I went to the dentist (Dr. McHottie) this morning because the teeth on the right side of my mouth have been really sore over the last few weeks. In fact last night on my way home from work I was in tears from the pain and begging God to take it away. He didn’t right then and I spent the rest of the night doped up on tons of Advil, but this morning they weren’t hurting so bad. The dentist took some x-rays and tapped on my teeth, but he said it wasn’t from an infection or a cavity, it was from my bite! I have an open bite, meaning my front top teeth don’t touch the bottom, only my back teeth touch. Apparently this isn’t just cosmetically bad, but operationally bad. He said teeth that shouldn’t have any pressure at all on each other do and that I had even chipped two teeth from the extra pressure.He said I should really consider getting braces to correct the problem. He said he could make me a bite guard, but that would only be a temporary fix and I would run in to more problems down the road.
All this is very ironic because I have already had braces! When I was in middle school I had braces and I hated them! When I finally got them off I never wore the retainer and my mom even had to sign a waiver saying it wasn’t the orthodontist fault if my teeth didn’t stay straight.
Well my bratty teenage self ended up screwing me over.
I don’t want braces now! I don’t know if I can even afford braces! But I do want my teeth to stop hurting.
What do you think? Have you had braces? Would ya’ll make fun of me if I had to get braces?
My consultaion isn't for 3 weeks so at least I have some time before I have to make a decision!
8 comments:
First, I would get a second opinion. That is always the best way to go with these things.
Second, if in fact you do need braces, you may ask about getting those that are put on the inside of your teeth. I don't know if they actually exist, but I've heard they do. In any event, you will be beautiful no matter what!
I've never had braces. An orthodontist had recommended that I get some, back when I was maybe 12 y/o and I decided not to. I figured the cosmetic aspect of it wasn't so bad .. and it still isn't bad today (24 y/o) but I too have an open mouth. I am thinking of getting braces (hopefully the invisible ones) sometime in the next year, when I get the money. If it hurts, you should definetly do it, it's not worth staying in pain.
I agree with CJR I would get a second opinion can never be too sure esp. if you already had braces once.
I haven't seen any of my girlfriends who had braces in high school have to go back later in their years to wear them again. I have had the friends that who have never worn braces and have to get them later in their 20's-30's.
Either way if you do need them ...you will be beautiful and have the annoyance from the pain eliminated.
I never wore braces, but I wore a retainer in elementary school. However, I think you should do what's best for your teeth sooner rather than later. Braces now would be cheaper than needing surgery later.
Yup, I agree with CJR....a second opinion is a great idea.
I never had braces, but I DO know two people who got them when they were adults for the same Bite-issue reason. I think they had them for a year or so...
Either way, it's never a bad idea to speak with another Dentist, or maybe even a Specialist.
Find out for sure if braces are really needed. But if your main hesitation is you don't wanna look like a dork... get over it. If there is a real problem it should be fixed before it gets worse. And wear your retainer this time! ;-)
I had braces when I was 14, for only 8 months. I hated them. I would try to look into other options, if there are any. I know you can do things without braces by going in for a few visits, and it takes a couple on months, then you can aviod the braces.
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I'm 31 years old and have never had braces but I just had a consultation not long ago about getting some. My teeth are pretty crooked and I wish I had straighter, whiter teeth. I say go for it! We'll definitely not make fun! You'll have the last laugh when those pearly whites are photographed in the near future!
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