Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 No dumb questions. First of all, clear braces are typically only a couple hundred dollars more than metal. So don't rule them out entirely. You can also do a mix of both -- clear in front where they're more visible. However, I opted to go with metal because they were cheaper, lower-profile (meaning more comfortable) and less likely to chip and be aspirated during surgery. I am also a professional and yes, sometimes it's a little awkward, especially the first few weeks in braces and now with the post-surgery splint. But I'm not real self-conscious about the braces, generally, and in fact I accessorize with colored bands for the fun of it! I have been proud to wear braces because I feel the message is, " I'm worth it. " You will have to weigh your own feelings about it, remembering that people will take their cues from you. If you hold your head up and act proud, people will mostly follow your lead. Besides, these days lots of adults have braces. Good luck. Luna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 I started wearing braces at age 51. I have one more year for a total of 3 years. I am a teacher, so the kids thought it was great. I paid for my own braces, and I have the clear on top. I was told that I couldn't have the clear on the bottom. I tried to get Invisaline ( I think that is what it's called), but my ortho said my teeth problem wouldn't work with it. I am so used to the braces by now that I don't even think about it. I think you would soon get over it, too. Patty Question Question I've been lurking here and am going to ask a dumb question.. So I'm 26 and work full time in a business consulting job, and have always been self conscious about this. I'm client facing most of the day- so Im just wondering - how do you all deal with first off wearing braces and being in a full time professional environment. My health plan doesn't cover it, so the clear braces are out of the question health wise. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Hello Patty - I just got my ceramic brackets installed this morning, and they feel really strange; they are trying to attach themselves to the inside of my cheek. I'm 47 with an underbite,BTW. How long did it take for you to get comfortable with them in your mouth? I get my spacers in next Tuesday, and the following Tuesday the spacers come out and the archwires, bands, and ligatures/o-rings get put on. I will have the braces on for ten months prior to my surgery, which will be a BSSO for mandibular set-back and a LeFort I for maxillary advancement. Will your surgery be next summer too? Maybe we will be " surgery-buddies " ! ~~ Diane > I started wearing braces at age 51. I have one more year for a total of > 3 years. I am a teacher, so the kids thought it was great. I paid for > my own braces, and I have the clear on top. I was told that I couldn't > have the clear on the bottom. I tried to get Invisaline ( I think that > is what it's called), but my ortho said my teeth problem wouldn't work > with it. I am so used to the braces by now that I don't even think > about it. I think you would soon get over it, too. > Patty > > Question Question > > > I've been lurking here and am going to ask a dumb question.. > So I'm 26 and work full time in a business consulting job, and have > always been self conscious about this. I'm client facing most of the > day- so Im just wondering - how do you all deal with first off wearing > braces and being in a full time professional environment. My health > plan doesn't cover it, so the clear braces are out of the question > health wise. Any suggestions? > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 I'm in a customer-facing position too, and to be honest I never worried about what my customers would think of the braces. I don't think anybody ever commented on them. The only problems I had with them professionally were when I had to give long presentations. It's hard enough giving a one hour presentation, but a one-hour presentation with braces is really tough. I had ceramic brackets on top and metal on the bottom. Oh, I also got in the habit of chewing gum and carrying those mouthwash dissolving strips in my bag. I don't know about others, but wearing braces seemed to bring on bad breath pretty quickly. Gum chewing helped a lot. Oh, I also trained myself not to smile when eating too - you'll get tons of food stuck in the braces when eating so be careful with those customer lunches. I also kept one of those little interdental cleaners in my bag, tooo, for cleaning up after meals. --Neil > I've been lurking here and am going to ask a dumb question.. > So I'm 26 and work full time in a business consulting job, and have > always been self conscious about this. I'm client facing most of the > day- so Im just wondering - how do you all deal with first off wearing > braces and being in a full time professional environment. My health > plan doesn't cover it, so the clear braces are out of the question > health wise. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 arcticwillow wrote: >I've been lurking here and am going to ask a dumb question.. >So I'm 26 and work full time in a business consulting job, and have >always been self conscious about this. I'm client facing most of the >day- so Im just wondering - how do you all deal with first off wearing >braces and being in a full time professional environment. My health >plan doesn't cover it, so the clear braces are out of the question >health wise. Any suggestions? > If you broke your arm you wouldn't give it a second thought to put on a cast. Don't worry about it. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2005 Report Share Posted July 27, 2005 Hi, I have the feeling that as long as you keep your teeth/braces clean, there should be no complaints in a professional environment. People will also appreciate that you are getting fixed what you need fixed. As to the braces, I have the clear brace, and they work great. But if you cannot afford them, if you use the silver/gray bands, they look fine. I also saw someone wearing black bands, and it looked great so that is an option. The braces are small now, and many adults have started to get them. So it is not as much of a foreign thought to people as you might think. I hope this helps, Austria --- arcticwillow wrote: > I've been lurking here and am going to ask a dumb > question.. > So I'm 26 and work full time in a business > consulting job, and have > always been self conscious about this. I'm client > facing most of the > day- so Im just wondering - how do you all deal with > first off wearing > braces and being in a full time professional > environment. My health > plan doesn't cover it, so the clear braces are out > of the question > health wise. Any suggestions? > > > > ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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