Re: really unhappy!

September 26, 2005

Hi Ike101,

I don't know about the frequency of pre op people being on the low

end of the time estimate. I am with you in hoping for the short end

of the estimate.

As for teeth being straight helping, I don't know. I have really

straight teeth preop, but was told I would be in braces 2 years

preop, as it doesn't so much have to do with straightening the teeth

as aligning them where they need to be for the jaw realignment post

op. I have more distance to move, so will be in braces longer if

that makes any sense.

I am in the same situation. I am hoping for the shortest of

timeframes as well. But hang in there. Most people are not

distracted by my braces I find. So many more adults are wearing

braces now, that most people don't even notice that I am wearing

them, and there certainly hasn't been a negative reation from anyone.

Sending you best wishes for this. Let us know what you find out

next week. No one wants to do this, but it is doable and there is a

ton of support here.

Hugs,

Fran

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already

had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done

as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there

has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going

to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back

to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do

this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a

26

> year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

Hey there!

I'm also about to get braces again (for the second time in my case) and am not

looking

forward to being a 29-year-old woman with braces! The timeframe I was given was

about

one year pre-op and then about six months afterwards.....sounds about the same

as

yours. My teeth are also pretty straight...I think it's more about fixing the

positioning of

the jaws.

I'm curious - are you getting the traditional metal braces or have you thought

about the

clear ones? My ortho said that most people still get the stainless steel grill

but they offer

the clear brackets for a little bit more money....am trying to figure out what

to do.

Hang in there, hopefuly the time will pass quicker than you think!

MW

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a 26

> year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

Hi,

your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. I had braces on from the time i

was 7 to 17 years old a total of 3 times with 3 or 4 months break in

between. When I was 17 they told me I would need the surgery in order

to ensure that my bite stayed perfect but I refused. At 26 I was

suffering from severe headaches as a result of TMJ pain, jaw popping

and locking and mastication problems, just to mention a few things.

SO I decided to go through with the surgery just as you have. My

ortho gave me a conservative estimate of 6 to 9 months pre-op but I

really stressed that I would like to keep it to 6 pre-op. He said he

would try his best but that I would have to accept that post-op I

might need to wear them for up to 9 months. I agreed that was fine.

Well funnily enough I was ready for surgery after only 4 months. I

ended up having to wait another 2 months before doing the surgery

because I was finishing my master degree and couldn't afford to take

the time off for the surgery. Now I'm 3 months and 3 weeks post-op

and in a week I get my bottom braces off. Yippeeee!!! And hopefully

by mid-November I also get my top braces off. That means I will have

had them on for a total of 6 months pre-op, and 6 and half months

post-op - just over a year. So not bad at all! My ortho told me that

my teeth move very quickly as a result of having worn braces in the

past and that it did help that i had worn braces previously because

it meant he had less work to do pre and post-op in terms of

straightening teeth. I did have two upper bicuspids removed on my top

jaw so much of the orthodontic work by ortho has had to do has

involved closing gaps from where the teeth were removed.

As regards being 26 with braces. I promise it's not as bad as you

think. I kept on noticing how so many adults actually had braces and

was surprised. You'll feel self conscious at first but they you get

used to it. I might add that since my surgery I really forget TOTALLY

about my braces for whole days because my bite just looks so much

better. I've had some people say to me " you have braces? where, i

can't seem them. " So there you go. It's worth it in my humble opinion.

Good luck,

Sara

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already

had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done

as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there

has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going

to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back

to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a

26

> year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

I guess I'd be ok with one year. Actually I'd be happy with one year

of braces considering they could be on for longer.

Can the orthos speed up the pre and post op braces in any way? You

said you " stressed " the six month timeline...do you think doing that

makes any difference in the length of time they are on though? Do

you recommend regular braces or the clear ones?

I still can't believe I'm going to do this.

> > Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

> >

> > When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> > (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had

already

> had

> > braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I

never

> > did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be

done

> as

> > I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to

the

> > ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

> the

> > length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

> presurgery

> > and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out

there

> has

> > actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is

going

> to

> > be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so

I'm

> > hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

> time

> > in braces than I have to!

> >

> > I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going

back

> to

> > the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do

this

> > but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being

a

> 26

> > year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

Hello...28 (almost 29) year-old here, about to go in for surgery.

I started this process in Jan 05 and was told 12 mos braces, then

surgery, then 6 mos braces post-op, then retainer. I am now at 9 mos

braces and I'm having surgery this week. My teeth moved a lot faster

than they expected for someone my age.

So chins up...you might be ready sooner than they anticipate, but I

wouldn't count on it just in case they are right. Just mentally

encourage those teeth to get moving.

As far as which braces to get, my OD didn't even really give me the

option of metal. He said all of his adults get clear and that was

really the only way to go as an adult. I don't know what the price

diff. was because he just gave me the price for what I have (which is

clear), but since he's the OD my OS rec'd, I went with his suggestion.

Good luck to you both!

~

September 26, 2005

I recommend ceramic for your upper front. They are not as visible as

metal. But, it's amazing how acceptable braces are these days. I'm

45 and going through braces for the second time (had them at 17, but

the Ortho didn't know what he was doing). Also, they are so much

easier then they were back then, everything was bands and wires....

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do fine!

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already

had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done

as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there

has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going

to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back

to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a

26

> year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

I also started with braces for the second time when I was 25 to move

my teeth into position for surgery. I was told 12-18 months of pre-

surgery time and it ended up being 14. My teeth were pretty straight

and lined up relative to each other (due to the first braces when I

was in junior high school)but they were angled to compensate for my

bad jaw alignment. So I had straight teeth with a underbite. As they

moved my teeth to their proper angle, my underbite looked worse and

showed more of the natural discrepancy. I had upper/lower on Aug

31.

I really dreaded the time in braces but it went by fast and being

25/26 with braces is no big deal. Hardly anyone even seems to

notice, I think because more and more adults are wearing braces. I

have just the regular metal ones and it doesn't bother me. I am so

happy with the result of my surgery that I consider the time spent

in braces well worth it. Still have probably another 6 months to go

too but I should finish 6-8 months sooner than they originally said.

For you being quoted 6-9 months pre-surgery, it sounds like things

will go fast. Good luck!

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already

had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done

as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there

has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going

to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back

to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do

this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a

26

> year old guy with braces?

September 26, 2005

Hello there - I don't know how much info I can give you, as I've

been in braces for only seven weeks, but here goes. I'm a forty-

seven year-old woman with an underbite with braces for the first

time in my life. My OD says I will be in braces up to ten months

before surgery and up to six months afterwards. The surgery I'm

having includes a BSSO for mandibular set-back and a probable LeFort

to advance my maxilla and drop it down in front. If I can do this at

MY age, you should have smooth sailing since you've been thru all

this braces-stuff before. And now they use Continuous Force Wires,

so the teeth move even faster than when you had braces before. I

have ceramic brackets; at my OD's office the cost was the same as

metal. You state that your teeth are straight already, but your

teeth need to be aligned in your arches for this surgery, and the

difference between the two depends on each patient. Remember: the

braces are a means to an end - they are just a temporary

inconvenience. You've come to the right place - this is the best

site for info and advice. Take care. ~~~~ Diane (Idaho) :-)#)

> Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

>

> When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had already

had

> braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I never

> did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be done

as

> I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to the

> ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him about

the

> length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

presurgery

> and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out there

has

> actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is going

to

> be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so I'm

> hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

time

> in braces than I have to!

>

> I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going back

to

> the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do

this

> but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being a

26

> year old guy with braces?

September 27, 2005

I like to tell myself that the fact that I " stressed " 6 months had

something to do with it but ultimately I think it rested on how

quickly my teeth moved and whether my ortho was satisfied or not.

Once you get the process started you start to accept that if it has

to take longer to get everything realigned perfectly then so be it.

I got the clear braces on and I'm glad I did because many people

didn't even realize I had them on. Of course I was very careful about

what I ate, or rather what I drank. I cut down on red wine and coffee

so that it wouldn't stain as much. Then I had the ortho switch my o-

rings with a see through tie wire that didn't stain and i was able to

drink coffee and wine to my hearts content. The clear braces usually

cost more but for me it was worth it because I was so conscious about

getting the darn braces put back on. Some doctors prefer you to use

only metal but it's worth investigating.

I know, it feels like a rollercoaster once you start the process but

if you are already having problems despite the previous orthodontic

work then I think you made the right decision. I know I did.

Sara

> > > Hi there! I'm hoping someone will have some insight for me.

> > >

> > > When I was 18 I was told I needed to have some major work

> > > (orthognathic surgery) done to correct my open bite. I had

> already

> > had

> > > braces twice and, needless to say, didn't want to do it so I

> never

> > > did. Now I'm almost 26 and have realized that this has to be

> done

> > as

> > > I've had some tooth and jaw problems recently. I went back to

> the

> > > ortho the other day to get the process going and asked him

about

> > the

> > > length of time that I'll need braces. He told me 6-9 months

> > presurgery

> > > and 6 - 12 months post surgery. I'm wondering if anyone out

> there

> > has

> > > actually been at the low end of the time scale or if this is

> going

> > to

> > > be a two year process. My teeth are really straight already so

> I'm

> > > hoping it can get done quickly...I don't want to spend any more

> > time

> > > in braces than I have to!

> > >

> > > I had all the xrays and photos redone last week and am going

> back

> > to

> > > the ortho and surgeon next week. It looks like I'm going to do

> this

> > > but am not happy about it. Anyone have tips for surviving being

> a

> > 26

> > > year old guy with braces?

September 27, 2005