Braces Blues ?
When I look at the models of my teeth I definitely think they aren’t that bad, they’re not crooked nor do I have gaps between my teeth. I do have a slight overbite, the front-teeth of my lower jaw go in a little and my upper and lower jaw don’t align correctly, I’m still able to eat normally so… I guess that’s why my somewhat anti-braces dentist never send me to an orthodontist. Friends even told me they didn’t notice it, only after I opened up my mouth and gave them a good look 
Maybe I got brainwashed by all those extreme make-over shows, but I started to think about doing something about my teeth. Of course I thought about getting braces when I was younger, but I also wore glasses and I guess I didn’t really feel comfortable about the whole braces thing. My big sister had to wear one for up to 3 to 4 years or something and really had a hard time 
My parents didn’t want me going through same thing and I didn’t think my teeth were THAT bad…
Although I decided not to wear braces when I was younger, I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to stick to that decision. At the end of last year I started to look into braces for adults. I found out the technology definitely changed since my big sister had her braces and if I would choose to wear braces it would only take 1 to 1.5 years. But there was one problem, my old health insurance didn’t cover the costs that are around € 1500 to 2000,– . Luckily I was able to switch to Menzis health insurance, with a special dentist option they cover the costs up to € 1500,– 
I found a great orthodontist in Leiden who is specialized in orthodontia for adults (rechtetanden.info) and made an appointment in April this year. After making photos the orthodontist told me I first have to wear a RPE (?) for 3 months to broaden my upper jaw and align my bite. It will only take 2 weeks to broaden my upper jaw, but it takes 3 months to close the suture with bone again and make it stable. After this I will get braces and correct the slight overbite and align everything 
So I’m currently wearing the expander and I can already see a difference! Eating was hard in the beginning, but now that my upper jaw is almost broad enough things go much better. My speech is going ok too, but I have developed a little lisp 
My sister really had to laugh because I sometimes sound like Jim Carey in ‘The Cable Guy’ *grrrr* Although I won’t be able to grab a quick bite because I don’t want aching teeth when eating, I’m still glad I’ve finally decided to fix my teeth now and not wait till I’m old and need to go to an extreme make-over show 
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Comments
Speaking of braces…. I got them at the age of 12 and had to wear them until I was 14 years old. It was not great. However, when I think about it now, it was the right decision. hahaha! You’re so lucky that your health insurance does cover the costs!! I bet mine wouldn’t despite the high fees I have to pay all by myself…
Ah, braces. I had braces a while ago… but after I got them off, I never wore the retainer. I really regret not wearing it now, because my teeth are moving back to where they were before I got braces. Gah… it sucks.
Your teeth aren’t bad at all, but mine are lol. In my picture you can’t really see them, but I’m wearing braces lol.
I have an underbite where my bottom teeth come over my upper, I get really embarassed about it. Reading your post though really makes me want to go see a dentist and get it straightened out so thank you.
Your teeth really don’t look that bad, but I can definitely see why you’d want braces. Hopefully it’s not too horrible and maybe that lisp will go away fast
I wouldn’t mind having braces myself. Mine a little bit crooked and while most people don’t notice it, I always have and it bugs the crap out of me.
The only reason I haven’t opted to go for it is because I vividly remember being in grade school when one of the little boys in my class was horsing off.. the next thing we knew he was bleeding, screaming and the wire from his braces was sticking through his lower lip.
I’ve been freaked out about braces ever since!
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Meh, i hate braces. I got them in 8th grade and finished in February of 10th grade.