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Well, I've had my braces 18 months of my estimated 30. The last 8 or 9 months have been pretty boring compared to my first 9. Watching Ruth (my formerly impacted canine) move into place was exciting for me.
Anyway, last weekend I had 4 days of slippery slimey teeth! I had them off for my daughter's wedding. So I got a little glimpse of what's to come....and a surprise, my ortho says I may be WAY closer to being done than my original estimate...which would be another whole year.
Here are some before and almost after pics. Ruth is on my left. She moved so much during her 4 days of freedom I couldn't get my mouth closed. I was glad to get everyone back in line and chained together! A little more pain than the usual adjustment, but all is well after a few days.
September 16, 2005
March 5, 2007
Wired on Sep 16, 2005, left canine exposed on Oct 5, 2005, at 52 years old.
Wow, you'd never guess that you supposedly had a year left. They look finished in that photo, and so beautiful! I hope you showed them off a lot, I would have!
Good luck to Ruth adjusting back into place.
Sim
Damon 3 braces for 22.5 months.
30th August 2005 - 13th July 2007
Karen, it is hard to remember when Ruth wasn't there without looking at pictures. She sure made her presence known while 'free' though. I think she wanted to go visit her old home and started on her trip back to the roof of my mouth but her counterpart on my lower arch kept hitting her and wouldn't let her get too far. But she is back where she belongs now.
Having them off made all the visiting and smiling for pictures more fun thats for sure. It also helped me to see why I'm not finished yet. There are lots of little things to be done still.
I did not have the molar bands removed though. THAT would not have been worth it. Out of everything I have had done, having those molar bands put on is the worst....even worse than Ruth's exposure. Well maybe not the exposure part....but I would not go through molar band installation again just for a few pictures.
It was a fun weekend. My daughter (the bride) had her braces taken off for the duration also. In fact, we went together for our temporary de-bracing. Almost like part of the usual wedding preparations...go to the nail salon, hair salon, and orthodontist !
Another funny thing is how many people will comment on your teeth after the braces come off but never say anything while the braces are on. I did have one person I haven't seen in years ask me what was different....did you change your hair, your glasses???? No, I said, just my teeth!
Wired on Sep 16, 2005, left canine exposed on Oct 5, 2005, at 52 years old.
Hi Pam - Your teeth look great. It sounds like it was fun to get a peek for a couple of days of what your teeth will look like.
I remember Ruth's journey too - it seems like it was a long time ago, even though it wasn't. I'm so glad for you that Ruth did come down, and she looks great too. Remember way back when you were worried about her color being kind of grey, well she doesn't look grey at all. Looks just like the rest.
I'm having trouble with Shirley moving. LaVerne is almost into place after a year since the exposure surgery. I'm not sure what is going to happen with Shirley though.
Take Care,
Shawnie
Braced - 10/04/05
Treatment - 30 to 36 months
Ceramic uppers, Metal lowers
Impacted canines-Crowding-Crossbite
6 baby teeth!
Canine exposure surgery of two teeth 3/29/06
2nd canine exposure of one tooth 11/15/06
Remember way back when you were worried about her color being kind of grey
Shawnie, wow I can't believe you remember that! I do think Ruth still looks a little darker then the rest of my teeth. But the lighting has to be just right for me to see that...so I guess its not a problem.
Has Shirley moved at all since the exposure? How frustrating that must be for you.
Wired on Sep 16, 2005, left canine exposed on Oct 5, 2005, at 52 years old.
