do you have braces on your teeth? had? considering?

techead

techead

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hi all

so I decided to get braces on my top teeth again to straighten them out for the wedding. I had them when I was in high school and they were fine, but then I didnt wear my retainer thingy and the top ones went skew again :erm:

Apparently technology has changed, and they have put these on my teeth, instead of the traditional metal ones.

http://damonbraces.com/choose/index.php

Anyone who might be considering braces that is put off by the pain and/or look, well its mostly a thing of the past now.

When I had braces in high school they were damn sore. Some of the things worth mentioning

  • metal rings slid over molars to ground the whole system
  • sharp wires which led to open wounds, which usually led to ulcers in the mouth
  • tightening/winding of wires (winding effect, you will know what I mean if you have had braces)
  • elastics over each tooth that gather plaque/food


with these things I have now, I have none of the above

Im really impressed with these Damon Braces and from what I can see, a lot of people online are happy as well.
 
i had before ...took them out and never had retainers as well and still have a small gap

whats the price these days for train tracks ?

oh and braces is schit sore
 
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I had them and am so grateful now that I did. One of the most unattractive things to me is messed up teeth.
 
techead said:
hi all

so I decided to get braces on my top teeth again to straighten them out for the wedding.
Click to expand...

That is a strange reason to get your teeth done. Surely you should have it done for you and your self-image (nice smile, self-confidence, etc) rather than saying it is for a special occasion ?

Just wondering.
 
abzo said:
Why didn't you just get lingual braces?
Click to expand...

two reasons,

1. they are the most expensive ones you can get as they require a highly skilled orthodontist trained in lingual braces

2. (the most important one) they are a royal pain in the ass, and hurt like hell. I know 2 people who had, and they said it was the most daft decision they made just because they didnt want people to see. it took much longer, and the pain/inconveniecne was retarded

google around... people reckon its really not worth it at all
 
samr1wp said:
i had before ...took them out and never had retainers as well and still have a small gap

whats the price these days for train tracks ?

oh and braces is schit sore
Click to expand...

paying about R8k for top teeth only. was R1k extra for Damon vs normal
 
blunomore said:
That is a strange reason to get your teeth done. Surely you should have it done for you and your self-image (nice smile, self-confidence, etc) rather than saying it is for a special occasion ?

Just wondering.
Click to expand...

valid question. I decided to get them done for ME. I have always wanted to get my front top teeth fixed again since they went skew, but I never bothered to investigate. Figured this was a good opportunity :) So while there is a clear benefit for the photo's etc etc, Im doing it for myself
 
I have toyed with the idea on and off for years...but never could bring myself to take it seriously. I really dont like my teeth and really dont understand why my dentist as a child did not recemmend braces when I was a child. I have heard about the braces they attach to the back of your teeth so no one sees you are wearing braces...but they say it is very expensive etc.

Will have a look at the link the OP posted when I am home tonight. I guess my medical aid wont cover this. Only have basic dentistry and sure this will be considered cosmetic.
 
Ockie said:
I have toyed with the idea on and off for years...but never could bring myself to take it seriously. I really dont like my teeth and really dont understand why my dentist as a child did not recemmend braces when I was a child. I have heard about the braces they attach to the back of your teeth so no one sees you are wearing braces...but they say it is very expensive etc.

Will have a look at the link the OP posted when I am home tonight. I guess my medical aid wont cover this. Only have basic dentistry and sure this will be considered cosmetic.
Click to expand...

Hi Ockie

I did a lot of research before I decided to do this. Like I said in my first post, what braces were and what they are now (Damon Braces) are two totally different experiences. Ive had both so I can objectively tell.

My aunt had what you are talking about, called Lingual Braces. Very uncomfortable, and according to her (usually someone who doesnt complain about anything in life) was one of the most difficult experiences she has ever faced.

When I was in school I went to one of the top okes in the Western Cape, Dr. Melville. He has since retired and passed on a lot of his patients to Dr. Coetsee (in table view). I trust this oke, as he was mates with Dr. Melville and really knew what he was doing.

Dont be put off. Its more affordable, and he lets you pay it off over the treatment duration ;)
 
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I had them back when I was 14.. hated them.. but they fixed my teeth so it was worth it in the end.
 
techead said:
Hi Ockie

I did a lot of research before I decided to do this. Like I said in my first post, what braces were and what they are now (Damon Braces) are two totally different experiences. Ive had both so I can objectively tell.

My aunt had what you are talking about, called Lingual Braces. Very uncomfortable, and according to her (usually someone who doesnt complain about anything in life) was one of the most difficult experiences she has ever faced.

When I was in school I went to one of the top okes in the Western Cape, Dr. Melville. He has since retired and passed on a lot of his patients to Dr. Coetsee (in table view). I trust this oke, as he was mates with Dr. Melville and really knew what he was doing.

Dont be put off. Its more affordable, and he lets you pay it off over the treatment duration ;)
Click to expand...

I need to go to my dentist anyway for a checkup and sommer the dental hygenist also for a good cleaning. Will ask him then also and see how much he would charge.
 
I have a crooked bottom row, so need to get it done at some point. Need to have back implants done first though.
 
Ockie said:
I have toyed with the idea on and off for years...but never could bring myself to take it seriously. I really dont like my teeth and really dont understand why my dentist as a child did not recemmend braces when I was a child. I have heard about the braces they attach to the back of your teeth so no one sees you are wearing braces...but they say it is very expensive etc.

Will have a look at the link the OP posted when I am home tonight. I guess my medical aid wont cover this. Only have basic dentistry and sure this will be considered cosmetic.
Click to expand...

Was in exactly the same position as you. No idea why my dentist didn't raise the issue, suppose he didn't care. Went for braces two years ago (at age 23) - behind the top teeth and on the bottom teeth in front, with six clear braces in front at the bottom. Had them on for about 14 months. Whilst my teeth are straight, my jaw is unfortunately misaligned, so I'll be having orthognathic surgery early next year.

All in all, medical aid paid +- R16k, and I paid +-R8k (over a period of 6 months). The 8k was because the med aid didn't fund the clear braces.
 
IzZzy said:
Was in exactly the same position as you. No idea why my dentist didn't raise the issue, suppose he didn't care. Went for braces two years ago (at age 23) - behind the top teeth and on the bottom teeth in front, with six clear braces in front at the bottom. Had them on for about 14 months. Whilst my teeth are straight, my jaw is unfortunately misaligned, so I'll be having orthognathic surgery early next year.

All in all, medical aid paid +- R16k, and I paid +-R8k (over a period of 6 months). The 8k was because the med aid didn't fund the clear braces.
Click to expand...


Holly crap. If that is the case then I wont be able to afford it. My mediacal aid wont cover it I am pretty sure of that.
 
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