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English => General => Topic started by: Braceface2015 on 14. December 2019, 10:47:28 AM

Title: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceface2015 on 14. December 2019, 10:47:28 AM
I posted this in the stories section, but the author doesn't have access, so I am reposting it here.

I did not write this story. It was sent to me by an author who wishes to stay anonymous. I asked the author for permission to post it here. The author would like you to give suggestions for what characters to add and remove, and where you would like the story to go from here. You can suggest treatment options, treatment devices and other things that interest you.   

Fixed Smiles

By Anonymous


Just my luck. I’m 16 years old and NOW is the time that it’s decided that I should get braces. Most of my friends are done already, so at this age everyone in the year is brace-less. Not only that, but everybody went to the place outside of town. Everybody always talked badly about the place I’m headed (though I never knew why, it was more something talked about by people who were going through treatment at the time), but my parents chose this one as it’s only a couple of streets away, putting it in walking distance. Plus, they said that the treatment costs at the place outside of town were far too high for getting teeth straightened, so that’s the other reason I’m now walking beside my mother to this place.

From the outside, nothing seems out of place. 'Fixed Smiles' is the name. It just looks like your average building, some steps and a ramp up for easy access for everyone, double wooden doors on the front and a window either side of them. Inside it seems pretty simple too. I went and sat down in a chair in the waiting room which seemed rather small, with only 2 chairs marked 'Patients'. Mum went through things with the receptionist, and off she went.

A few minutes passed by, when another patient entered the building, and I got an idea of why people might not have liked this place. He looked to be maybe 13 or 14, small-ish, and his mouth seemed to be constantly open a bit. A metal bar extended out from his mouth and around his cheeks, connected to some straps. I could also notice a set of braces of some kind, though I couldn’t get a good look before a girl came out of the treatment theatre. “Be sure not to go too hard on the appliance, okay?” called out a more adult voice, to which the girl replied “No problem Doctor Eletha! I’ll take good care of it!” She discussed her next appointment and happily skipped out the door. The boy took a seat next to me as my name was called.

The lady invited me to take a seat in the chair and introduced herself as Doctor Elesa (I guess something was causing a lisp for the girl). “So, are you ready to have your braces fitted Edward?” The question shook me, as that wasn’t what I had thought. “Don’t we need to do some record taking and stuff first? I didn’t think I would be getting anything today.”

“Oh, there's no need! Do you remember the x-rays your dentist took the last time you visited them? I received a copy and so I've been able to outline a plan already, so all I need is for you to lean back and we can get started!" This wasn't how I planned the day to go, but I guess it made sense, so I did as she asked.

She started by inserting a device that held my lips and cheeks far away from my teeth, and also inserted something that blocked my tongue from coming up. She gave my teeth a good polish and cleaning and then got to work. She wheeled over a table and took something off it. She coated it with a paste of sorts and I felt her place it over one of my back teeth. Once in place, she had me bite down on a stick and got the next one ready. After those two were in place, she took something that looked like what she had just placed but with something between them. These two went in at the same time, with the same stick presses. Following this, she continued on with the rest of the teeth. I wanted to feel what the brackets looked like but the tongue block made it impossible. She then began inserting the wires between all the brackets, and kept them all in place with some other wires. I had hoped to do some of those colours I'd seen people have but maybe that came at a later point. Following this, she removed the tongue block and the cheek thing and I got a chance to feel around. It was odd. It felt like the backs and front of my teeth felt different, but maybe that’s what was used to hold the brackets on? There was also something behind my front teeth, that made it hard for me to move my tongue around. “Tho are we done Doctor Eletha?” I noticed I now also had a lisp like that girl.

“Not quite yet, we've still one more thing to do." I stayed lying down, and she picked up something off the table. It looked like a big wire... kind of like that boy. She inserted a part of it into my rear brackets, then the other side. She had a look around, then took it out, made an adjustment and put it back in. She seemed happy, as she left it in there. I guess she must have forgotten to do a couple of the brackets as she went back in with some more of that tie wire. She then took some straps like the boy, one that went around my neck and one over the crown of my head. "Now we're done!" she beamed.

"Tho what'th thith?" I pointed at the bar.

“That’s your headgear, it’ll help to fix that overbite of yours, and that device behind your teeth is a tongue crib. It’ll help stop your tongue pushing on your teeth the way it does.”

“How do I take off the headgear?”

“You simply have to unhook the plastic part of each of the straps, though you shouldn’t need to do that often.”

“What about the metal part?”

“What about it?”

“How do I take that out?”

“You don’t take it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you don’t take it out. It stays there.”

“But it lookth ridiculouth! There mutht be thome way!”

“Didn’t you look at the website before you came? Here at Fixed Smiles, we make sure to fix your smile, so all appliances are fixed in place. That way we can be done quickly.”

“I thtill don’t really get it, but okay.”

I left the theatre and bumped into the boy as he was called.

“Wow! You got headgear too? That’s awesome!”

“Uhh... yeah, I gueth tho. Tho how do you take yourth off?”

“I just remove the straps, same as you!”

Seems nobody wanted to be much help. I booked the next appointment and left, thinking hard about what I’d heard.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: heilo on 14. December 2019, 13:32:14 PM
Nice Story!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: katrinp_99 on 14. December 2019, 21:31:13 PM
A promising approach
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: dooierick on 15. December 2019, 01:07:39 AM
good start  ;)
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Train Tracks on 15. December 2019, 05:46:09 AM
WOW!!! That’s a great start to to the story. Can’t wait to see more!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: libtech on 15. December 2019, 18:34:27 PM
Simply incredible! And how amazing that this kid gets to endure something so amazing!!! Wish I could be in his shoes so far!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: duncombec on 15. December 2019, 21:04:37 PM
It is indeed a very promising start to the story - I hope the anonymous author continues.

"The author would like you to give suggestions for what characters to add and remove, and where you would like the story to go from here. You can suggest treatment options, treatment devices and other things that interest you."

I like the start, and it already includes one of my favourite plot devices, which I call "the omen" - the other patient walking out with some hideous device that makes the new patient wonder what they are letting themselves in for.

It would be nice for Edward to find himself a buddy going through the same thing that he is, perhaps a more experienced one, and Edward learns from him (or her) how to deal with his braces? I get the feeling he's going to be a bit of a rebel, and obviously his orthodontist is not going to like that. Perhaps his buddy encourages him, and it's his buddy who gets the fallout rather than Edward?
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceface2015 on 17. December 2019, 08:28:57 AM
Part 2

Mum was done with her shopping as I was leaving, and I started asking questions about the practice I’d just been into.

“Did you know that thith is what my treatment wath going to look like?”

“Of course I did.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me ahead of time?”

“I tried to, but you’ve always got your headphones in so I guess you didn’t properly listen to me talking about it. I suggested that if you were to be working then that would help contribute to the fuel cost to go to the place outside of town, but you never heard.”

“If I thtarted working now, could I go to the plathe outthide of town?”

“Not an option," she said as she got into the car "We've already signed all the paperwork so this is where treatment is going to be until it's done."

When we got home, I headed to the bathroom to inspect my new metal. It was no wonder the backs of my teeth felt so weird; she didn't use brackets at all! Every tooth had one of those rings that back teeth are meant to have! I also tried pushing against the crib a bit, and found it blocked a rather large amount of the space my tongue would normally go, so I could see this lisp wasn't going to go anywhere soon. As for the headgear, the face-bow had some wire around it, effectively tying it together with the wire for the braces themselves, giving no way to remove it without removing the braces (or at least the wire, but then the braces wouldn't work). Thankfully the straps weren't as bad, just some black straps that sort of blended with my hair.

My first meal was a right pain, both in terms of actual pain and by being a pain in the ass. I had to try and get food around or under the crib, as well as needing to approach a bit differently with a fork or spoon to get it under the metal part. School was no better either, a lot of stares came my way, as I guess nobody had seen anything like it. I’m sure some people probably wore headgear during their treatments, though they likely didn’t talk about it to anyone.

After 4 weeks, I was back in the car with mum, having left school early to go to my next appointment. The pain had worn off a bit, though, if what my friends have said is true, then I’m about to be very uncomfortable again. Things had changed with the reception, namely that the receptionist herself now had a gleaming row of metal across her top and bottom teeth. I had no sight of the boy from last time while I waited, though once again it seemed I had had an appointment booked in right after the girl from last time, who now had some contraption with a bar down the middle of her face with pads on the forehead and chin. I have to wonder how she can look so happy like that.

My turn. Immediately after sitting down in the chair, I was tilted back and the cheek device went in again. The straps were unstrapped, the wires were unwired and a large amount of pressure was taken off. It didn’t last though. Dr. Elesa took some solvent of some kind, and slid off a couple of the rings on the top and bottom, however both were soon replaced, with what looked like a spider in the middle. A new device for each of my poor jaws. Following this, some larger wires were inserted into the braces, and tied down with the metal ligature. The metal part of the headgear followed, again followed by the same tie wire as before. But she wasn’t done.

“I'm going to be needing to put some additional force on the lower jaw, so we'll need to use a face-bow there too."

It was here I learned the name of the metal part of the headgear.

A second set of whiskers now sprouted from my lower teeth, once more tied in there to not be removed. She replaced the straps, with tabs attaching to both the face-bows, removed the cheek device and allowed me to sit up.

“So as I just mentioned, you now also have a face-bow for the lower jaw, but I have also installed an expander on the top and the bottom. I’ll give you a key that you’ll need to insert into the little hole in the screw in the centre of the expanders, to help widen the jaw, as it’s far too tight at the moment.”

“Ow ong am I going to ave thethe for?”

I could barely put words together.

“I can’t say just yet, all depends on how easily your teeth adapt to the expansion.”

She let me up and I spotted a boy in the waiting room, with just a face-bow on the bottom teeth. He jumped up out of his seat to talk to me as he saw me.

“Wow! Two face-bows! You must be the luckiest person ever!"

“Ow ecthactly ith thith conthidered lucky?”

“It’s just super cool! You must be a really special case!”

I ignored him and went to book my next appointment.

“Wow, she’s really giving you the works!”

I noticed the receptionist not only had a full set of braces now, but also a bar on either side of her mouth connecting them together.

“I gueth tho. Could I book one in for 4 weekth again? That’th what thee thaid to do.”

“Sure, see you then!”

The enthusiasm and smiles at this place still bewildered me.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bracessd on 17. December 2019, 16:45:25 PM
It keeps getting better! Dream treatment!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: aktivator82 on 17. December 2019, 20:05:21 PM
I agree with carking... this is a dream scenario of treatment and i'am really excited what happened next
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: libtech on 17. December 2019, 22:23:01 PM
Absolutely agree as well. A bit of an arbitrary approach with top and bottom fixed headgear but yet still a dream/fantasy treatment that would make so many smile if undergone and I am looking forward to the next upcoming chapters and written pieces ; )   Keep it up
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Orio on 17. March 2020, 12:59:52 PM
What a fantastic story! Sounds like the perfect treatment.
I'd love to read more!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceme on 18. March 2020, 05:54:45 AM
Proposition for the author: either continue the story or have that treatment done on me and write down how I respond to Dr. Elesa’s next adjustment for the rest of the readers’ pleasure
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bracesfanza on 22. March 2020, 06:43:05 AM
Fantastic story. Cannot wait for more....
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceface2015 on 22. March 2020, 07:02:49 AM
I haven't had any contact from the author, so I don.t know if there will any additional chapters.

If anyone would like to add more to the story, I would enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Several authors have said that if anyone would like to use their ideas or add to their stories, people are invited to do that. There are lots of old stories to choose from, so pick one and add your personal touch to it.


Braceface 2015
TheArchive2018
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bernal1789 on 07. July 2020, 11:53:47 AM
This is, to my opinon, the best history around.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Jock1 on 08. July 2020, 21:12:39 PM
Fantastic story, the shock of having all that in your mouth! And the embarrassment.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Taxy on 13. July 2020, 15:35:07 PM
I haven't had any contact from the author, so I don.t know if there will any additional chapters.

If anyone would like to add more to the story, I would enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Several authors have said that if anyone would like to use their ideas or add to their stories, people are invited to do that. There are lots of old stories to choose from, so pick one and add your personal touch to it.


Braceface 2015
TheArchive2018


Shame the authors not responding, I liked this story a lot, hopefully someone who's better at writing than me can come up with more.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: elio23145 on 13. July 2020, 19:07:51 PM
great story. wish there were more of it
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 29. July 2020, 09:34:45 AM
I really like this story! It has such a strong start that builds. I'd love to see some kind of interaction with the girl mentioned throughout, and maybe some more detail on the orthodontist herself. Hopefully there are some continuations for this one.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bmac26 on 21. August 2020, 05:29:24 AM
Great story, I hope someone continues it!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bernal1789 on 16. July 2021, 11:19:57 AM
As I said before; this is, in my opinion, the best story around.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: eddiestobbart on 16. July 2021, 12:51:08 PM
Thanks for bumping this thread up, bernal1789. A very good read.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Boheme on 16. July 2021, 20:16:56 PM
What a shame! It's a great start
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceface2015 on 16. July 2021, 23:37:47 PM
I've been in contact with the author. He can't seem to be able to get a username registered. As soon as his username is accepted, he is going to start writing more of the story.

All that is needed is for Marty or Polo to allow him to join our group of writers and we will have more to read.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bernal1789 on 06. August 2021, 21:51:18 PM
excelent
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: annasun251 on 10. August 2021, 10:42:48 AM
This story is super promising. Would love to read more!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Nameless on 10. September 2021, 01:17:52 AM
I've been in contact with the author. He can't seem to be able to get a username registered. As soon as his username is accepted, he is going to start writing more of the story.

All that is needed is for Marty or Polo to allow him to join our group of writers and we will have more to read.

I hope that he gets accepted soon. It took me a couple attempts to get accepted as a member of the website (and a different screen name than I first tried with) so I know that it can take time.

I do like this story. I definitely wouldn't mind having the MC interact with others from the practice, but overall I feel like the premise is interesting and I like the pacing of what's here so far. Definitely curious to find out where it's headed
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bernal1789 on 12. January 2022, 06:55:42 AM
will there be some update?
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bsma189 on 09. July 2022, 06:24:10 AM
This is a really great story!
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: anonymousllama5 on 12. December 2023, 04:20:43 AM
Appreciate the feedback from people, I finally got access to an account so it might give me some inspiration to continue this but not sure yet, I typically write when I get a jolt to do it, rather than just to finish a story
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: Braceface2015 on 12. December 2023, 08:52:24 AM
I'm looking forward to seeing you post more of this story.
Title: Re: Story: Fixed Braces
Post by: bernal1789 on 12. December 2023, 17:09:20 PM
Awesome story, please, please go on. Thanks!