“…maybe you should have done this sooner.” Duh!

Before heading to the orthodontist this morning I got the following words of wisdom “…maybe you should have done this sooner.” Duh!

My teeth have always been crooked. I have two fangs on my upper teeth and a crowded mess on the bottom. One tooth is so out of line it’s like it doesn’t fit at all. My dad had that same tooth. I also have his ears, but that’s a different story. As a kid the dentist said my bite was fine. Braces would just change my personality. I could have used a personality change. I was quiet and a bit awkward. Come on folks, get your kid some braces. Anyway I never got them. I have said I should get my teeth fixed my entire adult life, but truthfully never really considered doing it…until about 2 months ago. Sitting in the dentist chair I causally mentioned that I have always thought about getting braces. Within 3 minutes I had a brochure in hand and a call for a consult. That’s all it took. Someone to say “Do it.”

My initial consultation didn’t take long. I was already hooked. I asked few questions and said go for it. They wanted $200 for impressions for the final consult for which I got a t-shirt. It will forever be my $200 t-shirt. Next meeting was more detailed. Again, I should have asked questions. I didn’t. He led with “we won’t need to pull any teeth.” Again I was ready to go.

Thoughts from day 1–wait–Thoughts from the day before day 1:

I was up most of the night googling Invisalign issues. What kind of pain reliever should I take? (Acetaminophen it seems.) What is the process to get going? What are tooth attachments? How many will I have? I thought I saw on a picture that the top 4 wouldn’t have any. (I was wrong-really should pay more attention and ask more questions.) Will I be able to take them out? Will I freak out if I can’t? (Have you ever had a bracelet or necklace that the clasp just wouldn’t open and you couldn’t get it off? Freak out time!) You get the idea. Questions I should have asked, but didn’t.

Thoughts from day 1:

I arrived at the orthodonists office a few minutes early. There were actually several adults waiting. Adults being in their 20’s. If there was a prize for oldest in attendance…I WIN! Eventually I was called back to a room full of dental chairs by a nice girl. Not sure she told me her name. If she did, I forgot it. She was ready to get started putting buttons on my teeth. I was expecting a explantation for the procedure, but we just started. ( I really need to ask more questions.) She put a thing in my mouth to open it up and she asked me to hold a hose, which was for air and water. She polished my teeth then smeared them with glue and who knows what else in preparation of putting buttons on my teeth to hold the Invisalign more secure. They told me about these, (but I should have asked my questions-are you catching a theme here?). Buttons look like bits of broken teeth glued to your actual teeth. I asked her how many I was getting. 20. That seems like a lot since I only have 28 teeth, but I’m amazed that this is going to work anyway with the condition of my teeth, so I’m fine with it…if it works. I’d say this took about 40 minutes. They need more entertainment in there. I couldn’t see the TV from my vantage point and the ceiling was boring. Next-try on the actual Invisalign.

They didn’t really fit. It figures. The bottom ones didn’t go on at all at first. Let’s call over someone else for a second opinion. “Just push them over.” That actually worked for the bottom ones. The top ones just didn’t fit right. Call the orthodontist over. He looked. He pondered. He got out a tool of some kind and ground away 2 of the buttons. Fixed. But he also said that he had never had to alter them before. Must have been a flaw. I asked for a discount!:)

I’m done. It took about an hour. I was sent home with a case for “my teeth”, a new toothbrush-electric, and a box of 13 Invisaligner trays. I will have 27 in all. This number seems low since they estimated I would be paying for these things for 20 months. 27 should last maybe 10 months or so. I change them every 7 to 10 days. Can’t we be more specific! I need specifics. Return progress check is in 7 weeks.

More Thoughts during day 1:

Have my teeth moved yet? Stupid question, but I keep looking at them. I did take a picture of my teeth before I got them on. I also took a picture in the car before I pulled away from the ortho office. I might not share these until I have more to compare. First off-they don’t hurt. I did take a Tylenol before I went but still, they don’t hurt. I was prepared for them to hurt. They don’t even feel that strange on. I was also prepared for that. I say they don’t feel strange but there are two bumps on the back that are driving me crazy. I just figured they were more buttons. When I took them out I noticed there weren’t any buttons. What the heck are these? Why are they there? Google will know. Turns out Google knows all. They are bite ramps. I was never told about these. (I don’t think I was told about these.) This is for your bite, or so I think. I may actually have to send an email or something to figure this out, as this, so far, is the only thing that bothers me. Well wait, there are a few other things…taking “my teeth” out to eat is a hassle. Also who flosses their teeth and brushes them 4 times a day. Maybe you should, but who does that?

Overall not a bad first day.

Thoughts from day 2:

I won’t be writing this blog every day, but as I am actually writing this whole thing on day 2, I thought I should share a few more thoughts. Obviously I am still thinking about my teeth. Wonder when you stop that? They still don’t hurt, but I am quite aware of them. Mostly it’s the ramps. I think if they weren’t there it would be much easier. Your teeth also feel weird when the braces are taken out. They are rough and obviously bump ridden. The Invisalign ads don’t show the buttons on teeth. False advertising? I read (Google again with a little reddit posts thrown in) that they will smooth out over time. We’ll see. You wear these whenever you aren’t eating so that roughness is no big deal. Though I think food sticks to it more than just your teeth normally. It’s probably just a trick to make you floss and brush!

Brace yourself, there will be more to come!

Drink from a straw. It’s easier somehow. (No I’m not cheating…yet. I’ve tried it with water.) Without the straw it just felt weird to drink.

Restaurant bathroom quick change. Awkward. Seemed not sanitary. I like to eat out so we’ll have to figure this for the future.

Observations 1 month in:

Am I used to wearing Invisalign…No.

Have I questioned me getting them…Yes…everytime I have to take them out to eat. Eating is a social activity, well at least in my world, and having to eat and then get them right back in so they are in your mouth for 22 hours a day is #$%@!

Have I noticed any change in the look of my teeth…No I have noticed that they feel different, mostly my bite, when they are removed, so they must be doing something. Only a year and a half to go:)

Cooking is not enjoyable. OK, cooking has never been enjoyable since I am not a cook, but sometimes you need to taste things as you cook and that can’t be done with these things in your mouth!

I’m ready for some positives to kick in!

I travel some in the next couple of week. Can’t wait to see how that goes. Brace yourself, more to come!