50+ Female with ceramics

[50+]

Hi, I am a 50+ female with ceramics up and down. I just had them put on Feb 16, 2010. I had 3 molars pulled over the years that left gaps. My next step was to have bridge work but since I had crowded front teeth - decided to look into braces. My orthodontist has given me a 31 month treatment plan including mini-plates to be inserted 6 months into the treatment. I've already seen the oral surgeon who will do this. I feel confident that my results will be excellent - but feel that the 31 months is rather daunting....at least I'm almost through the first month!! Looking forward to getting to know others around my age on this site.

[mikeg]

Good for you. What are the mini plates for? I believe they are put where the molars were?

Who is your orthodontist? I'm also in South Florida...

[lauralea]

congrats on starting your treatment!

[Phantom Muse]

Welcome, and good luck on your treatment! Even though 31 months seems like a long time, time does fly - especially after you get through the first month or two!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome 50+ ... another 50+ here!

Here's to your treatment going great and your teeth getting early release. I was original given a timeframe of around 36 months ... but sadly mine has blown out due to my teeth having long roots and not wanting to move. Also having an impacted canine attached to my jaw bone caused a change in treatment plan ... and further delays.

Here's to everything going smoothly for you!

[18monther]

36 months would seem long at first. When my ortho told me it would be around 24 months I was like O M G...but the last 5 months flew by and it would only go faster every month especially when your teeth are coming together the way you envisioned.

[leannaaker]

Good for you! Curious also what the plates are for?

[50+]

sorry that I haven't been on for quite awhile. My 1 year anniversary is near and I can't believe one year has passed already! 31 months seemed like an eternity, but i'm almost 1/2 way there!

To answer yur question leannaaker about the plates. They are mini screws aka TADs (temporary anchorage device) that screw into your bone then are anchored to your teeth to help with movement - esp for closing gaps in my case. These, believe it or not, replace headgear!! At my age, I don't think that would have been an option. I had the TADs inserted (screwed) in Sept of last year and now barely remember they are there!! I had them done by an oral surgeon and opted for local anesthesia. So glad I did!! It was not so bad and glad that part is over. They are temporary - so I know I'll have to go back to have them removed when I have my braces taken off. They are doing a phenomenal job since my gaps are closing nicely and my ortho is very impressed!

[50+]

btw, I had 3 inserted - 2 on top and 1 on the bottom to close 3 gaps.

[Sunny]

Fantastic to read that your treatment is going so well! :thumbs:

Headgear has not been used for quite a few years in Australia and it's great that specialists have able to come up with treatment methods that are more efficient, easier to adjust to and look a load better as a bonus!

Good luck with the rest of your treatment going as planned!

[50+]

Celebrating my 1 year anniversary!!! Gone 365 days with braces!! :-D

[50+]

Celebrating my halfway mark!! Countdown begins in earnest!!! :-)
At my last adjustment, my ortho said he was proud of me....very pleased with the results!! :-)