Hello

[unspec]

I found this message board and think the progress threads are brilliant.

Anyway, I've just had ceramic uppers fitted to correct some crowding. This is the second time I've had braces (I had the full 4 pre-molars removed & 'train tracks' at school) as I was never given any retainers so they drifted a bit and when my wisdom teeth came in (all healthy) the crowding re-appeared. :(

Fast forward about 20 years and I've finally decided to do something about it. The treatment will be ceramic uppers and metal lowers, a little IDS to avoid the black triangles on the upper incisors and possibly slight widening of the bite if the IDS doesn't create enough space for the teeth.

It's only the first week with them on and apart from the pain when trying to chew anything, they have been fine. I actually quite like the feeling of pressure on the teeth, knowing that they are being moved back into alignment. In fact, I can't wait for the lowers to go on. If I'm lucky the front incisors will have moved forwards enough to give space for the metal brackets on the lower teeth.

I've been taking pictures every night but my teeth are a bit yellow from all my tea/coffee drinking :( so perhaps I'll post them when I have a bit more courage (and can see a bit of progress).

[unspec]

Forgot to say. I'm looking at 12-18 months of treatment.

That's quite a lot of variance so I'm guessing the orthodontist will see how quickly things are moving before giving me anything more precise.

[JavaMan]

Welcome on board!
And all the best with your treatment
Keep us posted here on your progress.
cheers,
JavaMan

[Glandyover]

If you want to cheat a little you can up the contrast a bit on the pictures to whiten them a bit. Nobody'll judge you.

[unspec]

Thanks, I'll probably wait for some real progress (perhaps a month?) before I post anything.

I was quite pleased with the pain, just a bit tender when I chew - no need to painkillers really and the inside of my lips seem to be coping ok.

Either my pain threshold is high enough, or the thin little wire with the shape memory hasn't started to kick my ass just yet...

Once they are lovely and straight, I'm totally going to have them whitened. Will all that I'm spending on them it seems silly not to finish the job. :D

[unspec]

Well I was digging through some of the paperwork and it seems I have the Radiance system fitted. I have to admit, they are impressively discrete!

I can't see any change, but it's not even been a week. Although I can feel just a tiny little bit of wire protruding at the back of the brackets, and I'm positive that wasn't there before. Perhaps the teeth are already moving??

[unspec]

Ok, I've started a thread to track my progress. With pictures!

http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42779

Be kind!