hello all, intoduction and some questions.

[Guest guest]

Many adult folks are really edgy about getting braces on -- but

usually they find out, once they've taken the plunge, that it really

isn't important to anyone but themselves. If that's your concern,

many people won't even notice, and those who do generally either

congratulate you for doing something about what's troubling you, or

tell you that your teeth look fine to them and ask why you're going

through it all, or start telling you about some problem they have and

want to fix.

Honestly, most people don't care at all. (Mine were removed in

October. The following March, a young woman who worked in the same

building I do and used to see me every workday, said " Oh! You got

your braces off! " I smiled and said, " Yes, -- last October!)

As for how long: Typically (if there is such a thing) folks have

somewhere between 12 and 18 months of ortho before surgery, and 2 to

6 months after. But some people have needed years before and some

have needed years after. Your ortho should be able to give you some

idea -- and mine was right on the money -- but be warned: there

exists something Fiddlesticks calls orthognamatics, in which 2

+ 2 can = 5... or 3... or 4. Meaning that estimates often are not on

target. It depends on how rapidly your teeth move (and speed is not

necessarily a Good Thing, because you don't want root resorbtion) and

what needs doing.

What is it about the braces that worries you? They are not the most

comfortable things I've ever worn, but they were eminently put-

uppable with. I always had something uncomfortable -- a sore tooth,

or a wire or bracket that cut or scraped. But with a sense of humor,

a bottle of Ibuprofen and plenty of wax or silicone gel, you can get

through it. You'll need to give it some time, so that you get

accustomed to it, but you can do it, if you have a will to.

Best,

Cammie

> hey everyone, ive lurked here for a few months now. i saw an OS

last summer after doing some research on my bite problem and how to

go about fixing it. i have not started a treatment plan yet because i

have been buys and i guess just a little nervous about it all.

>

> anyways, i had a regular dentist appointment today and told him

about my occasional jaw pain ive been having. he ended up taking some

x rays and measurments and what not. i have a 3mm cross/underbite. my

teeth are not really crooked at all, i do have some slight gaps

between a few teeth but they are all straight. the only problem is my

jaw asymetry. i had never bothered doing anything about it before

since i never had any pain or discomfort and the cosmetics didnt

bother me all too much. however over the past 6-8 months ive been

having some sorness and clicking/popping around my tmj area. also, as

ive grown a little older ( im now 22) the cosmetics are more of a

concern to me.

>

> now, i know it may sound weird, but having surgery doesnt scare or

bother me the slightest bit, its more of getting braces that botheres

me. i know you guys cant really say since your not orthos, but any

idea on how long id need to be in braces pre and post op? like i said

i have a 3mm underbite with straight teeth. also, has anyone else

been in my situation where surgery is not really the deciding factor,

but braces are what make you not want to go throgh with this?

>

> i have not made any arrangements for anything just yet, i have to

go back to the dentist in two weeks to get a small cavity fixed so im

waiting till then to think this all over. i know this is a big

descision and can be life changing in several ways. just want to hear

some thought or opinions on if its really all worth it in the end.

>

> thanks for your time. maybe ill be seeing you guys around here some

more.

> Jer

>