Re: Braces tomorrow: I may back out!

[Guest guest]

--

Getting braces doesn't mean that you *have* to have jaw surgery.

Even after you get them on, you can switch treatment plans, or talk

to another orthodontist. if all you want to do is straighten your

teeth, then feel free to do just that.

I have an overbite and was definitely in the same place as you were

when I started this process, and as surgery draws closer (less than

three weeks...) I still have my doubts. Keep in mind that if you

have functional problems you may not be aware of them. My

orthodontist pointed out that my facial muscles are very well

developed, and that's because of the extra strain they have on them

due to my small jaw. Before he told me that I never would have

thought that I had a " functional " problem.

And as for getting your teeth straightened--my teeth became straight

in a matter of months and even with my braces on, I'm much happier

with my smile than I was before I got my braces. You'd be surprised

at how much of a difference just the straightening can make.

Also, someone else has mentioned this, but this board is not an

accurate representation of people's satisfaction with surgery.

People with no complications whatsoever, no insecurities about their

surgery and uneventful recoveries are much less likely to come to

this board in the first place. Some of us (myself included!) are

insecure about our decision to have surgery, and we're a bit more

prone to worrying--so we may interpret our results differently.

Talk to your orthodontist and surgeon about it some more. Remember

that you're not doing anything at this point that cna't be

reversed. Give yourself a chance to get braces and do something ot

make yourself happy.

Good luck and keep us posted--

Pamela

>

> Hi, Im supposed to be getting my braces put on tomorrow but within

> the last 24 hours Ive suddenly got many doubts and am thinking of

> pulling out. I hate my smile and my teeth are very crooked and

> overcrowded. My jaws dont look perfect but its not really

noticable

> and people are surprised if I mention the surgey to fix them.

>

> My sudden concern is that ive read most people saying they wouldnt

do

> it for cosmetic reasons. But that is the only reason for me

really, I

> dont have functional problems. I am worried that I will look worse

> after surery. The differences are meant to be subtle and my

surgeon

> has said he will make as little change as he can because I dont

need

> much, but I am worried that just small changes will make me regret

> the surgery if I look worse. Ive read of one person on here saying

> that their lips and nose dont settle on their face the same way as

> before and that they regret their surgery. I would hate this to

> happen to me. Is that more likely to happen to someone who is

having

> major changes as opposed to small changes like me, or could such

bad

> results happen to anyone.

>

> My final question is, do most people getting this surgery have

over

> crowded or very crooked teeth? Because this is my main reason for

> getting the surgery, to correct this. But I dont really here many

> people on here talking about crooked teeth so im wondering if most

of

> you had crooked teeth before treatment. Im quite stressed out

> suddenly and would appreciate any replies to anything ive said, I

> really dont know if Im going to get these braces now.

>

> Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, it is possible to back out -- especially if you do so BEFORE

your ortho has moved the teeth into their presurgical lineup.

But here are a few ideas you may want to keep in mind.

First, the first few weeks in braces are way more difficult, from the

standpoint of getting used to them -- than later work, at least for

most people.

Not trying to scare you, but your mouth will " toughen up, " and you'll

find that things that bother you at first are pretty much ignorable.

Also, do use wax and/or silicone gel to help ease the transition into

all those wires and brackets. Just don't give up too soon, and be

sure you give yourself enough time to get " broken in, " before you

give up.

And if you're worried about others' reaction, you'll soon discover

that most people don't give a whit. Most of the people who wanted to

talk with me about ortho were people who were trying to figure out

what they could/should do about their own mouths.

>

> hey guys, thanks a lot for your posts and support! I wasnt quite

> clear in my original post tho. My dentist and surgeon have said

that

> having just braces wont really help, because if i get them, then my

> teeth wont match up and the end result will probably be worse for

me.

> They have said that its pretty much all or nothing. This is why I

am

> not really concerned with the braces at all, I am only concerned

> about regretting the surgery in the long term future. The fact that

I

> am supposed to be getting braces tomorrow and starting this

procedure

> has just brought all these worries to the surface today really. If

i

> could sort out my teeth without surgery I definately would, but

this

> isnt an option for me.

>

> My current state of mind is that I get the braces tomorrow, then

get

> further appointments in the next week or so to dicuss all of my

> concerns. If i then decided that I really dont want to go through

> with it, is it possible for me to get the braces off then? As long

as

> it hasnt gone too far? I still think i probably will go through

with

> it, but is it still possible for me to back out soon after getting

> braces put on?

>

> Thanks again,

>