Q. Why did you decide to have orthodontics?
A. We (my brothers and me) got braces mostly because my dad said we were going to get them. We didn't have much of a choice in the decision. I knew I needed them, anyway. I had a big overbite and could feel people looking at it. I hope that makes sense! So, I just went along with it.

Q. How long did it take before the braces felt comfortable?
A. I'm not sure what you are asking about... when the braces felt comfortable, sir? When I got mine, they hurt a lot for about a week, and cut my lips up for about a month. Sometimes, when they were tightened, they got sore again for a couple of days... it was uncomfortable, too.

Q. Do you follow the orthodontist's instructions on foods or do you eat whatever you like?
A. We don't eat many Evil Foods (very often). We are not allowed too many "forbidden" foods (but sometimes my stomach wins!). If I cheat, its eating jerky and cracking pecans and stuff with my teeth. I learned to crack them with my molars, because bands don't break too easily. Everyone likes to chew ice too, especially right after we get tightened. I think our orthodontist or our dad would kill us if we got caught, but it doesn't hurt anything, most of the time.

Q. If you wear or wore a headgear... how many hours a day did you REALLY get?
A. I just changed from staying in my headgear full time to all the time, except for school (when school started). We all stay in our headgears and stuff probably more than our orthodontist said, but our dad is pretty strict about it, so we don't have much choice. We are a little different, too. Our dad is a doctor (a Psychiatrist) and expects us to be good patients.

Q. Do you ever give any thought to what you would look like if your parents didn't make orthodontics available to straighten your teeth?
A. If I didn't have braces I think girls would like me a lot more! But, I would be buck toothed more than I am, so oh well. I guess I don't like what my mouth looks like with braces, but when I'm done I know I will look better (and my teeth won't be worn out when I get old). Except for my tin grin, it looks better than when I started! I wish I didn't have braces, but I wish I didn't have to go to school or do chores, too!

Q. If you were an inventor, what would you invent to make braces better?
A. If I got to invent something for orthodontics, if I was smart enough to do it, I think I would invent arch wires (and rubberbands and stuff) that get tight over a few days, instead of right when they get tightened!

Q/A. This is more of a reply, than a question. Your invention actually exists. It is called nickel-titanium wire... NiTi wire for short. It works exactly like you envisioned it would. It causes less discomfort, when first placed in the mouth, because it is very flexible. Over time, it slowly and gently puts pressure on the teeth and bone to move the teeth. Just thought you'd be interested in knowing that, so you'll need to invent something else. But, it was a terrific idea!

Q. What could the orthodontist and his staff do to make you and your family happier?
A. I wish my orthodontist's office did a couple of things better for us. I wish they kept a couple of things a little cleaner... like not having one toothpaste tube for the whole world to use! That's sick. I won't use it... I just scrub with water!
I wish they would get our rubberbands for us, instead of letting kids get their own. I've watched kids open a couple of bags before they got the ones they wanted (and coughed in them and stuff!).

I wish my orthodontist came to work on time, too. Like when we have a 7:00 AM appointment and we hear him get there at 7:20. It isn't very fair... sometimes that was my 20 minutes for breakfast that I waited for him! I don't think that's asking too much, and it would be better for everyone.

Q. Do you and your parents think that braces are too expensive? Do you think they are a good value, or relatively inexpensive for the lifetime of smiles it will give you?
A. I'm not too sure if my braces are expensive or whatever (well, 5 of us have them and I'm not sure how much mine are). My dad doesn't seem to care so I guess its ok.

Jeff and Tommy... we want to thank you for your wonderful comments. Don't be surprised to learn that many orthodontists will be getting individual tubes of toothpaste for their patients. By sharing your thoughts with us you will certainly make all the orthodontists reading this more aware of keeping their appointments and not keeping you waiting.

Those of our colleagues who wish to learn more about these two interesting and intelligent young men can surf over to The BoWoW Page You'll find Jeff and Tommy (The BoWoW Kids!) doing their best to entertain you on the world wide web.

Ray Bedette
Gary Roebuck
Co-editors