Franklin Avenue

So I did it. As of today, I am now Mr. Brace Face. After years of talking the talk about getting braces--but never backing it up with any action--I finally got serious and visited the orthodontist a few months ago. Dr. Salem came up with a plan tailored to me, and last week they put in teeth spacers between my back molars, in preparation for the actual braces installation.

This morning, Dr. Salem put them on-- sharp bands around my back molars (those are the most painful of all, because they hit my tongue) and what's known as "speed braces" across my top and bottom teeth. Speed braces are smaller than your typical metal braces, and supposedly lead to a slightly faster treatment than traditional braces. I decided to avoid ceramic braces (like the ones Tom Cruise had) because they take a lot longer, are more expensive, and don't work quite as well.

Dr. Salem also installed "turbos" on the back of my front teeth (basically, metal stoppers) so the top teeth don't scrape the bottom teeth. These turbos are probably the most annoying part of the treatment so far, since it's causing a slight lisp. Hopefully that will change with time, but it's odd right now, since my tongue now hits the turbos.
Even more difficult, the turbos are preventing my teeth from touching each other--making things difficult (or right now, impossible) to eat. Dr. Salem said that will change with time, as my mouth readjusts to its new reality. But on the bright side, it may lead to some weight loss (unless I adjust to a pure milkshake-and-ice-cream diet).
So let's recap: Sharp metal bands scraping the back of my tongue. Turbos on the back of my teeth making me lisp, and making it impossible to chew. An overall feeling of tons of metal in my mouth.

Why did I do this? Since it's been only a few hours, I'm sort of asking myself the same question. But then I remind myself, it's not just for cosmetic reasons.
Granted, I first finally went to the orthodontist because I was fed up with the gaps in my top and bottom teeth. It really hit home when I saw myself on TV, and would frequently see those dark gaps. I couldn't watch myself after awhile. Most other people didn't see it-- but it bothered me. I was my worst critic.

But turns out that was just part of the problem. My top and bottom teeth are misaligned, causing my bite to be all askew. I've vaguely noticed my strange bite for years, but it's never really bothered me. But the fact that it could down the road--and likely lead to bigger oral problems-- is what sealed the deal. Sure, I'll have to wear this crap for the next two years, but when it's done, I'm gonna like my smile-- and not have to worry about serious issues down the road (knock on wood).

Also, when all is said and done, I'll still just be 32-- and the longer I wait, the older I'll be with braces.

Of course, I'm not the only one. According to the American Orthodontists Association, more than 1 million adults in the U.S. and Canada wear braces-- up 30 percent since 1994. Check out this L.A. Times story to get another perspective on adults getting braces. The piece follows a 20something L.A. wannabe actress who decides to get braces when she realizes her mouth is askew.