Braces

When I was growing up, we didn't have dental insurance, nor the money, for me to get braces. Once I graduated from college and got my first teaching job, I just couldn't bring myself to get braces when I was not only paying on student loans (and we were buying our house and all the additional expenses that come with that) but also a first year teacher who looked young and didn't want to add braces, making me look even younger. So I put it off. I wanted braces. I wanted straight teeth. I just didn't have time/money/ideal situation, etc to go through with it.

For the past year, my desire for braces has just continued. I've mentioned it off and on to Keith and he calls me crazy and doesn't understand why I would want to endure that torture (he had braces and despised every minute of it.) Once he finally understood this wasn't just a passing wish of mine, but a very real desire, he told me to go for it. I immediately scheduled my consultation with a local orthodontist and went for my first visit. (Even took a slightly feverish Cooper along for the ride. I was that determined to get this done.)

Today I went for my final preliminary appointment to take additional x-rays and nail down a treatment plan and I have a date for my braces. This Wednesday. In just 2 days, I will begin the process to finally having the straight teeth and nice smile that I have wanted for a good 15 years.

Thankfully technology has come a long way over the years. I won't have to wear braces for 5 years like some people I know have had to do. Between 15 and 18 months is the expected amount of time that this process will take. I also won't have a mouth full of metal and bright colored rubberbands. They now make relatively clear brackets and discreet wires that won't make the braces quite as noticeable. Of course I'm under no illusions that no one will be able to see them, but hopefully they won't be glaringly obvious.

There are other even more discreet options like Invisalign which looks like a rubbery mouth guard, but is actually a set of braces. However, thanks to genetics, my teeth aren't quite to the point where I would be eligible to go that route.

Sadly for Garrett, he will get to start kindergarten with the cool mom who has braces on her teeth. But hey, at least we won't be wearing braces at the same time. I would have to imagine that would be more embarrassing.