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Original poster

Just had my Clarity braces fitted :(

19 replies

tulpe · 26/01/2011 13:28

And am now desperately wishing I had gone for Invisalign :(

They look really obvious and I feel vile.

I know it will be worth it in the end but am just feeling sorry for myself Blush

Please come tell me to get a grip or to share your own experiences of them with me :)

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 26/01/2011 13:29

How long will you wear them?

Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 13:38

9-12 months.

The Invisilign were an option but there was a significant chance that I would have needed the clarity braces for 3 months anyway. The orthodontist felt that these would do a much better job. Am just feeling like stroppy teen!!

Am anxiously trying to focus on this time next year rather than worrying about the fact that next weeks ski trip to France will not include any steak, crusty bread or smiling photos :o

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 26/01/2011 13:41

haha you will be fine. I wish my parents had done mine. 9-12months isn't too bad. It will be worth it!

Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 13:53

Thanks Marsha :)

DH couldn't help but laugh - particularly as I usually wear my hair in plaits when I ski.......not an option next week!!!

DCs are going to have some fun I am sure when they get home.

it will definitely be worth it, I'm sure.

On the plus side, it does make my lips look fuller so other mums on school run today will probably think I've had a few fillers!!!

OP posts:
aquavit · 26/01/2011 14:46

am sure it will be worth it when you can do this --->> Grin

you'll get used to them anyway so it won't even be 9-12 months of annoyance - just the first bit, I reckon

my sister had braces when she was a teen and didn't smile in photos for 2 years. I now desperately envy her beautiful teeth

I wish my teeth could be fixed with braces! but dentist said the only way I could get straight teeth was if we took all mine out and I wore dentures Grin

mum295 · 26/01/2011 16:01

But much cheaper than Invisalign, right?

So...would the difference between Clarity and Invisalign pay for your skiing holiday?

In years to come, will you remember the Clarity braces or will you look at your ice straight teeth and remember the skiing holiday?

(I did Invisalign. I still have a wire behind my top teeth to hold them in place. Probably could have got better/quicker results with Clarity!)

You will get used to them!

mum295 · 26/01/2011 16:02

nice straight teeth, not ice!

MarshaBrady · 26/01/2011 16:06

I am tempted. And by the fuller lips. I just won't speak to anyone for 9 months.... and smile like this Smile

Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 18:25

Thanks for words of encouragement :)

mum295 they were £450 cheaper than Invisalign. DH was fine with the cost but he wanted me to abide by orthodontists advice. Ideally the orth wanted me to wear the full on metal braces but I knew I definitely couldnt deal with that. The Clarity were a compromise.

I think it looks worse as they kind of highlight the big gap I have between two of my teeth (thankfully at the side rather than the front but still noticeable and a the reason i wanted the brace really). All the photos you see are always of people with perfect teeth wearing them so they sit more snugly.

You are all right of course - it is worth it. I always have a lopsided grin on photos and deliberately sit on a specific side towards others so they can see my gap.

They have been on 6 hours and so far no discomfort or soreness. I have already slapped on some dental wax to stop any rubbing.

OP posts:
Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 18:27

BTW Marsha the fuller lips look very nice and pouty rather than Jordanesque. Will be rocking Chanel Rouge Orage in the morning to make the most of it :)

OP posts:
Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 18:28

That should be can't see the gap!!! Dfinitely not drawing attention to it!!!

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 26/01/2011 18:39

Tulpe I think they sound really great Smile

I am going to look into them. My teeth aren't too bad but not brace perfect. And I liked that in my twenties but now I also like the idea of improving something after nine months.

And not improve in the pretend-use-this-expensive-cream way, but something that will look noticeably (and subtly) better.

It's great. Also glad it doesn't hurt.

Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 18:44

Yes its weird that in your twenties slightly imperfect teeth can look quirky and cool. However, having just turned 40 I think it was beginning to look ageing.

OP posts:
SatinandTat · 26/01/2011 19:01

I had Clarity a few years ago. I remember the first few days and being so self conscious. The feeling doesn't go away totally but you do become used to them and it is worth it. My husband had invisalign and his are nowhere near as good as mine. I also had to wear elastics for a while - rubber bands from top teeth to bottom. I looked like a vampire.

RufousBartleby · 26/01/2011 19:16

Tulpe - I had Clarity for a couple of years - finished treatment about a year ago. My teeth were so bad though that I couldn't have had invisalign :(.

I have to say, it was completely worth it - why feel self conscious forever about something that could be fixed in a (relatively!) short space of time? I found that once friends and everyone at work had seen them for the first time I started to feel less awkward.

My advice would be to smile regardless on your holiday photo's though, as there are some photo's of me grimacing strangely in an attempt not to show my teeth on my first holiday after fitting - found it looked much less weird just to carry on a normal.

Are you getting much discomfort though? - because I found that I dwelt a lot beforehand on how it would make me feel about my appearance to be an adult with braces and hadn't really factored in the grinding pain. Hope this is not too bad for you!

Original poster
tulpe · 26/01/2011 20:05

Hi Satin - I remember that you replied to my first thread about braces a few months ago when I was still at the decision making stage :) Are the elastics essential for everyone? I think I will google as I can't get my head around what they may look like. ALso, did you suffer much pain and discomfort?

I waited until now to get them done as DH took me to the Maldives for my 40th a few weeks ago and I didn't want them glinting in the sun on photos :o

Rufous - good to hear that the end result is worth it. I think it is such a novelty for us to suddenly see a friend with a mouth full of metal that they will look and be curious to begin with but hopefully that will pass.

Regarding smiling - have just been cleaning teeth with the DCs and I noticed that when I smiled at them via the mirror I automatically lowered my top lip to cover my teeth............sooooo not a good look! So will be on full beam as much as possible.

Sorry to hear you had so much pain No discomfort at all at present other than one or two very gentle aches in my jaw - more that my jaw is suddenly aware of a change of pressure as opposed to any pain. I have slapped on some dental wax on those bits which feel most prominent to try and prevent any sores forming and tbh I am quite concerned about that.

OP posts:
MrsSeanBean · 26/01/2011 20:13

Stick with it Tuple.

Treat yourself to something fab with the £450 you have saved on Invisalign. ;)

You may feel vile but I bet don't look half as bad as you feel. Just think of the bonus in 9-12 months. Time will fly by, you will get used to them and for the rest of your life enjoy the results. Have a huge pat on the back from me for taking such a brave step!

(And btw well done for taking the Orthodontist's advice. I craved a crown 'back along', but they refused to drill into a healthy tooth and even though it cost me £80 for that pearl of wisdon (excuse the pun) I think it was sound advice. Stay positive. You have always sounded gorgeous anyway - you will be megawatt now. :)

MrsSeanBean · 26/01/2011 20:13

Tuple?! Tulpe - sorry! Blush

LadyAlex · 26/01/2011 20:20

If you do get any sores, echinaceia in tincture form is good to drop on them, helps them heal quick whilst the wax stops the rubbing. I had braces on for just over a year. I had my teeth done for my wedding however the brace wasn't ready to come off. You cant tell on the pictures because it was only on the bottom. I still have a brace at the bck of my teeth so that as my wisdoms come through, they dont undo the work. I kno have all 4 wisdom teeth. they cam through painlessly. I had my front brace off about 3 years ago.

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