Re: the first step: braces

[Guest guest]

I am 44 and have had my braces on since October 2003 (had upper jaw

surgery in November of 2004). Just my opinion but I would say relax

and go for it. I know quite a few people my age that currently have

braces and quite a few more that have been seriously considering

getting them since seeing me in them. Check out the ceramic type

that are not very noticeable.

>

> Hi everyone,

> I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

> surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

> but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

>

> The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

> braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

lot

> of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

> all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> coping with the idea of braces.

>

> I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything like

> that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

> and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

> with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

to

> get over myself.

>

> Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age that

> has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I am

> going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

> my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

I

> can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

braces

> are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> and how did you deal with them?

>

> Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> Molly

[Guest guest]

Good Day to you

I hear what you are saying about braces, they are not the most

attractive things in the world BUT....it is a means to an end. (I

have the clear ones on the top and most people don't notice them)

Just imagine how you are going to feel by the end of all this with no

more open bite and focus on that.

If there are people who will look at you as unattractive because you

have braces on, well........ I am thinking that that is as good a

sign as any, that they are not worth your time. Just my personal

opinion, besides, how you feel about yourself is what you portray to

others. And GIRL!!! if you feel sexy in your braces.....people will

think you are sexy!!! *grin*

Have a great day..

Tanja

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> > I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> > preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed

this

> > surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> > jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it

too,

> > but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

> >

> > The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to

get

> > braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

> lot

> > of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> > (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> > before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious

at

> > all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> > coping with the idea of braces.

> >

> > I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

like

> > that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing

braces

> > and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> > that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had

trouble

> > with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

> to

> > get over myself.

> >

> > Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

that

> > has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

am

> > going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself

and

> > my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

> I

> > can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

> braces

> > are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> > and how did you deal with them?

> >

> > Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> > Molly

[Guest guest]

Hi Molly - I'm just beginning the process as well and I am a junior

in college. I struggled with the braces part for awhile - I also

had braces when I was younger. I never thought I'd have to go

through that again! I think I've realized that it's just a minor

detail that will help me become who I'll be for the rest of my

life. I definitely plan on getting the clear ceramic braces that

are less noticeable. I've also heard people talk about " white wire

ties " or something like that, which replace the usual bands that

stain after awhile. Can anyone say exactly what these are? The

braces won't seem like such a big deal once you've had them on for a

little while. And it'll be worth it in the end!

>

> Hi everyone,

> I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

> surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

> but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

>

> The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

> braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

lot

> of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

> all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> coping with the idea of braces.

>

> I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

like

> that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

> and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

> with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

to

> get over myself.

>

> Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

that

> has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

am

> going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

> my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

I

> can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

braces

> are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> and how did you deal with them?

>

> Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> Molly

[Guest guest]

Okay, try being 26-27 and having braces! The time is now as they

say. It's just a minor inconvenience and time goes by quickly

enough. I have the regular metal kind and a lot of ppl don't even

notice that I have them, or at least right away. If you are really

that embarrassed, try getting the clear kind. You're more than

likely projecting images on yourself of when you were younger. Your

looks won't change if you get braces, and they aren't as noticeable

when you're older as your face has matured. I honestly think you

are feeding too much into it, it won't be that bad! You'll get used

to them, and for you it won't be for much more than a year ~ that's

a small price to pay for a proper bite=) I find that a year goes by

a lot more quickly since I graduated too. Good luck with everything!

>

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> > I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> > preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed

this

> > surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my

upper

> > jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it

too,

> > but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

> >

> > The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to

get

> > braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

> lot

> > of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get

them

> > (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9

months

> > before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious

at

> > all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> > coping with the idea of braces.

> >

> > I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

> like

> > that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing

braces

> > and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> > that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had

trouble

> > with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and

need

> to

> > get over myself.

> >

> > Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

> that

> > has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

> am

> > going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself

and

> > my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for

me-

> I

> > can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

> braces

> > are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these

concerns

> > and how did you deal with them?

> >

> > Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> > Molly

[Guest guest]

Ok, call me weird, but I'm 28, just getting started on this process

myself, and I am soooo excited to get my braces!!

I'm actually going to the OD in less than an hour to get my bottom

ones on (top will come in 3-4 months.) So I'm lucky I guess that I

only have to have the bottom ones the longest, which are the least

visible, but when I get the top ones on they'll be the clear ones.

But for some reason the thought of braces doesn't bother me. Same

applied for when I was 11 and got them the first time...I thought

that having braces was a " cool " thing that teenagers did.

But even over the last few years I've known several adults who had

braces. My best friend got them after high school, right when we

started college. My neighbor who is about 8 years older than me

(probably 36 or so) just got hers off after 2 years. My parents

have had friends their age who had braces in their 40s. I think

braces are sort of like glasses these days. Everyone either has

them, had them, or knows someone in their close friends/family who

did, so they have no reason to make fun of anyone for it.

Like everyone else said, it's a step toward self-improvement, and

honestly, before you know it they'll be off, you'll look great and

you'll say " Why was I so worried? " As for me, I've thought about

the surgery for 8 years now, and if I'd have just done it back then,

I'd be 6 years post-op now, and I would not have had to be self

conscious about every photo I've had since then, including my

wedding photos.

The only thing that does bug me is that I will have them on this

fall -- and will not have had the surgery by this fall (surgery

isn't until Jan. 06) -- when I have my 10-year reunion...so I will

go to see all my old high school friends (and enemies) with braces

and a still-crooked jaw. I really wish I had done this when I was

your age so I could go to my reunion looking awesome. But then

again, my friends are my friends no matter what, and I can only hope

that my enemies (ok, I didn't really have enemies, but you

know...those snobby girls you didn't like so much) have gained 200

pounds and have no reason to make fun of me.

Phew...sorry for the long answer! Just wanted to throw in my two-

bits. I hope you decide to do what you feel is best for you

(braces or not) and maybe we've helped you out a bit. Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Hi Molly,

I totally understand your feelings about getting braces. BUT, once

they are on, it really wont be such a big deal.

I had to get them on when I was 32. I work in Public Relations and

live in a very looks-oriented place, South Beach!

In my case, my teeth wee straight but I had a slight open bite. So

when I got the braces on, boy did I have a lot of explaining to do.

Noone could understand why I was putting myself through it.

I say go for it! You will be so thrillled in the end. I had braces &

jaw surgery. Total time was for my entire ordeal was about 21 months.

My photos are posted here under in Miami.

Good luck & I promise it won't be so bad!

[Guest guest]

Hi Molly (and everyone else). I am now 25 and was 24 when I had my

braces put on (May 2004). I felt a little strange about having them

put on because I thought I was too old for them. But I spoke with

the orthodontist and we concluded that I could have the clear

brackets put on the top and I would have regular ones put on the

bottom (which haven't been put on yet). After I had them put on the

only people who noticed them were the ones that I had told before-

hand. When I went to my dentist a few months later for my 6 month

cleaning, the assistant taking the x-rays thought I had a retainer,

that's how un-noticeable they really are.

I do have the clear elastics put on the brackets to hold the wire in

place. They do stain, but you can't really tell until they take

them off at the next appointment (because they are pretty much

hidden by the brackets) and they don't stain too badly if you brush

3 or 4 times a day.

The one thing to remember is to floss at least once a day, if not

more. They have a new product on the market (not sure what brand)

where the floss is already attached to a plastic piece so you don't

have to use the plastic needle the orthodontist gives you (which is

annoying to use)...I know they have it at K-Mart. I also have a

water-pik which works great too.

So, I wouldn't worry about getting them. I sometimes forget now

that I even have them on.

Good luck...

>

> Hi everyone,

> I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

> surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

> but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

>

> The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

> braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

lot

> of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

> all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> coping with the idea of braces.

>

> I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

like

> that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

> and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

> with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

to

> get over myself.

>

> Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

that

> has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

am

> going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

> my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

I

> can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

braces

> are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> and how did you deal with them?

>

> Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> Molly

[Guest guest]

5 months ago, my braces were put on. One week prior to that i wrote

a thread similar to this one about how i was not looking forward to

it.

Not only are braces not so bad, I have actually grown to like them.

They are nowhere near as noticable as they feel. One of my friends

did not notice until month 4, and even then it was because i told

him i had them. I have the metal braces.

many people seem to consider them a fashion accessory, and you can

actually buy fake braces.

[Guest guest]

Hi. I am 18 and in my second semester of college. As much as i

wanted the surgery I was dreading braces too. I have already had

them on and off completely twice before and didnt want them again.

My ortho put clear on the top for me and its not bad at all.

Seriously I was dreading the braces more than the recovery of major

surgery. I dont know if you are uncomfortable with the way you look

at all now, but I am very self conscious and I thought braces would

make it even worse. But I actually like having them on because I

know I am actually getting this fixed. And anyone that asks about

why I have braces I can tell them I am having surgery and that

usually kills any questions they have about why i just got them at

my age when my teeth are really straight and ive already had them. I

bragg to them that Im gonna get a mini extreme makeover lol. Braces

have given me a reason to smile more because I know I will be fixing

my bite and gaining a great smile in the next 6 months!! HTH!

>

> Hi everyone,

> I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

> surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

> but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

>

> The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

> braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

lot

> of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

> all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> coping with the idea of braces.

>

> I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

like

> that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

> and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

> with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

to

> get over myself.

>

> Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

that

> has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

am

> going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

> my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

I

> can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

braces

> are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> and how did you deal with them?

>

> Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> Molly

[Guest guest]

Molly i know EXACTLY how you feel i am 22 as well and it has been

more then 10 years since i had braces.. although i felt like a

complete boob (i didn't even let me bf at the time kiss me)

reassurance from my friends and family got me through it. Although i

am totally self aware(when people ask my age i always tell them i

look younger and i know its the braces) people 9 times out of 10

correct me and tell me that i jsut have a young looking face..

additionally people don't really comment because they are aware that

you are fixing the problem that you have.. so what is there to

really say.. besides we aren't in high school anymore..

And finally i have found a large number of guys actually find the

braces.. CUTE on me lol believe it or not i guess they are kinda

cool!

I would love to chat with you sometime and provide support if you

want you can email me at girlwitav6accord@...

t

>

> Hi everyone,

> I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

> preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

> surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

> jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

> but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

>

> The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

> braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a

lot

> of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

> (although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

> before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

> all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

> coping with the idea of braces.

>

> I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything

like

> that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

> and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

> that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

> with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need

to

> get over myself.

>

> Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age

that

> has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I

am

> going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

> my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me-

I

> can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the

braces

> are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

> and how did you deal with them?

>

> Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

> Molly