I finally got braces!

Nathaniel Christopher 3 Comments

I got braces today.

I’ve wanted and needed them for as long as I can remember and now that I have them it’s a bit surreal. It’s a dream come true.
One of the first things people notice about me is the large gap between my two front teeth. My friends tell me they like my gap. “It gives my face character,” they say. “You don’t need to change a thing.”

I don’t share this opinion.

Day one of braces!
Day one of braces!

So, I called several orthodontists and eventually decided to book an appointment with Dr. Jason Gallant at Viva Orthodontics in New Westminster. They had fantastic reviews and the staff was very helpful and courteous.

I was the only adult patient on that whiteboard. The awesome turkey was drawn by Amrita, a very talented artist and dental assistant.
I was the only adult patient on that whiteboard. The awesome turkey was drawn by Amrita, a very talented artist and dental assistant.

Dr. Gallant and his team examined my mouth and determined that it’s pretty screwed up. My teeth and jaw do not align properly which causes heavy attrition and excessive grinding at night.

Without braces and jaw surgery my teeth will continue to break away into a gummy bloody mess.

Mesocephalic facial type

  • Mandibular retrognathia
  • Class II malocclusion
  • Increased overjet
  • Incisal attrition
  • Maxillary midline diastema

 

In addition to the braces I am also getting jaw surgery in 12 months. They’ll chop my lower jaw in half and then move it forward a bit and then fix into place with screws. The procedure is called a mandibular advancement.

Treatment will take approximately 24 months.

They gave me a care pouch with various items that will help me maintaining my braces. They also threw in a pencil!
They gave me a care pouch with various items that will help me maintaining my braces. They also threw in a pencil!

It’s been a good day.

I am a resident of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, who has been blogging here for nearly 25 years. I enjoy sharing my thoughts and feelings on my own online platform. From 1998 until 2017, I worked as a journalist, and I have posted most of my articles in the 'News' section of this website.

3 Comments

  1. That is very cool, that you are choosing to go ahead with that !
    The procedure sounds rather scary, but of course with the awesome Dentist and his team, I am sure it will go very well. And as you noted it’s not just cosmetic work you are getting done, but part of taking care of your teeth so they will last you a lifetime.
    So many people fear Dentist’s , it’s good to see that you do not.

    1. Thanks! Yeah, I don’t care for the sound of the drills but other than that I’m okay with dental work. When it comes time for surgery I’ll be out so I won’t experience anything. Fortunately the surgeon I chose is considered the best in the province. 🙂

      1. IS Dr. GALLANT really good? i just search other doctor in vancouver, they said Dr.BRENT DOUGLAS R REALLY GOOD. omg so nervious!

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