My first day with braces!

Brace date: 08/13/09
So, I ended up getting my braces on yesterday rather than tomorrow, because it worked out better for my schedule. I only got my top braces on because I have an overbite that would get in the way of my bottom braces, so I won't be getting those til my tops get straighter.

My first day was, however, okay. When I went to get my braces on, it didn't hurt at all, as I thought it would. In fact I probably would have fallen asleep had the taste of whatever they were using on me had not been so disgusting D: My ortho is really calming and gentle though, and he plays Michael Jackson music constantly, so I was honestly almost lulled to sleep XD

The assistant finished me up and sent me on my way with a goody bag that didn't consist of my definition of goodies, but oh well. I wasn't really in pain at all at first, although I was hungry! That was awkward - my first time eating with braces and my food wasn't liquidy, so it all got stuck in my teeth. It was gross.

Later in the evening though I felt a very constant pain in my back right molar. It was excruciating and I started freaking out that it wasn't normal. Well, later on my other molars started hurting and then when it was time to go to bed they all felt pretty bad. Got worse though as I slept, woke up about every three hours to blinding pain of something trying to twist and pull my teeth. I woke up at 7am with a severe headache and I took more aspirin and numbed my teeth a little so I could sleep more.

I had pancakes for breakfast, and I haven't attempted to do much else since the slightest pressure on my teeth feels terrible. I really hate the pain, but I'm hoping it goes away. Here are some pictures of my beginners braces! Don't mind the grossness of my teeth, thats why I got them anyway ;)

cost factor.

So, obviously braces tend to cost a lot. It's definitely the main reason why I wasn't able to get braces when I was younger. I still can't afford braces at all, but luckily I have an amazing fiance that is supportive of my desire to get braces and is helping me with the cost :)

So, here's the breakdown of the cost:
Brace date:
October 15th, 2009

Consultation: free
X-rays, molds, pics: $112
Down payment: $548
Monthly payment: ~$170 (plus change, can't remember exactly)
Total: $4200

I don't have insurance, but I do have a discount dental plan, which saved me $1k, so I will take what I can get. I will be paying my down payment when I go get my braces on in October. Looks like no sweets for Halloween :( :(

Consultation update!!

So, it's official, I'll be getting braces on October 15th!! I'm so excited!

I could of had them on next week, but they suggest getting my teeth cleaned since I'm due for it at the beginning of October. So I will go do that and then go back to the Ortho and get those babies on :D What a relief. Now I can bask in happiness at the thought for a few weeks, and then comes permanent pain. Har har.

My first consultation.

[09.15.09]
First trip to the Ortho, yay!!
Tuesday I went to see an Orthodontist in hopes of getting braces. I randomly chose whatever Ortho accepted my crappy discount dental plan. The thought of getting braces without insurance is painful, but it is slightly eased with discounts. If I wasn't so susceptible at getting lost, I'd have thought I wasn't meant to go to the consultation. However, I always get lost so it wasn't anything new that I had to call the office when I wasn't there on time, had the receptionist talk me through finding their office as I was driving 20 minutes in the wrong direction. Thankfully she was a sweetheart and got me in the right direction. 40 minutes later I was in the office. Unfortunately, they only do one consultation at a time, and the woman after me got there on time, so they grabbed her up and I had to wait nearly an hour before mine. My fault.

Dr. Byrd was the most hilarious guy and he was so nice, I was instantly put at ease over how apologetic he and his assistant were over making me wait so long. I didn't really mind, but they gave me a O Charleys gift card and a nice thank you note. If this is whats in store for me, I am excited for any other mishaps!

Anyway, I am planning on getting married next year so I mentioned that to the assistant, and she and I decided on Radiance braces (or sapphire) considering my budget. She wrote up a plan and apparently I need 2 teeth removed because my bite is off and it won't be aligned correctly unless I get them removed. Sigh. I just hope that they don't tell me I need my top wisdoms removed because I've been avoiding those for years. Got the bottoms out because they were coming through, but the tops haven't come down so I don't know.

I have my next appointment on Tuesday to get x-rays and pics done. Afterwards, teeth pulling and braces yay!

Yes yay! I've been wanting braces for over 10 years and I am so excited to finally get the opportunity. I don't care how painful it is. I am tired of being afraid to smile, afraid to meet people. The thought of one day not feeling that way is almost exhilarating. I simply cannot wait :)