Braces at 52

[lighthouse33]

I finally saw a fantastic dentist in October.  She did X-rays of everything.  Did ones I had never had before.  Did oral caner screening.  Did the Caries Risk Assessment Test.  Did molds of my teeth. 

The bad news.  I failed all five parts of the bite test.  Twenty-one of your teeth are supposed to hit together.  I have 1 out of 21 that does.  My left jaw / teeth juts out. 

I'd like to ring the neck of my childhood dentist who told my mom I did not need braces.  Too bad he is already dead!

By having a bad bite all of these years, it is ruining my teeth by putting so much stress on the right side.  I have severe erosion on my right upper molar and other teeth have big fillings them.  I have had bad headaches, and sometimes when I chew the pain is so bad on my right side I have to quit eating.

How to fix this mess.  A three prong approach, braces, gum surgery followed by at least four crowns.

I am one month into the braces.  I now have a power chain applied to the upper teeth and braces on the bottom teeth.  The power chain is to make the teeth move faster, so that I can get my one tooth extracted, so then the other teeth will move into place.  The orthodontist, I have trained under a dentist who dealt with bite problems, so he too can deal with them also.  My dentist told me that any orthodontist can make your teeth straight, but they cannot work with bite issues.

Monday, at my apt. it hurt so bad when she took out the wire and changed it and put on the power chain.  Then, one of the brackets broke and he had to come in and put a new one in.  It made my eyes water.  It took all of my will not to cry.

I am so tired and hurt so bad.  I am taking Extra Strength Tylenol. It is going to be a tough 24 to 26 months but it will be worth it. 

[Carebear]

Oh, lighthouse!  It sounds so painful that I feel like crying for you.  You are one tough cookie.

So 1 month down and 23 to go.  Fingers crossed.  Keep us in the loop, okay?

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Oh man...I had braces over 35 years ago but I can still vividly remember that pain - it's no picnic! :-(

I hope things go quickly for you and your problems get resolved...

I have known several adults who have had braces - I don't think it's all that uncommon anymore. Good to know you;re not alone, anyway!

[eye2dry]

I am 58

I wore braces from age 40 to 42 and a retainer for awhile.

My problem was over crowding teeth d/t eruption of wisdom teeth

that I let come in and push all my teeth front wards over crossing

each other and I should have had them removed in my 20's.


Good luck with yours. In the end it
will have been worth it.

shelly