DS13 is getting his braces off this AM!!

[Bearvet]

He's had braces for almost 4 years, which includes a year they had to be removed to allow his molars to fall out. He's SO excited!!! He plays a lot of sports (football, basketball, tae kwon do) and the braces have broken and/or cut his lip/cheek/gum even when wearing a mouthguard.

We can't wait to see how he looks! Braces are a pain but they are so worth it - DS17 has a gorgeous smile thanks to his braces!!! Well, off to the orthodontist - one of the rare times DS is looking forward to the visit!!

Oh - and school pictures are next week, so it's perfect timing!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I got my braces on when I was about 12 and got them off just before I turned 17. I HATED them, but I'm always complimented on my smile now. Good luck to him!

 

[FloraFauna]

I am happy for him. That will be a big relief.


My DD12 just got them 3 months ago. It's gonna be a while....

 

[holycow]

Yeah! No more payments! lol

That is great!



HC

 

[Snowysmom]

It is a momentous occasion! Both my boys were thrilled to get off their braces. Now they have gorgeous smiles. I just have to keep after them to wear their retainers!

 

[hydster]

That's great! My ds *11 soon to be 12* will get his off sometime early next year and he's already counting down the days until it happens.

I am counting the days too because I'm tired of making ortho payments.

 

[chris1gill]

Our son is on the four year plan Poor kid can't wait to get them off either... I think he's had them on for nearly 2 years.... He's had a lot of them break off, but other than that he's done quite well with them....

Congrats to you son, it's a momentous day!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Congrats to your son

My 14yo just got his on last week.. actually only the lower ones.. upper will go on in January.

 

[mickeyboat]

I was in 9th grade, and had just started "going with" my now DH. He brought his camera to school and took before and after pictures of me the day I got my braces off. He hung them in his bedroom, and they are still there, 22 years later.

Denae

 

[Narnian_Princess]

Lucky... I still have a year to go. I'm sure he's thrilled!

 

[Straitlover]

Woo hoo for him! Hope they polish them up relly well for his pics!

I have my appt tomorrow morning to do the molds/xrays/etc to have them put on. 41 YO and a metal mouth - what am I thinking??? When you are having uppers and lowers done, my ortho splits it up into 2 visits (brackets one week, wires and bands a week later. W/ my busy schedule and trying to maximize my insurance, I will have the brackets put on the day before before my Disney trip (12/13-17) and the wires/bands done 2 days after I get back. Should make for some interesting looking pictures. Actually, I'm getting the clear brackets on top, so I'm hoping w/o the wires/bands that they won't really be noticeable. And I'm really hoping that I don't have to have any spacers, etc done as pain during the trip would not make me happy!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Straitlover, I did the same thing @ 42! Just had them removed in August. and am now wearing a retainer 24/7. A pain in the neck, but much better than having braces a 3rd time...

OP, please treat your son to some things he hasn't been able to eat since the braces, like a big fat candy apple! I craved corn on the cob for two summers, so that was my first meal the day the braces were removed. Yummmm!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I just had my braces removed at age 36, after having them for well over three years! BEST thing in the world I ever done for myself. Children nowadays MUST have straight teeth and a super smile to present themselves well to compete professionally when they are older. I had a hard time "selling myself" to potential employers when I had crappy teeth. The difference in how I am treated now with a nice smile is night and day. To achieve a great smile, braces are worth ALL the pain and bother!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I just wanted to share that I felt a bit foolish getting braces at such a late age (42), especially since I'd had them as a kid (and hated it), I was none too eager to go through that again! But my dentist said my popping jaw could be fixed by realigning my teeth, and it would also save further tooth/jaw trouble later in life, so I did it.

I thought they looked so horrid, and that when I had them removed everyone would notice and comment, so I was really looking forward to The Big Day! I told only my DH and one of my best friends, who'd also had braces as an adult and knew how I felt. I was going to WOW everyone else with a big smile!

So my mom (and dad as a bonus) came up to watch my boys while I had my ortho appointment, and when I returned I walked into the house sporting a big cheesy grin! No one noticed. My mom started talking about some cute thing DS2 did. Oh. DS6 asked me about something, so as I answered I flashed another big grin. He said, "OK, thanks!"

Bummed, I went and sat down and listened to my parents chatter. My dad finally says, "So how was the tightening, not too bad?" I flashed a THIRD cheesy grin, and he smiled back...then it faltered a bit, then his eyebrows went up: "Are...are your braces gone?"

I shouted, "Yes! THANK YOU for noticing!" Sheesh...

This sort of reception went on for days. The kids didn't notice, my friends didn't notice, my family, my in-laws, not even the barista at the local Starbucks who got his just after I got mine! All right, I'm DONE with the big cheesy smiles already.

So the moral to my (slightly miffed) story is that, as bad as you think you look with the braces, it must not be too noticeable if no one notices when they're gone!

 

[zalansky]

I am an adult metal mouth and miserable!!! I got mine on this past April and need to wear them for 20-22 months. My smile was truly not that bad but I wanted it perfect and also I did it for helping to save my teeth down the road. They are/were very crowded. I go for an adjustement next week and can't wait.....I actually enjoy it because I get new bands and they feel clean! I just turned 38 by the way, and my ortho when I was a teen said I didn't need braces....clearly he did not account for my wisdom teeth coming in and making a mess of things.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement to the adults, I needed to see your stories today!