need a boost!

[smilingoutloud22]

I'll be reaching my one-month mark this Friday. I'm still completely happy with my decision to get braces, but I am a little discouraged/disappointed that I haven't seen movement yet (or visible movement anyway). I know my ortho said progress would be slow at first because my teeth are so crowded and the wire is the lightest, but reading all the posts about seeing progress in the first few weeks/months makes me want that instant gratification!

Anyone else not see visible progress after about one month? Thanks!

[klobird]

Hey Smiling--I didn't see any movement for about 2-3 months! And then my teeth went nuts!
They came in from a 10mm overjet to a 4mm overjet in the next 2 months--and the ortho said he had never seen teeth move as fast as mine....Don't worry about it--they're going to move--and you will see it!!

[smilingoutloud22]

Thanks SO much, klobird! Made my day and makes me feel a lot better. Congrats on awesome progress!!

[elainek]

Hi Smiling!

Have you been taking photos? Maybe if you check your before pics and now you might notice something to keep you encouraged!

I have a Nickel-free wire because I'm allergic so I think my initial progress will be super slow...doesn't stop me constantly checking to see if they've budged!

[jem]

Hi Smiling,

I am 12 weeks into what is supposed to be a 6-9 month sentence.Even though I have taken regular photos, I have only just started to see some minor movement. I am on my second wire which I think is a .018 NiTi. My teeth have relatively minor crowding and I had some IPR to create space between my front teeth at my first adjustment 6 weeks ago. The wire change and IPR did not appear to have had any effect until a couple of days ago when I noticed my blocked out lateral is starting to move back into my upper arch. This demonstrated to me that our braces must be achieving something even if we cannot see it.

I have my second adjustment next Monday when I will have some more IPR and some additional brackets placed. I am hoping that the visible movement will continue.

Good luck with your treatment. You have taken great steps by starting and you ARE making progress even if you cannot see it.

Jem

[smilingoutloud22]

Hi, elainek! Been taking some photos (still building up courage to post haha!) - once in a while I think I see something slightly different, but I spend so much time analyzing the photos and mirror that I go back and forth debating whether there actually was movement haha! When did you realize you needed the nickel-free wire? After or before you started treatment? At least there are options out there for anyone that is allergic!

Jem - thank you for the motivation. Makes me happy to hear I'm not alone in the longer wait to start seeing some movement. Must be a great feeling that you can see some now! Hope your next appointment goes well. My next is on 4/16. I actually am looking forward to it haha.

[hypocrite opportunist]

I didn't see any real movement for about 3 months, and then things really picked up around 6 months. Give it time.

[smilingoutloud22]

Thanks, hypocrite opportunist! (I feel like I'm calling you a name in an argument haha.) Wow - I see you're just days away from debracing?! Congratulations! Great to hear encouragement from someone so far along. Good luck!