The shape of things

Well, as this is now my third post, it is obvious that I have decided to continue with my treatment and go ahead with the braces.

My next step was to see my regular dentist (he is Portuguese, just to confuse things) to have impressions and x-rays taken. 

I remember at school when I was 12 or 13, some of my friends had braces, they told me about their experiences of having moulds taken, the putty running down their throat, not being able to breath, so I had started to become a little anxious about the appointment.

However sitting in the dentist chair, it wasn't all that bad.  Things have changed in the last 20 years!  They rolled a playdoh type thing into a plastic tray, and pushed it onto my teeth for about 3 minutes.  It wasn't runny, it was room temperature, it was not the comfiest thing in the world, but it wasn't the horror story I was expecting.

So top and bottom teeth impressions done, next was 360 degree x-ray, always fun, they give you a coat to protect yourself, whilst they all leave the room!  And I was fascinated to see that there is no developing of x-rays, it was straight through digitally onto the computer, oh how times have changed!

Next was photos, not just close ups of the teeth, but head shots, side on, smile, relax, open, close, I felt like I was on a photo shoot. 

Finally was the bite impression.  Putty was squeezed onto my teeth, I had to bite down, not move for 3 minutes, then try to open my mouth, I thought all my fillings were going to be ripped out it was that strong, but all is well and I am still in one piece.

As I am getting a bit braver and relaxed with what I am doing now I have started to ask questions.

So the obvious one for me was, will it hurt.  Short answer is yes, which I expected.  However he did say he wouldn't expect it to affect me greatly.  He then went on to tell me that I will struggle to bite things, no apples, no crusty bread, and I will have to cut things up into small pieces to eat.  I think I am going to live on soup!

I questioned about how they put them on, and surprisingly he told me that it is most likely that they only put the top track on then the bottom one later, only half a train track to start with then.  Also he told me if I needed to have teeth removed, which is something the Italian one will decide, that will be done during the treatment too.

I have also told a couple of people I am getting braces, as ever my parents response is that I shouldn't bother as I am too old.  My partner is being very supportive and he is trying his hardest to put my fears at ease.  I have told a couple of friends, with a mixed response. 

I know that children are cruel to other children with braces, I am just hoping that adults are not like that, although I am happy now with my decision to have the braces, I am still not sure about other peoples reactions.  I may be completely over-reacting about what will or will not happen, but it is still there in the back of my mind.