At 40, I decided to put an end to my long-standing complex

In the year I turned 40, I finally decided to start orthodontic treatment.

I had known it for a long time, but only four of my upper and lower teeth actually meet properly.
Every time I eat, I can't grind my food well, so it takes me longer to chew than other people.
If left as an underbite, the burden concentrates on specific teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease, and it also puts a gradual strain on the temporomandibular joints.

I have always hated photos of my profile.
I was bothered by the fact that my jaw sticks out a little, and it bothered me every time I was photographed.
I actually wanted to do it in my early 30s.
But the cost was always a bottleneck, and nearly 10 years passed without me being able to take the plunge.

In my case, an underbite cannot be fixed with wire braces alone.
Because it is a skeletal issue, surgery to cut the upper and lower jaws is necessary.
It is a major surgery where both the upper and lower jaws are cut and repositioned.
Honestly, there are parts of me that are afraid of the effects on nerves, the risk of infection, and the recovery period after passing 40.
I cannot say the risk is zero.

Even so, I decided.

I want to open my mouth and laugh with teeth that are perfectly aligned.
I want to take pictures with my teeth showing.
That simple thing is something I have never been able to do.
By changing how I use my jaw, I will be able to chew food properly.
Since that is a daily occurrence, I think it is a quietly huge change.

It is not that I am telling myself that 40 is not too late; I believe that now was the right time.
I finally moved.
Just that alone feels like enough.