Getting braces...again!

stinkle

Hi,

haven't posted in here before. I've decided to take the plunge and am finally getting braces on next week. Had them as a teenager but theres been some movement in the past ten years and apparently it could get worse. I'm not too freaked about them, as I know what I'm letting myself in for and the length of time doesn;t seem so bad as an adult. It seemed like a lifetime when I was 13!

Am due to get ceramic ones on top and metal ones below (never had braces on the bottom arch before). I'm wondering what people's experience of the ceramic ones are. I'm pleased to have slightly less noticeable brackets, though I hear the elastics can get stained...

More importantly, how do adults with braces find speaking? I have to do a lot of presentations for my job, which I don't like at the best of times. No doubt the initial period of getting used to the braces will affect my speech, but I've no talks planned for about a month after I get them on...when they get tightened do you find yourself talking weird??? I can't recall having too many problems before in general, but then again I didn't have too many speeches to give as a 13 year old!

littlelady

Hi stinkle - firstly congrats on deciding to get them on again. It took me a couple of years to eventually build up the courage to get them! best decision I ever made!
I was 27 getting mine on & thought I would be so paranoid. I got the porcelain ones on top & bottom, after fretting so much few people even noticed them. I got mine on a Friday so I had the weekend to get used to them before going back to work. First day they felt way too big for my mouth but by Monday I was getting used to them. I just ate softish food for the first few days as they were a bit sensitive. I went for 6 month braces but have them on for nearly 9 months going for adjustments every 2 weeks or so, adjustments were a bit sore but I learned to take a solpadine before I went & I was grand. Check out this forum http://beaut.ie/blog/?p=6712 I used it quite a bit when I had them on, was nice to know there are lots of other people in same situation! When you get them on you wont believe how many people you will notice with them. You wont be sorry you got the & good luck!

stinkle

thanks for the reply I'm kinda excited about getting them, how geeky is that??? I guess cos I had braces before that I feel a bit cheated that my teeth aren't 100% to my liking right now after all the work that went before. Like current photos are annoying cos I know Im not thrilled with my teeth and so I get a bit self conscious, although they arent dreadful at all, just a bit crooked again.Think theyre going on on Thursday, so might have to hide for a day or two till I get used to them. Are bottom ones sore by the way? I didnt have them on the bottom before and have really bad crowding there so
am imagining that's going to feel weird and possibly sorer with all the moving that will be going on....


I bet ill get a few comments in work from annoying people, but some friends already know I'm taking the plunge and have been supportive. Like I said, I HATE having to speak in public so hopefully this wont be an extra stress factor! Although being strung out on painkillers could be a bonus

doc_17

Hi there. I'm 30 and got the invisalign braces 6 months ago and I'm so glad I did it. You do speak a little bit differently initially but you soon adapt. My only regret is that i didn't do it a year ago and be done with it by now! you'll never find the timw going in

day dreamer

Great decision on getting the braces, I have yet to meet a patient that regretted once their initial fears have been dealt with

The elastics can get stained so avoid smoking, red wine, tea and coffees and curries. All the good stuff!

Some white braces dont use elastics so they wont stain. There are also white wires available but they dont look great to be honest but you could ask your orthodontist.

Fixed appliances or traintracks wont affect your speech and tightening wont make any difference. Only lingual appliances or removable appliances that have a lot of plastic affect your speech so feel free to talk as much as you like.

Best of luck!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

stinkle best of luck with the braces, I am sure you will be delighted with the results in the end.

bazmaiden

Best of luck, I hope it all goes well. I too had braces from about 13-16yrs and my teeth were fine but I was never given a retainer by my ortho

anyway in the final year of college i noticed that my teeth began to get very crooked again, especially on the bottom, and so last September I decided to get them again as the Orthodentist said it should only take only 6 months to complete. And i'm actually getting them off on Wed.

It was much more comfortable the second time round but I felt that I should have went for the see through brackets as i do feel a bit embarrased having a mouth full of metal at 23!

stinkle

thanks for all the support, I'm relieved to hear that I shouldn't have any probs with speaking will look into the non-staining options, I love my tea and curries! least of my worries really though.

bazmaiden, that's exactly how I ended up needing braces again, if only I'd worn my retainer.... good luck getting them off! I'm sure the time flew by

bazmaiden

stinkle wrote: »

thanks for all the support, I'm relieved to hear that I shouldn't have any probs with speaking will look into the non-staining options, I love my tea and curries! least of my worries really though.

bazmaiden, that's exactly how I ended up needing braces again, if only I'd worn my retainer.... good luck getting them off! I'm sure the time flew by

Hey stinkle got them off on wedensday and i'm delighted so far, had to wear a see through retainer for six months now and also have to go back in 3 weeks to get a fixed retainer on the bottom and get two white spots from my front two teeth removed,

but i am so happy I did it and will be glad to give any advice, based on my own experience, if you want