Hi there, getting braces next month

[lojoma]

Just saying hello to everyone and getting on the board. I've been lurking for a few months and I appreciate all the helpful advice people give!

I am 42 and never had braces as a kid due to cost. I went for a consult in college and was told I had to have jaw surgery and that was the end of that! So now that I'm older I thought I'd look into it again and have had multiple consults. I just had all my x-rays, impressions, and photos taken and next month I get started.

I'll post some pics when I can but I have Class I on one side and Class II on the other with a 10mm overjet, complete overbite, and significant crowding on the bottom. Wanted Invisalign but was told over and over no go (these by premier providers). So, braces it is.

Thanks all...I'll post more later when I get started.

[Brace Face]

Hello Lojoma and welcome. Brilliant that you have decided to take the plunge, i'm sure you won't regret it. You'll find alot of people on here of simililar age (me included!) which is quite reassuring. Can't wait to see your pictures. Good luck.

[momwithbraces]

Welcome lojoma. I just found this board a week ago, only 3 weeks into braces, and have found tons of helpful advice. Brace face is right about there being many older members. I got my braces the week I turned 44. I too couldn't get braces as a kid due to cost. Consequently, my 11-yr-old is getting her braces next Monday. I promised myself that I would budget for my kids to get them if needed.

[Protoman2050]

Here's hoping what happened to me doesn't happen to you! Read my post "Mother and son getting braces together".

I got a nasty chemical burn on my URQ from the acid etching, which exposed the underlying bone. My excellent orthodontist referred me to a periodontist (who happened to be his former professor at USC) for an emergency consult when he finally saw the lesion for the first time a few weeks ago, when my mom was getting her braces.

He says that if it doesn't heal by next week, I'll need to see an oral-maxillofacial surgeon.

My general dentist, orthodontist, and periodontist said that in their combined 70 years of practice, they've never seen, or even heard of, anything like this happening. My periodontist said "If I didn't know your history, I'd say you were my youngest patient with an aspirin burn."

My periodontist also said that a graft wouldn't work, because the exposed cancellous bone (the top, spongy layer of bone) is dead, so there'd be no blood flow to the graft, so it'd just die and fall off.

Now I'm at risk for osteomyelitis, a serious infection of the bone.

Wish me luck! I wish you luck in your treatment.

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome lojoma!

It's great that you've finally made the decision to have your bite and smile treated.

Good luck with everything going well and please post any questions you have on this board.

Take care!

[catgyrl]

lojoma-

Welcome, from another 42-year-old recently braced woman! This place is wonderful, isn't it? I've learned way more here than I ever could (and probably ever will) from my "man of few words" orthodontist.

I'm very curious as to how your teeth look pre-braces, as I also have a significant overjet and crowding on bottom. You will be AMAZED at what just a couple of months with these braces will do for your teeth. My friend asked to see mine from the side the other day and said, "It's still there, but it looks much better; not as flared out now!" I took that as a compliment. haha

Good luck to you, and I'm looking forward to following your story!

-Cathy

[lojoma]

Okay, here are my pictures. Ugh.

[Sunny]

Fantastic photos!

Your teeth and gums look really healthy, which is the best way to begin ortho treatment!

Continue with this great care during your treatment and here's to outstanding results!

[mikeg]

welcome to the site. You will probably be a bit nervous at first, but having braces is exciting. I recommend you keep a blog on this site to document your journey. It will help you and also help others who are thinking of getting braces.

I look forward to watching your progress