I got a sneak peek

I know it sounds vain that I wanted my front brackets off for my trip to Rome, but I did it anyway. The ortho was so nice to me. I got 6 upper front brackets off and a retainer to wear in their place. It was like a sneak peek at what my teeth will look like when finished. I could see a big difference already and I have to admit they looked good. I don't think I would have done it, except this trip means a lot to me. It's with my sister and my mom who is not a "spring chicken". We have never done anything like this before and I want to remember this time with them in Rome without my braces.

Hey all. This is a weird question, but here it goes. I am traveling to Rome in a couple of weeks and it's kind of a once in a lifetime trip for me and it was just spur of the moment. Anyway, I'm pre-surgery and I have braces on. I'm going to hate having braces on in my pictures and I mean really hate having them on. I also do not look good smiling with my mouth closed. Does anyone have ideas on what to do. I'll take any ideas...even Photoshop them out ideas. Thanks.

2 Days Later.....

Ok, I had called the ortho the other day about taking these braces off for my trip and he just called back. The latest news is that he could take off my upper front 4 brackets. This would be for cosmetic reasons (for the pictures). Anyway, my upper front 4 teeth are on a separate wire from the back upper ones. This was done to allow for space for a 3 piece Lefort surgery this Spring. I had resolved to leave them on after reading answers on another blog, but since he said he could take these off, I'm now rethinking it. He would not put a retainer on and he would leave them off for about 2 weeks. What's your opinion on this? I appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!