My Braces Story!

[LewisS]

Hey!

I decided that it would be nice to document my time or 'journey' with braces so I can monitor the progress that I am making and one day look back from the start! Plus, I'd like others who are thinking about getting braces to get an insight into how things work and help them make a decision. I'm not going to go into great detail about adjustments etc. but I'm going to post a few pictures every now and then and discuss how I think things are going.

I have the standard metal braces on the top and bottom, which I was have for 18 months approximately. My teeth aren't REALLY crooked (I have a few overlapping teeth on the bottom), but I also have an overbite to be fixed. My orthodontist did say that if he were me he probably wouldn't bother with braces because my teeth aren't causing me any significant problems, but I really felt it was something I should just go for, I'm sure I won't regret that decision!

The day of my 'bonding' appointment came after having 3 extractions and spacers (for around 3 weeks). Everything went pretty smoothly and I was quite surprised at how fast they were put on. I didn't experience any pain per se, but felt instant pressure on my teeth. Over the first few days rather than pain, I felt an aching sensation, along with some horribly chapped lips (which unfortunately I still have). I also found it annoying having to brush after every meal, it became really tedious, but I'm now getting used to it. I'm not doing too bad when it comes to eating, I'm still eating pretty soft foods. It's not really because it hurts, but I'm afraid that I break something! My teeth are also a little loose too, I guess they have to be in order to actually move!

I currently have two pictures, the first picture being day 1 and the second picture, day 5 - I'm actually surprised at the slight (very slight) movement already. It could just be me seeing things though...


Day 1


Day 5

So it's been 5 days and I'm starting to get used to them now, the pain has subsided and they're no longer feeling 'alien' to me. I have no regrets in my decision to get braces and I'm really excited to see the changes and movement over the coming months!

I guess that's all really! I'll keep you all updated...

Lewis

[NICURN85]

Hey Lewis! I can see some movement already on your bottom arch. I know you must be excited! Keep us posted with the updates and pics.

[LewisS]

Hey! I will post a new picture every couple of weeks, when I have an adjustment and if I notice any significant changes. Make sure you remember to take a good before picture before you get your braces, I forgot... :/ haha

[NICURN85]

I plan on taking a before and after on Thursday. I am getting my brackets and spacers on that day. Are you using imageshack or photo bucket to upload your pictures?

[LewisS]

Imageshack, I was going to signup to Photobucket, but you need a username etc. with Imageshack, you just simply enter your email address. Oh and on Imageshack it allows you to upload the picture at a size that is appropriate for messageboards, so I found that useful.

[NICURN85]

Thanks so much!! Imageshack it will be for me. Im getting nervous/excited at the same time. I was hoping for a 730 appointment but mine is at 1000. I know I won't sleep the night before and all this weekend my friends are taking me out to eat all the foods I will not be able to enjoy for awhile

[LewisS]

I wish I did that...I didn't really eat that much the day before my braces, which I now regret! So I advise you to do so! There's no need to be nervous though, I imagined some really long and painful process and in reality I was there for like 45 minutes. At the most it just feels a little odd when you initially feel the brackets on against your lips. I think things just become more annoying than painful...I'm sick of food getting stuck in my expander. Other than that, I don't think my diet will be affected that much.

[NICURN85]

Thanks for the heads up on not being nervous. I think what I am nervous about is before the brackets and spacers go in I have my official consult. I am hoping I do not have to have any teeth extracted. I know from the initial consult I was told I would be wearing rubber bands and head gear. Hopefully I may be able to get away from the head gear and wear the Forsus appliance I have researched that is kind of replacing the head gear so I know that is one of the questions I will have at my consult. I had a big steak today along with a huge salad because I know I probably will not be able to have that for awhile.

[LewisS]

Yeah I have to admit I was a little nervous during that stage. I was told I had to have 3 extractions and warned that my face may look different afterwards. My orthodontist kinda warned me off braces a little because he said my top lip would dip inwards a little, but I personally wouldn't mind that, because in pictures I have always noticed I look a little buck toothed. He also said I needed jaw surgery, but that would cost me £10,000 - I can deal with a small overbite, it's only 5mm. Don't worry about it though, it's just stuff that they have an obligation to tell you, if they really thought it was a bad idea for me to get braces, they wouldn't have given me them.

I'm so jealous! This morning I was struggling to eat bacon...due to the extractions I barely have teeth to chew with! The ones I do are surrounded by metal...

[BetsyBug]

Welcome and congratulations on getting braced!!! I think its a great thing to journal your experience with your braces. You will see some big changes in the next few months. It will be exciting!!!

[LewisS]

So, it's been 2 weeks! Things overall are starting to improve a lot - I no longer have REALLY chapped lips, no more pain, I can eat pretty much anything and most of the time I forget I have braces on! When I first got them it felt like I had a huge chunk of sharp metal in my mouth...

I haven't noticed any significant changes in regards to movement, other than a few gaps developing. I guess that's a good thing, because my teeth must have to spread out a little before they begin to align. My teeth also feel very loose, which I guess they need to be in order to move around - this means I struggle with directly biting into food, so I have to chop most things up into small pieces.

Here's pictures of week one in comparison to week 2, no major differences. I really need to learn how to take pictures at the same angles though...


Week 1


Week 2

That's pretty much all I have to say! Things are getting a lot easier (pain, eating etc.), I guess now I just have to wait! I'll probably make another post in a couple of weeks and then another when I have my first adjustment.

Lewis.

[LewisS]

I need to start updating again! I'll try get pictures for later on, because my teeth look SO much different from my previous pictures!

[oldguy]

oldguy here.........


Your pictures are just beautiful.....the braces are nice too.. May I ask how you get such clear photo's?

I have not posted pictures, because they are real poor quality. I am using a SPAMTRONIC SPAMSONIC SPAMONAIDE SPAMSTER SPAM SPAMINATOR camera.



oldguy

[Kipepeo]

oldguy here.........


Your pictures are just beautiful.....the braces are nice too.. May I ask how you get such clear photo's?

I have not posted pictures, because they are real poor quality. I am using a SPAMTRONIC SPAMSONIC SPAMONAIDE SPAMSTER SPAM SPAMINATOR camera.



oldguy

Reading this last thread before turning in for the night and I see this. Hilarious.

[Duncan5]

Hi oldguy, I have quite an old compact digital that has a macro mode. The photos with this switched on means the autofocus is much more suited to extreme close-up toothy grins, and the flash is less powerful. I also try to take photos during the day so the daylight gives a more even light; the flash is off to one side and gives a rather uneven light. So the settings are macro AF with red-eye flash and daylight for fill in lighting. There's also a grid overlay that is useful for getting similar alignment in each shot. Hope that's useful, D.