Taking the plunge...

I only joined Instagram to see other pictures initially. I posted a bit to seem like less of a creeper.


I only joined Facebook yesterday because I am changing jobs and will leave many friends behind. Now I am getting all sorts of friend requests. I'll be getting braces and joining Facebook in the same 2 weeks. I'm ready to me a middle schooler
 
Here is some advice from a current braces wearer.

When you get them, enjoy them. You are getting them for yourself, what other people think about that is their business. Not everyone will understand why you did it.

When I go for my adjustments, I always get the powerchain colors changed to what I like. I have gone with colors from the start. I have had just about every color that my ortho offers. I also go with the colored elastics.

I have never gone with clear. I am not trying to hid that I have braces. You are spending lots on them, you might as well show them off. Smile all you want. Enjoy them.

 
I'll be on vacation this week in a Jersey shore town. I'm wondering what foods I should indulge in or binge before I come back and get braced?

On my list so far- salt water taffy, caramel popcorn, candy apples, corn on the cob. What else?
 
My spacer appointment is this Friday at 10:00 am. I'm curious how long between getting the spacers till the actual bonding process. The anticipation is killing me? What is the normal time in between?
 
my wife had to only wait a week between spacers and getting bands put on.  I had to wait two weeks from spacers to get my tongue appliance put in.  Like Mike said, situational depending on how fast our teeth move to create the space needed.  Was not excessive pain, but some discomfort for a few days after getting them on.
 
Its great that you need spacers. It seems that many orthos now just bond molar brackets rather than band them. When I had braces I was disappointed to find out that I didn't need spacers! Good luck!
 
The spacers are on!

I went in this morning and signed the paperwork. After that they took me back for records, which consisted of photos of me smiling and a profile shot. Then the photos were in the chair. They had hand held retractors for each side and took pictures of every angle they could, even some with a mirror in my mouth to get each arch.

Next was impressions. They had me bite down on a piece of wax that was u shaped to see how my teeth meet (in my case don't meet). Next was the impression paste of the lower, then upper jaw. I had to keep my mouth open with my chin downtrying not to drool on the hands of the lovely assistant/tech.

Next, the spacers/separators went in. They are baby blue but only noticeable if I yawn. They have only been in an hour , but I feel the pressure already. It is not bad just noticeable. I find myself biting down softly to feel them move and even running my tongue against them.

I uploaded pictures on my Instagram. The name is Tin_man_80

The braces go on in 12 days, the 16th of august.

Feel free to share comments and questions. 
 
I am 100% excited. Partially because I've waited so long and also because these spacers are really annoying. So many people have told me the spacers are worse than the braces. The metal cannot come soon enough for me.
 
the spacers I had on my tongue appliance hurt but not too bad - only had 4 of them put in.  like you, I've waited a while to get braces and looking forward to starting as soon as I get the okay to get my appliance removed.
 
I had to replace my own spacer last night. It had come loose after eating some Chinese food. I could feel, and when I got home, see the center hole as it hung down between my molars.  I decided to take it out and try to replace it as today is my busiest day of the week.

I removed it with tweezers. Next I put two pieces of thread through opposite sides to stretch it enough to make it fit again. It worked well enough but I noticed that it was worn down at one point of the loop. It will be interesting to see if it lasts another week.

It felt so good to have it out for a few minutes.
 
Tomorrow is the day! They don't allow video recording but I'll try and snap a few selfies of the process I may even do before and after videos if there is any interest. Wish me luck.
 
Best of luck! I'm sure it'll go perfectly smoothly.

Definitely record some videos, if for no other reason than your own review when it's all over.
 
MikeB said:
Best of luck! I'm sure it'll go perfectly smoothly.

Definitely record some videos, if for no other reason than your own review when it's all over.
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Best of luck tomorrow. Hope it goes well and you can get some pictures and videos
 
They are on!
It took just over an hour. I took a farewell video of my naked teeth and went into the office.

I brushed and used the bathroom to put some protection on in case my excitement spilled out.

The assistant removed spacers on each molar testing band sizes for each before repeating the process. Then she removed each band to glue it in place. Next was the etching on each tooth. After that the head orthodontist came in to position the brackets. She admitted to being a perfectionist. (I hope so!)

After she left the assistant cured the glue with the blue light gun.

Then came the archwires and my choice this first time silver ligatures.

I got the brushing instructions and the foods talk and scheduled my next appointment 8 weeks from now on Oct. 10th.

Pictures and vids are on Instagram. Tin_man_80
 
Congrats on making it happen!

Wow, eight weeks to your next adjustment? Seems like a long time. Carrie only goes six weeks between adjustments.
 
MikeB said:
Congrats on making it happen!

Wow, eight weeks to your next adjustment? Seems like a long time. Carrie only goes six weeks between adjustments.
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I was surprised about that too. I don't know if it wok always be that long in between.
 
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