Going to university with a brace

Is this weird/abnormal?

I've had a brace for a year and I'm going to uni in October grades-permitting. I really want my brace to be taken off before I go, because 1) it'll be loads of hassle having to come all the way back for the regular orthodontist appointments, and 2) I'll feel really self conscious going to uni with a brace on. I asked the orthodontist if I could have it taken off a couple of days before I leave for uni, and she said that by that time my teeth will be pretty much straight but there may be a couple of small gaps left in the back of my mouth where I had teeth taken out. I really don't care about having a couple of tiny gaps that you can't even see, but she was saying it would be a shame to cut the treatment short, but I could have them taken off at the end of September if I want.
What do you reckon I should do?

Reply 1

The Mudman

10

ZOMFG! You have braces! :eek3:

You freak! :eek:

I seriously doubt anyone will care, and if they do, they aren't the kinda people you'd wanna know anyway. Just keep going till the end, so you can have picture perfect teeth that all will be jealous of.

Reply 2

slk999

15

It's difficult but I'd get them taken out. Maybe you can ask your orthodontist if you can have some slip in braces/plates? that you can wear over night while you sleep just to finish straightening the teeth?

Reply 3

Talya

16

Keep em! No one will care. Your teeth are more important than other people's opinions.

Reply 4

The Mudman

10

You're coming to Bristol uni aren't you munch? Seriously, don't worry about 'em.

Reply 5

munchkin88

OP

4

No, I'm not.

Reply 6

The Mudman

10

munchkin88

No, I'm not.

Fair enough. Must have been someone else.

Reply 7

munchkin88

OP

4

But no-one else will still have a brace! Argh!!

Reply 8

sarahb

i would def keep them on - i have a 2 friends at uni with braces, and no1 cares! if you take it off early youl prob regret it in later life. if your teeth are nearly corrected it means you wont have to wear it for much longer anyway. and at the end of it youl have perfect teeth :biggrin:

i seriously wouldnt advise takin them off-really, noone will care!

Reply 9

LatinMachine

1

I can only retell my experience with my braces. I got them at the beginning of Year 12, and right towards the end they wanted me to wear incredibly visible and tricky elastic bands to correct a "fault" I hadn't even noticed (originally I had an overbite, but apparantly my jaw was off-centre horizontally too, but no-one, not even me, had ever noticed this). I was nearly 18 y'know, I didn't want to do it. Had arguments with my mum as she wanted me to keep going so I could have "perfect teeth," and because I would "regret it," but refused to have the bands anyway. They took the traintracks off. Do I regret it? Not a jot. My supposed "flaw" has no effect on my day-to-day functioning, and you can't even see it. Life became a lot easier without the braces.

Just remember to wear your retainers :wink:

Reply 10

zav

14

Doesn't matter keep em, i would not mind in the slightist.

Reply 11

munchkin88

OP

4

The thing is, having them taken off "early" means my teeth would be totally straight, but there would be a couple of small gaps, which I just don't care about. How could I regret it in later life? Unless having gaps means that the teeth could move back more easily?

Reply 12

TheWildChild

11

id keep them in and finish the treatment off. how long have you got left anyway?

there will be plenty of people with braces at uni, just look back at the threads on here. i'm only just having my braces put in on the 8th of this month, and am also starting uni this sept.

Reply 13

amywalters

1

Dont be silly, its not abnormal and you aren't weird. Your desire to have gorgeous straight teeth will benefit in the end, it sounds as though you'll only have a few months left by the time you start Uni anyway, so i dont think you should cut it short :smile:

Think about the beautiful smile you'll have! :biggrin:

cha-ching

Reply 14

kinkajou

15

i'd wait til your first holiday and get them off at christmas if they only need a bit longer! I wanted mine off before sixth form but then i realised id gone through all the painful tightening sessions etc already so there was no point giving up a few months early when you can have them perfect! Whatever you do, make your decision based on what will make YOU feel better, not what you think will impress other people :smile:

Reply 15

munchkin88

OP

4

We're talking a matter of like a month. If I keep them on, they'll be off by November. But that means a whole month at uni feeling self conscious during the time when I should be making loads of new friends etc. That's why I can't see how having it taken off just before I leave will really make much difference.

Reply 16

DarkLight18

Hey,
Im going to university with a brace and i really couldnt care less (look at my pic and u may be able to see i have a brace :P). I was concious of wearing a brace only for the first few days after i had it on, but now im completely fine about it, it doesnt bother me the slightest. No one is going to care if you are wearing a brace, its only a brace lol. (P.S i had my brace fitted start of June)

Reply 17

kinkajou

15

munchkin88

We're talking a matter of like a month. If I keep them on, they'll be off by November. But that means a whole month at uni feeling self conscious during the time when I should be making loads of new friends etc. That's why I can't see how having it taken off just before I leave will really make much difference.

You're still the same person, brace or no brace. You wont make any more friends by not having a brace! Don't mess up the treatment at this stage - you'll be surprised what a difference one month can make. If i were you i'd go with it on, and if it really bugs you just get the train home and visit the orthodontist! You're best just waiting that one month though.

Reply 18

BeesKnees

16

I say keep them on till the treatment is over. A few more months aren't really a big deal and seriously no one will care. It won't be like high school where kids are really evil.

Reply 19

Welshdude

Keep them on, not bein funny, if people judge a wit havin a brace or anythin they aint worth knowin or listenin 2. Keep them on ure teeth will look great afterwards. I had my brace just taken off, it feels and looks great

Going to university with a brace

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