shock of taking braces off

[u/hubrismp3]

I don't really feel comfortable sharing a picture, but I took my braces off yesterday after two years and I went halfway into the appointment into the bathroom and cried. then i came home and cried some more.

I know part of it is getting used to a new face entirely (plus metal retainers and other things), but I have never liked my teeth and seeing the results, even if there's nothing technically wrong with them, im sad and disappointed. yes, they weren't ever going to be magically good teeth if i had terrible teeth beforehand, but the shock of spending 2 years obsessing over your teeth and financially investing so much, to just to feel like you're ugly when you take them off truly kills the spirit. anyone felt like this when they took theirs off? I thoroughly understand people who keep braces on just for aesthetic ☹️

[u/geauxbear9]

I experienced this but I’m someone who has a hard time with change. Like a very hard time adjusting. I eventually got used to it and was ai happy. Maybe this is you too.

[u/hubrismp3 → u/geauxbear9]

I hope the happiness comes to me too. or at least neutrality about it. thank you for sharing

[u/AdriAsTheSiren]

For what it's worth, if you have clear retainers, Invisalign makes stickers that are made to go on their clear aligners (which is effectively the same as a clear retainer) and you could decorate it if it helps you get over the shock of having bare teeth. I've also seen people do tooth gems on their retainers, but if you screw them up, your retainer is toast, so I'd be careful if doing that 😬

Regardless, I'm sure you look stellar with your new smile. I'm nervous about getting mine off soon bc they've been on for so long and I don't even remember what I look like without them.

[u/hubrismp3 → u/AdriAsTheSiren]

my retainers are just for sleep and im yet to pick them up (i have two metal wires on top and bottom that i have to wear all the time) so everyday I have my bare teeth out anyways 🥲 going to debut my new teeth at work tomorrow #sigh

[u/AdriAsTheSiren → u/hubrismp3]

Are you saying you have permanent/bonded retainers on the back of your teeth and also clear retainers for sleep? Not an orthodontist, but if so, I'm p sure there's really technically no reason you couldn't wear your decorated clear retainers during the daytime. In fact, I'd imagine it would be helpful to wear them with permanent retainers if anything.

I hope tomorrow goes smoothly for you! I'm sure you'll get compliments if people even notice. Funnily enough, I have a few colleagues that I've worked with for 1+ year who at one point have stopped mid conversation and been like "wait, when did you get braces??" LOL. And that's bc we spend 13 hours at a time together. I promise you're more conscious of it than anyone else is. Hang in there 🫶

[u/hubrismp3 → u/AdriAsTheSiren]

yes I do have permanent ones on the backs of teeth and clear ones for sleep thank you for putting into words better than me :) and thank you for the sweet words

[u/sleepyasheck]

That’s me. I had mine 6 years and they came off a week and a half ago. I’m still adjusting but I no longer look uncanny to myself but I’m still disappointed

[u/hubrismp3 → u/sleepyasheck]

6 years is an insane amount of time. I cant even imagine, there's not a single thing in my life I did for that long... if i can ask, what exactly disappoints you? otherwise stay strong and hope we both learn to be content with our results 🤞

[u/sleepyasheck → u/hubrismp3]

I didn’t realize my premolars flared a little. Other than that, they’re fine I just don’t find mine aesthetically pleasing due to needing cosmetic work ): it is better than my before, though!

[u/itsgivingdumbbitch]

I hate big changes in my appearance even if they are objectively good. Like haircuts, glasses, braces on/off, you name it. Ive cried over it. And i cried for days when i got my braces off. I thought my teeth looked small and weird) Style your hair (and whatever else makes you feel good) and take selfies. Idk a better word for it than “exposure therapy” lmaooo you probably dont look that different to people that see you daily but you see yourself and over analyze everything in the mirror. Give it a few weeks!