Newbie

[Helenvds]

Hi There

I'm a newbie to this forum. I received my braces about 16 days ago. It doesn't hurt anymore but I'm still on soft foods as they put glue on my 2 back teeth so I don't bite my front teeth off.

I had braces before as a child but I started getting pains in my jaw and went to a couple of specialists. I was told that I have a Type 1 class jaw problem and I might need surgery top and bottom. But first I need to wear the braces.

I have a very long and square bottom jaw so my chin looks very long. I have to say that I don't mind, I’m so use to my face and everybody loves me for who I am. I just wonder if a class 1 type is really necessary for operation? I read that there is a type 2 and type 3 and they look more severe to me?

Anyway this is going to be a long journey and a lot of Money. I live in South Africa and my medical aid scheme doesn't pay for the braces or operation. I see there’s a lot of people out there with the same problem.

Anyway hope it all goes well for everybody!!!!!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum!

Good luck with your treatment and make sure you get your ortho to explain why they're considering surgery. Class 1 is the correct type of bite, but you may have some other problems with your class 1, that is considered necessary for treatment. If you don't want surgery, or can't afford it, ask what affect this would have on your final outcome. Some ortho's can 'fake' teeth, so that problems can't be seen, but this may affect the bite function. It's necessary to be very clear on these issues before making any life changing decisions.

Good luck!

[Helenvds]

Hi Sunny

Well according to the surgeon he said that I have a skeletal problem and will have major problems on a later age with my jaws etc so that's why he wants to do it. But he said I must wear the braces first. I'm looking at medical schemes at the moment to see if they can assist with the surgery. He's going to give in a letter to the board members as he said it's not cosmetic. So yes hopefully it will work out in the end! For now I’m just getting used to the braces and eating and cleaning......

[Phoenix461]

Helen, welcome to the world of braces. I'm not the expert here ... just on the journey of braces myself. I am sure other members will pitch in with advice / direction.

[Helenvds]

Hi Phoenix461

Thanks yes i'm sure i'm going to learn a lot form this site! It's a great place to blow of steam I see. I'm just soooo hungry. I'm drinking meal replacements and soft foods but boy oh boy can I do with a hamburger or pizza right now!!!!!

[Brace Face]

Hi Helenvds - chop a burger into small bitesize pieces, shove it in your mouth, churn it round the best you can with your teeth and swallow! Perfect. Don't worry, you'll soon get the hang of it and you'll be enjoying all your normal foods in no time. Good luck.

[Helenvds]

Hi Brace Face

LOL yes I was just thinking the same thing! Or everyone is telling me to liquidize my food...eeeeuuuuwwww....I’m slowly but surely learning what I can chew and what not but it's going great so far! I'm happy about the braces and if I do need the op for my jaws then I can't wait! I am so prepared for whatever happens in the future! I'll at least be done with my braces when I’m 30 so I’ll have a beautiful smile!!!!!

[catgyrl]

Helendvs-

Brace Face and I will NOT go without our burgers!! She's better than me, though - she cuts hers up. I just stick it in there, hold it with my teeth, and pull it away with my hands. Sometimes I only end up with the bun in my mouth, but I keep persevering until I get some meat! haha

You will quickly find out that, for the most part, the discomfort you feel (say, after an adjustment) only last 3-4 days, and then your teeth feel back to normal (well, "normal with braces"). You really should chew as much as possible, without really hurting yourself or your braces. Right now, the only things really on my "no-no list" are eating corn on the cob and whole apples. (Notice I left out popcorn from that list... yeah... Sunny, don't read this!)

-Cathy

[Brace Face]

Funny you should say about burgers, I was 'shredding' a chicken burger yesterday and was experiencing the usual monumental bread clog-up in the hardware. My two children were bickering about something irrelevant and pointless at the table so I decided to flash them a big foody smile. They were immediately disgusted and horrified and quickly joined forces to plead with me 'not to do that pleeaase mummy'. Well, it stopped the squabbling.....bliss

[Helenvds]

LoL Oh man i can just imagine it!