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Braces@29

Getting nervous, but super excited!

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Braces@29
, 08-26-2010 at 08:38 PM (348 Views)
I finally decided to do it! Growing up, my teeth were rather straight until I turned 17 or so. By the time I mentioned something to my parents about braces, I was over 18, heading to college, and they didn't have the money, and my insurance would no longer pay for braces. Now it's over 10 years later and I am ready to take the plunge, paying for the whole treatment myself.

I started this whole process about a month ago, towards the end of July 2010. I think I was getting ready to go to work, or dinner, and I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were drawn directly to my not so straight teeth and I made this mental note...."That's it! I've had it!" I think I no sooner got home that evening and began obsessively researching braces. I called every Orthodontist within a 40 mile radius (or close to it) and asked what typical prices they had for an adult seeking treatment. After making all the phone calls, I sat down with my info and made 4 consult appointments.

Consult #1 was August 9th: full metal brackets, 18-22 months, no extractions needed, $3500.
Consult #2 was August 12th: ceramic top, metal bottom, 18-22 months, no extractions needed, $4300
Consult #3 was August 18th, full metal, 24-27months, palate expander, possible extractions, possible jaw surgery(not included in price) $4450
Consult #4, also August 18th, ceramic top, metal bottom, 24 months, palate expander, $5700

I find it very interesting to have such a wide price range, although when I think about it, you have both extremes. Consult #1 was in a small village close to the city I live in, quaint little family style office, no frills, older doctor.....while consult #4 was in a larger city, fancy new, yet somewhat vacant building, computerized sign-in, X Box 360 and PS3 game rooms, and computerized documentation, younger doctor.....I guess that's where a difference of $2200 comes in!

With all of this info, and my head spinning, I had to take a minute and think it all through....I decided to go with Dr.Huber/Consult #2! I am really excited, scared, self conscious, worried, and just so ready to get the process started. I called the Dr. on the 19th, and they got me scheduled to have my upper ceramic braces put on the 30th of August! I was surprised when she told me that I would not need spacers as the Dr. doesn't use the molar band system.

The Ortho said that since my overbite is so bad, (100%) I will have the upper ceramic brackets put on first, then get the metal bottom brackets "a few months later", according to my timeline, this will put me at Christmas 2010.

And so my journey begins, I will finally start the process in 4 days! I only wish I would have done this earlier for myself. Wish me luck, I can't wait to see the progress and transformation. [/FONT]
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Comments

  1. Sunny's Avatar
    It's great that you're now able to do this for yourself!

    It's great you did the multiply consult work and have been able to make the right decision for you. Cost for ortho treatment does include many factors, but I think that the most important factor is how you feel about the orthodontist and the staff that you're going to be seeing heaps of over the next couple of years. Plus I found it hard to cope with ortho's who were 'pushing a product'. I already knew that brackets didn't move teeth, so when an ortho would try and tell me that the brackets they used were the only ones on the market that could do the job ... I left at the first available chance.

    Spacers are not used by many ortho's now and they have replace molar bands with buccal molar brackets. These brackets allow for easier cleaning of the molars, which is an areas that many don't clean well even without orthodontics.

    It's fantastic that you've got the opportunity to do this for yourself at such a young age. Many on here are in their 40's and 50's ... and we all have a great functioning bite to look forward to.

    All the best for the 30th! Remember to use wax generously if any brackets start to rub, so your mouth will toughen with the wax and then you don't risk mouth sores. Plus drink plenty of water. Hydration is great for your general health and even better when you're having orthodontic treatment, as it helps your mouth to cope with the hardware.

    I look forward to following your journey to achieving the bite and smile you long for!
  2. lileepers's Avatar
    You sound a lot like me! I'm 25, and just got my braces on last week; paying for them myself. It's such a good feeling to know that you're FINALLY DOING IT, right? hehe

    Good choice going with the ceramic's - you won't regret it!

    Good luck getting them on, keep us in the loop!
  3. Braces@29's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by lileepers
    You sound a lot like me! I'm 25, and just got my braces on last week; paying for them myself. It's such a good feeling to know that you're FINALLY DOING IT, right? hehe

    Good choice going with the ceramic's - you won't regret it!

    Good luck getting them on, keep us in the loop!

    I plan on posting Monday when I get home from the Ortho! I am sooooo excited, I can't hardly stand it. I'm considering Cheesecake Factory on Sunday, "my last meal" LOL, or at least for a few days...
  4. catgyrl's Avatar
    Hi Braces@29!

    First off, thank you for the friend request!

    I am SO excited for you! I feel like I'm going through it all over again with you. I, too, just made up my mind one day while I was on vacation with a friend who had just gotten her braces off. She said it was the best thing she'd ever done. So, the day after I got home, I called an ortho and had my first consultation that day. A few days later, I had a second consultation and scheduled my appointment. Time between first consult and bracing: About 3 weeks; although I could've gone in sooner. I wanted to take a long weekend in case I was in agony. NO agony whatsoever...

    You enjoy that Cheesecake Factory, girl! I should've had a steak for my "last meal" but I did nothing special for mine. Tomorrow will be my first attempt at eating steak since getting braced in April. That should be interesting... Please keep us posted.

    -Cathy
    Updated 08-27-2010 at 02:42 PM by catgyrl