Rubber Bands are probably the big thing that is up to you. Like I said, that is why mine were on longer than they needed to be because I didnt wear them all the time.

 

Don't chew gum and other things that could get stuck, move the brackets, etc.

Wow, this has been a great thread. I now have a perspective on how it feels from the other side a bit better.

 

Just a side note, if you have minimal crowding, you may want to see someone who provides invisalign as therapy. Also, ceramic brackets are an option in most offices and they're far less noticeable. Good luck. Adult ortho is not much fun.

Maybe it depends on the severity of the correction. My sister and brother's teeth were coming in sideways....completely sideways. They both had a lot of pain, a lot of the time.

I probably could stand to have had braces. There's nothing like the classiness I can show people when I take my expensive import beer and use my hook tooth to remove the bottle-top.

 

 

 

:laugh: Are you saying it hurts your credibility? It must be hard to maintain when your slamming The Eagles, sipping a Black and Tan, sneering with your snaggle tooth.

I had them for 4 years they are really painful for the frist week but then u get use to them. But when they tighten the bands the pain comes back for a couple of days.

The worst part of my experience was the appliance that they installed to stretch the top of my mouth. It was attached to 2 molars on each side and had a bar on it that went across the roof of my mouth. It wasn't flush with the roof, so I had the fun of getting any food I ate caught between it and my mouth.

 

It also had a little key with it that was inserted twice a day and turned, applying mor horizontal pressure to my mouth.( Oh boy that was fun also).

 

On the bright side, it did it's job, and I only had to wear it for about 3 months. The bad part was that it was put on about 3 days before Thanksgiving, so my meal that day was mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole.:cry:

Wow, this has been a great thread. I now have a perspective on how it feels from the other side a bit better.

 

Just a side note, if you have minimal crowding, you may want to see someone who provides invisalign as therapy. Also, ceramic brackets are an option in most offices and they're far less noticeable. Good luck. Adult ortho is not much fun.

 

My ortho said Invisalign wasn't an option because of the crowding, but he offered the ceramic brackest...Those are the ones I will go with.

It was a long time ago, but I think this was the order of events; starting in the summer after the 8th grade. My teeth weren't really crooked; there were just too many of them.

 

1. Four teeth removed to allow space for others to move into the correct place.

2. Rubber spacers (called "dog bones" back in the day) between teeth.

3. Rubber spacers replaced with metal spacers.

4. Full metal braces, top and bottom. Hooks for rubber bands included at no extra charge. Was always embarassing to open mouth at the dinner table and have a rubber band shoot across the table.

5. Headgear (I think it was called a facebow) to be worn 40-60 hours per week.

6. Braces finally off, retainer on.

7. Retainer off. Final procedure a couple of months before starting college - all 4 wisdom teeth removed.

 

I never was all that fond of "monthly maintenance" when braces were adjusted and tightened. Soft food for a day or so after these sessions.

Braces suck hard. Do what they tell you... to a certain extent... and you'll get them off before the estimated date. I only had them for a year and a half, and my teeth were messed up.

It was a long time ago, but I think this was the order of events; starting in the summer after the 8th grade. My teeth weren't really crooked; there were just too many of them.

 

1. Four teeth removed to allow space for others to move into the correct place.

2. Rubber spacers (called "dog bones" back in the day) between teeth.

3. Rubber spacers replaced with metal spacers.

4. Full metal braces, top and bottom. Hooks for rubber bands included at no extra charge. Was always embarassing to open mouth at the dinner table and have a rubber band shoot across the table.

5. Headgear (I think it was called a facebow) to be worn 40-60 hours per week.

6. Braces finally off, retainer on.

7. Retainer off. Final procedure a couple of months before starting college - all 4 wisdom teeth removed.

 

I never was all that fond of "monthly maintenance" when braces were adjusted and tightened. Soft food for a day or so after these sessions.

 

 

Dude...

They weren't to painful it was just the fact of having braces that sucked. I had them for 2 years and wasn't very happy about it.

My ortho said Invisalign wasn't an option because of the crowding, but he offered the ceramic brackest...Those are the ones I will go with.

They also offer wires that are white in most sizes. Although some are not available in certain sizes (diameter) you may only have to have it on for a month and it may be changed. Again, good luck!

 

Also, just a tip. I have had twins in braces at the same time, looked identical dentally. One was anal about what she ate, her hygiene, etc. and the other one ate whatever she wanted, took poor care of them, knocked brackets off multiple times, which typically necessitates taking steps backward. In the end, the one who did it right was out of her ortho and in retention 6 months sooner than her sister. Just some advice.

Why don't you go with the braces that are clear and they come off when you eat and brush your teeth. I hear these are better. I can't remember what they are called, but, they are on tv sometimes. I had a friend that did this and loved it. They fit on all your teeth, then, they just pop out when you want them to.

Why don't you go with the braces that are clear and they come off when you eat and brush your teeth. I hear these are better. I can't remember what they are called, but, they are on tv sometimes. I had a friend that did this and loved it. They fit on all your teeth, then, they just pop out when you want them to.

 

 

Those are for people who barely need braces, and they cost a pretty penny from what I understand. If you have any serious issue with your teeth they're probably not a good option.

It sounds like he does not have any serious issues...maybe I am wrong on that....thanks for the info, however!!!

 

Yes, they might be real expensive....I doubt if the insurance would even cover a small portion of the cost.