Am I crazy?!

Approximately 20 years ago, I had my first set of braces taken off. Over the years, my teeth didn't move too much, but I was never really satisfied with my bite -- my top front teeth stuck out (and felt like they might eventually point straight out) and didn't seem to align with the bottom teeth and I had a characteristic "gummy smile." But, I was willing to ignore that. I had a harder time ignoring the headaches and jaw aches/popping that started when I was 9-years-old and continued even after my braces were taken off. I never realized the two might be related until someone mentioned it a few years ago.

Fast forward to 2006. I went to the orthodontist to see if I could get a quick fix, hoping invisalign or something else less-noticeable than braces might help the problem. That's when I learned for the first time (after getting two separate opinions) that I needed braces and jaw surgery. As it turns out, as I aged my jaw didn't develop like it should, resulting in a poorly-aligned bite, headaches and jaw pain. My teeth only barely touch on the right side and don't touch at all anywhere else; I have a huge gap between my top and bottom teeth in the front; and I can't close my mouth without serious effort. Why my childhood orthodontist didn't figure this problem out 20 years ago still shocks me (it seems pretty obvious from the x-rays). But, that's what happens when you live in a small town, I guess.

Anyhow, for several reasons (not the least of which being the fear of wearing braces as an adult and going through jaw surgery), I didn't follow through on the process right away. It took me three years to finally break down and do it. After wearing a splint for a few months and meeting with/getting approval from the surgeon, I finally got my braces on last month. Needless to say, I hated them the first week and wanted to run back to my orthodontist to have them taken off. But, I'm starting to get used to them and sometimes even forget they're there . . . I just hope they're off before I get too used to them. Anyhow, like many before me, I'll post updates on this blog as I go through the process and hope it will help others as much as the blogs I read before starting this process helped me (and continue to do so!).

Thanks again to all the bloggers whose words encouraged me to do what I know I needed to do but had a hard time admitting on my own!