Friday, March 9, 2012

Pretty. Random. Braces. Update

Sorry for the bad picture, but it is one of the only close-ups I have of me with braces. This photo was taken in December 2011, 3 months after I started my treatment.

I’m excited to announce that I’ve hit the 6-month mark! So, according to what my orthodontist said, I'm either a third of the way, or halfway! I really really hope it's the latter...
 
I'm extremely happy with the progress so far, as I saw my teeth change dramatically already within the first month. It was almost unbelievable how fast they changed! And, of course, extremely exciting for me. My teeth already look perfectly straight now. 

On September 10th, 2011 I was fitted with the bottom braces. I opted for clear In-Ovation C braces, which are easier to adjust (they just clip open) which means I'm in and out of the orthodontist's office in less than 10 minutes. So convenient! And it's a little less noticeable.

When I got bottom braces put on it didn’t hurt, although naturally it was very uncomfortable. Eating was difficult, and I lost about 5kg in the first 3 months. Slowly it became easier to eat, and I can now basically eat anything I want by just cutting it up into small pieces.

On November 5th, 2011 I got the upper braces. I was feeling optimistic because the lower ones didn’t hurt, but damn, the upper ones hurt like a biatch. Even after taking pain killers, the pain did not go away. For two nights I couldn’t sleep well and would wake up crying from the pain. It sounds so dramatic, I know, but it was truly an unpleasant experience.

I now go for an adjustment every three weeks, which is okay because my orthodontist’s office is a 10 minute walk from my house. Understandably, my teeth always feel sensitive and “tight” after an adjustment, which usually lasts a maximum of three days.

On February 4th, 2012 she put clear rubber bands around my braces. That also hurt like a mother! I think, if it's even possible, that it was worse than when they fitted the upper braces. I thought my teeth were going to fall out, it was so tight.

During the course of my treatment, two of the brackets have come loose from my teeth after eating, and she had to glue them on again. Also, the arch wire came out of one of the brackets one day after eating pizza, but they popped that back in within seconds. Next week, they'll be taking photos of my progress and probably make adjustments again.

If you are considering adult braces, please feel free to ask me about my experience so far. Obviously, I'm eager for this process to be over, although I don't regret doing it for a second. I can guarantee you'll feel the same way. It's not so bad being a 26-year old "brace face", there are worse things in the world.

19 comments:

  1. I got braces back in August 2011. I'm almost done with treatment. Yet I haven't gotten an exact removal date yet. I'm 22, and I never thought about having braces but I'm so glad I didn't have them when everyone else seem to have them. I choose the normal metal braces just because they had told me they fit more comfortably than the ceramic ones. And I was more for comfort, plus picking out colors for my brackets is fun. XD although it hurts, and eating takes some getting use to, its totally worth it.

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    1. It's so exciting that you're almost done with treatment! I was also considering metal braces, just because I wanted to make it obvious that I have braces, and not just look like I have something weird stuck in my teeth. LOL

      Good luck with the rest of your treatment, I hope it's coming off really soon! :-)

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  2. I had braces during my childhood...twice. Not the most fun thing in the world. It's painful at first but you get used to it pretty quickly. And it's all worth it in the end!

    I saw you on 20sb. Just followed you, come check out my blog preppypremed.blogspot.com anytime!

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    1. You had braces TWICE!? Oh no! How did that happen? You're right, I did get used to it pretty quickly.

      Thanks for following, and welcome to Pretty.Random.Things! I'll check out your site for sure.

      Have a nice weekend!

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  3. I had braces when I was younger, it's a pain but it's worth it. Good for you!

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  4. Replies
    1. I know! Can't wait for the day it gets taken off :-)

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  5. If you are visiting my blog frequently, you might notice I don't show a full smile on my photos. That is because I'm actually a tooth gap woman. Haha first time I confess that in the blogosphere. Yeah, it's true. And I'm planning to have braces on someday. I'm aware of the pain at the beginning, but like they said, it will be worth it. Thanks for sharing your experience. The pain does not affect me at all. :)

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    1. You should definitely do it! And don't hide your smile :-)

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  6. I had braces when I was younger. And as much as I hated it then, I'm so thankful for having them now. (:

    I'm excited for you to have the opportunity! (And that you might be half way done. Yaay!)

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    1. Sometimes I wish I had done it sooner, but there was always a reason not to.

      I really hope I'm half way! :-)

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  7. I've just got the clear In-ovation c braces as well! I've had them on for 5 days and i'm slowly starting to get used to them. They still feel weird and i find it pretty hard to eat still, does eating and the achey pain get any easier?

    I've been predicted to have them on for a year, so i'm hoping the next 12 months go by pretty quickly!

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    1. It feels very very weird in the beginning. I mean, there's a foreign object in your mouth that you can't just take out. It takes a while to get used to. Now, I barely notice it.

      The discomfort and pain goes away, but it's still a little sensitive after each adjustment.

      Good luck with your journey, I hope it goes as smoothly as mine has :-)

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  8. I am 30+ years old and after a lifetime of being miserable with my teeth but missing the teenage braces window, I have finally decided to get some. I'm making the appointment with an orthodontist this week. Any advice you have would be so appreciated! :)

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    1. That's awesome! It's never too late, and you won't regret it for a second!

      My only advice is to not chicken out and just to go through with it. You are definitely going to doubt your decision, but just keep the image of the perfect teeth you've always wanted in your head.

      Good luck, and please come back here to tell us how you're doing! I'm very excited for you!

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  9. I'm eighteen and have never had braces. Parents never thought a dentist was important... But I might finally be seeing one this year, due to teeth pains, so braces might also come. I hope so, actually, even though the pain part of it sounds awful. I'd like to not look like a vampire serial killer if I smile and show my teeth, after all, lol. Good luck with all this, and DEFINITELY keep us all updated on this. You're pretty much the only person I've heard about with adult braces, and you've made me a lot less nervous about the idea of them already. :)

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