Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Braces Adventure

I have wanted braces for a long, long time. I'm not wild about my teeth and would really like a nice, straight smile. A few years back, my regular dentist's son was getting into the field of orthodontics. He was offering free consults, so I sat in there and we talked about a treatment plan. He thought that pulling four teeth was the way to go. I didn't have the money at the time, so the thought went out the window.
 
I finally decided that this is the year for braces. I went to a different orthodontist yesterday - one who came highly recommended. He had a totally different idea for a treatment plan. Only pulling one tooth AND breaking the roof of my mouth (palate) and putting in an expander for six months.
 
Oh.JOY.
 
Let me tell you, doing this procedure on kids is a snap because their bones are still soft and moveable. Adults? Not even remotely close. Which is why the oral surgeon will have to literally break the palate in half.
 
Take a wild guess how excited I am for this.
 
Then they put an expander in, with a little key, which I get to turn periodically to maintain that space while the bone fuses back together.
 
All of this will correct the crossbite on the left side of my mouth. The braces will be placed a few days after the surgery.
 
I would be lying if I said I wasn't totally reconsidering this entire process. It sounds extremely painful...and, is it REALLY worth it? I know a nice smile is great to have, but holy cow.
 
Maybe this will be what finally knocks off those 20 pounds I would like to lose. ;)
 
Silver linings, right?

1 comment:

CreativeMish said...

It sounds horrid but just think of the end result. Anything that is worthwhile is not easy. It will be over before you know it.