positive and worthwhile.


Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.

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ida
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:28 am

Re: Done.....Finished......I have a SMILE!

#2 Post by ida »

Congratulations! You look great. I'll start mine in two weeks time.

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Skysi
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:11 am

#3 Post by Skysi »

Wow! I'm really happy for you
Great changes! :D
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on 20th March 2008

got them off 9th November 2011

(3 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days)

User avatar
psych braces
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:02 pm

#4 Post by psych braces »

Gorgeous smile! How inspiring!

I love my teeth
Posts: 410
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
Location: Michigan, USA!

#5 Post by I love my teeth »

fantastic Mike!! You look great! thanks for sharing!
Wore Braces for 2 years, 5 months, 3 days



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peach
Posts: 195
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 2:56 pm
Location: USA

#6 Post by peach »

Congrats Mike! Your smile and profile look fantastic :D
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catgyrl
Posts: 1239
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:59 pm
Location: Hawaii 5-0!!
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#7 Post by catgyrl »

I second your wife: "Wow!"

There's such a change in your profile, too! You really do look great and a lot happier. I'm hoping to have the same experience as you do. I never realized I had a "weak chin", as my ortho put it, until I saw my profile picture. Yeesh...

Gettin braced in 5 days! So excited!

Jethro
Posts: 277
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:22 am
Location: Earth

#8 Post by Jethro »

Congrats Mike! You have had quite a journey...with an excellent result...Woohoo!

iBorg
Posts: 1877
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:34 pm
Location: West Virgina
Contact:

#9 Post by iBorg »

First off, I'm touched by many of the responses. While I've been brace free (not yet sure about retainers) for less than a week, I can't close my eyes and see them in my mind. It's amazing how quickly they've faded into my past. I don't know what my self image is, but it doesn't include a mouth full of metal.

Jethro: Thanks for the kind words. At times I didn't think the journey would end. I'm glad I made the trip.

catgyrl, ida: A college friend looked at me in our once a year get together and exclaimed, "You have a chin." Of course I had to have double jaw surgery to get it. That wasn't the reason to have the surgery but it was a nice benefit. You'll find the time is something you'll dread at the beginning and then you'll realize that braces don't change you and your treatment will be almost over.

peach, I love my teeth, psych braces: I'm getting used to having a smile. Its a wonderful thing to finally have. I know this forum only works when the members share. I'm thrilled to finally be able to share a :D .

Ken: my friend, your day is coming soon. I don't know if that makes you the winner of the distance award or the loser in the AW 500. I know I'm neither, but I'm okay with it.

Finally, I love my teeth for the first time I can say I love my teeth also.

Everyone, thanks for the kind thoughts.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.

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Audra
Posts: 876
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
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#10 Post by Audra »

Mike, I also agree with your wife - WOW, what a change.

You have a great smile. You must be so pleased.
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blindboarder2008
Posts: 943
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 8:43 pm
Location: in a house that has 4 walls, with lots of rooms!!! in Canada!

#11 Post by blindboarder2008 »

congratz mike!!!!!!!! looking good!!
Braced: March 19th 2008
Impacted wisdom teeth extraction surgery: June 20th 2008 1pm (13 hours of fasting)
Jaw surgery (upper and lower)Lefort 1 with Madable Advancement: June 2nd 2009 @8am!!!! 1 surgery down 2 surgeries to go!!
debrace day: jan 18th 2010!!!! *has 2 fixed retainers and an essix retainer for night time now!

andie40
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:10 pm

#12 Post by andie40 »

Congratulations! Your new smile looks wonderful...and the change in before and after is remarkable. You must be so thrilled. I am getting de-braced on 04-22 and can't wait for the "reveal". Enjoy your new smile!! :D

bracedup
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:41 am
Location: Australia

#13 Post by bracedup »

Wow you look fantastic...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Your fab pics make me realise that i have made the right decision on getting braces. Thanks for sharing

loradora
Posts: 165
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:11 pm

#14 Post by loradora »

Congratulations Mike (Alf :) ) - you look great.
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mamaneedsanewjaw
Posts: 139
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:06 am

#15 Post by mamaneedsanewjaw »

Wow Mike, you look great! You have a lot to smile about! :D

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