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Fixed braces... how long?
22 Answers
Hi all,
I'm 20 years old and have just had fixed braces applied (on Monday) in preparation for surgery to move my lower jaw forward. I hate them so much; they're painful, look hideous and make me feel totally disgusting. To be honest, my teeth are fairly straight, just a few slightly crooked ones on the bottom (which appear to have corrected themselves already) and slightly twisted tooth at the top. I was wondering if anyone has any idea how long they will be on for, some people say 2 years, but I know for a fact that I can't even put up with them for 1! I know that without looking you can't make an informed decision, and I should be asking my orthodontist this, but i'm not due to go back until the beginning of April. I need some idea now, just to keep me sane!
Please help, they're driving me mad! I just need a light at the end of the tunnel to keep me going.
I'm 20 years old and have just had fixed braces applied (on Monday) in preparation for surgery to move my lower jaw forward. I hate them so much; they're painful, look hideous and make me feel totally disgusting. To be honest, my teeth are fairly straight, just a few slightly crooked ones on the bottom (which appear to have corrected themselves already) and slightly twisted tooth at the top. I was wondering if anyone has any idea how long they will be on for, some people say 2 years, but I know for a fact that I can't even put up with them for 1! I know that without looking you can't make an informed decision, and I should be asking my orthodontist this, but i'm not due to go back until the beginning of April. I need some idea now, just to keep me sane!
Please help, they're driving me mad! I just need a light at the end of the tunnel to keep me going.
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I had top and bottom braces fitted as a teenager, this was to correct a huge overbite - it was horrible. I hated wearing them, didn't want to smile refused to have my photograph taken for 2 years and was teased, mainly by one boy....
BUT...
When they came off, I couldn't stop smiling. I had lovely straight teeth that actually fitted 'inside' my lips.............and for a while I felt almost beautiful !!
By the time I got to your age I had more or less forgotten the teenage angst I suffered.................and then one day I ran into my tormentor..............he was significantly bald ! So I gave him a beautiful smile.............
Persevere with them. I understand the pain and the shame, but it WILL pass and in time you won't even remember wearing them. I promise.
BUT...
When they came off, I couldn't stop smiling. I had lovely straight teeth that actually fitted 'inside' my lips.............and for a while I felt almost beautiful !!
By the time I got to your age I had more or less forgotten the teenage angst I suffered.................and then one day I ran into my tormentor..............he was significantly bald ! So I gave him a beautiful smile.............
Persevere with them. I understand the pain and the shame, but it WILL pass and in time you won't even remember wearing them. I promise.
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Both my daughters are waiting for their braces in preparation for the same surgery as you. They were both told 18 months to 2 years of braces followed by surgery. My eldest(20) is pregnant so has to wait until after the birth of her baby in July to even start the treatment.My middle child(18) has just had a baby 3 weeks ago and is due to go and have the braces any day now. Good luck with it all,I know exactly what you are going through.
i do wish people weren't so quick to judge on here. redheadiscbac... i have had scars, terrible acne ones on my face, which required laser surgery to remove, so i've been there. i have no chin whatsoever, meaning my profile is out of balance and incredibly unattractive. do you think i'd be putting myself through this kind of surgery if it didnt seriously affect my confidence. also i did think to ask my orthodontist, but figured they'd just tell me they couldnt tell until the braces had been on for a while. but now that my bottom ones have straigtened so quickly, i was wondering if any EXPERTS would be able to give me some advice. chazza, you've made me feel so much better!
I barely notice braces on people when i'm talking to them these days. When I was at school (25 odd years ago) having braces on your teeth was not as common and people did get picked on and even bullied for it. I know it may seem that they are really obvious to you jem_bob but I bet others don't notice. I would love to have my teeth sorted out,I have many crowns and extensive bridgework. I have gotten past the stage of caring what others think of my appearance though so they don't bother me as much as they used to.
Hi jem, I do feel for you-they are such an alien thing to have in your mouth all the time. I got mine when I was 14, and had them for just under 18 months, to correct a tooth that was growing out of the top of my gum! And also to straighten my teeth generally. I can honestly say I didn't really mind them, as I knew they held a long-term benefit.
However, it can be hard to see that benefit. I know you must feel so self-conscious: I did at first, but apart from the initial, "Oh, you've had braces, what colour elastic did you get?" no-one really bothered. And just so you know, I was far from being the popular kid at school (a short skater-goth with big boobs in a school full of bling!) so it's not like I got away with them because I was so adored *lol*
I have a friend who is 19 and can't wait for her braces-she is so self-conscious about her teeth. You just have to recognise how good you will feel when they all come off jem, because believe me you will!
In terms of practicalities, make sure you take care of the inside of your mouth, and try not to weaken the skin on your lips by constantly chewing, or eating a bad diet-it just makes it easier for your braces to hurt you! Use the wax they should have given you, or ask for it if they haven't; it really helps to ease the rubbing. Try Anbesol for pain relief-it's not cheap, but you don't need much, and it is much more effective than Bonjela.
Lots of luck sweetie xx
However, it can be hard to see that benefit. I know you must feel so self-conscious: I did at first, but apart from the initial, "Oh, you've had braces, what colour elastic did you get?" no-one really bothered. And just so you know, I was far from being the popular kid at school (a short skater-goth with big boobs in a school full of bling!) so it's not like I got away with them because I was so adored *lol*
I have a friend who is 19 and can't wait for her braces-she is so self-conscious about her teeth. You just have to recognise how good you will feel when they all come off jem, because believe me you will!
In terms of practicalities, make sure you take care of the inside of your mouth, and try not to weaken the skin on your lips by constantly chewing, or eating a bad diet-it just makes it easier for your braces to hurt you! Use the wax they should have given you, or ask for it if they haven't; it really helps to ease the rubbing. Try Anbesol for pain relief-it's not cheap, but you don't need much, and it is much more effective than Bonjela.
Lots of luck sweetie xx
hi there i have fixed braces on top and bottom, im 13, and as i first had them put on, they hurt like hell, the best things to use to relive the pain is bongella (for blisters) and bathy tething gel works really well, when i first had them put on i post an answer up here aswell, but it depends how bad it is, if you only have a few of your bottom jaw needs moving about, it should be just under a year, but if i were you i wouldent take this advice as you never know. i would phone my orthodist up, ps back to your jaw hurting, coffe and other hot drinks are exellent, as you probabbly know, heat expands metals, which lossens your braces up! (i learnt that in science) lol and if your toothbrush is hurting, use an electric one, i have oral-b proffesional care, and for best cleaning results for metal and your teeth youse duraphat toothpaste, it is recomended by alot of orthodist.
lots of people have taken my advice on braces, as i have had them for 2 months, and i need them in for a year, the pain will go in about a week.
~ ROBERT TAYLOR ~
P.S hope you have found an answer!
lots of people have taken my advice on braces, as i have had them for 2 months, and i need them in for a year, the pain will go in about a week.
~ ROBERT TAYLOR ~
P.S hope you have found an answer!
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Everyone has pretty much said what I want to say.
I worked for an orthodontist and have seen lots of people with braces. The maximum was 2 years and they were quite bad cases of crooked teeth. If yours are mild as you say they are, i bet yours will take no longer than 6-8 months.
All i can say is, the younger you get teeth corrected the better. You get much better results on a younger person.
It is amazing what a difference a good set of teeth can do for someones appearance. Usually knocking years off you when you are older.
You will be so glad you did it when you are 25...35....45....etc.
I hope you can persevere with it :-D
I worked for an orthodontist and have seen lots of people with braces. The maximum was 2 years and they were quite bad cases of crooked teeth. If yours are mild as you say they are, i bet yours will take no longer than 6-8 months.
All i can say is, the younger you get teeth corrected the better. You get much better results on a younger person.
It is amazing what a difference a good set of teeth can do for someones appearance. Usually knocking years off you when you are older.
You will be so glad you did it when you are 25...35....45....etc.
I hope you can persevere with it :-D
My lad has had a brace for about a year , similar problem as yours jaw and bite not right , due to have his out in the next month or so , he will have a great straight teeth line now thanks to that ,
By the way , loads of kids and adults have them now, at school its very fashionable to have them , so look forward to your new smile when they have come off , it will be worth it .... :-)
By the way , loads of kids and adults have them now, at school its very fashionable to have them , so look forward to your new smile when they have come off , it will be worth it .... :-)
it was hardly crazy, i was just looking from some proper advice, not to be sent on a guilt trip. anyway... thanks everyone else, your advice has been really helpful. i've got some bonjella which im using every day, and have already been through one packet of the wax since monday. i know thousands of people go through this and im not original, however i just cant stop thinking about them. my boyfriend of two years behaves differently around me now, and although he says he would love me whatever, it is making me miserable. i cant stop thinking about what they'll look like when they come off, which is making it so unbearable. i have such a long journey ahead and then a nasty operation at the end of it. please tell me they'll stop hurting so i can eat again! and that soon i wont notice the constant cheese grating action against the indside of my lips and cheeks! angel-cake 6-8 months would be fantastic!
I know this probably not what you want to hear but the pain of the braces is nothing to what the pain of your operation will be. As I said before both my daughters are waiting for the same op and I have researched it extensively so I know what you have coming.
There is sometimes a user on this site who seems to be an orthodontist judging by his replies. His user name is something like Mr.XLA. Hopefully he will come along and read your question and give you some professional advice.
There is sometimes a user on this site who seems to be an orthodontist judging by his replies. His user name is something like Mr.XLA. Hopefully he will come along and read your question and give you some professional advice.
Oh believe me! I have researched this EXTENSIVELY! I've read just about every article i could get my hands on and pretty much know the in's and outs on the procedure. I figure after the operation, the pain will last a week and then it'll be all over. i'd have to operation tomorrow in a flash if it were that simple. thanks anyway for your advice, and i'll look out for Mr XLA! Good luck to your daughters too, i know exactly what they're going through.
Hi
I've just noticed this thread and as I'm wearing braces at the moment thought I could help a bit. I'm 45 and my teeth were in a bit of a state. The top brace came off in December after 14 months and the bottom will come off in 2 months time. They do take some getting used to but as you and others) will see a difference shortly you'll accept them. My orthodontist gave me a very good tip against a sore mouth (mine actually bled when talking and as I'm a teacher I do a lot of that!) Buy some wax ear plugs from the supermarket or chemist's; they're coated in cotton wool which you take off. This wax is loads better than the dental wax and lots more pliable. It really does work.
To tell you the truth after a while you get so used to yourself with braces you feel bare (but what a relief) when they come off!!
I've just noticed this thread and as I'm wearing braces at the moment thought I could help a bit. I'm 45 and my teeth were in a bit of a state. The top brace came off in December after 14 months and the bottom will come off in 2 months time. They do take some getting used to but as you and others) will see a difference shortly you'll accept them. My orthodontist gave me a very good tip against a sore mouth (mine actually bled when talking and as I'm a teacher I do a lot of that!) Buy some wax ear plugs from the supermarket or chemist's; they're coated in cotton wool which you take off. This wax is loads better than the dental wax and lots more pliable. It really does work.
To tell you the truth after a while you get so used to yourself with braces you feel bare (but what a relief) when they come off!!
They will ache every time you get the wire changed, but generally this should ease off by the end of the same day. Some orthodontists do try to get there patients through the treatment quicker, and will change the wire slightly earlier than others.
You shouldn't really have the wire changed less than every 4 weeks, but preferably before 6-7 weeks. if it is changed to soon your teeth will ache a lot more.
Make sure you have some painkillers when you know you are going for an appointment. If it's too painful to eat, have some meal drinks ready so you can have that instead.
You shouldn't really have the wire changed less than every 4 weeks, but preferably before 6-7 weeks. if it is changed to soon your teeth will ache a lot more.
Make sure you have some painkillers when you know you are going for an appointment. If it's too painful to eat, have some meal drinks ready so you can have that instead.
Hi jem-bob
For the type of situation/surgery you describe which sounds like a mandibular osteotomy to correct a retrognathic mandible, braces are usualy used to try and de-compensate the dentoalveolar-occlusal relationship you have to assist the maxillofacial/orthognathic team.
(teeth essentially move to try and accommodate your jaw relationship, however this means when your jaw relationship is 'corrected' that your teeth won't meet together very well)
I should warn you that braces may be required after surgery (although this is not always the case).
You could wear them from any time between 6 to 24 months
They are very uncomfortable initially, however you will adapt over time but it will be very difficult at first.
I assume that you must be suffering quite severe psycho-social problems as a result of your appearance as this sort of procedure is not usually considered otherwise and therefore I realise that you would not have chosen this pathway had you and several other clinicians not felt that it would be of great benefit to you.
Its very important that at any subsequent consultations you raise your concerns and try and get a clear idea of exactly what your overall treatment plan will entail (every case is individual).
I'm sure its common sense to you (and most surgeons/orthognathic teams are good at ensuring informed consent) however make sure you are clear about all the risks and side effects and that you are happy to proceed.
I'm sure you will get used to the braces eventually, but it won't be easy it first however long you have to wear them for (you may also have to wear some form of retainer afterwards, sometimes fixed, these are not like braces and people adapt very well to them)
For the type of situation/surgery you describe which sounds like a mandibular osteotomy to correct a retrognathic mandible, braces are usualy used to try and de-compensate the dentoalveolar-occlusal relationship you have to assist the maxillofacial/orthognathic team.
(teeth essentially move to try and accommodate your jaw relationship, however this means when your jaw relationship is 'corrected' that your teeth won't meet together very well)
I should warn you that braces may be required after surgery (although this is not always the case).
You could wear them from any time between 6 to 24 months
They are very uncomfortable initially, however you will adapt over time but it will be very difficult at first.
I assume that you must be suffering quite severe psycho-social problems as a result of your appearance as this sort of procedure is not usually considered otherwise and therefore I realise that you would not have chosen this pathway had you and several other clinicians not felt that it would be of great benefit to you.
Its very important that at any subsequent consultations you raise your concerns and try and get a clear idea of exactly what your overall treatment plan will entail (every case is individual).
I'm sure its common sense to you (and most surgeons/orthognathic teams are good at ensuring informed consent) however make sure you are clear about all the risks and side effects and that you are happy to proceed.
I'm sure you will get used to the braces eventually, but it won't be easy it first however long you have to wear them for (you may also have to wear some form of retainer afterwards, sometimes fixed, these are not like braces and people adapt very well to them)
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