Today I got the top brackets and the wires for my Incognito braces. So my teeth are going to start moving! Finally! Before I get too in-depth with what is currently going on, I think I should tell you about some of my orthodontic history...
I started to show an underbite in my early years. I don't remember too much of it, because I was more focused on playing with the neighborhood kids than on my oral health and appearance. However little I cared about it all, I first saw an orthodontist about the underbite around age 8. I got my first orthodontic appliances when I was 9 or 10. I had a palatal expander (the device with the key) and little metal pegs on two of my upper teeth. These connected to my headgear, which was supposed to fix my underbite.
It quickly became obvious that headgear was not working. Eventually, my orthodontist removed the palatal expander and the pegs. I then got braces on the top jaw only (age 12), as my bones were still growing and having my bottom teeth straightened would make my underbite appear even worse than it already was. I had these braces for two years. Having straight teeth on top greatly increased my self confidence through high school and I'm genuinely glad that I waited until now to complete the process of fixing my jaw.
So now I'm 20 years old and have braces for the second time. I chose to get lingual braces because I'm in college and I didn't want to be mistaken for someone much younger. I'm pre-med, and confidence is key in the medical school application process. I figured that a metal mouth look would not help my confidence.
And this is how I've gotten to this point. I am about a year away from jaw surgery, and I'm so excited to finally have a normal bite.
I will write updates as my appointments fly by and I will let you all know how it goes! I will also be posting photos soon. If anyone else out there has had Incognito/lingual braces or jaw surgery for an underbite, please send me a message with any tips or tricks that you may have for me!
