deep bite correction/ November update and question p.2

[maple]

As I have been reading this message board I have benefited from your stories, pictures, advice and encouragement. So, to return a favour, I decided to share my story.

My teeth have always been healthy but I was not happy with my gummy smile and spacing between my teeth. Two years ago, I went to my dentist asking what can be done to improve my smile and he suggested braces . He also noted that I had an overbite and my bottom teeth were crowded.

The idea of wearing braces for two years in my thirties was not at all appealing .
After much contemplation, I decided to have an ortho consultation. After the consultation, it made sense to do whatever I can to keep my natural teeth and have a great smile.
It took almost a year to get my act together. On Halloween of 2006, I got my upper braces.


So the journey begins...


Before Braces (October 2006)


Upper braces. GAC Innovation-C


When the braces first went on, I expected much more discomfort. But it was not bad at all. There was some discomfort but no major pain. I ate soft foods for two days and slowly graduated to braces friendly solids. I cut my food in small pieces and chewing is no problem.

The complete package. Bottom braces and two bite pads added on December 5th.



The 1st top archwire was nice and white. As you can see, the white coating eventually rubbed off from my compulsive brushing.



First Adjustment and Progress (January 2007):

It's been 11 weeks since b-day. My first adjustment was eventful. I got a new thicker white upper wire, power chains, and 1 elastic. Much more than I expected. The bottom incisors were shaved off a little to create space for them to align. The lower wire will be changed in February.
My ortho changes only one wire per appointment. My bite has also improved. My overbite is now only 2mm. I started with 8 mm.



The spaces are starting to close with the new white archwire and powerchains.



Check out the lower arch. It's looking much straighter. I have only had the lower braces on for 5 weeks

[emily25]

hiya, welcome to the board im quite new here too. I havent got my braces on yet, i get them on feb 5th. yipee!
Im looking foward to reading your story, oh and great pics!

[GracieG.]

Maple-Congrats on taking the plunge and welcome to the board! I just got my braces on a few days ago and I hope I have as much progress in such a short time period as you have!!! Looking forward to following your journey!

[maple]

Thank you for the compliments.

To be honest, I was hoping for clear brackets all the way (without the little metal clip). At my consultation appointment the ortho promised to give me clear brackets and showed me the 3M clarity braces. So that was ok with me.
When I went to my actual appointment, a year after the consultation, I sat in the chair and didn't even think to ask to see the brackets before they went on. So when the assistant gave me a mirror and the brackets were already on, I was surprised to see that my clear brackets had little metal doors . After all, they were not all the clear .

The ortho explained that these had just come out and that they are extra special and should work very well. So I went home
At the time, I didn't even know that they were self-ligating or what company made them. I started reading this board and figured out that I had SL braces. A link to the GAC website raveled the identity of my braces.

At my next appointment, bracket identity was confirmed. The ortho showed me a big poster size picture of the bracket posted on the wall of the office. I learned that my ortho is a strong believer in self-ligation. He even played a part in developing these innovation brackets. Fancy that.

Now that I know about SL brackets vs. conventional brackets, I am glad that the ortho surprised me with these Inovation brackets.

[maple]

Life with braces is fine. It's been almost 4 months. I had 3 wire changes. I am now wearing power chains to close gaps. I have 2 bite pads on my lower molars, and I am also wearing one elastic...lots of movement and I can see progress.



I have a question regarding my upcoming adjustment in March. Provided that my teeth continue to move as expected, I will be getting two lingual bite supports/ or bite pads on my upper two front teeth. The purpose of this is to move my upper teeth back and correct the overbite. The ortho mentioned that I may have difficulty speaking at first and it may take a couple of days to get adjusted to these.

Has anyone had these? I am wondering if you can give me a better idea what to expect.

Thanks.

[maple]

Hi KK ,
I see my ortho once per month. I have SL brackets. The wires are supposed to be changed once every 8 weeks, and my ortho alternates between the upper and lower wire changes. I got my upper braces in October and the wire was changed in January, that was the first adjustment. Last week was my second adjustment, and the lower wire that was put on with the lower braces in December, was changed. During this appointment, the ortho decided to give me a stronger upper wire too. So, both of the wires were changed and I also got stronger power chains. That was unexpected.

I have SL clear brackets; no ligatures expect for 4 ligatures on my molars.
These get changed at every appointment. The power chains also get stained and need to be changed once every 4-5 weeks.

My treatment is on schedule and may be even faster than expected. The treatment plan is supposed to be about 2 years.

[maple]

KK,
How often do you see your ortho?

[maple]

March/April update.
I had an appointment in March. But let me just back up, at my February appointment, the ortho had explained that I will be getting lingual bite planes, similar to what I already have on my molars.

I did some googling around and found the following info on bite planes:
http://www.garrettorthodontics.com/appliances.asp

"The bonded bite plane is also used to correct a severe over-bite (the upper front teeth closing too far over the lower front teeth) in the same way. The bonded bite plane is made by placing a small amount of bonding material to the backside of the upper teeth to create a triangular plane. After correction, the doctor removes the plane by “polishingâ€

[maple]

A year has already gone by, and I seem to be in the final stages of the treatment. Few more months to go. Since I am thinking of the end, I wonder if a gummy smile can be corrected with braces alone.

I was planning on having some of the excess gum tissue removed after my ortho treatment is finished, but now I am hoping that with the bite aligned to a desired class I position, a gum contouring surgery may not be necessary.

Will the gums move back on their own?

Those of you who no longer have braces, did you notice your gums retracting after braces?


Thanks.

[maple]

new pictures r coming soon...

[hannahwebbo]

Hi Maple

Ive just read your story and the progress you have made is great. I can't wait to see your next lot of pictures.

I think your case is similar to mine as i have a gummy smile caused from my overbite and overjet.

I hope someone replies to your question about gums moving with braces as that is something that i have thought about. If they dont then i will consider having gum contouring done. I've got a long way to go yet though as i will be due to get my braces fitted soon.

I hope everything keeps going well for you and get those pictures posted soon so we can see the progress you have made after a year.

Congratulations on that by the way!!

Hannah xx

[maple]

Thanks Linda. I plan to see a periodontist. That was the original plan, once treatment is over and they will do the gum lift (if need be).

[ripchord]

Wow, your teeth are coming along nicely!

I'm getting a gum lift after my treatment also. I'm incredibly nervous, but its worth it. Try getting a periodontist who uses a laser. It is easier and less painful than using a scalpel or electric knfe.

Keep us posted