Life After Speedbraces

An Interview with Christopher

So many of you are excited to see how it all turns out for me, that I thought you'd like to hear a good 'after' story right now. Below is my interview with Christopher, former speedbraces patient.

Be sure to check out the results of Christopher's time in speedbraces at his website www.christoffmarse.com (go to the bottom of the photo gallery for a peek at his new smile).

Q: What prompted you to get braces as an adult?
A: I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN UNHAPPY ABOUT THE WAY MY TEETH LOOKED. THEY WERE NOT AWFUL, BUT I KNEW THEY WOULD LOOK A LOT BETTER IF THEY WERE NOT TIPPED IN AND DID NOT HAVE SO MUCH SPACE BETWEEN THEM. I FINALLY DECIDED THAT I DESERVED TO REALLY LOOK GOOD.

Q: Why speed braces and not traditional braces, Invisalign or other corrective procedures?
A: INVISALIGN JUST TAKE TOO DARN LONG. THEY ARE A VERY VERY SLOW PROCESS. AND SOME OF THE INVISALIGN TRAYS ARE FAR FROM INVISIBLE. THEY ARE SO THICK THAT THEY LOOK LIKE YOU ARE CHEWING ON A BIG PIECE OF CLOUDY PLASTIC.

TRADITIONAL BRACES HURT. AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE IN BRACES FOR MONTHS. MY WORK WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT. I WAS IN VIAZI FAST BRACES FOR A TOTAL OF 5 WEEKS. THAT'S ACCEPTABLE TO ME. ALSO THE FAST BRACES ARE PRETTY MUCH PAINLESS. I HAD HEARD HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE DAY LONG HEADACHES THAT ACCOMPANY TIGHTENING OF TRADITIONAL BRACES. YOU DON'T GET VIAZI FAST BRACES TIGHTENED, SO THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO PAIN INVOLVED.

Q: How was the experience of wearing braces for you?
A: MY TEETH WERE SENSITIVE FOR THE FIRST 2 DAYS, AFTER THAT THERE WAS NO PAIN. THE MOST DIFFICULT PART WAS HAVING TO KEEP THEM CLEAN. FOOD GETS STUCK BETWEEN THE WIRE AND THE TEETH. FINALLY I FIGURED OUT THAT I COULD USE A TOOTHBRUSH TO PUSH THE FOOD PARTICLES UP OR DOWN AND GET RID OF THEM. I WORE THE BRACES FOR 5 WEEKS. IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS I COULD SEE MY TEETH HAD MOVED. IT WAS PRETTY AMAZING. I COULD ACTUALLY HEAR MY TEETH MOVING. THEY MADE A TINY CLICKING SOUND AS THEY MOVED FORWARD. MOST OF THE MOVING HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING. IN THE LAST 2 OR 3 WEEKS MY TEETH MOVED INTO THEIR FINAL POSITION PRETTY SLOWLY.

SPEAKING OF FAST, I HEARD ONE OF MY DENTIST'S PATIENTS WAS IN FAST BRACES FOR 4 DAYS! HE HAD A TOOTH THAT STUCK OUT FROM THE OTHERS AND 4 DAYS AFTER GETTING THE BRACES ON -THE TOOTH HAD MOVED INTO PLACE. THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING TO ME.

Q: You're now wearing a retainer. What is that like and how long will you have to wear it?
A: I HAVE WORN MY RETAINER FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. I ONLY WEAR IT AT NIGHT AND I INTEND TO CONTINUE WEARING IT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. IT'S EASY TO SLEEP WITH, AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES THAT MY TEETH MIGHT MOVE BACK.

Q: Are you happy with the results so far?
A: I AM ABSOLUTELY THRILLED.

Q: I find people are not only supportive of my getting braces, but they confess a secret desire to do the same 'someday'. Did you get that as well?
A: YES, I GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION WHEN I HAD MY BRACES PUT ON. SURPRISINGLY, NOBODY NOTICED WHEN I HAD THEM REMOVED. I HAD TO POINT IT OUT.

Q: What do you think holds people back from getting braces?
A: FEAR OF PAIN AND INCONVENIENCE. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. BRACES ARE JUST NO FUN NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT. BUT NOW I SEE MYSELF GRINNING IN PHOTOS, WHEN BEFORE I WAS TRYING HARD NOT TO SMILE TOO WIDE FOR FEAR OF SHOWING MY TEETH. IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE TROUBLE.

Q: Any advise for someone considering speed braces?
A: VISIT THE DOC AND TAKE A LOOK AT THEM. IF YOU COMPARE PRICE, TIME AND PAIN INVOLVED YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SEE THAT FAST BRACES MAKE MORE SENSE.