I feel like this picture of me is really awkward.

Something that I have been talking about with Chad for quite some time now is getting my teeth fixed. No, my teeth are not horrible. Yes, I have survived 26 years with these teeth, but there is something that has always bothered me about them.

At the time when most kids get braces my Dad was self employed,  which meant that we did not have a dental plan. Since my brothers teeth were much worse them mine he was the one to get braces and I was the one who didn’t. It didn’t really bother me at the time because I was never that kid who spent hours in front of the mirror wishing I looked different. I was pretty content with my lot in life and never really worried about it. Though I did wish my teeth were straighter I knew it wasn’t an option and I accepted it.

Part of me has always loved that my teeth are kind of wonky and different, because they made me me. But then the other part of me hated the way they look in pictures. I became the master of making faces in pictures that didn’t show my teeth. Ever notice that in 95% of our wedding photos we look super serious and you never really see my teeth?

It also doesn’t help that my teeth are huge. It feels like they are way too big for my face and just take over.

So, after thinking about it for a very long I time, I finally asked my dentist about my options. I was originally only going to look into straightening my giant front tooth, but after talking to my dentist he said I would be the perfect candidate for Invisalign braces.

Since my dentist is an invisalign dealer, I don’t have to go to an orthodontist to get them done. This also means the cost is kept down. The price of the braces are $5500, with Chads dental plan covering about 45% of it. I was a little bit worrisome about the amount we would have to pay, but as Chad put it, we are currently living mortgage free, so if there was ever a time to do it, now would be it.

I went for my first appointment yesterday. I was a little bit nervous because I don’t really like change, and I was about to start the process of changing the smile I have known for 26 years. However, this is something that has obviously been bothering me, and now is the time to do something about.

I had molds and photos taken of my teeth that will be sent to Invisalign where my custom trays will be made. I was a little worried that the goo they use to take the molds was going to be awful and grainy and stick to everything in my mouth, but science has come a long way. The goo, though a bit awkward, was totally fine, and in half an hour everything was done. The molds were sent off and in about 4 weeks I should have all my trays and the real journey to straight teeth can begin. I am actually really excited about it!

I will be documenting my journey over the next year, though I’m sure it really won’t be that exciting. If anyone has questions, do not hesitate to ask!