1. Becky, tell me how long you wore braces:

I wore braces for about 3 years…top teeth only

2. How much did that cost and what age were you starting and finishing:

Started at age 13 and done at 16…cost?  Not sure

3. When did you find out your roots were damaged?

My two front teeth got very wiggly and got progressively worse over a 15 year period.  It wasn’t until last year that I decided to have them removed and have implants put in.  my dentist was alarmed at the rate they were getting worse.

4. What were you told was the cause?

Cause unknown but braces was the first question he asked.  The second was if I was ever seriously injured to the head, which I wasn’t.  I always assumed it was the braces too.

5. Did you know a new study says one of the causes of root damage is from braces that are on a long time?

No, I had not known this

6. If your children need braces in the future, what would you do?

Well, make sure it was quick and efficient.  Not on for years.  Actually my children are of this age now and I am very cautious.  My youngest had her braces on for just 6 months with a night retainer now as I told the ortho that I didn’t want them on long.

7. You mentioned you had your two front teeth replaced with implants...they look great but what did that cost?

Oh…the implants were expensive.  And I had to have anesthesia which was around $1200.  The implants were approx. $5000 for the two front teeth.

8. Thanks for sharing your story with us...is there anything else you'd like to say about  your experience?

The thing I'd recommend from my own experience and what I've learned today would be to try to keep braces on for a shorter time to avoid complications!

This successful and attractive woman had a troubling experience with orthodontic treatment. In her interview (on the right), Becky explains the trouble she had to go through to be able to smile again.