New here - have an appointment with an ortho on Oct. 18

[Ciara]

Hi all,
I am going to see an orthodontist on Oct. 18th at the recommendation of my regular, but rather new, dentist. My previous dentist said I had an "unusual bite" but never expanded further even when I asked what he meant. I changed dentists in March this year and one of the first things my new dentist said was that I really needed to see an orthodontist. We agreed to fix other problems I had (old fillings and a crown that needed replacing, a premolar that was cracked was extracted, 2 soft-tissue impacted wisdom teeth extracted). Now, that all this is done, she brought up my need to see an orthodontist again.

What I learned from her is that I have a unilateral posterior crossbite, an asymmetrical midline - about 1 tooth width off, a deep bite and several teeth that are not straight. I have tight spaces between my teeth which results in the "dental floss battle" twice a day. I also have TMD and my jaw has totally locked up at least twice in the last 3 years. I have constant headaches and what I thought was an earache but the ENT doctor could find no reason for this and suggested that it is from my jaw. Since I've had my wisdom teeth removed and old fillings replaced (2 were a bit high) my TMD problems have decreased a lot in severity.

My dentist feels that fixing my bite and midline asymmetry should help with my TMD. Cosmetically, I'd love to have a straight smile but a healthy mouth is more important.

I'm a bit nervous to say the least. I'm 42 so no spring chicken. Also, I am originally from Ireland but I now live in Japan. My Japanese is Ok but not fantastic. Orthodontic treatment is not covered by insurance and is extremely expensive. I will be paying between $8,000-$10,000 over the next 2.5-3 years (this is how long my dentist thinks it would take to fix my problems).

I am interested to hear what the orthodontist will say...but at the same time I am wondering if this will be worth the cost, time effort and discomfort? Is 42 too old to be contemplating this? It is rare to see adults, and still rather unusual to see teenagers, with braces here so embarrassment will be another factor. I work at a university and am wondering what impact all the "stuff" (nice technical word there!) will have on my speech....

Any advice and support would be greatly appreciated.

[Dee17]

Hi Ciara,
I just came across your posting tonight. I've been visiting this forum for a few months. I don't have braces yet but am scheduled to get them at the end of October. I am 54 years old. So, I can definitely appreciate where you're coming from. I would never have even contemplated the thought of getting braces except for the fact that I have developed a very large space between my two front teeth. It is absolutely killing me because it has caused a lot of problems with my speech (aside from the terrible way it makes me look). When I went to my dentist shortly after it had opened up, he said that the only way I would be able to have it closed would be to get braces. Two consultations with two different orthodontists later confirmed this and here I am.
I am also very nervous about the whole ordeal and am really dreading it. I have never had any problems with my teeth before aside from having two root canals which were both done years ago. My teeth were always straight and very nice looking. In fact, they are still very straight despite the large unsightly gap between them. So, I am getting ready for two years of braces and am scared half to death about the whole thing.
I guess you will have to weigh how much you really think this is necessary versus how much you will feel embarrassed by wearing braces at your age. I know that I am really, really nervous about that and expect that it will probably be at lear a week after I have them put on before I am ready to go out in public and face the world.
You mentioned in your post that your Japanese is not very good. Is that one of the reasons you are worried about going to meet with an orthodontist? Are you worried about not being able to properly ask your questions and/or understanding his answers? If that's the case, can you find a translator to take with you to your appointment? That might help alleviate some of your stress.
One of my other issues is that my husband passed away about 6.5 years ago and I have recently reached the point where I have finally felt ready to start dating again. And now, this. But, as one of my friends put it, braces are not forever. Yes? True? This too shall pass and when it is all over you will have a truly beautiful smile that will last you for the rest of your life. Hope this helps.

[Ciara]

[quote="Dee17"]Hi Ciara,
I just came across your posting tonight. I've been visiting this forum for a few months. I don't have braces yet but am scheduled to get them at the end of October. I am 54 years old. So, I can definitely appreciate where you're coming from. I would never have even contemplated the thought of getting braces except for the fact that I have developed a very large space between my two front teeth. It is absolutely killing me because it has caused a lot of problems with my speech (aside from the terrible way it makes me look). When I went to my dentist shortly after it had opened up, he said that the only way I would be able to have it closed would be to get braces. Two consultations with two different orthodontists later confirmed this and here I am.
I am also very nervous about the whole ordeal and am really dreading it. I have never had any problems with my teeth before aside from having two root canals which were both done years ago. My teeth were always straight and very nice looking. In fact, they are still very straight despite the large unsightly gap between them. So, I am getting ready for two years of braces and am scared half to death about the whole thing.
I guess you will have to weigh how much you really think this is necessary versus how much you will feel embarrassed by wearing braces at your age. I know that I am really, really nervous about that and expect that it will probably be at [b]lear[/b] a week after I have them put on before I am ready to go out in public and face the world.
You mentioned in your post that your Japanese is not very good. Is that one of the reasons you are worried about going to meet with an orthodontist? Are you worried about not being able to properly ask your questions and/or understanding his answers? If that's the case, can you find a translator to take with you to your appointment? That might help alleviate some of your stress.
One of my other issues is that my husband passed away about 6.5 years ago and I have recently reached the point where I have finally felt ready to start dating again. And now, this. But, as one of my friends put it, braces are not forever. Yes? True? This too shall pass and when it is all over you will have a truly beautiful smile that will last you for the rest of your life. Hope this helps.[/quote]


Thank you so much for the support, Dee. I've been reading through the forums all morning and have found several other people in their 40s and 50s who have got braces. This has made me feel a bit less foolish :-)

It sounds like we may end up having braces at about the same time! I really admire your courage to have this done and to start dating again. It shows such great strength of character! I had no idea that teeth moved so much when we are adults and that adults could need braces. Wow, this is going to be an interesting experience.

I guess the language issue is part of the reason I'm so nervous - my dentist has told me that the orthodontist she recommends the most speaks English (she has given me 3 names but has strongly suggested I use one) but I know from past experience that this will be highly technical English so I'm now reading everything I can get my hands on to improve my understanding and knowledge of orthodontic terms. I can bring my husband (he is Japanese) with me but in Japan it is not common for a patient (or their family) to ask any questions. I know he won't ask questions and he doesn't really know medical terms in English. I think this cultural differences is what is causing me the most worry.

I'm worried that I won't be able to speak clearly and that my students will have problems understanding me - I will tell them what is happening before I get braces, so I hope they will understand. I am teaching mostly academic writing classes this semester and my students are university students not kids.

At least, I now have found this forum and I think someone here should be able to explain anything I don't really understand. And as your friend said, braces are not for ever! Just a few years of a new learning experience.
Thanks again,
Ciara

[Dee17]

Hi Ciara,
Thanks for explaining your concerns about the language. Even though my father was Japanese (he passed away two years ago) I am not very familiar with all the cultural barriers. If it were me, though, and I was nervous despite the cultural issues, I would strongly consider trying to find a translator (at least for that first crucial meeting). But it's part of my nature to try to be as prepared as possible.
As for your teaching, yes I can understand your concerns about that especially in Japan where I'm sure that most adolescents probably don't wear braces. My understanding is that when braces are first put on there can be some speech problems but these seem to go away within about a week after you've had some time to adjust to them. So, I'd try to relax about that as much as possible. Believe me, though, it's something I've really been thinking about too. I'm scheduled to get my braces on on October 25th and I have a social engagement scheduled for the 28th. I'm already thinking of how I will be able to get out of it gracefully without having to send an email to the group saying, "Oh, I just got my braces put on two days ago and I'm having pain or am just not ready to face the world yet!" I would be extremely embarrassed about having to do that.
As for me dating.... well, no men are actually beating down the door so I really haven't come to that bridge as of yet. One of my friends also said that wearing braces would act as a good filter to screen out the superficial guys.... not so sure about that yet. I'll just have to see . So, keep in touch and let me know how you decide to handle things. I'll be keeping up wit your story. Hang in there. It may get worse but it will eventually get better. Or so I've been told!

[klobird]

I'm 56 with braces. My feeling at the beginning was---"in 2 years, I will be 2 years older no matter what--so why not have straight teeth in 2 years?" The scariest thing for me about braces---is that at my age these 2 years are going waaaaaayyyyyy too fast!!!!

Also-there is soooo much information on the web and on this site--if you study braces online, you will pretty much know about everything the ortho is doing, and can request alternatives because you are so well-informed. It has been a tremendous help to me.

I'll have to admit---in the beginning the thought of 2 years was pretty daunting--but look where I am now---lickity split!! You can do it!!

(And Dee--I got braced on Friday morning and had to go to a retirement dinner that Friday evening. It was great as far as the comments--"you look 10 years younger"--but trying to eat dinner was a bit of a mistake!! So, really, socially--just not as bad as you might be imagining...)

[Kipepeo]

Hi Ciara. I don't mean for this to sound bad, but I've heard that in Japan having braces is all the rage...at least for young girls. I'm surprised that you say they're not that common.

And once you do get braced, you learn to deal with them pretty quickly. Are you ever going to slur your speech, lisp, drool, spit, or smile with a big chunk of spinach caught up front? Of course. But don't we do that sometimes without braces?

[Ciara]

[quote="Kipepeo"]Hi Ciara. I don't mean for this to sound bad, but I've heard that in Japan having braces is all the rage...at least for young girls. I'm surprised that you say they're not that common.

And once you do get braced, you learn to deal with them pretty quickly. Are you ever going to slur your speech, lisp, drool, spit, or smile with a big chunk of spinach caught up front? Of course. But don't we do that sometimes without braces?[/quote]


LOL, that made me laugh! Yes, I've done all these (nori - seaweed - not spinach) and I guess it will give me something to laugh at. I need to relax a bit about all this and try to keep a sense of hunour.

I taught 6 classes last semester so about 300 students. There were only 2 kids with braces and one got them off over the summer vacation - her teeth look amazing. Perhaps if I taught high school I'd see a few more but when I did (I stopped 3 years ago) almost none had braces. This might be different in the big cities but in our more rural area, by Japanese standards it is rural, they are not common. It is fashionable at the moment to have crooked teeth and I've founds stories online of kids going to an orthodontist asking for braces to make their teeth crooked (?_?)

[Ciara]

[quote="klobird"]I'm 56 with braces. My feeling at the beginning was---"in 2 years, I will be 2 years older no matter what--so why not have straight teeth in 2 years?" The scariest thing for me about braces---is that at my age these 2 years are going waaaaaayyyyyy too fast!!!! :yikes: :huh: :yikes: :yikes:

Also-there is soooo much information on the web and on this site--if you study braces online, you will pretty much know about everything the ortho is doing, and can request alternatives because you are so well-informed. It has been a tremendous help to me.

I'll have to admit---in the beginning the thought of 2 years was pretty daunting--but look where I am now---lickity split!! You can do it!!

(And Dee--I got braced on Friday morning and had to go to a retirement dinner that Friday evening. It was great as far as the comments--"you look 10 years younger"--but trying to eat dinner was a bit of a mistake!! So, really, socially--just not as bad as you might be imagining...)[/quote]

Oh, I'm studying very hard - should have studied this hard when I was at school. And this site is fantastic! I've found so much already without even leaving here. I think I'll be quite an amateur orthodontist by the time this is over.

I'm glad the 2 years are going by quickly for you and yes, the 2 years will happen no matter what I do so I'd way as well...... 10 years younger sounds good! Thank you for such an upbeat and honest perspective!

[Ciara]

[quote="Dee17"]Hi Ciara,
Thanks for explaining your concerns about the language. Even though my father was Japanese (he passed away two years ago) I am not very familiar with all the cultural barriers. If it were me, though, and I was nervous despite the cultural issues, I would strongly consider trying to find a translator (at least for that first crucial meeting). But it's part of my nature to try to be as prepared as possible.
As for your teaching, yes I can understand your concerns about that especially in Japan where I'm sure that most adolescents probably don't wear braces. My understanding is that when braces are first put on there can be some speech problems but these seem to go away within about a week after you've had some time to adjust to them. So, I'd try to relax about that as much as possible. Believe me, though, it's something I've really been thinking about too. I'm scheduled to get my braces on on October 25th and I have a social engagement scheduled for the 28th. I'm already thinking of how I will be able to get out of it gracefully without having to send an email to the group saying, "Oh, I just got my braces put on two days ago and I'm having pain or am just not ready to face the world yet!" I would be extremely embarrassed about having to do that.
As for me dating.... well, no men are actually beating down the door so I really haven't come to that bridge as of yet. One of my friends also said that wearing braces would act as a good filter to screen out the superficial guys.... not so sure about that yet. I'll just have to see . So, keep in touch and let me know how you decide to handle things. I'll be keeping up wit your story. Hang in there. It may get worse but it will eventually get better. Or so I've been told! :roll:[/quote]

[Ciara]

[quote="Ciara"][quote="Dee17"]Hi Ciara,
Thanks for explaining your concerns about the language. Even though my father was Japanese (he passed away two years ago) I am not very familiar with all the cultural barriers. If it were me, though, and I was nervous despite the cultural issues, I would strongly consider trying to find a translator (at least for that first crucial meeting). But it's part of my nature to try to be as prepared as possible.
As for your teaching, yes I can understand your concerns about that especially in Japan where I'm sure that most adolescents probably don't wear braces. My understanding is that when braces are first put on there can be some speech problems but these seem to go away within about a week after you've had some time to adjust to them. So, I'd try to relax about that as much as possible. Believe me, though, it's something I've really been thinking about too. I'm scheduled to get my braces on on October 25th and I have a social engagement scheduled for the 28th. I'm already thinking of how I will be able to get out of it gracefully without having to send an email to the group saying, "Oh, I just got my braces put on two days ago and I'm having pain or am just not ready to face the world yet!" I would be extremely embarrassed about having to do that.
As for me dating.... well, no men are actually beating down the door so I really haven't come to that bridge as of yet. One of my friends also said that wearing braces would act as a good filter to screen out the superficial guys.... not so sure about that yet. I'll just have to see . So, keep in touch and let me know how you decide to handle things. I'll be keeping up wit your story. Hang in there. It may get worse but it will eventually get better. Or so I've been told! :roll:[/quote][/quote]

Whoops, I think I may have pressed "submit" without a message....can't find an edit button ....

I can cope with a week of speech problems since I pretty much have control of my own schedule. I'll just give them a lot of busy work that week so I won't have to say much. Let's hope for both of us, that the speech problems won't be so bad! I've made a list of questions I want answered and I've warned my husband that I will need answers to these. He is looking a bit confused but when I point out how much this will cost, he agrees that we should have answers. A Japanese father? How interesting! Have you ever been here?

I thing your braces would make an interesting topic at your social event and you may actually inspire some other people to get their teeth fixed. Your friend has made a very good point. Any guy who would be put off by braces wouldn't be much of a catch anyhow.

I'll also be following your story - as soon as I figure out how to follow a story.

[smilehope]

Hi Ciara,

I'm 7 months into a 18-24 month estimate. Time just whizzes by, I can't believe it was a year ago I started talking with my regular dentist about the possibility of orthodontics.

I'm 43 (was 42 when I had them fitted), TMJ, overbite, crowding - sound familiar? You are not alone!!

You will find lots of support on here.

[Dee17]

Hi Ciara,
I've been thinking a lot about your predicament. I was wondering: maybe you could call the orthodontist and tell him about your fears about not fully understanding the language and asking him if it would be okay if you brought an interpreter to your appointment. If he says, yes, then maybe you could ask him if he might be able to recommend one.
I'm not really sure where you're located but my daughter has a very good friend who lives in the south of Japan. She a Canadian girl but moved there to work as a translator. She's fluent in Japanese and actually married a Japanese guy. If you think that would help, I could get in touch with her and see if she might have some ideas. Not too sure how I'd get the two of you together, though. Are you on Facebook by any chance?
You're absolutely right about this site. In fact, I had been lurking on this site fora while and reading the stories of the many people over the age of 40 who had braces. That was what finally convinced me to move forward with my treatment, believe it or not. Otherwise,I think I would have just resigned myself to living with this horrible space between my teeth for the rest of my life.
Yes there are a lot of things to consider, especially when it comes to eating and speaking in public while wearing braces. Since I haven't actually experienced any of that yet, I can not talk about how it was for me. But soon I will be able to.
I think that the one thing that really helps me the most is the way that most of the non-brace wearing folk I've talked to about my anxiety continually reassure me that most people a) simply don't really notice if another adult is wearing braces on their teeth and/or b) if they do, they make a mental note and move on to the topic at hand because most people are generally very self-centered on their own business and could care less. I also think that in Japan which is so notorious for being a polite society that even if anyone does notice, they would die of shame before they would ever say anything to you or point it out to another person. Just my thoughts on the subject.
My return appointment with my orthodontist is October 12 and I'm very anxious about it. I am hoping that it goes well and he tells me that we can move forward to the next step which is actually putting the brackets on. He may not, though, depending on what the report from the periodontist said. So, I'm still in a wait and see holding pattern here and I hate it. The whole experience has filled me with nothing but anxiety since it first began. I am actually really hoping that when I finally get my braces put on that my anxiety will go away.
Hope you're having a good weekend.

[Ciara]

Hi Ciara,
I've been thinking a lot about your predicament. I was wondering: maybe you could call the orthodontist and tell him about your fears about not fully understanding the language and asking him if it would be okay if you brought an interpreter to your appointment. If he says, yes, then maybe you could ask him if he might be able to recommend one.
I'm not really sure where you're located but my daughter has a very good friend who lives in the south of Japan. She a Canadian girl but moved there to work as a translator. She's fluent in Japanese and actually married a Japanese guy. If you think that would help, I could get in touch with her and see if she might have some ideas. Not too sure how I'd get the two of you together, though. Are you on Facebook by any chance?
You're absolutely right about this site. In fact, I had been lurking on this site fora while and reading the stories of the many people over the age of 40 who had braces. That was what finally convinced me to move forward with my treatment, believe it or not. Otherwise,I think I would have just resigned myself to living with this horrible space between my teeth for the rest of my life.
Yes there are a lot of things to consider, especially when it comes to eating and speaking in public while wearing braces. Since I haven't actually experienced any of that yet, I can not talk about how it was for me. But soon I will be able to.
I think that the one thing that really helps me the most is the way that most of the non-brace wearing folk I've talked to about my anxiety continually reassure me that most people a) simply don't really notice if another adult is wearing braces on their teeth and/or b) if they do, they make a mental note and move on to the topic at hand because most people are generally very self-centered on their own business and could care less. I also think that in Japan which is so notorious for being a polite society that even if anyone does notice, they would die of shame before they would ever say anything to you or point it out to another person. Just my thoughts on the subject.
My return appointment with my orthodontist is October 12 and I'm very anxious about it. I am hoping that it goes well and he tells me that we can move forward to the next step which is actually putting the brackets on. He may not, though, depending on what the report from the periodontist said. So, I'm still in a wait and see holding pattern here and I hate it. The whole experience has filled me with nothing but anxiety since it first began. I am actually really hoping that when I finally get my braces put on that my anxiety will go away.
Hope you're having a good weekend.

Thanks again, Dee. This site has helped me a lot and I've read loads of stories from the over 40 crowd. It all seems so possible when I read other people's stories. A friend (Japanese lady) has agreed to come with me, to help with any translation/language issues. She is also thinking about getting braces so this may be as much for her as it is for me. She is in her early 50s and is worried that she is too old. I must send her to this site! Her dentist has recommended the same orthodontist. We have heard from our dentists and other people that the orthodontist is very good, has many adult patients, and is quite willing to answer questions or consider alternatives to suite each patient.

I have a feeling that my students will comment. When I changed my hairstyle last year, many commented on it. My friends tell me that it is because I haven't mastered the "professor look" and the students feel comfortable with me.

I'm hoping your appointment on the 12th will go well. I'll be thinking of you on that day!

[Ciara]

Hi Ciara,

I'm 7 months into a 18-24 month estimate. Time just whizzes by, I can't believe it was a year ago I started talking with my regular dentist about the possibility of orthodontics.

I'm 43 (was 42 when I had them fitted), TMJ, overbite, crowding - sound familiar? You are not alone!!

You will find lots of support on here.

Thanks, smilehope! (What a great user name!) I'm very glad to hear that everything is going so well and that time flies by for you. All sounds so hopeful!
Ciara

[Dee17]

Hi Ciara,
Yes, I think that's a really beautiful name, too.
I have to tell you that finding this site and reading all the stories from the "over 40" age group was also instrumental in helping me come to my decision. There were many more people over the age of even 50 than I ever expected to find. They have all done very well with their treatment and made the adjustment well, I think. I am hoping I will be the same way but I've had tremendous anxiety about the whole thing.
I'm glad to know that you may have found someone to go to your appointment with you. It sounds like it would be a very mutually beneficial arrangement and that you might actually be helping her, too! Do let me know how it goes. I'll be heading back to see my own orthodontist on the 19th for my pre-bracket appointment. We're scheduled to discuss the treatment plan and I'm supposed to sign my contract. Then I'm supposed to get my braces put on on October 25th. I am very scared about it and am working very had to try not to be such a big baby. But, it just really terrifies me.