Chapter 1 The Adjustment

Ashley a very beautiful 16 year old junior at Belmont High was about to have her world changed. She had lived with a persistent overbite, misaligned jaws, and an unwelcome companion called TMJ. The soft bone disorder had complicated things further for her. Here’s her story.

I sat nervously in the orthodontist's waiting room, my fingers drumming a rapid beat on my jeans. I was here for my braces fitting, but I had no idea what awaited me.

"Next, please," called Dr. atingle, a kind-looking man with a reassuring smile. I entered, my stomach fluttering with anxiety.

"So, Ashley, we're going to start with some standard braces today," Dr. Tingle explained, showing me the array of metal brackets. After what felt like an eternity of having my teeth sanded and glued, I left with a shiny new set of braces, my smile feeling foreign. The next day at school I showed up with braces. A lot of kids had braces so it wasn’t a big deal. All my friends and my boyfriend Zack knew I was getting them.

A month later, I returned for what I thought was a routine check-up.

"Alright, Ashley, today we're adding something new to your treatment plan," Dr. Tingle said, holding up what looked like headgear.
"What is that?" I asked, my voice tinged with dread.

"This is cervical headgear. Given your overbite, misaligned jaws, and TMJ issues, combined with your soft bone tissue, this is necessary to ensure we don't risk further complications," he explained methodically.

As Dr. Tingle fitted the headgear, explaining each part, "This face bow will go into your braces here, and this neck strap will pull your upper jaw back”. he said, as he continued to adjust it. The face bow protruded awkwardly from my mouth, extending several inches forward, making me feel like I had a small satellite dish attached to my face.

"How long do I have to wear this?" I asked, feeling the awkwardness of it sticking out of my mouth and going around my face.

"Unfortunately, because of your condition, you need to wear it all the time. You'll need to have it on for the next 12 to 18 months. It's wired in so you won’t be able to take it off. This is to prevent your jaw from shifting back due to your soft bone tissue," Dr. Tingle replied, his tone apologetic.

My heart sank. "The thought of not being able to take it off gave me anxiety."

"Now, it will take some getting used to. It’s going to feel uncomfortable at first but you’ll get used to it. There will be some adjustments when eating. You'll need to cut everything into small pieces and I recommend you getting straws for drinking. For sleeping, lie on your back if possible to prevent pushing against it. 

“Let’s get you set up for your next appointment in a month,” Dr. Tingle concluded, adjusting his glasses. “You’ll get used to it, I promise.”

Walking out of the orthodontist's office, I felt like I was carrying a new identity on my face. The headgear was not just awkward; it was obtrusive, making me feel like I was in a perpetual state of discomfort. The face bow stuck out farther than normal from others I had seen before. I hadn’t seen many kids wear one but I had seen them before. I never knew anyone to have to wear it 24/7.

I quickly got into my car before to many people saw me. I felt so awkward and embarrassed with this metal wiring sticking out of mouth and around my face. I felt the pressure start to pull on my jaws and immediately felt the constant metal part of the headgear on my lips. Then my mind  began to imagine the stares and whispers that awaited me at school. What would her friends think? Would they still see her as Ashley, the girl they knew, or simply as “the girl with the headgear”? What would my boyfriend Zack think? Would I still even be able to kiss him. As I drove home I could see the people looking and starring at me.
When I got home I ran to my room and looked in the mirror in disbelief. I looked so awkward and goofy with the headgear. I explored my new hardware evening pulling on it a few times hoping it would come out but it didn’t budge. Later that night mom called me for dinner. I went down stares to reveal the headgear for the first time to my family.
The look on everyone’s face was shock.

They all looked at me with a huge shock on their face. My mom quickly saying “Ashley, you never told us you had to get headgear."

“I didn't know I was getting it until today. It's because I have soft bone tissue and it prevents my jaw from shifting back."

My brother David,  “does that thing hurt! Looks painful”.

“Yeah my teeth are sore and my jaws hurt and it’s uncomfortable. Hopefully I’ll get used to it”.

Then the question from Dave that everyone wanted to know. “Can you take it off”?

“Unfortunately no it’s attached to my braces so I can’t take it off.  “How long you gotta wear that thing,” Dave asked. Dr.Tingle said 12-18 months.

 I quickly changed the subject and asked my mom if she could make me some soup. I quickly realized that eating was going to be a big adjustment. The liquid from the soup and the metal wire sticking out was not a good combination.

My mom with a sympathetic look saw the broth run everywhere and down my shirt. She quickly got up and helped me clean up the mess. Thanks, Mom," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed but grateful for her help.

"You'll get the hang of it," she reassured me, gently patting my shoulder. "We'll figure out what works best for you."

Dave, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in, "Hey, at least you won't have to chew your veggies for a while, right?"

I managed a small laugh. "Yeah, there's that."

The rest of the dinner was a learning curve, with my family offering different foods to try - soft bread, mashed potatoes, anything that wouldn't require much chewing or could be easily managed while adjusted to my headgear over the next few days. After dinner I retreated to my room for the rest of the night.  Zack texted me and I needed to tell him. I didn’t want to just show up at school with no warning.

**Ashley:** Hey... I've got something to tell you...

**Zack:** What's up?

**Ashley:** I... um, I got headgear today at the orthodontist...

**Zack:** Headgear? Like the metal thing that goes around your head? Do you have to wear it at night or all the time?

**Ashley:** It's wired in... so yeah, all the time. I can’t take it off at all.

**Zack:** Oh... wow, that's... that's kind of a lot to take in.

**Ashley:** I know, I was super nervous about telling you. I hate how it looks...



**Ashley:** I get it if you feel weird about it. I'm not exactly thrilled either.

**Zack:** Yeah, it's just not what I was expecting. But we'll figure it out, I guess. I’ll see you in school.

The rest of the night was a struggle. I thought a-lot about how Zack responded… he sounded like he wasn’t okay with the news of me having headgear. I tried to put it out of Ming. Maybe he was just shocked and would come around. I couldn’t get comfortable. I only slept a few hours between the pain and rolling over and my headgear pressing in the pillows making it more painful made for a difficult night.

The next day I got ready for school which I was dreading. 

As I approached the school gates the next day, my heart raced. In the distance I spotted Sarah and Emily by the entrance, their laughter sparkling in the crisp autumn air. The leaves were beginning to turn shades of orange and gold, but all I could see was the way the sunlight glinted off my face bow, making me feel even more exposed.

“Hey, Ash!” Emily called out, waving enthusiastically. She had a knack for brightening the gloomiest of days. But as I drew closer, her smile faltered.

“Uh... hey,” Ashley replied, her voice unsteady. I could feel my cheeks flushing, a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety flooding my senses.

“Wow, I didn’t know you were getting headgear Sarah exclaimed, her eyes wide. Do you have to wear it all the time or can you take it off?

I took a deep breath, trying to muster a casual response. “No I can’t take it off at all it’s attached to my braces I said”. I could feel my friends' eyes scrutinizing my new look, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern.