Braces....... The beginning of my journey.

Hello.
It has been a very long time since I blogged, so I thought it might be a good idea to blog my braces journey.
Last week I had my official consultation with an orthodontist. This was my first step to the rest of my life. What made me decide to get braces now as an adult? I have always been self conscious of the gap between my 2 front teeth but have always been told over the years that it is my character and I just learned to accept it, however you will notice that I very rarely smile in photo's unless the camera is far away so that you can't notice the gap!
Also, 6 years ago I had my wisdom teeth taken out and since then all my bottom teeth have moved and are now severely crowded!
So, the Orthodontist tells me that the gap that I have always been so conscious of is apparently easy to fix and the least of my worries, little did I know that there are much more issues wrong with my teeth: Over bite, over jet, severe crowding on lower teeth, my top teeth are a V shaped arch instead of a U shape?? Oh, and he also told me that I have a loose lower lip (caused by my top teeth)??!!??
I am told that I will need to wear top braces for 18 months and bottom braces for 24 months. Cost $7.5K and can spread the payments (interest free) over 2 years. Speed braces are the only type of braces my orthodontist uses and that means they are self ligitating with no elastics, 3 times smaller than traditional ones, more hygienic & comfortable.
So, here I am in the beginning of my journey. I have researched everything possible about braces and lucky there is a website totally dedicated to adults with braces. www.archwired.com/braces
It is a very big deal for me to be doing this as a 33 year old but I have to think of the end result and that is a beautiful smile with straight teeth! Short term pain for long term gain!!!
Next up I have an appointment (End of Feb) for x-rays, moulds & photos and then a month after that the final plan will be put in place and my journey will REALLY begin!