News-Record.com

I'll bet you'll miss chewing gum for a while.

Make sure you get the colorful wires. I've seen kids with pink, purple, and teal. I would steer away from red, green, or yellow. That would look like you hadn't brushed.

Allen,

When I started college (a long time ago), along with all of the other freshman adjustments that had to be made, I started wearing braces. I looked like an advertisement for the American Dental Association with my toothbrush and paste and rubber bands always at the ready.

The good news is that since I was more mature than most of my orthodentist's other clients, I did as I was told. No popcorn, no gum, no chips, etc. As a result, what started out as a two year treatment, only took about 16 months. And I have a great smile (so I'm told) and healthy teeth, all original!

So, hang in there. It could be worse. They could be talking about permanent replacements!

And just when we thought you couldn't get any cuter . . .

Steve has finally come out of the closet!!!

Well then Andrew, ask me out!

Go for it, Allen! I went through the procedure as an adult about 18 years ago and am so glad that I did so. It's not that bad and the results are worth it.

I had a similar procedure done many years ago. They had to break my jaw. You should auction off the right to do that and give it to charity. I bet Steve would bid enough to pay for that NY Times service everyone has been complaining about.

Wow Jeri, I believe that's the first thing I ever read from you that wasn't plagarized.

Steve, you silly boy!

I'm seeing more and more adults with braces; they make clear ones now, too. From what I hear, it's not "too bad," but Martin Luther wrote, "It matters whose ox is gored."

Good luck with them; I hope it turns out well.

Thanks for the moral support, guys. Hope I don't have to have my jaw broken (Jeri's right; the line of volunteers probably already has formed).
As for the suggestion for color braces, I think I'll pass and hope I can have clear ones.

May I tentatively recommend procrastination, or at least reading this -

UF researchers test drug that could cut orthodontic treatment time in half -
"The study will be the first of many to test the hormone (relaxin) as an orthodontic therapy, and it is hoped the drug could cut treatment time in half and eliminate the need for retainers after braces have been removed.
This may not help the more than 5 million Americans and Canadians the American Association of Orthodontists estimates currently wear braces, but if it's shown to work it could bring a sigh of relief from those anticipating future tooth-torqueing orthodontic treatment and the aching teeth and throbbing gums that often go along with it."

In my youth I swore if I ever wanted to be a sadist and get paid for it I'd go into orthodontia.

Well, THAT'S reassuring, Anna.