Tuesday when I went to the orthodontist I had no expectation of having my braces come off. At my last visit I was told that the bonded retainers would be installed and then we would plan on removal of the braces in the coming weeks. I was so surprised when they gave me the option of having the braces removed or waiting a few weeks. Dr. Smith does not normally do braces removal on the same day as installation of bonded retainers because it takes about 2.5 hours to do both task and most teens/kids can not handle an appointment that long. At the end of the appointment I was tired and my mouth and jaw hurt, but I did not regret the decision do have both procedures done on the same day.
I can enjoy my upcoming cruise brace free with a new and improved smile. I love my new teeth. I love my new smile. I have spent so many years smiling without showing my teeth that I am having to learn to smile all over again. I wish I would have had the guts years ago to be an adult with braces. I don’t know why it took me so long to decide to take this step but I am glad I finally did and I am very pleased with the final results.
During the past two years (well 20 months) I have found myself being even more self-conscious than I was before I had the braces installed. It seems as if many people think adults wearing braces is strange. Sometimes I wonder if people really know how rude some of the questions and comments that they make can be. All of the comments and reactions are behind me now because I am no longer an adult in braces.
Before (July 2010)
After (March 2012)
** Before and After Photos by the office staff of Dr. Jerry Smith
** New smile photo by none other than the wonderful David Lloyd
Tags: adult braces, orthodontist