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Last appointment the ortho checked my bite again with wax foil. She was happy, stating that my bite is improving. She said that where I'm testing the size of the gap, I'm testing a horizontal gap where two crowns meet, not any vertical gap. Folding the tape and testing my bite again, she concluded that there's less than 0.08mm of a gap left vertically.
She decided to let everything settle again for seven weeks and continue from there.

My left upper lateral incisor moved back and started to interfere with my bite. The ortho modified the upper plate to push it out. To reduce the effects on my bite from the no longer well fitting plate, she shortened it. Then she spent half an hour trying to adjust the clasps so that it only exerts pressure to the to-be-moved incisor. In the end it still didn't fit well. Wearing it, my bite still feels off afterwards. I shall wear it as little as possible, only as much as needed so that the incisor isn't blocking my bite. Which for me equated to one to two hours every few days.

Even without wearing any elastics or removable braces, my TMJ acted up again a few weeks ago. For a few days I couldn't even chewing properly because it hurt so much. Since then everything was fine and I didn't experience any further problems.

Next appointment will be on Thursday. I don't even know what to expect. I don't think my bite improved much, it definitely doesn't feel stable.

bracessd said:

Will you post new pics?

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There isn't really much new to show, apart from maybe the shortened upper plate.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/863502137362743399/1043457867858071642/1.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/863502137362743399/1043457868352983040/2.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/863502137362743399/1043457868785000488/3.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/863502137362743399/1043457869263163402/4.jpg

Yes. I have to use it every week on a set date. My appointments are already selected, but supposedly if they see something is wrong, they will reach out. It hasn’t happened yet. I have standard metal braces. You put the tube thing into your mouth and your phone connects to the grasping thing. Google ScanBox Pro to see more.

I haven't heard of that before! So your orthodontist gave you one of those boxes/devices, and you have to use it every so often or something? Are your appointments scheduled based on the results from it?

In my case, I have self-ligating braces (Damon specifically), and the 8 week interval seems pretty common for them. They don't have to worry about the elastic ligatures losing tightness, and with thermal memory wires the archwires can stay active longer than plain old stainless steel.

I'm guessing my ortho's office only offers colored ligatures on those six teeth partially as a cost-saving thing and partially as a time-saving thing (since one of the advertised benefits of self-ligating braces is less chair time at appointments because the assistants don't have to take the time to get ligatures onto every bracket).

I am getting my bottom braces on at next appointment in approximately a month. It’s a shame that you can only get colored ligatures on the top six, but I guess it makes sense because people can’t really see much farther back than that. Otherwise I am considering dark purple. It is hard that you have to have colors for so long afterwards or beforehand. I was told it was because they could monitor my teeth with a ScanBox Pro which is essentially a lip spreader that connects to your phone which gives you instructions through an app. It is the picture on this link.
https://dental-monitoring.com/scanbox-pro-launch/

TrainTrack said:

Totally in the same boat. I also have 8 weeks between appointments with an appointment in December. I was thinking about doing red for the top and green for the bottom, because the bottom doesn’t show very well. I don’t know how that would work though.

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With the right shades of red and green, I bet it could look really good! Let us know what you do end up picking!

It’s definitely a downside of 8 week appointment intervals that I hadn’t thought about before getting braces this time, that you would have seasonal or holiday ligatures for longer, well before or after the holiday. When I had braces as a kid, I think my appointments were 5-6 weeks apart.

I don’t have my bottom braces now, but even if I did I wouldn’t be able to do a top/bottom color combo like you’re considering, because my ortho’s office only puts colored ligatures on the six front upper brackets.

I’m not sure yet if they do colored powerchains, though. In all of my ortho’s social media posts, I could only see one photo of a patient with a powerchain; it was an adult with clear brackets, and the powerchain was white or off-white and behind the wire (picture only shows the top teeth, too).

Thanks for the update @person Looking forward to seeing some progress pics after your next adjustment

Person said:

Starting to think about what color ligatures I would want to ask for at my next appointment, but I'm not sure yet. Maybe green (for Christmas)? I don't think I'd want to do red and green because I expect to have them until some time in February (assuming the same 8 weeks between appointments).

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Totally in the same boat. I also have 8 weeks between appointments with an appointment in December. I was thinking about doing red for the top and green for the bottom, because the bottom doesn’t show very well. I don’t know how that would work though.

Just a quick update.


Last week I had my first dentist appointment/cleaning since getting the braces on. I had cleanings when I had braces as a kid, but didn't remember anything notable about them. Nothing special this time, either. Didn't even seem to take longer than normal (though I'm guessing it will take longer once I have full braces on). The only thing to say was, while the hygienist was scraping the backs of my upper incisors, she was pushing against the braces a bit with other fingers of the hand holding the tool. Caused a tiny bit of soreness in the teeth in that area, but barely worth mentioning. There didn't seem to be any issues with her cleaning around the wire. Dentist commented on my orthodontic progress looking great (only visible change really is that my front teeth leveled out vertically after the first rectangular wire, instead of the incisors being lower/extruded compared to my other teeth).


Yesterday marks halfway between my last ortho appointment and my next. I can't visibly see a difference in the tilt of my incisors, but starting yesterday it feels slightly different in the front when I bite down, almost like there's a tiny bit more space, so I take that to mean that there is some small amount of gradual progress. Curious to see what the ortho says at my December appointment. I want to start the Carriere then so my bite can start feeling how it should, but I still suspect I won't be ready for it then.

Starting to think about what color ligatures I would want to ask for at my next appointment, but I'm not sure yet. Maybe green (for Christmas)? I don't think I'd want to do red and green because I expect to have them until some time in February (assuming the same 8 weeks between appointments).

2 months in and all going ok. Fairly used to them now but it’s still quite embarrassing! Talking much better. Had my 2nd adjustment, slow progress but progress being made. Still not quite used to the concept of having removable braces but I’m definitely more comfortable than I was. 2nd adjustment was to activate the appliance and adjustment to the labial wire. Was slightly tender after but not too bad.

To answer @embracer they cost about £400 each brace so £800 in total.

Bracesagain said:

Wow!! I’m honestly SO glad that my post encouraged you to go ahead and get braces. To be honest I was so scared to do it as an adult but I never regretted my decision. Since I got braces, I’ve gone to big social events and work networking events and I’ve been a bit insecure about my braces but honestly it’s made zero impact on anything. My friends are all very supportive (a lot of them even say it’s something they might do in the future). Work colleagues haven’t made a big deal of it either.

I’m about a half a year ahead of schedule than you. It has been an amazing time for me and I’m sure it will be for you too . I’m excited for you! The adjustments feel really amazing. When they put in a new wire it feels nice and tight and oddly pleasureable.

For me one of the best feelings was getting a power chain since it REALLY feels tight and looks amazing in my opinion. It didn’t really hurt for me. Just a nice amount of pressure. When the ortho was weaving the chain over each tooth it felt so nice and tight I couldn’t stop smiling haha. Hopefully you get to experience it!

Something I worried about in the beginning was if I would get “used” to the braces and forget about them, and not feel pleasurable anymore. But for me personally, I still “feel” the braces all the time and think about them.  So the sensation never really goes away, which is nice. One super random thing I noticed is if I eat salty foods, my mouth gets a bit dry, and then I feel the brackets more. It’s a random tip but if you ever get used to your braces and want to feel them more, eat some salty foods!

Good luck and keep us updated! This is coming from a random internet stranger but I’m so happy for you and proud that you went through with your decision. Cheers

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It helped a lot brother!

So far most people have been treating me BETTER with braces, and often seem to be MORE interested in me and friendlier. i don't think this is in my head. My ex girlfriend reported the same when she got braces. Like people maybe thought she was more "endearing", but I didn't know if it would work out the same with men.

There is one person (who I have a connection with) who didn't seem that happy for me and I could sense was a bit jealous. She said to me before she would sort her (very crooked) teeth but doesn't want to go through the pain.

I feel like it's making me more confident over time, because I have a narrow arch shape, it's going to look better and better as it widens and my smile fills out. I've known for a while that a proper sized, forward upper jaw and wide smile is what humans find attractive (just look at almost all models), and so as mine gets closer to that I look and feel more attractive.

As well as liking braces, I'm also deeply interested in the results for health and aesthetic reasons. I've gone from "I don't really need this and it'll be so embarrassing having people wonder why i'm doing it."... to "Holy shit I've needed this for decades and it's going to make sense to everyone why I did it."

Not that is has to make sense to anyone else. But it's nice knowing I finally have the courage to give myself what I want and need with no fucks given

Oh and I really hope I get a power chain!!

tommorowdies said:

Brother, your post (along with many many other factors) was one of the things that helped me to go along ahead! I felt like you really captured how the experience would go in my head. And the reality has been no different. You are right, it's surreal and amazing.

I am extra pleased because I had SO much fear about what people would think, especially as I am a professional consultant. I literally thought my business might collapse because people would take me less seriously. Well it's only been a week and I have no idea about the long term but so far, most people are treating me BETTER. People are being nicer and friendlier since I have braces, which is amazing. Not only do I get to have my dream come true, but contrary to me thinking it would be awkward, most people seem to like it! They complement me on my self care and courage.

Braces are amazing. I can't believe I spent TWO DECADES not going ahead because of reasons in my head that are not reality! Don't be me! Do it now!

And yes the pain is a little better but these fuckers are still SO tight lol.

Click to expand...

Wow!! I’m honestly SO glad that my post encouraged you to go ahead and get braces. To be honest I was so scared to do it as an adult but I never regretted my decision. Since I got braces, I’ve gone to big social events and work networking events and I’ve been a bit insecure about my braces but honestly it’s made zero impact on anything. My friends are all very supportive (a lot of them even say it’s something they might do in the future). Work colleagues haven’t made a big deal of it either.

I’m about a half a year ahead of schedule than you. It has been an amazing time for me and I’m sure it will be for you too . I’m excited for you! The adjustments feel really amazing. When they put in a new wire it feels nice and tight and oddly pleasureable.

For me one of the best feelings was getting a power chain since it REALLY feels tight and looks amazing in my opinion. It didn’t really hurt for me. Just a nice amount of pressure. When the ortho was weaving the chain over each tooth it felt so nice and tight I couldn’t stop smiling haha. Hopefully you get to experience it!

Something I worried about in the beginning was if I would get “used” to the braces and forget about them, and not feel pleasurable anymore. But for me personally, I still “feel” the braces all the time and think about them.  So the sensation never really goes away, which is nice. One super random thing I noticed is if I eat salty foods, my mouth gets a bit dry, and then I feel the brackets more. It’s a random tip but if you ever get used to your braces and want to feel them more, eat some salty foods!

Good luck and keep us updated! This is coming from a random internet stranger but I’m so happy for you and proud that you went through with your decision. Cheers

Ha yeah I would still love an expander but right now I'm just dealing with the braces! I'm exactly one week in and they are still very tight. It's pretty crazy living with this constant pressure in your mouth. Does it ever lesson? Can you always feel the pressure of braces even long after fitting or tightening?

I hope you manage to get a palatal expander eventually. Brackets provide a great sensation, but nothing beats your tongue touching metal on the roof of your mouth 24/7! It was my favorite part of my treatment.

Bracesagain said:

Congratulations OP!!

I also got real metal braces as an adult and it has been an amazing experience for me as well. The first few weeks were the most amazing for me as I had the constant pressure and pleasure as I was staring at them in the mirror all the time.

And then each adjustment feels really nice too, reminds me of the beginning. I highly recommend everyone on this site that can afford braces to get them! It really is a surreal experience.

Here’s my thread, If you’re interested: https://www.bracesforum.net/general/braces-in-my-early-30s/

Enjoy your braces OP!!

Click to expand...

Brother, your post (along with many many other factors) was one of the things that helped me to go along ahead! I felt like you really captured how the experience would go in my head. And the reality has been no different. You are right, it's surreal and amazing.

I am extra pleased because I had SO much fear about what people would think, especially as I am a professional consultant. I literally thought my business might collapse because people would take me less seriously. Well it's only been a week and I have no idea about the long term but so far, most people are treating me BETTER. People are being nicer and friendlier since I have braces, which is amazing. Not only do I get to have my dream come true, but contrary to me thinking it would be awkward, most people seem to like it! They complement me on my self care and courage.

Braces are amazing. I can't believe I spent TWO DECADES not going ahead because of reasons in my head that are not reality! Don't be me! Do it now!

And yes the pain is a little better but these fuckers are still SO tight lol.

Has your pain eased yet?

Clear acrylic is my choice. But gum color is fine too.

Cassandra said:

I am feeling kind of annoyed on your behalf about the delay due to the wrong brackets, especially since you knew you were right all along. I would get so antsy waiting 8 whole weeks between appointments too, that seems so long but I guess that is normal these days!!! I guess the newer braces are more efficient like that, but also unfortunately if anything isn’t right it doesn’t get resolved for eight whole weeks, which is long. I’m glad they decided to just replace the brackets either way.

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It was annoying knowing it wasn’t right but waiting so long for it to be addressed. Hopefully, though, it doesn’t set me back too far because my teeth were only moving in the wrong direction for about 4 weeks. The initial round wire wasn’t doing any torquing, and the pre-torqued SET wire did move then very slightly in the correct direction with the wrong brackets on (they mostly offset each other, though, I think).

Setting aside the wrong brackets, the 8 week interval does make me feel impatient. I notice change mostly over those first couple weeks, and the. I get impatient for the next appointment to see the next change.

It does take time for the wire to do everything it can do, though. The assistant this last time did tell me that my current wire would be active for a long time. I get the sense that the torquing movement that I need right now is a lot slower than other movements (which would kinda make sense when you consider the size of the “lever” used to apply the force only being the 0.0275 inches that is the depth of this wire as opposed to the distance between two teeth for other simpler movements; at least that’s my guess).

Given how little movement I’ve seen over two weeks so far (and I think there has been some positive movement), I wouldn’t be surprised if my teeth aren’t in position for the Carriere appliance until February. Still hoping for December, though!

It’s funny your teeth look so straight in your pics but you’ve got a pretty great list of different things you will get to experience, whereas someone with crooked teeth could very well go through a whole treatment with just brackets and maybe elastics.

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Yeah, it made it feel really weird telling my wife that I thought I needed to see an orthodontist, and setting up those consults and going to them. I’ve been happy with my smile (minus the one tooth that was slightly out of line), and I’ve received compliments about my smile. But the functionality of your bite is so much more important, and it takes longer to fix and more appliances to fix (minimum of elastics, but sometimes more). And it was annoying, being able to feel that my teeth weren’t (and still aren’t) hitting right each time I bite down. So far my treatment is just in preparation for correcting that, which is something I’m looking forward to.

Congratulations OP!!

I also got real metal braces as an adult and it has been an amazing experience for me as well. The first few weeks were the most amazing for me as I had the constant pressure and pleasure as I was staring at them in the mirror all the time.

And then each adjustment feels really nice too, reminds me of the beginning. I highly recommend everyone on this site that can afford braces to get them! It really is a surreal experience.

Here’s my thread, If you’re interested: https://www.bracesforum.net/general/braces-in-my-early-30s/

Enjoy your braces OP!!

I've taken painkillers that greatly reduce it. Wow I don't know how you had any pain. It feels like my teeth are being crushed. Constant strong pressure.

It's oddly satisfying and painful at the same time

I wonder why it was blocked?

Sorry to hear you are in pain. I never had any from my Damon brace. I'm sure the pain will resolve quickly. What painkillers are you taking?