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I had my braces removed this morning WONDERFUL feeling after 31 months.
Neat collage my ortho office puts together in the "farewell package" along with other goodies like a thermos coffee cup, and a take out container of popcorn & sweets (forbidden treats during treatment)
BEFORE BRACES:
AFTER BRACES:
First time in braces, no surgery: 1990
Second time in braces: 08/07
Wisdom teeth plus 1 molar each side total 6 teeth removed: 02/08
Upper Jaw surgery: 09/09
It feels amazing to have them off. I ate an apple today and loved every bite! No more having to cut it all up.
I've actually heard that from quite a few ppl, that my teeth weren't bad to start, but that picture was taken with my bite "together" and as you can see my teeth didn't meet together in the front, my bite was off and later on would cause painful issues TMJ related. I had a stint of TMJ related issues while pregnant with my oldest of three kids so I knew I definitely didn't want it to get worse. This was also my second go in braces, I had them when I was 12, so while my teeth weren't horrendously crooked, they were enough that I was no longer comfortable with my smile anymore since my teeth used to be a lot straighter. So this was definitely the right choice to get braces again. Plus this round I went the surgery route to line up my bite and improve my profile so it didn't look so concave. I'll post a pic of that too as it's REALLY obvious from a side shot.
DAY OF SURGERY:
ALMOST 7 MTHS POST OP:
Good luck to everyone in their journey, and to those thinking about getting braces but unsure, I for one HIGHLY recommend
First time in braces, no surgery: 1990
Second time in braces: 08/07
Wisdom teeth plus 1 molar each side total 6 teeth removed: 02/08
Upper Jaw surgery: 09/09
Diagnosis:
-Class II division II type malocclusion
-Severely deep overbite
-Upper Left Permanent Cuspid is Impacted
-Midline deviation
Treatment Plan:
-Full banded appliances
-Lower lingual arch
-Extraction of upper left deciduous cuspid
-Re-evaluate the need for extraction of upper left first bicuspid
-Exposure of the upper left permanent cuspid will be necessary
tsmurfenator: I had Damon brackets (with the sliding door) on everything except the top 6 teeth which I had the clear ceramic brackets.
First time in braces, no surgery: 1990
Second time in braces: 08/07
Wisdom teeth plus 1 molar each side total 6 teeth removed: 02/08
Upper Jaw surgery: 09/09
Congrats on the successful completion of this journey. I think a lot of us second timers had surgery to get the results we should have had the first time.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
iBorg: definitely. When I had braces as a pre-teen I had no idea surgery was even an option and I don't think I'd have gone for it at that age anyway lol Looks like you're ready to be de-braced soon too! Good luck!
First time in braces, no surgery: 1990
Second time in braces: 08/07
Wisdom teeth plus 1 molar each side total 6 teeth removed: 02/08
Upper Jaw surgery: 09/09
I know it was available when I was in my twenties. What I can't believe (I had both jaws) is the improvement in my life.
Your results are quite remarkable. The result is that your face is much less severe. If the two pictures are representative, you look happier.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
Okay I need the edit feature. I know it WAS NOT available when I was in my twenties.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
I've had so many people comment on that! The "severe" look in my profile. That picture was taken the morning of my surgery. I was waiting for my cab to pick me up at home and take me to the hospital. I just had my upper jaw advanced 6mm and decided to for go the lower jaw out of worry my face would look too different from "me" lol My OS later said he was really pleased I chose that route and agrees I still look balanced.
I had never heard of jaw surgery until Apr 2007 when I went for my consult with the Ortho. And I agree with you, the comments I get since my surgery, how much I've "changed" but at hte same time I haven't, and that I look happier. I feel happier for sure, my bite FITS and I like to smile again! lol
First time in braces, no surgery: 1990
Second time in braces: 08/07
Wisdom teeth plus 1 molar each side total 6 teeth removed: 02/08
Upper Jaw surgery: 09/09
WONDERFUL feeling after 31 months.
