Back after a long hiatus (and a forgotten user name)

Message

#1 Post by **Cecily** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:36 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm Cecily. I used to post here as either Skenecia or Skeskali, but a search didn't turn up any of my old messages, so I don't know if those old posts are still around. So to introduce myself:

I'm a 40 year old woman who lives in Vancouver, Canada. My braces went on July 27, 2007, and I'm close to 20 months into treatment. Initially my orthodontist thought I might have to have surgery because of my age and the condition of my teeth, but my teeth moved better than she thought, so she officially ruled out any surgical procedures a couple of months ago.

I just had elastics put on earlier this week to correct my midline and to do some (hopefully) final adjustments to my cross bite. My ortho doesn't like to give ETAs for when my braces will come off, but I've been told that once you're at the elastics stage that the end is well in sight.

Here'sthe most recent composite photo of me. The top photo was taken on the first day, the second back in January (pre-elastics).

Looking forward to getting to know you all (again).

#2 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm

Hi Cicily...

welcome (back)!! How long is your anticipated time in braces? I'm only on 8 months and I can't imagine 18!! My 'sentence,' as some people call it, is for 24-36 months...so I'd be so psyched to be where you are!! Even though there IS still quite a bit more of 'time' to do...LOL.

Also, I'm reposting your URL for you since it didn't come out as a link for some reason http://www.flickr.com/photos/cecily/3202726381/

PS I hate to sound stupid, but in that first pic, is that what your bite was like? An open bite?? It's just a bit misleading because of how your lips are pursed...so I wasn't sure. GREAT progress if thats the case!!!

#3 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:12 pm

oops...

Cecily...sorry...lol

#4 Post by **Cecily** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:54 am

Hi newsboysgrl777:

Yes, I had an open bite and a cross bite. I was pursing my lips like that so people could see the condition my teeth were in. I'm pretty pleased with the progress so far. Up until the elastics went on this week, the whole experience has been relatively pain free.

My original sentence was 24-36 months, but my ortho is really cagey about time so she won't tell me how much longer she thinks I have to go. In some ways I can respect that because I won't have to have my hopes dashed if treatment goes beyond the estimated date to have the braces removed.

#5 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:53 pm

Aww...I guess I can understand your ortho not telling you an exact date, but at this point, you'd think she could give you an estimate? Not sure your hopes would be raised only to be dashed, but it'd give you a 'goal line' in sight, you know?!! Anyway...at least you know there IS an end, even if you're not sure how far ahead of you it is!!

Good luck!!!