First thing - he took pics of my teeth, then showed me the brackets and we were ready to roll. I think KK suggested I use lip balm before I went to my appt, so a big THANK YOU for that because wow - my lips were stretched out double time, I think!
All in all, it took about 45 minutes for the whole process, top and bottom. I didn't have to have spacers and instead had the Tube-Bonded Brackets (or was it bonded tube-brackets?!?). I opted for silver lig's (will go all out wild next time - since my brackets aren't all lined up, I thought I would go for something rather subtle).
I think the most painful (and it wasn't really painful at all) was not biting down and keeping a space between my uppers and lowers. The glue - I didn't taste it really and honestly, it smelled like the glue used when getting acrylic nails done. I couldn't help but think that my mouth smelled like newly done fingernails!
I can say that the first 24 hours I felt 'weird'. I remember immediately telling my ortho that my top jaw felt like it was being pulled in a different direction than the bottom. He said that was normal. A few hours later, I didn't feel that sensation any longer. I think right at the 24 hour mark was when I felt achiness. Oh- I remember about 4 hours after they were put on one of my lower teeth in the front was aching noticeably. I don't have that feeling anymore because now ALL of my teeth ache. I've had to take ibuprofen twice to take the edge off, but I really think I could 'tough it' if I HAD to.
Eating, well that's another story. A little background - I'm American, married to an Omani and well, Omani's love their food! Breakfast is light, Lunch is massive and Dinner is also light. Family invites are frequent - as in every other day. And, when you're invited, you just can't say no! The food is nothing less than a feast and always includes rice, either a curry or stew or a meat / chicken / fish dish. On top of that are salads and chutneys/pickles and fresh juices. After a lunch, you MUST stay for some coffee that's so strong that you can only drink about 1-2 Tablespoons at a time in tiny little coffee cups with some dates, fresh fruits or if you're real lucky, some cakes or sweets to die for. Friday, we were invited to one of these lunches and I thought I.was.going.to.die. The dish of the day was rice, salad, yoghurt and a meat dish that is cooked in a pit for about 24 hours. I was miserable, but made it through like a trooper as not to upset my dear father-in-law. It was the first time I made a silent plea to God for them not to have fresh fruits OR sweets because for sure I would be in tears!
Obviously my prayers were answered because the dessert of the day was a chocolate pudding layered with biscuits that were soft! Although in throbbing pain, I gladly accepted the dessert and even went back for more! Today is day three and I'm still sore, if not more.
I really went into the whole ordeal with getting braces expecting the worst and hoped for the best (or is it the other way around?!?). I've felt worse pain and I know I can make it through this. So far, the brackets haven't bothered me around my lips, but I keep wax on the tube brackets because they rub a bit.
I'm so happy that I found this board and hope to use it as a source of support when I need it.
) - I love turkey. 