The present article examines children’s and young people’s experiences of receiving state-financedorthodontic treatment. Using video diaries and follow-up interviews, the aim was to explore how fixedappliances act on patients’ bodies and social life. The combination of methods reveals complex experiences.The main narrative, primarily found in the interviews, presents a vision of an improved bite thatpatients and orthodontists share. In the video diaries, a parallel narrative of extended bodily hardship isrevealed. Owing to the step-by-step process where appliances are gradually tightened, the young patientsmanage to bear the treatment. However, they cannot foresee its extension.