I'M BACK FROM the orthodontist with my initial supplies for the 18- to 20-month project of "perfecting" my teeth. I have my first Invisalign braces in my mouth. They'll be replaced with new ones every week (more or less). My top teeth are fairly straight but I have a very narrow bite. I have a few bottom teeth that are seriously out of wack due to overcrowding and two in particular are now much worse.
When I was 12, the dentist told My Mother The Dowager Duchess I could use braces, but it wasn't urgent. At that point, I was already very unhappy with my teeth.
My mother asked, "Do you want braces?"
I said, "No."
When I was in my 20s and told The Duchess I was sorry I had never gotten braces to fix what I didn't like about my teeth, she said indignantly, "I asked you if you wanted braces and you said 'no'!"
I responded equally indignantly, "I was 12!!!"
So, some 50 years later, you, my lucky readers, get to monitor my orthodontic progress.
ESTOY DE VUELTA del ortodoncista con mis alineadores iniciales para el proyecto de 18 a 20 meses de "perfeccionar" mis dientes. Tengo mis primeros alineadores de Invisalign en mi boca. Serán reemplazados con nuevos cada semana (más o menos). Mis dientes superiores son bastante rectos pero tengo una mordida muy estrecha. Tengo unos cuantos dientes inferiores que están seriamente fuera de juego debido a la superpoblación y dos en particular ahora son mucho peores.
Cuando tenía 12 años, el dentista le dijo Mi Madre La Duquesa Viuda que podía usar brackets, pero no era urgente. En ese momento, ya estaba infeliz con mis dientes.
Mi madre me preguntó: "¿Quieres brackets?"
Dije, "No."
Cuando tenía 20 años y le dije a La Duquesa que lamentaba no haber conseguido brackets para arreglar lo que no me gustaba de mis dientes, ella dijo indignada: "¡Te pregunté si querías brackets y dijiste "no"!
Respondí con igual indignación: "¡Tenía 12 años!"
Así que, unos 50 años después, ustedes, mis afortunados lectores, pueden monitorear mi progreso ortodóncico.
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| BEFORE INVISALIGN. ÁNTES DE INVISALIGN. |
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| DAY ONE WITH INVISALIGN. DÍA UNO CON INVISALIGN. |
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| ALMOST 12. I SHOULD HAVE HAD BRACES! CASÍ 12 AÑOS. ¡DEBERÍA HABER TENIDO BRACKETS! |
The final photo is from 6th grade. I had just gotten out of the hospital after complications from a tonsillectomy. I had lost 13 pounds, which was more than 17 percent of my body weight, and I had a sickly pallor. Perfect on a green background! And that tuxedo tie!!! What was I thinking?!?
It's never too late! My bottom teeth were much more crowded than yours when I got braces in my 40s. They are nice and straight and easy to to brush and floss. I am very happy with that decision and I know you will be too. PLUS - I love how the Invisalign makes the photos go to color - sort of like the transition in The Wizard of Oz.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteI'm glad I didn't wait until MY 40s! I figure I should be done well before I turn 80. Isn't that amazing about Invisalign? The color is like magic. Yes, just like arriving in Munchkinland.
They look great, and if it's something you've wanted to do...go for it. You have a beautiful smile Mitch. The only thing I got done extra is whitening's from time to time.
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteThanks so much. In recent years, I have finally grown to like my smile. Too bad it's taken so long. But every time I see a picture I'm bothered by the shape (too narrow). The bottom teeth are so crowded now that one tooth has gone completely on its side and one is pushed completely forward and down. They're all strong and healthy, which amazes me. So it's worth the effort even at this late stage.
my spouse's BFF had this done; his mouth is now FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteI have always wanted a FABULOUS mouth! Here's hoping.
I'm surprised the dentist didn't pull a couple of your bottom teeth to relieve the overcrowding when you were 12. That was a standard "quick fix" back in the day when people didn't want/couldn't afford braces. The rest of your teeth would have shifted around to fill in the gaps and would have been straighter in the process.
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteI wasn't impressed with that dentist from my school years and, looking back, I'm even less impressed. The great thing is I now only need to have one tooth pulled and that will happen on August 4. The orthodontist said my teeth are so good she didn't even want to remove one, but making room for all these would be half again as many sets of Invisalign trays and much more time.
Good for you for getting a perfect smile for yourself! As someone else said, it's never too late!
ReplyDeleteJennifer:
DeleteI tried when I was around 30 but was referred to an orthodontist I took an immediate dislike to. Plus, he wanted to pull 4 teeth and put in braces for 3 to 4 years. I never worked up the courage to try again until now (with Jerry's tremendous support).
never is late great
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteI'm glad I've finally begun.
Good for you! Work that smile!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteAlthough I was fairly miserable a lot of the time, I tended to smile often. When people commented on how much I smiled, my father would say, "It's gas."
Tell me what you're thinking? I'm thinking not only my teeth, but my nose, my posture, my grey hair, my fat belly, my lack of abs, my biceps, my toes, the ganglion on my hand, the skin tags, the liver spots, the waddle, the loose skin under my arms...I need "Invisabody" and you can take that in a couple of ways. But good luck with the teeth. Is it expensive?
ReplyDeleteFrank:
DeleteYou have HAIR?!? I used to have a list: my teeth, my nose, my neck, my posture, my chest, my arms, my height, my jawline, my eye color. I'm a little better now. Well more than a little. I've mostly gotten used to myself. And I've managed to not go down the path of the skin, the spots, etc. (although I'm very aware of them). Invisalign IS expensive. About 1-1/2 times what I had heard traditional braces would cost. When I was told the price after the first visit, I almost didn't do it. Jerry really encouraged me to go forward since he knew how much this has bothered me all my life. If it hadn't been for him, I think I would have said forget it.
That's a very good idea Mitchell, you may have given me a nudge in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteEspecially for bottom biting - snigger !
Heron:
DeleteThe bottom-biting is what decided me.
I was forty when I got my braces. They weren't easy to deal with.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI almost did it 30 but was referred to an orthodontist I didn't like. It's taken me this much time to try again. I do love Invisaligns... so far. You really have to look carefully to notice them.
So you want a smile like Greta Garbo. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteLaurent:
DeleteMore like Shemar Moore.
I just know you're wearing a pair of green and yellow plaid shorts below that shirt in your photo. I just KNOW it.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteBlack pants to go with the tuxedo tie.
Do your thing,
ReplyDeleteTravel:
DeleteI'm trying!
Coulda shoulda woulda......you will be perfect and probably more comfortable when everything fits properly.
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteI'm elated today and have made it through my first entire day with the trays. In and out before and after meals. No problems. This evening at dinner I asked Jerry if he could tell the difference and he said it was a drastic change since yesterday. Patience, Mitchell. Patience. This is tray set number of 1 of 67!
I've never had to wear one, can't imagine how uncomfortable it'd be at first...hopefully you will get used to it. One day down, and many more to go I believe. Greetings and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti:
DeleteThey're not as uncomfortable as I expected. A couple of tender spots. The discomfort comes when I take them out temporarily and the controlled pressure is removed! I won't count the days, just the tray sets. This is Set 1 of 67!
Aww but you were cute! Still are!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteOh, groan. I thought I was so ugly and hated that photo so much that I destroyed my copy. This came from my mother's photos and I nearly destroyed it, too. I must be doing better if I shared it here!
Good for you for getting a perfect smile for yourself! As someone else said, it's never too late!
ReplyDeleteทางบ้าน
sin soleng:
DeleteThanks! At times, I feel silly about doing this. But, mostly, I'm really excited!
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