MadeIn1984's Adventure! - 14 Months, 2 Weeks (pix on pg. 3!)

[MadeIn1984]

***UPDATE***

Hey, all! I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but there weren't any major changes going on until this past month. But before I get to that, I just wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year! I spent my New Year's Eve a friend's family home down in Monterey, California. I had an awesome time - maybe a little too awesome...heh. It culminated in all of us going to Denny's for breakfast at 3 o'clock in the morning! Also, I celebrated my 22nd birthday that same night (my b-day is actually on Jan. 3rd). They threw me a surprise b-day party, which totally touched me, 'cuz I never had one before!

Anyway, things have been going nicely with my teeth. At my last adjustment (Dec. 1st), my upper archwire was upgraded to stainless steel. I also changed my ligs from all-black to red and green for the (then-upcoming) Christmas holiday season. I must say, I'm very pleased with how the upper arch is turning out. There is still some fine-tuning to do, but it is visibly pleasing now to look at. Below, I have provided a comparison of a photo from Week 1 (7/30/05) and a photo taken yesterday (1/11/06):





So, as you all can see, there's been some movement happening! As far as my lower arch goes, at the last adjustment they "activated" my coil to start creating more room so they can finally engage the archwire on one lower lateral that is out-of-synch with the rest. Some space has finally been created, and there is now a small gap between my lower central laterals. Below, I'll provide a comparison from September (9/8/05) and yesterday (1/11/06):





So, that's pretty much it. This new year looks promising! I'm getting closer to the smile I've always wanted! I can't believe it's been nearly 6 months since I got these braces! My next adjustment in on the 26th of January. One New Year's Resolution I made was to maintain closer contact with friends and loved ones. I'm not much of a phone person, but my friends and family do deserve to hear from me a little more often.

I hope the holidays treated each and every one of you well and I wish you all prosperous and joy-filled New Year!

[MadeIn1984]

Thanks for the kudos, KK! In all honesty, it doesn't feel like I've had these metal contraptions for that long (just about 6 months already). I hardly notice them anymore.

I'm looking forward to my next adjustment. Since Valentine's Day will be coming up, I was thinking of maybe going for all-red ligs or a combination or red/pink (if I'm feeling brave!).

[Super Soo]

Your teeth look great, they've really come on a treat!

I love flicking though these photo diaries of before and after pics - it's really inspirational

Sue

x x

[MadeIn1984]

It's been a loooong time since I've posted up anything. Life called my name and I had to respond.

Now that I have some spare time, I thought I would share with you all my latest progress.

Two weeks ago was my 1st official brace anniversary! No way at all does it feel like a year, but it has been. It's been a year of lots of positive change!

This latest photo was taken on the 5th of August, 2006.







My upper arch has straightened out nicely. As is the case with almost all ortho patients, the lower arch, while not making the same speedy progress as the uppers, has seen drastic improvement in overcrowding. Creating space for my lower arch has proven a bit tricky, but my ortho has assured me that extractions would be unecessary in my case and that I am, in fact, right about where I should be in my treatment.

Well, that's about it for now. My next adjustment isn't until the middle of September. I'll be updating more regularly now that I have more time.

I hope you all are doing well. I still visit these forums whenever I get the chance. I am very happy and proud at all the progress you guys have made and I welcome and applaud those new members who've taken the first steps to better oral health.

Until next time...

[alexa]

Your teeth are looking good! Congrats on making it to one year!

[juf_84]

Hi Madein1984!

Your teeth look fantastic!!

[RainyDay]

Wow! Your teeth are looking awesome! Congratulations. I just started! but I can't wait till I can celebrate my 1 year anniversary like you!!!!

[MadeIn1984]

Thanks for all the positive feedback!

I do know that at one point during my treatment I will have to don elastics. About how far into your treatment did you guys have to start wearing them (those who have/had elastics)? I only ask because I'm over a year into my treatment and I was told I would have to have them at some point. Those few I know who've had them wore them fairly early into their treatment.

Thanks!

[MadeIn1984]

Some 1-year present that was!

I wince at the thought of having to have those things inside my mouth 23 1/2 hours a day!

Thanks for the responding to my inquiries, KK.

[jennielee81]

I got mine (elastics) at about 11 months.

Still have them at 16 months and will have them probably until the end....whenever that is!!

You get used to them, but you never like it. Your teeth feel more normal with the elastics in than with them out.

Your teeth are looking GREAT, by the way, love the red ligs!

[MadeIn1984]

Awww, thanks so much for the kind words, jennielee81! It's good to know that all this money and time is really making a difference! I'm very pleased with how my teeth have turned out so far.

Wow, 16 months...I'm sure you're ready to have them removed! One of the kids I take care of told me to get red ligs for my last adjustment...and I did! I like'em.

Thanks again!

[MadeIn1984]

***UPDATE 10/6/06***



Hey, all! =]

Alright, so I've got some news!! But first, here's a latest progress pic of my upper arch!











So far, everything's gone super well with my upper arch. They've not changed the archwire for the last 3 or 4 adjustments, but everything is where it should be!

Now, as far as the bottom arch is concerned, my ortho was a bit concerned at my last appointment that my bottom teeth were lagging behind in the progress department. He suggested trying out a new type of brace, the "In-Ovation Brace" type. So, 2 weeks after the previous adjusement I went back to the office to get my bottom braces changed!

Let me tell you...it was a weird experience! They used these sort of clippers that looked somewhat like pliers to get the brackets off! There was definitely some pressure when the assistant was taking them off...but not as bad as I thought it would be. After that, she had to scrape the glue off my teeth -- that was rather unpleasant! I was told to brush and floss afterward and I saw my bracketless bottom teeth in the mirror -- THEY LOOKED SO BIG WITHOUT THE BRACKETS!!! I had no idea they'd look like that! But I also noticed they already looked so much better than when I first went in. I can only imagine how they'll look at the end of treatment!

Anyway, here's an update pic of the bottoms that I took earlier this morning:









So, those are the In-Ovation braces! They're slightly smaller than traditional metal brackets and are "self-ligating", eliminating the use of ligatures. They also maintain their "moving power" throughout treatment, unlike traditional metal braces, whose moving power steadily declines, since the ligatures which transfer the pressure from the archwire to the brackets to the teeth steadily lose their effectiveness over time, hence why they must be changed every so often.

Well, that's about it for now! I can definitely feel the new pressure created by these In-Ovation braces. It almost feels like when I first got my braces in the first place -- a bit unpleasant, but I popped in a few Bayer, so I'm sure I'll be fine soon enough.

Alright, thanks for dropping by! I'll be updating as more changes occur! ^_^

[KJNELLAMORE]

Looking Great!

[MadeIn1984]

Ooooo, I'm really feeling the pressure this evening! lol

I'm having oatmeal for dinner!

[MadeIn1984]

I agree, linda21! I'm so glad my ortho gave me a choice and I think it was good one - I can already see small gaps opening up and space being created among my still-crowded bottoms!

Thanks for the compliment! I like my teeth, too!