Newbie - Just introducing myself :)

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#1 Post by **LMcD7** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:27 pm

Hi All

My name is Lisa, I'm a 28 (soon to be 29) year old mother of one, originally from Ireland, but residing in Chicago since '99.

I had braces on my top arch as a kid. Not regular braces, the removable plate kind, I'm not sure if they even use those things anymore. Anyway, I never had a retainer (this was in Ireland), so over the years and with the help of a well placed punch by a real piece of work of an ex, my teeth have shifted, and are now worse than they were to start. I never had anything on my bottom arch, although I needed it. My Ortho just extracted two premolars and said that those teeth would fall into place. Not so much.

I started saving for braces a few years ago, and then I found this site. Reading all your stories really inspired me to stop putting it off and get on with it.

So now I begin the journey again. I had my brackets fitted today. Full metal on the bottom, and inspire ice on the front six up top. I'm having extractions on Saturday, and will get my wires on Monday. So far so good. I do feel like I have gravel in my mouth, but other than that and not being able to look at myself in the mirror it's all good

#2 Post by **Candy** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:16 am

Hi, saw your post....you joined yesterday, I joined today...hope all is going well! I can't wait to get mine on....I don't have the date yet, as the office can't book more than 6 weeks out and I am going in January...so almost there!! I have waited so many years to be able to do this. I am originally from Wales, and left when I was 12. I now live in South Carolina and have hated my teeth since I was that age. I am just now in a position to start, and I am very excited! My bottom teeth are fine, my uppers are not terrible, however I have stupid fang teeth that are kind of high and I hate them, and never smile HUGE or laugh, especially in pictures. My oldest daughter just got her phase 1 braces off and she looks beautiful...she smiles HUGE, and I love it. It was so worth it!!! I never wanted her to feel the way I did, so I got her in at 8, and she is now 10 and her teeth are amazing!!! Anyway---good luck!!!!!!

#3 Post by **chrisseyer** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:29 pm

Welcome Lisa and Candy!
I was so happy to find this site too. I wore braces when I was 16. I got re-braced almost a month ago.
I obsessed over straight teeth the past 10 yrs (?). First time I had braces I wore them 16 mos and they turned out great, but things shifted I don't know when. So here I am 27 yrs later wearing them again (must wear your retainers!)
So anyway, I just wanted to say hello and welcome to the club. Candy I am excited for you. I remember when I sat in the chair when they were putting on the brackets - I couldn't believe it was really happening (again)!
I also see that you are from Wales! I love Wales even though I've never been there. I read the Here Be Dragons trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman last year so now I am so intrigued by this beautiful country and amazing history.
Best,
Chris

#4 Post by **chrisseyer** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:31 pm

Oh yeah Lisa, I'm Filipino, but grew up in Chicago. Also lived in Manila (where I was born), Australia, Seattle, and now I am north of San Francisco.
Sorry, I guess we should be talking about our braces journey. But I just saw a connection there

Chris

#5 Post by **LMcD7** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:36 am

Thank you all for your responses.

Candy - I've only ever been to Wales once, many many years ago. I have family there though, so I'd like to visit again. Good luck with your braces journey! Keep me posted

Chris - How long have you been "braced"? How long is your sentence? My ortho says probably 18months - 2 years. Did you grow up in the city or the burbs? I'm on the NW side.

Ken - Thanks for the wellwishes for today. I really hate going to the dentist. I'll let you know later how it went.

#6 Post by **chrisseyer** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:11 pm

Hi Lisa,
I hope your extractions went well today.
Hi Ken,
I see that you and I have adjustments on the same day - Nov 12th. I'll be getting my lower brackets in then.
Hi Candy,
I grew up in Chicago - the city itself. I lived on Barry and Broadway.
Oh yeah, been braced almost a month now. My treatment is supposed to be 2 yrs.

Hope you are all having a good weekend,
Chris

#7 Post by **LMcD7** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:36 pm

So the extractions were a piece of cake. No pain at all. These wires on the other hand............I gave birth to my daughter without any drugs in Feb, I think I'd prefer to do that again. I have power chains to close the gaps and it hurts, a lot! Tell me it gets better?!?

Chris - I live at Irving and Central, in the Portage Park neighborhood, not too far from your old neighborhood.

#8 Post by **LMcD7** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:37 pm

So the extractions were a piece of cake. No pain at all. These wires on the other hand............I gave birth to my daughter without any drugs in Feb, I think I'd prefer to do that again. I have power chains to close the gaps and it hurts, a lot! Tell me it gets better?!?

Chris - I live at Irving and Central, in the Portage Park neighborhood, not too far from your old neighborhood.

#9 Post by **LMcD7** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:40 pm

Oops, Double post, sorry

#10 Post by **chrisseyer** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:38 pm

Hi Lisa,
Glad to hear the extractions went well. Sounds like you are a tough cookie if you gave birth sans drugs. I have 3 kids and I wanted epidurals for the last 2 (first one was scheduled c-section). But anyway.
Congrats on getting started!
I can't believe they put power chains on you already. They started me off with a light wire. However, tomorrow is my first adjustment and my lowers are coming on. We'll see how I feel a day or two after that!

I'll have to look at a Chicago map - Irving is very familiar sounding to me. I left Chicago when I was 12 but I've been back several times as an adult. Great town!

Well, hope you feel better soon.
Ken gives good advice

Chris

#11 Post by **LMcD7** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:50 am

Thanks Ken, I'll try the saltwater rinses, I've been popping Advil like crazy, I hate to take painkillers.

Chris - I think my wire is 14??? GOod luck with your adjustment and bottom braces today!!

#12 Post by **chrisseyer** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:04 am

thanks Lisa!
and sorry for the mix-up a couple posts back. i addressed Candy about Chicago, but you're the one from my hometown

Hope you're feeling better today.

Chris

#13 Post by **LMcD7** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:23 pm

No Problem Chris, I figured you were talking to me

How did it go??

#14 Post by **chrisseyer** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:37 pm

Thanks for asking, Lisa...my first adjustment went well. I thought I was getting my lowers in, but ends up it won't be for another 2 months (I think). Just fine with me - that means I will be able to enjoy my Thanksgiving dinner more

Everything still okay with you?

Chris

#15 Post by **dissonance** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:12 pm

Hi Lisa!

How are you liking the inspire ice brackets? Do they look pretty good? Just curious that's what I'm getting on my top as well.

Erica