| Subject: Re: I am confused |
Author:
Micki
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Date Posted: 16:56:35 08/24/04 Tue
In reply to:
RichardM
's message, "I am confused" on 11:32:48 08/12/04 Thu
>I have just returned from getting my spacers on. I
>will have eight bands put on next week and on the 26th
>the rest of my mouth will be sealed in steel. But the
>more I read here, the more I wonder about my treatment
>plan.
>
>It seems most people get thier appliances on over
>several months, first one jaw, then the other. Yet I
>will have all the bands and brackets, top and bottom,
>put on in a week. Is this because I have expressed my
>"mixed feelings" (the orthos words) about the whole
>process? Or is it just the normal way to put braces
>on a fifty year old male? Or am I just lucky?
>
>Then there is the question of treatment time, which I
>understand should be 24 - 30 months. Many here seem
>to go from a year or less to no more than two years.
>Once again, am I just lucky? How close is the
>estimate to actual wear time. A good friend in high
>school got his on as a freshman, supposedly for two
>years, and still had them on the last time I saw him
>in college, four years later. He was not at all happy
>about that, or will I be if it happens to me.
>
>Finally there is the headgear thing that I am supposed
>to "wear the hell out of" (orthos words). I told him
>night time wear is doable, but public appearances are
>out of the question. He said the less I wear it the
>longer I will have to wear everything. I think I read
>that Lynn, founder of this page, was told by one ortho
>she had to wear headgear but went to another who did
>it without headgear. The closest other orthodontist
>who takes my insurance is over an hour away. I didn't
>get a second opinion and now I am seriously
>questioning myself for that. Maybe the travel time
>would be worth it if I didnt have to wear what I am
>sure will be a highly visable, highly embarassing
>appliance that kids won't even wear.
>
>Or am I just getting cold feet and looking for reasons
>not to do this?
>
>The spacers are certainly uncomfortable, but the pain
>is not nearly as bad as I had imagined from reading
>some post here. Or am I just lucky?
>
>Thanks for tolerating my rants and offering your
>opinions.
Hi Richard:
I have had my braces on for 3 and 1/2 months, after having 4 teeth (bicuspids) extracted
I can't believe how fast they moved!! My ortho gave me a treatment time of 24+ months, plus retainer time after that.
I am not sure if the 24 months is something that is an AVERAGE. It seems that as I talk to people, and read this site, that it is an AVERAGE for most people.
I think I have learned in the short time that I have been in braces, that it isn't an EXACT science. Each person's mouth is a different challenge, and every ortho's approch is different. That being said, it's hard to ask for specific advice on a site like this and get exactly something that you want to know.
Personally, I am hoping for being out of braces BEFORE 24+ months, but it is probably not going to happen.
BUT - in the end I am going to be so much happier with my smile (I already am).
Oh - I am 59 years old - and kick myself everyday for waiting so long.
Good luck and remember:
YOU CAN DO IT!!
Micki
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