I'M GETTING BRACES: "A Thirty-Something's Journey to The Perfect Smile".

Oddly enough.... I like my teeth. I think they are big and rather nice. I do have a bit of spacing on the sides but, nothing to "write home about", I have said.  I have thus far gone 31 years without thinking that they needed to be changed.... Or, so I told myself.

See, I have this jaw condition...its called TMJ for short. Its where the Temporomadibular joint is dysfunctional, and thus causing a variety of symptoms in sufferers, the most common of which is pain. I also grind my teeth insessantly. I have often wondered if the grinding (which I have done since childhood) is to blame for the TMJ itself.  That excessive grinding has caused quite an overgrowth of bone in my mouth and consequently is also the reason I developed a slightly bucktoothed appearance. That AND my tongue-sucking as a child. So you see, myriad problems which lead me to the present.

I got married in September of 2011 and I couldnt help noticing the protrusion of my teeth in profile as I smiled. It didnt look "bad", but I certainly didnt like it. I continued to scrutinize pictures of myself and I realized that the protrusion was actually getting worse over the years. Was it the grinding? Was it the TMJ at fault? Either way...a kernel of thought was laid down in the fertile grounds of my mind. Could I possibly need...braces?

When viewed head on, my smile is still one that I like. I was fast becoming concerned about my profile though. So here it is now that 2013 finds me...weeks from my 32nd birthday, in braces. I got the brackets put on today, May 10. And I have to say I HATE THEM. I mean, this isn't exactly how I envisioned them being...they are bulky in sensation. They are...braces! I am not a preteen nor a teenager so there is a level of embarrasment that I guess I should be feeling (though I am not---strangely). I am simply feeling distaste.

They dont look bad, do they? Well...I dont think they do. They just look weird I guess. And they feel odd too. I am only a few hours in, but they are definately abrading my cheeks somewhat. And for some odd reason everything tastes weird. (Everything: meaning, the soft puffed corn I have eaten thus far and some good old porridge.) How will I survive my present life, as I am still breastfeeding my 5mth old! I need to be able to chomp on all my goodies at will!

THE PROCESS:

(1) After meeting with 4 other orthodontists, I had the Goldilocks moment and chose the one that was just right for me. I didnt end up choosing because of price (Oh no...there WERE cheaper options). I didnt choose because of the look of the office (there was this one dude, well HIS office was totally space aged looking and very updated! Loved it! Hated him though...). I chose because the orthodontist and I simply clicked. I liked his approach to treatment. I liked the way he dealt with the patients (an observation made the day  of my consultation). And I liked the atmosphere there. I even liked the staff.

(2) There was a few weeks of TMJ "therapy".  I am a teeth grinder as I mentioned. So I was given a mouth guard to wear for a period of time. I was also shown how to do exercises to promote jaw relaxation. I was taught how to thrust my tongue into the roof of my mouth to basically distract me from grinding... trading one bad habit for another really (since I now thrust my tongue upwards a lot).

(3) We discussed the option of Extraction.
This one was big. I have read all over about the possible side effects of the development of TMJ after orthodontically issued teeth extractions are performed. I have read about the caved-in profile resulting from said extractions. And Lord knows I have read more than my fair share of horror stories of the extraction process itself! So when the first Ortho I consorted with pronounced the death knell of needing EIGHT (healthy) teeth extracted, I balked. Oh hexxx nah! 8 what? 8 of whose? Not these puppies no thank you! Yes, I still have my wisdom teeth and they are wisely minding their business, yes they are! The second guy saw said I wouldnt need any teeth out since ethnically technically speaking, Black people tend to have that "fullness" in the mouth area. (Ugh huh...). I actually like my full lips, its the buck toothed appearance that I am not a fan of. The third guy said he didnt care whether or not I removed teeth but he would gladly put the braces on! (rushing much?). So when I met with Dr. Pham of Pinnacle Orthodontics in Pickerington, OH., I knew I had found my guy when he suggested that extractions are an option...and I liked his reason why the removal of teeth (4 second premolars? Hmmm I must check...5 back from the front) would be a good option. There are indeed those candidates like myself that would benefit from removal, as my lips are indeed full and in profile there is a bucktoothed appearance that would scarcely change from the application of braces alone. He also clued my in as to how far my grinding habit had affected my oral condition.

(4) We set a date.
I had the dates lined up to get the brackets on. Then the extractions, and in my case, the wires go on last. Soooo by May 28 I should be all braced out.

Today the brackets are on. They are the In-Ovation R brackets. And I hate them. I said that before, didnt I? Well? They arent my teeth so I hate them. They feel odd...so I hate them. I had composites put on my back teeth to prevent me from biting down on the brackets and it now feels uber weird AND I have a slightly open bite as a result...and it feels weird, and thus---I hate it. I honestly dont hink they look bad. I think I can rock these! I think I can...ok...I think I can find a way to cope with the count down that is already ringing through my HEAD as to the day I get them off! (just beign realistic).
 I have to get the 4 teeth pulled next week on May the 14th, so I will post my experience then. So this is for any of you adults out there who would like a glimpse into the experience of braces. Or at least MY experience anyway!

Comment below and share your tales. I am VERY interested in your insight!

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