If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!
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So I have been reading and reviewing this website for the past year and a half. Ever since my first consultation in July '05, I have been preparing myself for this journey. I decided to wait until after my wedding to get braces (which was April 2006). I was ready then, but I had to work out things with insurances before starting. Finally... my journey will begin in 1 month. I'm so excited that I CAN NOT wait!
So here were the orthos findings:
lower jaw retrusive from front to back
overjet
crowding in upper & lower jaw
narrow upper jaw
crossbite with functional shift of lower jaw upon closure
I will need to have jaw surgery at some point during my treatment to help align my jaws correctly. My estimated treatment time is 24 months in braces.
I'm very excited and I can hardly imagine having perfect teeth!!
Here are my before pictures. I plan to keep taking pictures as the process continues.
Last edited by cmm1280 on Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:05 pm, edited 7 times in total.
The desired results will be worth it all in the end. That is what I am going to keep telling myself through it all.
It is funny. You wouldn't think adults would actually be EXCITED about getting braces. I remember as a kid, when most kids learned they were getting braces it was the worst thing in the world. Seems that it is the opposite with adults once they have made the decision to get them.
It is funny. You wouldn't think adults would actually be EXCITED about getting braces. I remember as a kid, when most kids learned they were getting braces it was the worst thing in the world. Seems that it is the opposite with adults once they have made the decision to get them.
This is so true. I think the reason we feel this way is because we have taken control of the decision; it has not been thrust upon us by someone else.
I have 2 weeks and 2 days until the spacers go in!!! I'm not sure how many I will be getting... praying for just 4. (2 on bottom and 2 on top) That would be nice
I'm starting to prepare myself for things I am going to need over the next 3 weeks. I have a heavy supply of advil gelcaps and salt for the salt water rinses. I decided to wait until I actually get the braces on before I buy a dentakit or other supplies. I'm not sure what kind of goodie bag the orthodontist will be giving me on the big day.
AHHHH!! Can't wait to get this **beep** started! Woohoo!
I got an electric toothbrush about 2 years ago for Christmas... I tell you, that is the best invention ever. After I started using the electric, I had such great cleanings at the dentist! I couldn't live without one. I have a sonicare. I was wondering if anyone has seen orthodontic brush heads for the electric toothbrushes? I have never seen them in stores. If not, I'm sure the regular heads will work just fine, they are small enough.
Hi there! It's great to see you have such a good attitude about all of this. I think a positive attitude like yours will get you through the treatment with no problems! Good Luck!
With regards to the electric toothbrush, i have a sonicare like you and my ortho said that the brush head which comes with the brush will be just fine!
Today was the day I broke the news to the immediate people I work with. It's funny, my manager had the same jaw problem I have and went through braces twice! It really was a relief to see that no big deal was made out of it. I know I will be comfortable around people with braces on and I won't have to worry about any comments being made.
(It was a big deal for me to tell the people I work with about it... I was really wondering what people really think about adults getting braces)
But in all honesty, it seems most of them have been through it already and only wish you the best!
I do still have to tell the parents. I really wonder what they will think!!
I'm getting those dreadful spacers in on Oct. 12th. Only a week and a day before this whole ordeal begins!! I'm ready to get that part over with before it has even begun. I know I will be praying for prescription pain medication because I have the strong sense that the best advil on the market will not help. I'm ready though. I will definetly take 2 about 30 mins before I head to my appointment. Hopefully that helps
Tomorrow is the big day..... The big PAINFUL day that is. I'm dreading the spacers , but can't wait to get them in , if that makes any sense! I know that I have week to hold on until I get braced. I'm trying to prepare myself the best I can. I have a hard stock of oatmeal and soup.
I'm really shocked. I guess I was expecting the worst when it came to spacers. It honestly hasn't been bad. Today is Saturday and I got 8 spacers in on Thursday. I haven't had any pain yet. Although, I must admit, I have been popping advil during the day to ensure that I WON'T feel any pain. I wasn't able to chew any meat for dinner last night, but other than that, I'm doing OK. Braces go on on Friday.... can't wait!
I'm glad your spacers aren't giving you much trouble like they do with most people! Now that your spacers are in you are one step closer to a perfect smile . Congratulations on starting your journey.
Drewjb007
Braces are for winners!
Estimated Braces Time: 10 Months.
So Far: Going On 3 Months.
Today was the day! Finally got them on. I was in the chair for over 3 hours! The assistant had such a hard time getting my molar bands on. I also have to get a TPA appliance on my next visit so there are these hooks inside the top arch that had to be saudered on. I do have to say it was quite a strange feeling once the mouth seperators were removed. But I made it through and even had a half day at work!
I'm not in any pain yet, but eating is no fun, nor is flossing... I'm already having a really hard time flossing between teeth that I had no problems flossing before. I had to just give up on a few of them. It's a little scary. I am petrified of gum disease. This is going to take some getting used to. I have a feeling I am going to lose quite a bit of weight .
I have already had a bracket pop off (lower left canine) I had a feeling it would happen and of course it did. I don't think it is a big deal, but I'll have to call the ortho in the morning to see what they say.
I've already started on the salt water rinses and a tiny bit of wax on the molar brackets. I'm really hoping for NO mouth sores. It's going to take some time (hopefully not too much time) for me to get used to all of this action going on in my mouth. Pictures to come soon!!!
Any suggestions for flossing the IMPOSSIBLE areas???
3 hours.....that's quite a marathon. That will most likely be your longest appointment, though.
With flossing "impossible areas" (I presume you mean second molars backwards), I angle the pointy end of the floss thread a bit and find this works quite well. Otherwise, I tend to end up with shreds.
It's funny, my manager had the same jaw problem I have and went through braces twice! It really was a relief to see that no big deal was made out of it. I know I will be comfortable around people with braces on and I won't have to worry about any comments being made. 
, but can't wait to get them in 
, if that makes any sense! I know that I have week to hold on until I get braced. I'm trying to prepare myself the best I can. I have a hard stock of oatmeal and soup.
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