techiegirls story...

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#1 Post by **techiegirl74** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:34 am

So...I finally start the whole braces adventure in 13 days. Nervous doesn't begin to describe my feelings right now. My teeth have always been something i have hated...and i DO mean HATED. While I am excited about the outcome, I know this journey is gonna be a lonnnnnnnnnng and sometimes painful one.

For anyone curious, I opted for the clear braces and was told to bet on approximately 36 months of "therapy" to fix my teeth. Of course that was after 12 fillings and several scaling and root planing trips too. BTW i did not qualify for invisiline or anything else with the way my teeth are so I went with clear at least.

Before pics will be coming soon for anyone interested in seeing the "starting line" so to speak.

#2 Post by **catfish** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:19 pm

Hey techiegirl74, welcome to the world of braces! Lucky you, that you found this site before you actually got your braces on. That means you'll have the support of lots and lots of braced people every step of the way.

I was several months into my treatment before I found this site. Fortunately I'm happy with my ortho and my treatment, but it would have been good to have some of the AW insight before I took the plunge.

I can't wait to see pics!

#3 Post by **techiegirl74** » Sat May 02, 2009 7:28 pm

Thanks for the replies gang! I am counting down the days!

#4 Post by **techiegirl74** » Sun May 10, 2009 9:18 am

I just ordered my dentakit and a comfort kit....I CANNOT believe after waiting for so long that the day is almost here!!!!!!!!!! I have a lot of jitters from both excitement and "fear" at the moment. The excitement is definitly pushing me through though. 36 months is a long time to go through this but as my bf says...it will be worth it in the end. I mainly cannot wait to get rid of my "fangs". That alone will be worth it.

We will be doing the photos tonight or tomorrow for the before shots.

#5 Post by **techiegirl74** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:08 pm

Ok so tomorrow is the BIG day!!! I am seriously nervous. I read enough here that I feel kinda prepared, but its different when you actually start ya know?

At the same time I THOROUGHLY excited. Honestly I NEVER thought I would see the day when I would be able to do this. 35 years old and the adventure is JUST beginning...

Anyway, here are some before pics as promised.

Fronts:

Tops:

The bottom - the arrows point to what will be removed after my braces are on. This process will have to wait till my insurance rolls over in july as I have used every bit of it up on the scaling and root planing that had to be done prior to starting.

Right:

Left:

Lots of work to do on the top eh????

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#6 Post by **Andromeda** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:19 pm

Hi techiegirl! Good luck tomorrow!!! You have really nicely shaped teeth and I think the end result is going to be really great

I didn't qualify for invisilign either (sigh) so I went with ceramic and haven't had any issues with them. Sounds like it's gonna be a long journey but this site will make it go by so much faster. I am due to get mine off in a few weeks and all the pain and annoyances have been soooo worth it! I can't wait to see what my teeth look like brace-free. I am pretty sure I'm going to keep reading stories and posting on this site even after my braces are off because it's been such a help along the way.

Again, good luck tomorrow - can't wait to hear how it goes

#7 Post by **Cass** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:32 pm

Good luck! Your canines are similar to mine so I completely understand your excitement at.. showing them the door, so to speak!

I hope tomorrow goes even better than expected!

#8 Post by **Cass** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:35 pm

And it's great your bf is so supportive and keeping you motivated! Mine doesn't see the point in braces - "your teeth are fine! what's the big deal?" Easy to say when you have naturally perfect teeth!

#9 Post by **techiegirl74** » Tue May 12, 2009 5:44 am

I went back and read your story Andromeda...I am SO excited for you and your pcs really motivated me more!

Thank you everyone for all the well wishes!

Off I goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

#10 Post by **techiegirl74** » Thu May 14, 2009 11:15 am

I am rather ecstatic about how little pain I have had thus far!! Yesterday I did have a headache and one tooth on each side was killing me. Its the two behind the space on top. I honestly knew they would be trouble because after I had them filled it took FOREVER for the sensitivity to go away. Actually the one on my left side JUST did settle down.

Today I can chew on the right with minmal issues but I cannot even think about chewing on the left - just that ONE tooth. Which is even more annoying because all I keep thinking is "If that would stop, id be fine!"

My lips haven't gotten torn up, my cheeks either. I read so many stories about this happening I was completely prepared to be a huge mess. I think it could be because I have been "beat up" so much over time that I built up the callouses needed already. By that I mean holding babies and getting that head butt that almost pokes my fang through my lip, wrestling with my niece and nephew and having the same thing happen, falling off the bed a zillion times as a young kid and biting the inside of my cheeks...Who would have thought that all would actually come in handy some day!! ROFL (Silver lining in every cloud eh?)

I have a feeling things will be different when I get the bottoms on...thats just my luck. It can't all go this smoothly!!! LOL
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#11 Post by **braceout23** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:57 pm

HI techiegirl74, just wanted to congratulate you on your new brace journey, well i guess we are riding in the same boat, because my journey just began a week today

. I don't really have much complains, except i miss hard foods. My wax is coming in handy. I also keep water and chapstick close by because my mouth tend to get dry. Well best of luck to you.. and keep me up to date with your progress.

#12 Post by **techiegirl74** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:42 am

Thanks for the well wishes braceout23 and againbrace!

I definitely understand the water and chapstick thing!!! Because of the placement of two brackets being on those canine teeth, and those being so high up, I have to constantly keep chapstick on my lips. Those brakets wouldn't be a prob but they also contain the hooks for bands later...so everytime I smile or talk my lips get caught in the hooks (unless I ahve recently applied that is)

I have tried several chapsticks and I am finding that one by aquafina works the best. It has so many oils in it and keeps my lips from getting stuck on the blasted hooks. lol

I did wake up this morning to my first small cut on my cheek. But I also woke up with a dry mouth. Hmmmmmmmmmm.......

#13 Post by **techiegirl74** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:40 am

So its been a week today since I was braced...I have felt some small changes already. My upper left canine now shows slightly when I talk or even do my usual "hide your teeth" smile. I also can feel the bracket rubbing in a new spot and notice my lip doesnt catch on it in the same spot too. We will go home and take a picture and see if we can actually see what I can feel! LOL Since I have sensitive gums and lips I notice ANYTHING different. So we might not even be able to see in pics yet - but I can definitly feel things have changed, even if its just a teensy bit.

Overall the first week went better then expected. Still no cutting of the lips and such like I have heard can happen. My teeth are FINALLY to the point where I can chew on them, even the two that were being a PIA - still soft (ish) foods only though - but at least I can tolerate pressure. Finding foods that I can eat has been a tad difficult - I have a dairy allergy (not intolerance but like the carry an Epi Pen type). Luckily I have a BF who can cook up a storm and he has come up with some fantastic ideas.

I know I still owe some post braced pics, we did get them taken, I just need to crop them and resize them. Its in the plans for tonight! Thanks again everyone for all the support. This board is fantastic!

#14 Post by **Andromeda** » Tue May 19, 2009 12:52 pm

Yay congrats on having movement even if its not super visible, if you feel the difference then there is a difference. can't wait to see the pics and hope the movement continues

#15 Post by **techiegirl74** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:16 pm

Thanks Andromeda! I will be taking some pics tonight just to see if I can spot anything. That canine must surely be doing something as I am aware every time I speak that it is there. The tip pokes me in the bottom lip when before it didn't. Course maybe I am just a bit looney!

Without further ado...here are my Day 3 Brace pics as promised.

Front

Top

Right

and Left

Again, nothing at all on the bottoms yet. That is supposed to POSSIBLY take place when I go in on June 9th for a reinspection!

Metal Mouth Message Board

techiegirls story...

techiegirls story...

Thanks...

2 more days!

Update and Before pics

Thanks gang!

Day 2.5