<p>Well, here’s my update. A little discouraging. I had a follow-up with my orthodontist last week. First of all, there was some kind of a small “shadow” on my xrays near my wisdom tooth, so I have an appointment with an oral surgeon in two weeks. Orthodontist thinks it is a cyst or a small infection. Hope that is all. As some of you know, this has been a rough couple of weeks. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were an infection, some time ago, I had a root canal on the next molar. It has never seemed “right.” So, oral surgeon is the first step.</p>
<p>Then, the orthodontist described the crowding as severe and recommended breaking my jaw, removing teeth (not the wisdom teeth), and regular braces. Honestly, I was so shook up about the shadow thing, I could ask an intelligent question about why he wasn’t think invisalign.</p>
<p>So, one thing at a time. If there is something really wrong, I guess I am lucky I even investigated having braces.</p>
<p>D2 still has her two upper wisdom teeth in (which will need to come out as soon as they come down more); at her last x-rays, the oral surgeon saw the same thing, and did not seem too alarmed. In her case, though, because her wisdom teeth are still up so high, if the cyst were to continue to grow and crowd out the tooth, it could push the tooth up closer to the sinues, which is what we DON’T want. So we wait and get more x-rays this summer for comparison (and hopefully both teeth will have moved down more).</p>
<p>DH got braces on shortly before our D (first child) was born. He had them for 3 years–looks great! The worst part was during the 3rd year of the braces and he was interviewing for jobs. He had to be careful what he was eating during interview lunches/dinners because he didn’t want to have “salad in my teeth”!!</p>
<p>Okay, today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today I got my Invisalign aligners put in. I had a 9:10 am apppointment and by 9:55 am I was on my way to my annual mammogram. About a month ago I had my consult and learned that Invisalign was indeed recommended for my crowded lower teeth and slightley crowded and crooked tops. The cost was about $5000. A week later I had the impressions and diagnostic testing done and they called me 3 or 4 weeks later to say that my aligners were in and ready. I was a bit surprised by the anchors that they cemented to my teeth (2 on the top canines and 4 on the bottom teeth) to hold the plastic aligners in place…I didn’t realize that they would be so…prominent and that I would feel them. Even though I am a newbie to this, I had no problem putting in and taking out the aligners (I have done it twice today already for lunch and dinner) and I really don’t think that thier presence has given me the lisp that I had heard about. I don’t like how tight they feel on my teeth right now but I know that it is because they are new and my teeth are not used to being moved. I know that I will get used to it. I am sad that I cannot pop a candy or sweet into my mouth at any moment (I really do nosh a lot throughout the day) but this is not really a bad thing. My blood sugar and my weight will probably benefit from this. I do feel weird that I cannot bite down with them in…it is odd to always keep your jaw slightly open and I cannot imagine how this will affect my bite after the treatment is done. I need to find something to clean them with still. The orthodontist said water and a soft toothbrush and I could use a solution of water with a bit of bleach in it. He said I could use a denture cleaner but the Invisalign packaging says not to. Invisalign sells a cleaner but it is really expensive and I am not sure that it is worth it. My friend recommended that I find something called retainer fresh online but the website is no longer. Any suggestions guys??? Anyhow, I am now on day one of my first aligner pack of 10 packs. I need to wear each aligner set for 3 weeks so my treatment could end in 7.5 months (but I know that it always goes a bit longer as they tweak things in the end). The office gave me two sets, so I have to come back for a checkup in 6 weeks and then I will get the next two sets. Wish me luck everyone.</p>
<p>Well, at least you are this far! Monday I am going to an appointment with the oral surgeon because of a “shadow” they saw on my xrays. I was told it could be an infection near my wisdom teeth.</p>
<p>I was so shocked by this twist I did not ask why Invisalign wasn’t one of the treatment options. Honestly, he recommended breaking my jaw, removing four teeth (not my wisdom teeth) as the best option and then traditional braces as the lesser option. I also am to be cleared by a periodontist before he will begin treatment. I know he is being cautious, but holy cow, this is expensive. </p>
<p>Good luck, Seiclan, but I am jealous you have your braces on.</p>
<p>seiclan - the answer on cleaning is very simple: never let saliva dry on your aligners. Get a small toothbrush and using toothpaste, scrub them clean the minute they come out of your mouth. I experimented and my favorite toothpaste is Arm and Hammer Peroxicare as it cleans well and doesn’t glob up in the aligners. If you let the aligners sit around and then scrub them before they go back in your mouth, they will develop plaque-like stuff in the indentations that you’ll have to scrape out with a pokey thing. But if you clean them right away, you won’t need any special solutions or tools.</p>
<p>worknprogress, I’m sorry it isn’t working out for you to have Invisalign and good luck with the oral surgeon.</p>
<p>I guarantee that you dentist’s office has a sonicator bath, and they will gladly clean your retainers and aligners for you at no charge if the need arises. My dental hygienist always offers to clean my retainers when I come for regular cleaning appointments. Good luck with your braces and appointments, everyone! (wnp, IMO, metal braces are a piece of cake compared to broken jaws :eek: I had a mouth full of metal for almost 18 months and survived just fine.)</p>
<p>Well, I am back from the oral surgeon’s office. It appears I have a cyst under my wisdom tooth - so I am having all of them removed. He talked to me about the jaw breaking angle of getting my teeth aligned, and while he said it really wasn’t that big of a deal, he said I could get very nice results without removing bicuspids and breaking my jaw, in his opinion. Anyway, I just need to do one thing at a time. Really. Let me get these darn wisdom teeth out and then see what I feel like doing. </p>
<p>Last spring break daughter had her wisdom teeth out, I made smoothies for her, brought her jello, pudding, etc. She, however, will not be home that week of spring break this year :(</p>
<p>Good luck to all you adults getting braces. I had traditional braces when I was in my twenties and it was fine- two years in braces, 1 year in a daily retainer and 1 year with a night retainer. I have not worn anything since and have not had any significant shifting. My husband regrets that he did not get braces as a kid because he needed them. My sister regrets it too because now they would need to break her jaw. Right now my son needs braces but we are finding it hard to coordinate since he is away at college. Anyone had experience with their kid using their university’s dental/orthodontic clinic for this?</p>
<p>I was always a little uncertain about the recommendations from the first orthodontist I consulted. He suggested having my jaw broken (he said optional, but would provide best result), removal of four wisdom teeth (I did that because they found “shadow” on xray), and the removal of four additional teeth. </p>
<p>I just couldn’t understand the four additional teeth. My teeth had been fine as a teen and young adult, it wasn’t until I was much older that my teeth shifted. I decided to consult with the orthodontist I had used for D and his recommendation did not include removing the additional four teeth. He also said that although breaking my jaw would give a superb profile, he thought it was a lot of pain and aggravation for a barely noticeable overbite.</p>
<p>So, yesterday I started treatment with ortho #2. I just had spacers put in and one day after 59th birthday I will have braces. Won’t I look cute with all the little guys!</p>
<p>My D asked why I had not gone with her ortho in the first place. The simple reason was that our dentist (who had taken over from older dentist) said the ortho he recommended was great and was doing his daughter’s braces. I have to admit, the cynical side of me now wonders, I am sure he is receiving professional courtesy (no problem) and of course he thinks that ortho is great.</p>
<p>I had braces in my early thirties for a jaw thing, as a last resort before having my jaw broken. The braces worked, for the most part, AND my smile looks great.</p>
<p>I had my teeth cleaned every three months when I had braces to avoid any gum issues…I recommend this route. You’ll look years younger with a new bite. :)</p>
<p>Worknprogress - glad you sought a second opinion. Amazing how professionals can differ so much in their assessments and treatment options. Makes you realize this stuff is more of an art than a science.</p>
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<p>This is true for everyone. If you don’t wear your retainer on a regularly basis (my son’s orthodontist recommended once a week at night, I think) your teeth will continue to shift -which is why so many had braces as a teen and then had to do it again as an adult.</p>
<p>I read this whole thing because I’m putting ds1, a college freshman, in braces over spring break. I didn’t insist on it earlier, because he’s a late teether (just now getting his second molars) so it seemed premature. But over winter break, he went to my new dentist and, there in the chair, I realized what an underbite he has (I already knew about the crooked teeth!). Now that I’m in my late 40s and having dental issues for a variety of reasons, I’m seeing how important dental health is and will make whatever sacrifice is necessary to get his teeth in good shape. Ds2, a HS sophomore, is in braces now and almost done even though it’s not even been a year (unless the ortho lied to us, too). I wish we’d forced the issue with ds1 a year ago.</p>
<p>wnp, congrats! Getting braces was a really great decision for me. It was the best $4K spent on myself. I also did not follow my dentist’s recommendations and headed out to the ortho who was recommended to me by a friend (her sons had really good experience with him). Both D’s and I went to this guy, and he was great.</p>
<p>My DH did not mind my braces. Every now and then, he would comments about how they made me look “cute” and “so young, almost teenage-like”. LOL. Not that I was buying his flattery, but… :)</p>
<p>I had braces as a kid but my teeth moved in adulthood. I decided to get Invisalign and have no regrets at all! I’m almost done and its been about 8 months. Absolutely fabulous and no complaints. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I realize they are not for everyone, and they may cost quite a bit more. </p>
<p>As a professional woman, I just couldn’t picture myself with regular braces again (see my students everyday), but I’m stunned by the fact that almost no one registers noticing them (and I know for a fact many friends did not notice them). </p>
<p>I love the straightness of my teeth now. But also my bite is way better, and a few areas where the gum was red below my teeth (some inflammation where they were crowding), and there is enough gap between my teeth now that flossing is much easier, and seems far less necessary than before! I’m completely convinced it is not just cosmetic for me, but has really improved my oral health.</p>
<p>Congrats, wnp! So glad you don’t have to have your jaw broken.</p>
<p>I got braces a few months ago to correct a misalignment problem that was causing excessive wear to my teeth. When my dentist told me my only option was braces, I told him I thought I was too old at 53. He laughed and said he has a 75-year-old patient with braces.</p>
<p>Invisalign wasn’t an option for me. I have the clear on top/regular metal on bottom brackets. If I’d known beforehand that the clear brackets stain as easily as they do, I would have gone with all metal. I drink lots of coffee, which stains the clear brackets and makes them look dirty and yucky. Luckily, I discovered that applying whitening gel to the clear brackets every day really lightens them up.</p>
<p>I’m thrilled at how my braces have already moved my teeth out far enough to reduce the lines around my mouth. The orthodontist says the end result will be like having a facelift! I wasn’t expecting that little benefit–it’s an added bonus.</p>
<p>The worst thing about braces is eating in front of other people. If anyone knows how to keep food from getting stuck in braces, I’d love to hear it. I’m getting tired of eating clear soups when we go out with friends.</p>
<p>Oh dear! I wish I had asked that question before! I also indicated I wanted clear uppers. I’ll bet I will just be drinking white wine from now on. </p>
<p>I also had hoped I could just use the invisalign, but both dentist said they would not be a viable option. </p>
<p>I have always believed in the value of a second opinion in matter like this. If the two specialist agree, great. But if there is a different approach, then you can go with the one that makes the most sense to you. As I said - my teeth, particularly my upper teeth, were not that crowded. Removing eight teeth (counting wisdom teeth just never sounded right to me). I am so happy I went to someone else for his thoughts.</p>
<p>Week one on braces and as I mentioned in another thread I am still having trouble chewing. No big deal, I am sure when things settle down I will resume my eating habits. </p>
<p>Mapesy & Poetgrl - thanks for the tips. I am swearing off red wine and whenever I eat something that might stain, I brush my teeth as soon as possible. I was told that the cement holds the color more than the ceramic. I am also scheduling an addition cleaning this year. </p>
<p>One worrisome aspect. I had a molar that has felt “funny” for awhile. I have told my dentist, told oral surgeon, told orthodontist. All looked at xrays and said tooth and root looked fine. I have noticed that that molar looks discolored since the braces have been installed. When I work up the courage (I am such a wimp) I am calling the dentist to have him take a look. I have a feeling the tooth is damaged and may require root canal. Geeesh! Will the fun never end???</p>
<p>“If anyone knows how to keep food from getting stuck in braces, I’d love to hear it.”</p>
<p>During my 18 months with braces I perfected the “Mona Lisa smile”. Even if there was spinach stuck in my braces, no one would notice because I would talk and smile without exposing my teeth I packed a box of teeny-tiny brushy thingies in my purse and would make a quick run to the ladies’ room to clean my braces after eating a particularly “braces-unfriendly” dish. They looked something like this: [Travel</a> Spirex Brush Pack of 36 by Denticator](<a href=“http://www.dentakit.com/trspbrd.html]Travel”>Dental Picks & Spiral Brushes) and are available at drug stores.</p>
<p>Bunsen - I received a sample of those - they are wonderful!! That’s what I use to remove the bits of black beans, blueberries, etc. I must learn to perfect the ML smile!</p>
I packed a box of teeny-tiny brushy thingies in my purse and would make a quick run to the ladies’ room to clean my braces after eating a particularly “braces-unfriendly” dish. They looked something like this: [Travel</a> Spirex Brush Pack of 36 by Denticator](<a href=“