Reader Contribution: 1960s Braces Journey

One of my readers, Jonny 12, has provided me with his own braces story to share. I appreciate his contribution, because I'd really like to make this site one where people can share their braces experiences. Here it is:

My Journey with Braces in the 1960s

by Jonny 12 

I knew I would have to have treatment as my two front teeth protruded and the teeth next to them were set back because there were fang like teeth growing in front of them. I had other teeth growing where they shouldn't have. 

I was probably 12-13 years old in the 4 year at the middle school. The dentist just told my parents (but not me) what he was going to do. First thing was I had to have 6-8 teeth extracted. I can't remember which it was, but I can remember being dragged screaming to the room where they were removed, that many at once was very traumatic. 

I then had to go back two weeks later for the impressions to be taken for the first brace/plate, then two weeks later to have it fitted. It was a clear plastic plate with wires behind the set back teeth pushing them forward and clips at the back holding it in. The plate filled the roof of my mouth. It was removable. 

It was late 1960s (1967-1970) the dentist did everything, no orthodontist. I wore this brace/retainer all the time. Apart from a slight lisp no one realized. I had to keep going back to have it adjusted. Nine months later I had new impressions taken (I can still smell and taste the gunk they use when they take the impressions).

The next plate was again clear plastic which again filled the roof of my mouth, but this one also had a bar over the front teeth and clips on the sides and behind the front teeth. Now I would say they were Hawleys ,they were removable but I wore them most of the time. I had to go back every two weeks to get them tightened,

I can remember after this they were painful for a while but I did enjoy feeling the plastic and the bar with my tongue, This time I did get one or two comments as they were noticeable but nothing to bad.

A friend of mine also had a similar brace but his was smaller and the plate was pink. I was hoping my plate was going to be pink, but no luck. No one asked what I would like. Unlike today, where you get to choose, there were not many people with braces then. I had this about 9 months,I then had new impressions taken for the last one. 

The plate was bigger and really did fill the roof of my mouth. It also had two bars which attached to each other and went over the front teeth. This made my lips feel as they were sticking out. I did get comments this time as it was very noticeable. I really did have a mouthful. Yet again I went back every two weeks for it to be tightened. 

I can remember the dental surgery as if it was yesterday. I remember this big glass door you went through in the entrance. There was also a big glass door between the surgery and the waiting room. The assistant use to come from there when it was your turn to go in. Anyway after wearing it for 9 months the dentist said it had done the job and pushed the back teeth forward and pulled the protruding ones back.

They were much straighter. I think a fixed train track brace would have done a better job, but they were not about then. Years later I broke my two front ones playing football, so had the 4 front ones replaced with crowns.

Looking back I think I probably did enjoy all the treatment. I wish I had kept the 3 braces/ retainers I had as a reminder. This is where my fascination for them came from. My wife knows about my fascination.