Excellent! Hope there is more to come.

Chapter 2

On Friday, Matt woke me up early “come on, time to get going for your appointment”
I yawned and groaned “I still don’t understand why we had to schedule it for 8am…”
Matt shrugged “I need them in before I start work for the day and I have a meeting at 9.30 so this was the only time…”I nodded and got up, quickly getting dressed. Matt kissed me “we are going to keep these in all weekend, pretend like you’ve got real braces for the first time…”
I rolled my eyes but he gripped my chin “I mean it – I have paid good money for these. I am in charge of these. Do you understand?”
I nodded, embarrassment creeping up my face “yes sir”
Matt nodded, smiling again “great – let’s go and get them fitted”

As we pulled up outside I turned to him “are you excited?”
He nodded “I cannot wait!”
We were seen straight back and a lip spreader was placed straight into my mouth – I laid there feeling slightly stupid but Matt squeezed my hand gently and I rolled my eyes at his excitement. The orthodontist clicked record on the camera and brought the light over my mouth, turning it onto its brightest setting.
Without wasting any time the orthodontist instructed me to open my mouth, he held an appliance up and my eyes widened “this is the frankel appliance” he forced it into my mouth and even with the lip spreader in I could feel how big it was. He slipped it out, made a few adjustments and then put it back in. He took the lip spreader out and sat me up slightl. Matt was grinning widely “how does it feel?”
I tried to force my lips closed but realised they wouldn’t actually physically shut, I nodded “ihhh biihhh”
Matt’s eyes widened and he licked his lips as my speech was all garbled. The orthodontist nodded “it is big, but that’s how it’s meant to be. Now it doesn’t actually clip in – it’s just held in place by biting so when you open your mouth it will move around”
I nodded and tested it, opening and closing my mouth a few times. Drool dribbled out of my mouth down my chin and my face flushed red with embarrassment but it seemed to excite Matt even more.
The orthodontist slipped it out my mouth and a trail of spit followed, I grimaced slightly and flexed my jaw again – glad to have it out. I wouldn’t be wearing that much and I hoped the next appliance was easier.
He slipped the lip spreader back in and pulled out the next appliance. I frowned as I saw the metal bows poking out of it – before I could get a good look he slipped it in my mouth and it felt just as bulky as the last one. I could feel the facebow poking round my cheeks and the plastic filling my mouth. He quickly pulled out a mess of straps “so these straps go over the top of your head, behind your head and around your neck. It would be called combination headgear – this is just to remove all pressure when it’s in your mouth”
He fitted the straps, checking the fit. I laid there feeling incredibly embarrassed and self conscious – even though he was used to seeing people in things like this, I felt absolutely ridiculous. I glanced at Matt, shaking my head gently but he nodded and smiled “this is my favourite. You look so cute baby”
When he was satisfied the orthodontist undid the straps and slipped out the appliance.
He finally checked the fit of the retainer “how does that feel?”
I opened and closed my jaws, running my tongue over the metal self consciously “thish feelth good, bether than thothe otheths”
The orthodontist nodded “great! You can wear this one all the time then!”
Him and Matt laughed loudly but I nervously giggled “I’m ok thanths…”
The orthodontist showed Matt and me how to take them all in and out and advised Matt it would be worthwhile coming in in 6-12 months just for a check. Matt readily agreed and the orthodontist advised us to come back sooner if we had any concerns. I knew this was all just a fun activity for Matt but it was reassuring they were taking proper care of us.
I started to sit up but the orthodontist held his hand up “now, I know this is just recreational for you – but we do have a rule where you have to wear all appliances in my office” my eyes widened and I shook my head. Matt practically cheered “the van beek!” but I shook my head more forcefully “no way! I’M NOT WEARING ANY OF THEM!”
The orthodontist shrugged, they are my rules – now, you have three to choose from…”
I begrudgingly grabbed the retainer, popping it in my mouth before closing my lips round it self consciously “leths go then. Thankth for your help”
I stood up this time and put my head down, walking out quickly but Matt grabbed my hand, slowing me down. As soon as we were back in the car I reached up – ready to take it out but Matt pulled my hands down “Please – just until we get home? Who is going to see you and I would really love it…”
I sighed but nodded, kissing him gently “justh becauth I love you tho much”










As soon as we got home Matt took a few photos of me, grinning widely. He looked at me “I have my meeting now, it finishes at 10.30. When I am done we will put one of your other appliances in – think about what one you want…”
He walked away before I could answer and I slipped the retainer out immediately, relieved to have my mouth back. I quickly did all the housework and just as I was finishing up Matt came out his office “I have the rest of the day off, I was thinking we could snuggle up and watch a film?”
I nodded eagerly, grateful since we didn’t get much time together during the days. He smiled “great – do you want to wear your frankel or van beek?”
I groaned, throwing my head back “can I just put it in after the film for an hour or so?”
He shook his head “remember what I said – we are going to pretend you have got braces for the first time – you can wear your new appliance for the weekend – give me a taste of what I paid for. Now since you didn’t choose, we will go for my favourite.”
I grimaced “not the one with headgear?”
He nodded, eyes wide “yes – the one with headgear. Seeing your mouth full of plastic, with the facebows cupping your cheeks and the straps all over, such a turn on”
I grumbled “that’s the worst one – the other is bulky but I look ridiculous with that facebow poking out”
He shook his head, kissing me gently “you look cute. I am disappointed you took your retainer out straight away though – clearly I am going to have to be in charge of your treatment since you can’t be trusted…now open wide”
He held up the van beek and I rolled my eyes but I did like how excited he was so I allowed him to slip it into my mouth. I closed my lips around it- pursing them self consciously around the face bows
He spun me around, connecting the facebows. I groaned slightly “it’s tighter than earlier”
He nodded “yeah I’ve pulled it an extra notch. If it gets too painful then we will loosen it”
I nodded, bringing my hands up and touching the wires and facebow self consciously again. He kissed my nose “so cute. I cannot believe you are doing this for me.”

He pulled out his phone, snapping multiple photos of me.
“nobody else ever sees them – you understand?”
He nodded eagerly “oh trust me – I’m not sharing you!”
We sat and watched the film, around halfway through my jaw was throbbing “matt – it’s really hurting”
He smiled at me sarcastically “some pain is normal with braces…”
I groaned “but these are just pretend…”
He nodded “it adds to the experience though…the film only has another 45 minutes, see if you can last until then?”
He kissed my neck gently – knowing this was my weakness and I nodded, sighing and rubbing my jaw gently.
As the film came to an end I reached up and Matt pulled my hands down “naughty girl – I am in charge of your braces, remember?”
I rolled my eyes “sorry sir”
He disconnected my strap, then I opened my mouth, he pulled the van beek out – spit dribbling down my chin as he pulled it out. I lifted my hands to wipe it away but he swatted them down “If I see those hands near your mouth again, I will have to punish you.”
I nodded, cheeks blushing with embarrassment “shall we get lunch?”
Matt nodded “maybe just some sandwiches? Will you wear your retainer while you prepare them?”
I bit my lip “please Matt – my jaw is sore!”
He shrugged “fair enough, worth an ask!”

I quickly made lunch and we chatted while we ate. As soon as we were done he pulled me up “go and brush your teeth”
I did as asked and when I came back out I saw him holding the van beek again “Matt – no. I felt ridiculous. I do not like the headgear and my jaw is hurting…”
He sighed, shoulders slumping but then a mean look crossed his face “well you will wear the frankel appliance then – you agreed to wear it all weekend. Pain is necessary with braces, it’s all part of the experience…”
I sighed but nodded, opening my mouth – he slipped the frankel back in. I couldn’t close my lips again and found myself slurping back spit. I grimaced at him but he grinned back “still so sexy….” He quickly pulled out his phone, snapping some photos. I sighed but as spit dribbled out my mouth and down my chin I wiped it away.
Matt’s eyes darked “I told you not to touch your mouth”
I lifted my hands in protest “I’m drooling!” The words were a jumbled mess though and so I quickly pulled the appliance out my mouth “I’m not going to sit there dribbling on myself”
As Matt looked at the appliance in my hand, I shrunk slightly – quickly putting it back in my mouth “sorry”
He shook his head “looks like the naughty girls needs to learn a lesson” he grabbed my hand – pulling me roughly to the bedroom before undressing me. He pushed me down on the bed and handcuffed my arms above my head to the headboard. He leaned in close to me, whispering in my ear “one of the reasons I love braces is the control, you are too stubborn for your own good – you need to be taught to listen to me more. So you’re going to lay here until you learn your lesson”
With that, he walked out the room, slamming the door and I was stuck there, naked on the bed – arms handcuffed so I couldn’t move and my mouth hanging open with my appliance. I felt the saliva building up quickly again and I slurped it back. I waited and waited. I felt myself slipping asleep and woke up again later, with Matt sat next to me I noticed saliva had dripped down my chin and neck while I slept – it had gathered on my chest
“good evening sleepheady – you slept all afternoon…”
I tried to speak but the words were jumbled. Matt laughed lightly “I have no idea what you just said but you are so fucking hot right now”
I pulled against the handcuffs and Matt kissed my cheek “don’t like being tied up do you? All part of the lesson though – you will learn to give in to me”
I nodded but groaned slightly “my jaw”
Matt frowned “your jaw is aching?”
I nodded sadly,opening and closing it to try and get some relief
He frowned “don’t try and force the appliance out!”
I shook my head “I wasn’t!”
He sighed, a cheeky grin on his face “I was about to untie you but I can’t take that risk now – I’ll go and get some painkillers for you and I will be back”
He stood up, coming back with a glass of water and 2 paracetamol. He popped my appliance out and I flexed my jaw. He quickly popped the tablets in and I swallowed them with a large gulp of water “thanks”
He nodded, holding up the frankel next to my mouth but I pulled away “just 5 minutes without it…please?”
He smirked “patients need to follow the correct orders, I am in charge – you’re wearing it. I was going to let you come back into the living room but I think I’ll leave you here until I come to bed…teach you a lesson”
I groaned but he forced the frankel back in my mouth and I slurped the saliva back instantly, he turned around at the door “you better start listening to me – or I will have to speak to the orthodontist about more treatment…”
I laid there for a few more hours until finally Matt came back in, he leaned down and kissed my forehead “are you ready to be a good girl now?”
I nodded, and he kissed me again “now the first day with new appliances are the hardest…but that doesn’t mean you can get away with it. I am worried about the frankel falling out at night though since it’s not secured…so tonight you will we wearing your van beek”
I began to shake my head but he frowned “if you disobey me – you will stay like this, is that what you want?”
I sighed, shaking my head and he took out the frankel, replacing it quickly with the van beek. He attached the head straps but put them on the loosest setting which I was grateful for. He reached over, undoing the handcuffs and I moved my arms – they were so stiff from being stuck like that. I touched the facebow again “I hate this one”
He smiled “discomfort it part of the process”
I shook my head “not the pain – I just look ridiculous!”
He kissed my head “get used to it, you’re going to be wearing it a lot.”
I shook my head “you can’t make me…”
His eyes flashed with anger again “no, I can’t make you. BUT I can stop giving you money – stop funding your lifestyle,  you can start to pay half the bills – buy your own car. I give you everything and this is all I ask. So either you give me this or you need to go back to work, pay for yourself. I will not have children with you Find out what truly matters  to you – a few games with braces or having your lifestyle funded.”
I was shocked but nodded, I didn’t want to work – knew I couldn’t afford to pay half the bills and if that meant wearing fake braces a few hours a week, then so be it.
“Yes sorry – I will do whatever you want”

"...if that meant wearing fake braces a few hours a week, then so be iting?."

Maybe there is a little misunderstanding? 

Chapter 4

Thursday morning came around the dread grew in my stomach. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I brushed my teeth carefully. As I went downstairs I sat opposite Matt “are you really going to make me go through with braces just to feed your own obsession?”
Matt’s face showed hurt but he recovered quickly “you’re not getting braces for me – it’s for your own health. You had the option of not getting them if you wanted to start working. You decided to go ahead and you decided to sign yourself into the compliance programme – I never forced you”
I nodded, tears springing to my eyes “im sorry – I know. I am being unfair – I am just scared”
He stood up, kissing me softly “I know you are, but you have nothing to be scared about. The pain will be temporary and trust me – my thoughts of you will not change, if anything I am excited”
I nodded sadly “ok let’s go and get this over and done with…”
As we pulled up, Matt kissed my lips gently “this is the last time you will ever look like this again, we need a photo”
We took a few photos and the anxiety began to grow.
We stepped inside and were waiting in the waiting room, many teens came in – lots of them had discreet, clear braces and I relaxed slightly, realising that I was psyching herself out for no reason.
Soon enough I was called back and I laid there in the chair. The orthodontist turned to matt “do you still want this all filmed?”
He nodded eagerly “yes please!”
The orthodontist clicked record and shone the light over my mouth, he laid the chair down completely flat and put in the lip spreader again. I wiggled my legs anxiously as I had to open and close as he inspected my mouth. Soon he slipped something into my top teeth, then bottom “right, this is your twin block. Close for me”
I did as instructed but my jaws didn’t shut, he sighed slightly “you need to slide your lower jaw forward. The aim of this appliance is to hold your jaw in a forward position and re-train it. Now it’s much harder as an adult to get this jaw movement so we have had to make the blocks slightly taller and longer to make sure it’s in the correct position”
I could feel the saliva building up “my mouuffff dooosssnt clooooose”
He shook his head  “no your mouth won't close – the blocks stop that. You will get used to it”
I nodded, panic setting in as I realised this was how it was going to be “I wear it in bed?”
He nodded, “yes keep it in in bed, but you need to wear it all the time”
My eyes widened and Matt laughed lightly “but I cant talk or eat”
The orthodontist shrugged “the more you wear it – the easier it will get. Now it fits well. That’s it for today. Come and see me in a month unless you have any problems. You can build up to wearing it full time over today and tomorrow while you adjust but you really do need to wear it as much as possible. By the weekend it should be 24/7 – the only time it should be out your mouth is to clean it and brush your teeth”
He ran through some basic care instructions with us and I reached up, ready to take it out but he shook his head “all the time. Plus office rules – you wear appliances in here.”
I nodded, standing slightly, sliding my tongue round my mouth, the plastic feels huge and my tongue doesn’t know where to sit anymore. My jaw is being pushed forward awkwardly – making me feel like my jaw is square. I feel the plastic going all the way back to my soft palate and it nearly makes me gag.
I turn to Matt “it’s huuuge”
Matt nods enthusiastically “isn’t it great! He added a bit more acrylic under your tongue and palate plus bigger blocks to get the best results…”
I nearly cry “I can barely close my mouth!”
Matt squeezes my hand “you’ll adjust – you heard what he said, the more you wear them, the easier it gets. Now we need to schedule your appointment”
He drags me to the front desk and encourages me to speak to the receptionist, I glare at him – begging him to do it but he reminds me I need to practice speaking so I step up carefully “hi, I’m rothie thmith. I need an appointment in 4 weekth pleath”
The receptionist smiles “an appointment in 4 weeks?”
I nod, glad she got it
“and what was your name again?”
My face flushes red “rothie thmith”
The receptionist smiles kindly “try again”
“rothie thmith”
This time Matt steps forward, gripping my hand “Rosie Smith”
I realise this is going to be a long few months.

When we get in the car, I immediately look in the mirror – my eyes widening as I realised how bulky this appliance actually is. I look to Matt, hoping for some sympathy but when I see the giant grin on his face I realise he is the wrong person to cry to – he is excited by my braces and doesn’t see anything wrong with looking and sounding like this.
I slump down in my seat, tears welling in my eyes and I take a few deep breaths as he drives home.
Suddenly the thought hits me “I didn’t ask how long I have to wear this for”
Matt shrugs “full time for 9-12 months, then he will review it and see if it’s worked enough or if anything else is needed”
I gasped “a year? Of this? I can’t close my mouth, can’t talk, can’t eat! I can’t be like this for a year! Plus then it’s braces after?! How long is this treatment going to take?”
Matt shrugs casually again “around 3 years probably”
I practically shrieked “3 years?! No way!”
Matt smirked this time “you signed the compliance contract…you don’t really have a choice”
I rolled my eyes, slouching down further. My jaw was already aching and I just wanted to get home to take the appliances out.
As soon as we pulled up, I headed to the bathroom upstairs, popping the appliances out and rubbing my jaw gently. I headed back downstairs and Matt frowned “where is your brace?”
I shrugged casually “he said to build up – it was hurting too much”
Matt sighed “building up doesn’t mean you just take it out. The paperwork said to wear it for 2 hours, then have a 30 minute break for the first day, then 4 hours with a 30 minute break the next day. It’s barely been an hour…”
I shrugged again, my tone grumpy “well it’s too painful – I’m taking a 30 minute break now”
Matt nodded but I could see he was frustrated.
Exactly 30 minutes later, he ushered me upstairs to put it back in and I reluctantly agreed, knowing I had to get through the pain at some point.
Straight away again, I felt ridiculous with my jaw protruding forward and slurping my saliva back every few seconds. I hated this appliance and wasn’t convinced I would ever get used to it.

Over the next few days, me and Matt argued about my twin blocks. I needed to take them out more often than he thought I should and he constantly told me off for it but he didn’t know the pain I was in. I was getting frustrated because he was totally unsympathetic – forcing it back into my mouth whenever he could despite knowing how miserable it was making me.

Monday morning I was asleep when Matt shook me awake, I groaned “what’s wrong?”
He pulled me up gently “I called the orthodontist about your pain – he said to come in this morning”
I grimaced “Matt. I don’t want to go back. I will get used to it but it will just take me a while.”
He carried on pulling me up “no arguing, go and get dressed”
I did as I was told, sulking the whole car journey there.
As we were led back, Matt explained to the orthodontist that I was taking it out every hour or two and couldn’t seem to tolerate the pain.
My cheeks burned red with shame as the orthodontist looked to me “let me just check the fit again”
He had me open and close my mouth, humming as he did so.
He left me laying down as he spoke to me and Matt again “the fit is fine. You really must persevere Rosie. The only way to get rid of the pain is to keep it in. By now I expect 24/7 wear – you shouldn’t be needing a break. This is a sign to me that maybe you’re not willing to be involved in your own treatment”
Matt nodded solemnly “I am having to remind her to keep putting it back in…”
The orthodontist turned to face me, a serious expression on his face “Consider this your warning – I only ever give one – you need to wear this as instructed. 24/7 wear, removed ONLY for brushing your teeth and cleaning the appliance. If I find out you are not wearing this, I will have to move onto fixed appliances…”
I nodded, tears burning in my eyes “I’ll try”
He raised his eyebrows “don’t try – just do it. It is for your own good…”

As we got outside, I turned to Matt “that was embarrassing…”
Matt smirked slightly, kissing my lips “I know you hate being told off – but you need to remember this is for your health – you have to do this, no matter how uncomfortable it is”
I nodded “I know – it’s just hard…it hurts so much!”
Matt kissed me again “I know, you’re being so brave. It’s going to be a real test for you over the next few days though – remember I have my trip away. I won’t be there to keep an eye on you – you will have to be really motivated”
I nodded, secretly glad for the break “oh I will be”

While Matt was away, I didn’t wear the appliance at all – figuring I would just put it in the day before he got back and pretend I had worn it the whole time, he wouldn’t know and I didn’t have an orthodontist appointment for 3 weeks so there would be time to catch up.

When Matt got back Friday, he took me out for lunch – eating was very difficult but I persevered and managed to get through.
As we got back in the car he looked at me “have you been wearing the twin block the whole week?”
I nodded “of course! I learnt my lesson the other day…”
Matt smiled widely “great – that’s good then. The orthodontist called me this morning and wanted me to bring you in”
My jaw dropped slightly “why?”
Matt shrugged “no idea, nothing to worry about though if you’ve been wearing it properly – probably just to check the pain has gone properly now”
I nodded silently, trying to calm myself down.
As we went inside, my leg began to bounce anxiously but Matt held my hand gently “you have got to calm down, we are going to be spending a lot of time here over the next few years – you can’t get so worked up each time we come!”
I nodded, smiling slightly – not wanting to admit I was only nervous because I knew I hadn’t worn my appliance all week and I was worried he would be able to tell.
After sitting for around 30 minutes I was beginning to get impatient “ergh you have things to do today, we can’t hang around all day – why is he so late?”
Matt smiled gently “don’t worry about me – I can wait as long as it takes.”
After another 10 minutes or so my name was called and I was led back to the chair. The orthodontist wasn’t in the room yet but the assistant laid the chair flat and slipped in the lip spreader. She popped my twin block out for me and then took it away to be cleaned.
As I laid there, waiting I felt the nerves creeping in again.
After another few minutes the orthodontist came back, holding the appliance. I expected him to put it in my mouth but instead he checked my teeth – asking me to open and close repeatedly.
He looked at me “have you had much pain this week?”
I shook my head and he sighed “and have you worn it?”
I nodded, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it.
He sighed again “unfortunately I know you’re lying. I can see there has been absolutely no jaw movement”
I began to protest “I have worn it! Maybe it’s just not working for me…”
He glared at me “I also installed a chip in it to register your wear time. I could see you haven’t worn it at all this week and that’s exactly why I asked Matt to bring you in today.  This morning was the first time you’ve had it in your mouth all week…”
My face flushed red as embarrassment crept over, I started to protest but the orthodontist held up his hand “No – I don’t want to hear it. I gave you a warning. I told you I wouldn’t give you another. I explained to Matt earlier when I rung him that I would be moving to fixed appliances.”
I looked at Matt, confusion on my face “you knew?”
He smirked slightly “yes I knew. But you lied to me too – I wanted to know if I could trust you. If you’d admitted you hadn’t worn it then I might have tried to work with you – but you didn’t, you tried to fool everyone and now you have to face the consequences of that”
My eyes filled up with tears “so what is next?”
The orthodontist smiled “we move onto fixed appliances. Don’t worry, we will start slow. To begin with we are just going to go with expanders – create some space in your jaws. We will add more as we go along when your jaw is ready”
I sighed in relief, expanders wouldn’t be that bad, plus anything had to be better than this…
I nodded, the orthodontist smiled “let’s get those spacers in then”

Chapter 5
I opened my mouth wide and over the next couple of minute he added small rubber spacers in between my teeth. As he took the lip spreader out, I moved my tongue around my mouth. I realised how many spacers were in there – 5 on each side, upper and lower, so 10 on each jaw.
“is it normal to have this many?”
The orthodontist nodded “for your appliance, yes. It’s just to create space for the bands. Now don’t floss them out. The next few days are going to be pretty uncomfortable but then it will die down. I will see you Wednesday to install the expanders. If any spacers fall out, call us to come back in and get them replaced”
Matt nodded “I’ll make sure she is careful”
I rolled my eyes, hating that they ganged up on me “ok thank you.”
I walked out to the car, opening my mouth “god there are SO many”
Matt nodded “you’re not getting bands on all your teeth though – it’s just to create as much space as we can”
I nodded, grateful that the bands wouldn’t be on every tooth – he had put spacers all the way to my canines and they would definitely be visible if they were there – for once Matt had been sensible.
I poked at the rubber band slightly, seeing if it moved but Matt pushed my hand away “don’t poke them out! He won't be happy if we have to go straight back in to have them replaced…”
I nodded, mumbling an apology. As my tongue moved round my mouth I grinned slightly “do you know, these don’t even hurt and now I can close my mouth it’s so much easier. I think fixed appliances will be much easier”
Matt nodded, smiling gently “I’m glad you agree. Plus you are going to look really hot”
I rolled my eyes “you loser”

Within a few hours, I regretted saying fixed appliances were easier. My mouth was throbbing and no amount of painkillers was working to take it away. I kept staring at the blue rings, unsure how something so small could cause SO much pain.
I was beginning to regret my decision to cheat the removable twin blocks but I figured once this few days of pain was over then the worst would be done and I could move on with life.

On Wednesday morning, Matt took lots of photos of me smiling widely, telling me I would want to remember how my teeth looked. He made me grin widely, he made me open up and show my teeth and he made me tip my head back, forcing me to show off all the spacers.
Finally we were back at the orthodontist and I was laying in the chair, tapping my feet anxiously.
Matt kept telling me how excited he was and it was actually making me more nervous.
They used a different lip spreader today – this one had a tongue piece to hold my tongue back and out the way – the orthodontist told me it was important my teeth stayed dry throughout the process.
He lifted up the appliance and my eyes widened – it looked HUGE. He didn’t give me any time to protest though – shoving it in and making sure it fitted. When he was happy he began to scrub my molars, then added an etch to them – then he sprayed it all off and dried it thoroughly.
He added glue to the rings on the upper expander, then forced it on.
He made me bite down on a stick to force the rings onto all molars before curing it.
All my gums felt immediately sore and I wanted to feel it to see how big it actually was in my mouth. There was no respite though as he grinned “time for the bottom one!”
He followed the same process and my jaw was beginning to ache – the whole process had taken nearly an hour and he had left me with my jaw open.
When they were both in place, he checked them then turned to Matt “let’s let her feel them, then I will bring you over and show you how to turn them”
Matt nodded eagerly as the orthodontist removed the lip spreader. My eyes went wide as I realised that on the top, the metal box was so big it filled my entire upper palate and it was sitting so low it was pressing on my tongue when my mouth was closed. The lower one was pressing behind my front teeth and my tongue caught on it.
I could feel the saliva building up already “they’re tho big”
Matt grinned “yeah the compliance ones are the biggest you can get!”
I sighed “Can I thee?”
The orthodontist handed me a mirror and my eyes nearly popped out of my head – all my teeth were banded except the front 6 on the top and bottom. I looked between the orthodontist and matt “I thought you thaid they wouldn’t all have bandth?!”
Matt grinned “they don’t!”
I pointed to my teeth “all the way to my canines are!”
The orthodontist shook his head, forcing my jaws open “no – just the 4 – we have left your wisdom teeth free!”
He was gleeful – almost as if I should be thanking them!
My eyes filled up with tears “can’t we uthe thomething thmaller?”
The orthodontist shrugged “you had your opportunity with the twin blocks – you couldn’t be trusted so we switched to fixed appliances. This is just the first stage. We will add braces to your front teeth when we have expanded your palate enough…”
I sighed “when will that be?”
The orthodontist shrugged “it all depends, maybe 3 months. Now – I am going to show Matt how to expand these. We will get them going today and you need to do two turns, upper and lower every evening.”
Matt stood up and the orthodontist had me open again. He turned the top one first, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 times then let Matt practice 7, 8, 9, 10. My face felt like it was going to split in half. I groaned and a tear slipped down my face. Matt wiped it away before grinning sadistically “now onto the bottom?”
The orthodontist nodded “yes, let me show you” 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Matt took over, forcing the key in and turning 7, 8, 9, 10.
I was grunting now – the pain burning through. As they took the key out I practically cried “we don’t have to do more tonight, right?”
The orthodontist grinned “of course you do! That was just to get you started. Every night, two turns. Now Matt is in charge of it – if I find out you haven’t been letting him do it, there will be consequences…you won't get a warning this time”


As soon as we got in the car, I pulled down the mirrors, staring in my mouth. It was so obvious with all the metal and even when I kept my mouth closed you could see all the metal poking through. I turned towards Matt, my voice wobbling “I look ugly”
Matt shook his head immediately “you look amazing. All that metal? So hot. Yes it’s an adjustment for you – but remember this is all for your health”
My tone was whiney now – like a teenager being forced into it “I hate them. Please can you just convince him to do something else?”
Matt shook his head “I am sorry baby – but you need this. Even if you weren’t part of the compliance programme you’d still need expanders”
I threw my head back “but not thith big! I look and thound ridiculouth!”
Matt grinned “you sound so cute! It’s a big adjustment for you, but you just need to embrace it. Stop fighting against it and just go with it”
I groaned again “easy for you to say! You don’t have to put up with it all”
Matt smiled “I don’t have to put up with it no, but I get to go through the journey with you and enjoy it all…”
I glared at him, hating him at this moment in time.

That evening, Matt approached me with the key but I shook my head “please! My mouth is still throbbing – just one day off? To recover?”
Matt shrugged “I can ring the orthodontist tomorrow?”
My eyes widened, head shaking immediately “no! I’m not being uncompliant – just begging for reprieve”
Matt shrugged “I know you’re an uncompliant patient who needs pushing…now are you going to let me do it or are you going to keep fighting me?”
I sighed, opening my mouth. As Matt connected the key and pushed back, pain ripped through my upper palate and I cried out. He totally ignored me and did it again before moving to the bottom.
As soon as he pulled the key out I began to cry “I am going to take painkillers and go to bed”
Matt frowned “you haven’t eaten though…”
I shrugged “I am too sore to eat anyway. There are leftovers in the fridge you can reheat. I need to try and sleep before the pain kicks in”
I didn’t make it in time and was awake all night – pain pulsing through me.

I was too scared to argue about future nights, letting Matt take control. He took great pleasure in laying my head down on a pillow, then forcing the key in and back, gently widening my jaw.
I had noticed a gap appearing between my front teeth, making me feel even uglier.
At the 4 week mark, the orthodontist was happy but wanted more progress and we changed to 4 turns every night. I lived in constant pain.
After another 6 weeks I now had a huge gap between my front teeth – enough to stick a straw through.
Matt took photos every night, wanting to track my progress.
He made a slide show and showed me it – the gleaming metal and large gap was totally evident and I hated it “you don’t show them to anyone, right?”
Matt grinned guiltily “Actually…”
My eyes widened “MATT!”
He shrugged guiltily “I put a few photos up on my braces site, everyone loves it and asks for progress photos all the time. Maybe we should start a running blog – update them all?”
I shook my head, clamping my lips down “no way – this is embarrassing enough! I don’t want people seeing me”
Matt grinned “but baby, they love braces – this is the dream!”
I shook my head “this isn’t a dream, this is a nightmare”
Little did I know it was just the start….

After 4 months of the expanders I had my routine orthodontist appointment.
He made me sit there, opening and closing over and over. He hummed to himself before looking up “Matt, can we have a chat?”
My heart began to pound – I had let Matt do the expansion every night without compliant and I hadn’t moaned for weeks about my gaps. I was worried about what he wanted to speak about. I laid there, staring at the ceiling with my mouth open, lip spreader in for what felt like forever.
Eventually they came back and the orthodontist sat me up and took out the lip spreader “great news Rosie! We are finally happy with the expansion and you don’t need to expand any more!”
I grinned “so I can get the expanders out?!”
The orthodontist laughed “no of course not – they will need to stay in for retention for a while BUT we are ready to place your braces and start to get these teeth fixed!”
I was annoyed the expanders had to stay in but I was glad the pain of expanding them was over and I could finally start to get my gap closed. I smiled gently “OK…”
The orthodontist looked at Matt now “now the reason I had to speak to Matt is to get his consent – you know you are part of the compliance programme?”
I nodded, sensing that bad news was coming and he continued “well we are currently doing a trial to compare how full bands in modern materials compare to brackets…”
I looked between the orthodontist and Matt, not fully understanding “I have full bands on my expander, right?”
Matt grinned and the orthodontist nodded “correct, and we are going to place them on all your teeth!”
They both looked at me, smirking but I was shook my head “not on the front?!”
The orthodontist nodded “yes! We want to see if we can get better movement with full bands – they were always used before but went out of favour. We are trying to find if we can get better, smarter movement with full bands. Now Matt has agreed so we will be doing full bands on all your teeth”
Tears welled in my eyes “no – please! Isn’t there anything I can do?”
Matt nodded “of course, you can buy your way out of treatment – the full cost of £10,000 plus the buy out clause of £6000 to end treatment early…”
I looked at him and my jaw dropped “I can’t afford that!”
He shrugged “looks like bands for you then…”
My body slumped “fine…”
The orthodontist grinned “the good news is it’s only 6 teeth top and bottom and since you already have such a big gap between your front teeth we are confident if we put our largest spacers in, we will create enough space in a day to have you come back and get started!”
I gasped “tomorrow?!”
Matt grinned “isn’t that great!”
“BUT! I’m not ready!”
The orthodontist laughed “oh nonsense, nothing to be ready for – we are doing all the work!”
He laid me down quickly and put large spacers into all my gaps – they were absolutely huge, about double the thickness of the blue ones last time and I instantly felt the pressure building up. Matt asked the orthodontist to put the lip spreader in so he could take a photo and he gladly obliged, I sighed as he snapped away – knowing my life was about to get really embarrassing.

That night I didn’t sleep at all, the pain throbbing through my head. I woke up tearful the next morning “Matt, please – I will do anything but please, lend me the money to get out of this, I will even wear normal braces if that’s what you want…but just not this – not full metal on every tooth”
Matt shook his head “you have had months, you could have got a job and saved up – you need to learn responsibility and I am not bailing you out.”
I nodded, sniffing my tears away – accepting that he was getting too much joy out of this.

As we sat in the orthodontist, I nearly cried again but knew I had to keep it together.
The lip spreader went in, he cleaned all my teeth before trying the bands on. When he had eventually found the right size for every tooth he began recording before he put glue in every band “now – this is going to be lots of poking and biting down now – a workout for your jaw. Are you ready?”
I couldn’t speak with my tongue held back so I nodded and he grabbed the first band, working on my lower canine – he slipped it over “ok bite down, and up, and down, and up” the band was pushed onto my tooth and I could feel it digging into my gum slightly. He took a small hammer tool and banged it into place – the hammering echoing through my head. When he was finally happy with it, he used the uv light to cure the glue. That one tooth took over 15 minutes, I had 12 teeth in total to be banded and I knew I was in for a long ride. The next couple of hours filled the same pattern, band glued on – bite down, hammered into place and cured.
He left my upper two front teeth to last and as he hammered them in, I began to feel my heart pound. I knew I was getting close to seeing it and I was scared. He threaded the wire through all of the brackets on the bands, making sure it wasn’t too long at the back. He looked at matt “I am going to use wire ligatures today – less chance of her interfering with them…”
Matt nodded “good idea”
I rolled my eyes – as if I was going to remove the wire anyway.
He got to work, twisting wire round each tooth and I could feel the pressure increasing.
When he was finally done he sprayed water all around my mouth to clean up before looking at Matt “ready for your close up?”
Matt nodded eagerly, practically jumping up. He stood over me – face only a few inches from mine. I began to get frustrated as he looked over every inch “wow! There is so much grey!”
The orthodontist agreed “it’s the most metal I have used in a while!”
That didn’t help my nerves and I grunted, signalling I wanted to see. The orthodontist handed me a mirror but left the lip spreader in, meaning the entire shiny metal mouth was displayed in it’s full glory. My eyes practically popped out my head as I saw it all. There was absolutely metal everywhere – there was only a mm of white at the bottom of each tooth. I looked like something from the 60’s – well worse.
I began to cry immediately “please, take it out!”
The orthodontist shook his head “no need – you are part of medical research, you should be very proud!”
Matt grinned “I am proud of you! I can’t wait to show you off!”
As I looked closer in the mirrow I noted every band had a metal hook on it poking up – I just knew they were going to irritate my lips and cheeks.
The orthodontist took out the lip spreader finally and I realised they were SO bulky I had to force my lips shut and they were fully pursed, it looked totally unnatural but I knew if I had my lips relaxed all the metal would be on show.
I sighed “they’re hurting already”
The orthodontist had me bite together before humming “well your bite is very deep, I am worried your top teeth are hitting the bottom brackets, although they’re bands so you can’t actually bite them off – you could do serious damage to your teeth so we need to do something about it”
Matt piped up again “a bite plate?”
The orthodontist nodded “yes but that will take time to make – usually we would do bite blocks but that won't work with bands so we will have to do bite turbos on the premolars – stop them meeting.”

I didn’t know what any of it meant but sighed as the lip spreader was put back in and I was forced to open up again. The orthodontist added some blue material to my premolars and cured it, then added more, and more.
Eventually when he was satisfied he had me sit up again, as I bit together I quickly realised my teeth no longer met – not at my molars and not at the front “how will I eat?”
The orthodontist shrugged “lots of soft food to start, you’ll adapt and your molars will come down more – it’s all part of the plan”
Before he let me go he turned to Matt “come and see us in a week, we will check the braces – check the gums and we should have a bite plate sorted by then…”
Matt nodded and I stood up numbly, following him out with my lips clamped shut tightly.
When we got in the car, I looked closely in the mirror again “I look like a monster!”
Matt shook his head “no – you look beautiful. You are so brave! I can’t wait to show you off at my work party next week!”
My eyes widened “MATT! I CAN’T GO LIKE THIS”
Matt shook his head “nonsense, we can’t back out – everyone is expecting us – besides, you can’t hide away for the next 3 years…I’ll make sure of that”

Really enjoying this story, keep it up! Looking forward to seeing how poor Rosie gets on with her bite plate. I’m sure it’ll be small and unobtrusive  . Also looking forward to seeing how her bite is treated. She’s a lot to look forward too!