Braces on Lower Teeth Only at Age 46. Fixing Myself Up for 2015! - Seattle, WA

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When I was younger (age 9 through 14) I had tons of orthodontia in my overcrowded mouth. Headgear, something on the lower teeth called a "lip bumper", one molar removed from each quadrant to reduce overcrowding, and full braces. And then, of course, from 14 on I was supposed to wear retainers. I'm not sure when in high school I let it drop, but I stopped wearing mine. Now that I think about it, I'm wondering if I even had a bottom retainer at all.

My bottom teeth have moved over the last few decades. Not horribly, but the front teeth were definitely leaning in on each other. I've felt regret about the crookedness all these years because I went through SO MUCH orthodontia that I figured I should have a near perfect smile).

We have orthodontia coverage right now, so I decided it was now or never if I was going to fix these things. The above price includes what insurance is paying. Out of pocket is around $1,100.

I had the option of going with Invisaline, which is what I totally envisioned doing, but it was twice as much money and would've required doing both the top and bottom arches. I love my top teeth and didn't want to mess with them.

So, on Wednesday I had the braces put on. Initially it was going to be six brackets, but the ortho added an extra on my right side at the last minute. The process was very quick and easy. The worst part was the dry air being directed at my teeth which made my throat really dry. And I couldn't swallow because of the lip retractors that were in. My wire only goes back as far as the last brackets and I don't have any bands on my back molars.

A few hours after getting the brackets and wire on, my teeth felt uncomfortable. Not painful, exactly, but more like "itchy". I know that sounds strange. And I hated the feeling of the brackets on my inside lip. The bracket he added at the last minute is super sharp and scrapes my lip. I've been using wax but may have to go in and ask to have it filed down before my next appointment.

Since my brackets are on my lower teeth only, my top teeth, when I bite, were hitting the brackets to the ortho put a rubbery band around the two end brackets that keeps my top teeth from hitting the brackets directly. My molars aren't completely touching when I bite, which makes it hard to eat lettuce, etc.

I've pretty much been a whiny baby for the last two days. Going about my normal routine, of course, but muttering about how annoying the braces are and cursing myself for doing this. My teeth weren't THAT bad, after all.

Last night and this afternoon my bottom teeth have felt truly achy. Not sure why they feel better in the morning and worse late in the day, but they do. I've gotten more used to the feeling of the brackets in my mouth and no longer want to rip them out quite as vehemently as I did Wednesday and Thursday. Three ibuprofen takes the edge off.

Eating the first day is kind of hard (I lost a pound!). Soft food is best, but nothing was enjoyable to eat so I mostly avoided doing it except to stave off hunger pangs. I'm eating a bit better today, but am mostly chewing with my mouth open, which is gross.

Hoping that as I adjust my attitude about this will improve. I do feel lucky to have the opportunity to correct my teeth. What I really want is to have my eyelids done, so I hope I don't regret spending 1/3 of that cost on these braces. Sorry I sound negative. The achiness is making me a bit grumpy. :) More to come....

Feeling slightly less uncomfortable.

My teeth are much better today! Four days after the lower braces were put on and I'm finally not thinking about them every second. The sharp bit on one of the brackets bothers me less, too. Hooray!