UGH and Hi

[jleanne]

I've had braces for almost 3 months now. Bottom only, (for now) the one crooked tooth I have is all sorts of snaggled looking and actually looks more crooked than when I started. I realize this is normal, and it's probably not actually more crooked, and just because the other teeth are being forced sideways with a coil. But the coil and the placement of the bracket on the crooked tooth makes cleaning difficult. I have become obsessed with using those little pipe cleaner looking things! Another adjustment next week.

I've taken to blending my veggies. I have a heat activated wire, so my teeth always feel loose, and biting into veggies is a bit difficult!

How is everyone else doing?

[sage]

UGH....a good way to describe it all somedays. I've had to have a band put around one of back teeth because it's restored and the bracket popped off ...that's OK but I'm quite 'proactive' about cleaning it. Im a little hooked on those little brush things too and also those THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. ortho flossers. ...

Painful teeth are no fun....good luck with your adjustment.

[jleanne]

Does the restored tooth not hold the "glue" for the brackets? Thanks for the good luck! I'm glad I only have the bottom first. Adjustments are going to suck when I get the top as well. My last adjustment was the placement of the coil, and I made the mistake of going first thing in the morning. That work day was the longest ever! By the time I got home my head was pounding and my mouth felt like it was hit by a bus!

Good luck on your journey!!

[cconant1833]

Ouch! I got my tops on before my bottom and it was nice to have an adjustment period before I was completely braced. I haven't had too much of an issue with eating foods. Just have to take it easy first couple of days after an adjustment. I hate when I have an appointment in the morning and have to go to work after, it's awful! Thank god for tylenol!

[sage]

The glue can have trouble sticking to restored teeth but it's the first issue I've really had.

I'm interested to read about a lot if people here getting braced either top or bottom only to begin with? I got top and.bottom put on at the same time.but my different bit is that he hasn't put brackets on the every last tooth each side top and bottom. He said that if he'd done that I might not of come back!!! It seems my period of leniency is over as I get my remaining four teeth hooked up next adjustment. Oh fun.....lol.

I've not had many post adjustment problems until this time....and OMG. ...I now understand the pain. Ouch...and out with the panadeine.

Just out of curiosity, what's a coil?

[jleanne]

Hi Sage!

I have a really bad over bite. My top teeth completely overlap my bottom teeth when I bite down, to the point where they disappear. So I have a retainer on top that keeps my bite from coming together, so I don't knock the bottom brackets off. Once the bottom teeth are in a better position, I'll get the top braced as well.

The coil looks like a little mini metal spring, it's placed between two brackets, which then puts extra pressure on those two teeth to push them apart. I have a tooth between those 2 teeth that's crooked and partially hiding behind the other teeth, so in order to be able to bring it forward, they have to push the other teeth out of the way.

The top pic is 6 weeks after braces, the bottom is the day they put the coil on, which was 6 weeks ago.

[sage]

Hey....so many different things to learn about braces
But now I know how a coil works I've got an open bite so when I began this process only my two back teeth touched when I bit together and my lower jaw sits out further than my top...but there have been changes since I got braces. I'll try and post some pics as I've been trying to keep a monthly pic journal. Does your ortho take your pics each time or do you? I got a series of everything at the beginning from the ortho but do my own pics in between.

Is that your cat in the pic?

[SpottedPickle]

Veggies are so hit and miss with me. I have a Thermal Ni-Ti as well and end up internally chanting "My teeth will not fall out" as I eat! Veggies need to be "overcooked" for me currently. Cauliflower is the best so far. Now they are all crackling and lose. I toasted an english muffin and was eating it, I told the hubs I love it because I just mentally say the cracking is toast!

[sage]

I'll check out your story. Had a quick look at your blog (my time is a little short now being 8 in the morning in kiwi land)...I'll post something about the dog blankets on your site sometime if I can.

I know that crackling feeling. The first time it happened to me I wasn't quite sure what was going on...but now I know that nothing will fall out! Lol. I was not even prepared to chew anything in the first three months because I couldn't stand how.food felt stuck in my braces.....so it was basically cut into small pieces and swallow like u said. Recently I've begun to chew on one side and it's ok. I found baked beans and eggs a good meal that needs no chewing if you're into beans and it's quick as. My biggest downfall was learning that I could suck pieces of chocolate....immm. .....I've not told the ortho that one!!!

Cauliflower is great. I steam it then pour over a cheese sauce top with some fresh breadcrumbs and put on some grated cheese and then pop under the grill to colour up.

Of course ice cream and puddings are great
...but I found out they do come with a price.

Keep on keeping on....it changes everyday.

[jleanne]

I can't eat veggies even remotely steamed....so gross!! I'd rather just blend them. I've learned about some really good smoothies, so I'm kind of having fun experimenting with flavors and use the smoothie as meal replacement for breakfast.

My ortho doesn't take pics every time I go in. I've been taking them, my BF says obsessively. But I don't feel like much is happening other than that tooth being more snaggled than when I started!

[jleanne]

I went to my 2nd adjustment last evening. The last 6 weeks were basically a wash! The way they tied the rings around the brackets counter acted the actions of the coil, so whenever the coil was creating a gap, the pressure from the rings were pushing the teeth back! So frustrated.

So they added a power chain. My face now feels like its been hit by a train. However 2 hours after my appointment I saw a lot of progress. Top pic is right after my appointment, bottom pic is two hours later.

[SpottedPickle]

Ouch! That just sucks that you lost that time and effort over such a thing. I am glad they figured it out and things are on track. Sorry you are in so much pain

[sage]

I agree that totally sucks! Hopefully the powerchain will be of some help. ...it's good you've seen some progress. . In a weird kind of way I quite like powerchains they make teeth feel all pulled in and supported....of course I don't like the pain.!!!!

[jleanne]

SpottedPickle, how are things going for you?

Sage, how long have you been braced? Have you had any set backs?

[sage]

Hi

I've been braced for five and a half months. No major problems. Lots of wax as prevention is better than cure. I've noticed lots of changes so far.
When I'm allowed I'll post some pics. Do any of u have colours and how are you feeling about being out and about in public with your braces?