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11th Chapter:
Looking back, i don't remember much of me driving home, but that's no wonder regarding the chaos in my head. It was a constant mix between "holy shit, this is huge and embarrassing" and "I can't believe I'm really wearing a fixed appliance, that's so cool".

I thought, that the saliva thing wouldn't be that bad as I had worn these nighttime splints ect. In the end, this thought was really wrong and my mouth really tried to wash the appliance out of my mouth. Swallowing feels wrong, annoying and exciting all at once. And of course, the dreading slurp, that is necessary to catch all the saliva around the appliance... This is really embarrassing. 

My thoughts are quickly interrupted, when I receive a text message from my mother. "How did it go? How do you feel? Do you think you can eat a bit? I got some really soft cake without any solid bits. Anyway, I would like you to stop by on your way home to see how you're doing."
Under normal circumstances, this kind of intrusive messages and requests would have caused a massive fight about boundaries ect. instantly. I had told her before that she shouldn't prepare anything and that I don't now if I stop by, probably not. And after this message I really didn't want to visit her and answer her questions. But honestly, it felt even less like the right moment to start another fight with her.

And honestly, she already heard me speaking strange as a toddler 30 years ago, so no need to be embarrased. The rules of behaving there are clear as well. Don't be too miserable, otherwise you will get asked every hour how you're doing in the next week. But more important, don't show any sign of your excitement, that conversation isn't needed at all.

During the greeting she looks so concerned at me, that I had to laugh for a short moment, but then came the conversation / her questions.

"How was it?"
"It wash not that bad ash exshpected. Didn't feel much." Hell, that lisp is huge...
"And now? How does it feel and is it painful?"

"It feelsh incwedible huge. But at leasht itsh not painful. Only shwallowing feelsh tewible and I weally can't shpeak."
Okay, someone please kill me, it's not only the "s" sounds but also these "r"s that I can't pronounce...

"Hmm, it's probably still numb, do you have painkillers for later? And don't worry, your speech isn't that bad at all."

I just nod, she's my mother, she is supposed to be nice and supportive and probably far away from an objective opinion. But in my mind I'm getting really concerned about work.

She did notice that it's not the day for having extended conversations and quickly brought the cake.
"Are you allowed to eat and are you able to?"
"I will twy, no idea how it ish going."

And there it was, the first bite with that appliance. I think I was to distracted by thinking about my speech and I didn't follow the things i know from all the videos. I took a spoonful like I always would and that was a fault. As soon as I closed my mouth, everything of that soft cake squeezed all around every bit of that slider. Hmm, that's hard to manage. With the next bites, which were way smaller it worked okay, perhabs because every corner was already filled with that first piece of cake. But honestly, no fun at all and I quickly felt that I needed some wax to protect the cheeks and tounge. You remember about the fake RPE, I mentioned earlier? It's mostly the same. First few bites are "exciting" and funny, but after latest 5 bites it's annoying and you take it out. But now this is fixed and doesn't come out any way...

"That'sh howwible. At leasht I will looshe shome weight with thish"

"Just remember that it's the first hours, it will be a lot better already by tommorow."

I then quickly said goodbye and made my way home, still with almost half of the cake stuck in my mouth, impossible to get it out by slurping or poking with the tounge. This is going to be a long and hard time with this.

At home I quickly went to the bathroom to look into the mirror. What a mess, seems like I hadn't swallowed anything of my cake yet.
Its time to open the big box of essentials that I ordered with excitement and joy last week.
And it's the next thing to consider: It takes so incredibly long to get all of that clean... I definitely will have to change my alarm for next week if I want to make it to work on time.

Puhh, at that point... no excitement at all, just annoying as f...

For me, as a real braces-freak in my mid 50ies, it´s definitely "unfortunately"
I also would love to get a headgear and the jackpot would be to get a palatal expander with herbst-appliance installed.

I already had to wear a headgear from 12 to 14. For the last ten years I had some appliances from the bracesshop, where I had Headgear and Herbst included.
So I already have an idea how they feel. But the most important thing I was still missing - the permanent and fix installation, without any possibility to hide or even take it out.

Thank you for your reply,  I'm currently writing the next chapter about the first days, I will include the answers in that chapter for sure.

surfreak said:

In my case it´s "just" metal brackets on top and bottom and "unfortunately" no screws, no bands and no parts in my palate.

Click to expand...

To be honest, without spoiling too much of that next chapter, I'm not 100% sure if I can agree on that "unfortunately" you mentioned about palatal appliances   ;D

Thank you for that great story about your big day. I almost can feel your excitement that you must have had.
How are you now, how did it feel when the effect of the anesthesia subsided? Did you feel any pain, of pressure/tension?
Is your speech affected, and what about swallowing? Could you already get used to it?

Your story made me remind my "big day" last October, when I got my Brackets installed.
I exactly remember all the single steps - from inserting the retractor - every single beep of the uv-lamp - until my lips could feel my new jewelry for the first time. And then the first lool in the mirror - All the silver, shiny metal looks so good on me - I can´t resist smiling

In my case it´s "just" metal brackets on top and bottom and "unfortunately" no screws, no bands and no parts in my palate.

10th Chapter: It's really happening!

Well, after a few days I didn't really think much about these spacers anymore, the two weeks went pretty uneventful, not to say almost boring.
But there was this mix of excitement and fear of the actual installation date, raising with every day that went past.

And there it was, THE DAY!
To be honest, telling you I was nervous would be an complete understatement. The appointment was scheduled for 11 a.m. I was up at 6, brushing the teeth for the first time. And looking back, I can't really tell what I've done else until that time. And i was in the city almost an hour early, so I decided to have a coffee and a "last" cookie at a bakery nearby.

I entered the office 15 minutes early and brushed my teeth again, probably for the 3rd or 4th time that day. I was given a bunch of informational and mandatory sheets to read and sign while I already took place on the chair.

Honestly, I signed those sheets, but please don't ask what was on them in detail. My mind was completley focused on the tray next to me. There was already that mold of my teeth with the Beneslider. And it looked huge and intimidating.

I had to wait almost 20 minutes, always again staring to the left until my neck began to hurt slightly. Holy shit, it's getting real and it looks much more then ever expected.

But now it started. Local anesthesia goes in, at first on the surface, then the deep one. It wasn't the most fun experience but not bad or painful at all, just a really disgusting taste and a strange feeling with some tickling in the nose.

Okay, breath deep. First step is done and it wasn't horrible at all. Then it's time for the miniscrews (which aren't really that mini if you ask me). The appliance came with a positioning device. And pretty fast the ortho started with the first screw.

Wow! It really doesn't hurt or anything, but i never imagined he would need to use that much force of push and torque to get that in. Without a long break he inserts the second screw and takes the positioning device out.
This was pretty fast and some of my inner tension released slowly.

At that moment I really had to explore these screws with my tounge. To be honest, just these screws - or their head that was sticking out- didn't feel like much, but at that time my head went crazy again.

The assistant started to take out the spacers and clean the two molars with some detailed perfection. And then the cheek-retractor and tounge-blocker goes in. What a shame, I would have liked to feel things right away. On the other hand, the excitement skyrocketed pretty fast.

The appliance was put in, readjusted ect. for two or three times when the ortho finally said that the assistant may prepare the bands with the cement. I think (and hope) that i stayed calm on the outside, but my inside really was a mess at this point.

After it was glued in and secured at the mini-pins the cheek-retractor came out and I closed my mouth.
Holy shit. That thing is huge! At that moment there was no excitement or joy left. Just the realization that this will take some time to get adjusted to it. And that life will probably change in some aspects right now.
Saliva is pooling really quick and while I get the instructions for the care and important things to look for, the first attempt in swallowing results in a slurp. Well, that's embarrasing but at least a little funny as well.

But before I even had really processed this, the next challenge was waiting. Scheduling the next appointment in 8 weeks.
I really struggeld as I didn't expect that lisp and muffeld speech to be that bad. But the assistant obviously could handle it well and encouraged me, that this will last only a few weeks at longest.

I left the office with a "shank you". There i am, drooling and lisping. With an appliance fitted to my pallete, in real life. That won't come out when I'm annoyed.
While I'm walking back to the parking lot, my tounge still is in full-alert-mode. And while I'm trying really hard, swallowing always comes with that embarrasing slurp.

All these videos I watched with fascination and joy about people getting expanders or something like that. I'm now one of them. It's like tasting your own medicine. But at least, about half an hour later I realized it isn't just bitter medicine, it's bitter-sweet.

really excellent written your thoughts and feelings

Thanks, excellent update, looking forward to more!

I was a little busy, but here is the next chapter:

9. Chapter:
Another small step towards the start of the treatment. Today's the day, the spacers will be put on.

In the morning, I'm a little nervous about how they will feel. If you search online, you will find very different opinions about them, from "totally OK" to "worst part of treatment". And I take almost twice as long for meticulously brushing my teeth ect.

On the way to the orthos office, my mind is once again completley filled with thoughts about the treatment, braces, the appliance and these TADs. It still feels extremely surreal to me. But it is real, and now I'm scared that I will hate it. And it's going to be real and fixed, no Fakes to take out when annoyed.

The step into the orthos office still creates that excited feeling inside, but it feels already kind of more familiar. And I'm not embarrassed about being the only adult in the waiting room. I think we can count this as "progress".

My name is called by the assistant, combined with the question if I'm ready. I just nod, what was she expecting? Of course I'm ready, I had this fantasy about these feelings for years. On the other side, this is the first real "treatment-step", still possible that I would absolutely hate it.

As soon as I took place in the chair the ortho explains everything about this step, what will happen ect. And then the first spacer goes in. Wow, this is weird. The second one is much harder to insert, first glimpse of pain rises as soon as it is released. On the other side the same, first one goes in smooth, but the second one is really stubborn. I can already feel the slight pressure on these molars.

After some advices on food and the "recommendation" to not floss where they sit, I'm ready to leave.

At this point, my tounge already went crazy exploring and playing with it. Even if I think of something completley different, I instinctively plays with it. And these are just these small rubbers, I can only assume how crazy it will be the moment the appliance is fitted.

And then there is this constant feeling of pressure, that slightly increases every moment my tounge pushes against on of the spacers or when I'm clenching my teeth hard. As a side effect it really remembers me, why I'm doing this. I'm now really aware of the amount of times I'm clenching my teeth even during the day.

After a few hours, I have to admit that I like this feeling of constant pressure, which feels like a relief to my thoughts about it. I was worried, that I would only like it in my fantasies but really hate it in real life. Let's hope it stays like this.

In terms of sleeping the first night was ok, I guess. But in the morning when I woke up it was a different story.
Wow, these little suckers really hurt. When brushing my teeth, these molars are really sensitive. And I'm hungry, but i can anticipate that crunchy granola as a breakfast won't be a good idea. After remembering some videos I've seen, the choice went to scrambled eggs and avocado.
While I'm eating carefully in order to not bite to hard with those molars, my thoughts are spinning.
Its real, all these things I've watched over years of first meals with braces, spacers ect. is happening right now. And I assume, if some would have watched me, he would have seen these occasional smiles in my face, mixed with the painwise smirks when biting down to hard.

Now it's just these spacers, which are not noticeable to anyone else. Knock on wood that my mind, feelings ect. stay like this, when the appliance is fitted and is for sure embarrassingly noticeable to others.

Selbstlegierende Brackets im Oberkiefer und im Unterkiefer.
Dazu vier Bänder an den Backenzähnen.
Aber ob das ein „Spaß“ wird, bleibt abzuwarten…
Sehe das eher so, dass ich da durch muss.
Ich bin gespannt.

Hallo Dennis!
Gratuliere zu deiner Entscheidung und jetzt schon "viel Spaß" mit deiner Behandlung.
Was ist denn bei dir geplant, bzw. was bekommst du am 1.9. alles eingesetzt?

Jetzt ist das passiert, wass ich schon nicht mehr für möglich gehalten habe.
Am 01.09. habe ich den Termin zum Einsetzen der Zahnspange. (mittlerweile 48...)
Ich bin gespannt, was auf mich zukommt. Etwas mulmig ist mir doch....

53 and 2.5 years wearing fixed metal braces upper and lower hoping to get to 3 years. 2nd time in full metal brackets wore them in my 30s. Never had the molar bands though. Had a removable expander this time round. Occasionally go out in public away from home wearing headgear face masks or j hooks.

8. Chapter:
I think the door of the office wasn't even fully closed when the first thought hit: "oh my god, what have you done". And the drive back home was again a pure mix of excitement and fear.

Looking back, I'm confident it was the best decision to sign the contract right on the spot. Otherwise I would have been crazy about it all the time until I would have made the same decision only delaying the "unavoidable".

And since this appointment and after reading the diagnosis and treatment plan multiple times, my confidence in this decision grows more and more. It is very clear written down, that future damages on the jaw-joints have to be expected when not treated. And what wasn't really mentioned yet, my extensive snoring is expected to get better by this treatment as well.

But the "scary" thoughts stayed as well. The main focus is on those TADs and their installation. I never had any kind of anesthesia yet my whole life. Is it really completly numb? How is it going to feel? Pain?

Secondly, how will I adapt to it? Really hoping the lisp isn't that bad, otherwise it's going to be really hilarious at work...

And the eating? I had this fake RPE with which I had tried eating multiple times. But no matter how much I had tried to experience it, I got really annoyed after at maximum 5 bites and took it out. So this is going to be fun obviously...

At this point, we've reached the current time, as I'm waiting for that appointment to get the slider installed. Right now, I would have hoped that this installation would happen earlier, as the waiting for it and thinking about it really kills my mind while it isn't changing anything about it. But unfortunately there hasn't been an earlier option available.

So, I'm just waiting for it (or the small Step two weeks prior when I'm getting these spacers) and try to laugh at myself about the speed of the changes in my thoughts about it.

Yes. I have some news. She's going on July 11th to have her final cleaning done so she can start removing her palate, extractions, and braces.

I had an appointment to have them removed, but she doesn't want to. I've postponed it. She wants me to keep her company with them on.

Hi any Updates??

I guess she will need and Expander to widen her Jaw a bit. Looks like a open Bite together with a
light crossbite. Some Orthos do a Quadhelix Expander or a TPA or a Nance Appliance in such Cases.
Google those Appliances then you will get an Idea what I mean!!

Wish you the best for your Treatment. Darklumpi

Zungengitter für Erwachsene

Zunächst einmal: Was genau ist ein Zungengitter? Stellen Sie sich ein kleines, käfigartiges Gerät vor, das hinter die Zähne geklebt wird und bequem im Mund sitzt. Seine Hauptaufgabe? Die Zunge zu kontrollieren und zu verhindern, dass sie gegen die Zähne drückt. Obwohl es eher bei Kindern im Einsatz ist, können auch Erwachsene von seinen Vorteilen profitieren, insbesondere diejenigen, die mit den Folgen von Zungenpressen oder anderen Angewohnheiten kämpfen, die zu Zahnfehlstellungen führen können.

Die Notwendigkeit von Zungengittern in der Erwachsenen-Kieferorthopädie
Sie fragen sich vielleicht: „Wozu brauchen Erwachsene so etwas wie ein Zungengitter?“ Nun, es geht darum, bestimmte Zahnprobleme zu korrigieren und zu verhindern. Von der Verbesserung der Bissausrichtung bis hin zur Unterstützung der Sprachtherapie sind Zungenhalter für Erwachsene vielseitige Hilfsmittel in der kieferorthopädischen Praxis.

Korrektur des Zungenstoßes
Zungenstoß, also die Angewohnheit, die Zunge beim Schlucken, Sprechen oder in Ruhe gegen die Zähne zu drücken, kann zu Zahnfehlstellungen und Bissproblemen führen. Ein Zungenkäfig hilft, die Zunge neu zu trainieren und fördert die richtige Platzierung und Schlucktechnik.

Verbesserung der kieferorthopädischen Behandlung
Für Erwachsene, die sich einer kieferorthopädischen Behandlung unterziehen, kann ein Zungengitter eine wertvolle Ergänzung sein. Es stellt sicher, dass die Wirkung einer Zahnspange durch die natürlichen Bewegungen der Zunge nicht zunichte gemacht wird.

Wie funktioniert ein Zungengitter?
Die Mechanik hinter einem Zungengitter ist faszinierend. Durch die physische Barriere wird die Zunge sanft von schädlichem Verhalten abgehalten. Mit der Zeit lernt die Zunge, eine neue, gesündere Haltung einzunehmen, die der Zahngesundheit und -ausrichtung zugutekommt.

Installationsprozess des Zungengitters
Sie haben Angst vor der Anpassung eines Zungengitters? Keine Sorge! Der Eingriff ist unkompliziert und erfordert in der Regel mehrere Besuche bei einem Kieferorthopäden. Dieser nimmt Abdrücke Ihres Mundes und stellt sicher, dass das Gitter perfekt sitzt. Dann es in Ihren Mund geklebt und bleibt dort während der kieferorthopädischen Behandlung.

Leben mit einem Zungengitter: Was Sie erwartet
Die Umstellung auf ein Leben mit Zungengitter ist nicht ohne Herausforderungen, aber nichts, was Sie nicht bewältigen können. Von leichtem Lispeln bis hin zu anfänglichem Unbehagen sind dies Hürden auf dem Weg zu einer verbesserten Mundgesundheit, an die Sie sich gewöhnen werden.

Ernährungsumstellungen
Sie müssen Ihre Ernährung leicht anpassen, indem Sie sich für weichere Nahrungsmittel entscheiden und klebrige, zähe oder harte Snacks meiden, die den Zungenkäfig beschädigen könnten.

Mundhygiene
Die Mundhygiene ist das Wichtigste. Zähneputzen rund um das Zungengitter und die Verwendung empfohlener Mundhygiene-Utensilien beugen potenziellen Problemen vor.

Vorteile der Verwendung eines Zungengitters für Erwachsene
Die Vorteile eines Zungengitters gehen über die reine Zahnkorrektur hinaus. Verbesserte Zungenlage, leichteres Atmen und sogar eine verbesserte Gesichtsästhetik gehören dazu.

Mögliche Herausforderungen und Lösungen
Natürlich ist nicht alles eitel Sonnenschein. Möglicherweise treten Beschwerden oder Schwierigkeiten beim Sprechen auf. Diese können mit Tipps und Tricks Ihres Kieferorthopäden oder eines Logopäden gelindert werden.

Häufig gestellte Fragen zu Zungenbetten für Erwachsene
Ist es zu spät, sich als Erwachsener ein Zungengitter zuzulegen?
Auf keinen Fall! Es ist nie zu spät, Ihre Zahngesundheit zu verbessern und langjährige Gewohnheiten zu korrigieren.

Wie lange muss man einen Zungenkäfig tragen?
Dies ist unterschiedlich, aber normalerweise wird ein Zungengitter je nach individuellen Bedürfnissen und Fortschritten mehrere Monate bis zu mehreren Jahren getragen, bis die Zungenlage sich verbessert hat.

Kann ein Zungengitter unangenehm sein?
Anfangs ja. Aber wie bei den meisten kieferorthopädischen Geräten gewöhnen Sie sich mit der Zeit daran.

Wird ein Zungenbrecher meine Sprache beeinträchtigen?
Ja, sie wird beeinträchtigt, doch die meisten Erwachsenen stellen fest, dass sie sich mit der Zeit an ihre veränderte Sprache gewöhnt haben.

Stört ein Zungengitter beim Küssen?
Durch den käfigartigen Aufbau des Zungengitters ist die Beweglichkeit der Zunge einschränkt. Dadurch veränden sich Zungenküsse oder sind nicht möglich. An diese neue Situation gewöhnt man sich wie an jede kieferorthopädische Apparatur.

Wie reinige ich meinen Zungenkäfig?
Regelmäßiges Zähneputzen und die Verwendung spezieller Reinigungswerkzeuge, die Ihnen Ihr Kieferorthopäde empfiehlt, halten Ihre Zähne und Ihr Zungengitter in Topform.

Kann ein Zungengitter gegen Schnarchen helfen?
In manchen Fällen ja! Durch die Förderung einer besseren Zungenhaltung können die Atemwege geöffnet und das Schnarchen reduziert werden.

Die Herausforderung, als Erwachsener ein Zungengitter zu verwenden, mag zunächst entmutigend erscheinen. Die potenziellen Vorteile für Ihre Mundgesundheit, Ihre Zahnstellung und Ihre allgemeine Lebensqualität sind jedoch zu groß, um sie zu ignorieren. Mit der richtigen Anleitung Ihres Kieferorthopäden und etwas Geduld kann ein Zungengitter ein wichtiger Verbündeter auf dem Weg zu Ihrem Wunschlächeln sein.
In der Erwachsenen-Kieferorthopädie ist das Zungengitter ein Beweis dafür, dass es nie zu spät ist, etwas zu ändern. Warum also nicht den Schritt wagen? Ihr zukünftiges Ich wird es Ihnen danken.

Zungengitter für Erwachsene: Eine wahre Transformationsgeschichte
Von den theoretischen Vorteilen zu hören ist eine Sache, aber Erfolgsgeschichten aus der Praxis zu sehen? Da passiert die Magie. Tauchen Sie ein in die Geschichte von jemandem, der seine Mundgesundheit mithilfe eines Zungengitters verbessert hat.
   

Prefade said:

You have no idea, how much this waiting-time is bothering me.
Thank you, I will try to keep this type of writing.

Thank you so much!
Until this year, I would have agreed 100%, not a single question about it. I really can't explain why -now that it's getting real and serious- these doubts had come up.  Currently I'm on 75% metal, 25% ceramic. But this really changes on a daily Basis.

Click to expand...

It’s even better once you get the real metal braces on. You will not regret it. It is amazing. I was also a bit scared of getting braces because I was worried what my colleagues and friends and family would think. But everyone was supportive and no one cares.

I never regretted it even once. I spent so many hours staring at my brackets and feeling them in my mouth. It is such a huge turn on that nothing compares to!!

Good luck on the decision! Trust me I was right there with my doubts but decided to do it and it was a life changing experience

ortho218 said:

Ahh shame you have to keep us waiting, hope everything goes well, I’m really enjoying this read!

Click to expand...

You have no idea, how much this waiting-time is bothering me.
Thank you, I will try to keep this type of writing.

Bracesagain said:

Get fixed metal braces!!! You won’t regret it!

I got real fixed metal braces recently and it is the best feeling in the world feeling the fixed brackets on your teeth. Don’t worry about what others will think. No one ever really cares and the few times people asked me about them they just asked super basic questions like when I got them, how long treatment is, things like that.

Metal is better than ceramic in my opinion but that’s just because I love how metal brackets look but that’s up to you!

Click to expand...

Thank you so much!
Until this year, I would have agreed 100%, not a single question about it. I really can't explain why -now that it's getting real and serious- these doubts had come up.  Currently I'm on 75% metal, 25% ceramic. But this really changes on a daily Basis.

Get fixed metal braces!!! You won’t regret it!

I got real fixed metal braces recently and it is the best feeling in the world feeling the fixed brackets on your teeth. Don’t worry about what others will think. No one ever really cares and the few times people asked me about them they just asked super basic questions like when I got them, how long treatment is, things like that.

Metal is better than ceramic in my opinion but that’s just because I love how metal brackets look but that’s up to you!

Ahh shame you have to keep us waiting, hope everything goes well, I’m really enjoying this read!