For years, the idea of wearing braces again was something I firmly avoided, but after a long and unpredictable dental journey, I found myself embracing them once more—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
My adventure began with Invisalign, those clear aligners often seen advertised on dentist windows, promising a seamless way to straighten your teeth. Prior to trying them, I only knew of one famous person who had worn them: Tom Cruise, back in 2002.
My first experience with braces was during my teenage years, though not with the traditional train tracks. Instead, I had removable braces with a single wire, which I’ll refer to as “tram tracks.” While they did a decent job at the time, I wasn’t aware that teeth continue to shift throughout life—like tectonic plates that keep moving. Without ever using a retainer after finishing my teenage orthodontic work, my teeth eventually became crooked and discolored, giving me a smile I wasn’t proud of. Though I wasn’t going full “Shane MacGowan,” I did resemble a less-than-perfect version of David Bowie—something I thought was charming on others but not so much on myself.
Braces never crossed my mind again until I had a consultation with Dr. Slaine Ker, a cosmetic dentist at The Row in Edinburgh. The clinic, located in a stunning Georgian building, felt like a spa with its white walls, comfortable sofas, and calming ambiance. It was a far cry from the busy NHS clinics I was used to. During the consultation, Dr. Ker showed me a digital simulation of how my teeth could look after treatment, and that’s when I decided to go for it—signing up without looking back.
My journey to improve my smile was born out of necessity. I had endured multiple surgeries and had issues with my teeth since childhood. The thought of finally achieving “Project Nice Gnashers” became too tempting to resist. Plus, Invisalign’s discreet design meant I wouldn’t be walking around looking like the oldest teenager on the block.
The process itself wasn’t without its challenges. At the start, I felt discomfort as my teeth adjusted to the aligners, and I was concerned about how long the process would take. I had to wear them for 22 hours a day, changing aligners weekly. The worst part was adjusting to meal times, as I had to remove the retainers, eat, and then immediately brush my teeth before putting them back in. It was a hassle, but over time, it became second nature. Although I stayed strict with my routine at first, I did indulge in a few guilty pleasures like coffee and chocolate buttons toward the end—though I’m sure Dr. Ker wouldn’t approve.
Initially, my treatment was supposed to take only a couple of months, but like most Invisalign cases, it extended to a full 18 months. I was almost ready to give up, but eventually, I reached the final stretch. The last steps included whitening with a special gel and a bit of composite bonding on a front tooth that had never quite grown in properly. Dr. Ker is a true artist, blending resins to make the tooth look completely natural—something that would’ve terrified me a couple of years ago due to my phobia of dental procedures.
Additionally, a permanent wire was placed on the back of my front teeth to ensure long-term stability. I still need to wear a retainer at night, but this new setup reduces my dependency on it.
Despite all the work and time I invested, no one seemed to notice the results right away. It’s a strange reality—similar to a friend who underwent a mid-life nose job only to have even her parents fail to comment on the change. But I noticed. My smile was no longer gummy; my teeth had been shifted forward, and I felt confident enough to flash a big, toothy grin for photos.
In fact, I’ve become quite obsessed with my teeth, flossing religiously and even incorporating interdental brushing into my routine. I hope my NHS dentist is proud of my newfound dedication when I go for my next check-up.
Looking back at old photos, the difference is shocking. The changes were gradual, so I didn’t fully appreciate the transformation until I compared my “before” and “after” pictures. The moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of a good dental journey—and maybe avoid toffees for a while.
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