Kmcampbe

So, tomorrow morning I go in to the orthodontist to have my braces put on. I'm having all kinds of feelings. I'm nervous, excited, worried, a little sad, but mostly I'm just filled with ambiguous anticipation. I've realized for years that I needed braces, but for some reason over the past year it began to bother me more and more. Finally I'm in a position where I'm able to pay for them and so, here I am.

I've read so much about braces for adults and damon braces (that's what I'm getting) and pretty much anything having anything to do with orthodontics. But I still have all the normal concerns: what will I look like with them on? what will people think/say? will it hurt? how long will it be before I see changes? will it actually take the 20-24 months my orthodontist said it will? what if it takes longer? These and a million other questions are running through my head.

My ortho issues are as follows: class III underbite, slight crowding of the upper and lower teeth, mild open bite, slight overjet, partial anterior crossbite, and midline shift of the lower jaw. It sounds like so many issues and yet, no one even suggested braces to me until I was 19!

Nearly 3 years later, I've finally gotten where I need to be financially, I've found an orthodontist that I like, and I'm ready to take the plunge.

My hopes and expectations are high, which I should probably work on, but it's been out of my control. I've read so much about the damon system, some good and some bad (well, not really bad, just not good). I've read a lot about my ortho and his practice (all excellent). I feel like I'm going in well prepared, but then again, exactly how prepared can you be.

I'm mostly just rambling because I am having all these thoughts and I'm glad to have a place in which to express them. Main point: tomorrow is the big day, so here goes nothing.

1-4-12 (4, close up).jpg ==> my teeth before the braces.