3 month follow - up, plus...

Message

#1 Post by **Attagirl2** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:23 am

Hi. It's been a while since I have posted. Just wanted to say I had my 3 month follow-up this past Wednesday. Everything looked good, so I didn't need any adjustments to the Hawley. Wearing the bite positioner for an hour a day pretty much kept everything up to snuff, I guess. Wearing the positioner will now be just 3 / 4 times a week for an hour.

Since I am working a long stretch of overnights, it has been a real challenge to wear my Hawley 10 hours (I don't get 8 hours sleep when I work over night... - the body just rebels until I am exhausted, so I have to wear it more while I am working).

Also new, I had to get another crown - I was told it would have to be done when the braces came off, so now I have had the preliminary work done and am waiting for the permanent one. It was not a fun experience. This is the fifth crown and they don't get any easier - I will take braces anyday! (Actually, sort of miss them at times) (I had someone I work with comment two weeks ago, "You got your braces off!" - Yes, I did, last October 18th, I replied....

Also wanted to say I have observed a change from before braces to after braces. Food now sticks between my teeth more! I have to make sure I swish water after I eat, or I could be walking around with a nasty looking set of choppers - and no body has had the decency to tell me!

Hope all is well with everyone.

#2 Post by **jennielee81** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:41 am

Also wanted to say I have observed a change from before braces to after braces. Food now sticks between my teeth more! I have to make sure I swish water after I eat, or I could be walking around with a nasty looking set of choppers - and no body has had the decency to tell me!

I noticed this myself yesterday! I ate a Hershey's with Almonds and had a piece of the nut hull (dark part) right between my two front teeth at the gum line.

It had nestled in their nice and smooth but HUGE! I noticed it when I got into the car and did a quick, "how do my teeth look" look and BAAAAA!

I had talked to quite a few kids and 2 adults...no one told me.

I think I will continue to swish after eating.

All sounds good for you in retainers Chris! Good luck with your crown. I've never had one and don't ever want one!! My husband had one done and he needs another and is avoiding it like the plague...he had an unpleasent experience with it as well.

#3 Post by **Chris** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:12 pm

Hi Attagirl!

Nice to know things are going well with you.

I get more food traps now too. AND I've got several crowns in my future still! I've been waiting for my teeth to settle a bit before I go in to get my bone grafts and implants done. I just wanted some time away from dentists, orthos, etc. etc.

My upper and lower hawleys are pretty comfortable but I do notice a little "gapping" going on and suppose he will tighten them at my next appt.

Alot of people never noticed that I got my braces off and I still have this big grin! The people that commented are the people WHO HAD BRACES in the past themselves! WE ARE FAMILY !!!

Here's to life without braces !

I SOOOOO enjoy brushing my slippery, shiny, naked teeth now!

#4 Post by **Attagirl2** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:54 am

Thanks for the replys. Yes, it feels so good to be able to brush my teeth and not have to work around all the hardware. (although I still have too around the permanent retainer wire). You're vacation from the dentist and orthodontist sounds resable to me, Chris!

I go next Wednesday to get the permanent crown put on. At least that part will be easy.

Good luck to you both. Attagirl

#5 Post by **fins** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:41 pm

Sometimes I miss braces too. I am tired of the dentist, I may need an implant and bone graft too...I don't even want to go get my teeth cleaned because I'm really that sick of dental visits. I find that I have different spacing between my teeth and that actually changes over a period of time too, but more food definitely gets stuck. I floss all the time though..so easy to do and I love it now - haha.

Good luck with the retainers. I still have a lisp with mine sometimes

#6 Post by **Attagirl2** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:49 am

Well, Wednesday is here and so is a major snow storm.

I am due at the dentist's office at 9:30. Since they haven't even plowed our road, I think I will be calling in my cancellation - hopefully it won't cost me anything. (I live 23 miles from my dentist).

Fins, I feel for you and Chris with all the extra work that needs to be done. Don't give up completely, just take that little, needed break.

Happy Valentine's Day

#7 Post by **Paparazzi** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:19 pm

Glad to know you're doing well Attagirl. I've been on hiatus for a while, spazzy internet, lazy, etc. No re-lapse for a while so I am not getting re-banded anytime soon. How are the hawley's working out cause I know they can be a pain.

#8 Post by **Attagirl2** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:31 am

Hi Paparazzi. I have been busy and away from the board myself. Glad the positioner did the trick. Do you still have to wear it? I do, 3 to 4 times a week but only for an hour. As for the Hawley (I only have an upper one), I find it quite comfortable. It is very similar to what I first wore as a night guard some 30 years ago... Sometimes I talk sort of mushy, but usually only if I am tired.

Take care.

#9 Post by **Paparazzi** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:13 pm

Yea twice a week I have to wear it for 12 hours. Other than that I am in essix retainers which are way more comfortable than my hawleys when i first got my braces off. Days when I am not in the positioner, I gotta wear the essix 24/7 indefinitely. Ugh, such is life. Could be worse, just read my old braces story lol.