Livi's braces story....3rd adjustment

[Livi35]

I thought after browsing this great site for a few months that I may join and share my braces journey with you all.

Just a bit of background, I am 35 years old and have a class II division 2 maloclusion with an overbite and crowding in both of my arches. When I was a teenager my parents were advised by the family dentist that my teeth were not "bad enough" to warrant braces, and would just have to take more care with cleaning them!!! Therefore they were never done.

Fast forward to my early twenties and after a change of dentist (as we moved) I was advised that I needed braces, (partially because they had difficulty in cleaning them due to the crowding!!!) but due to the cost I was never able to go ahead with it. I have always hated my teeth and have been very self conscious of them and have always wanted to get them fixed.

So this year after much dithering I decided to bite the bullet and go to an orthodontist and see what he thought. When I saw him in Febuary I got told that I would need 4 extractions and it would take 24-36mths but it would make a huge difference. I did have some trepidations particularly regarding the extractions and the cost (I did wonder whether I was just being extravagent) and having to give up some of my favorite foods (nuts!!!)but unlike many of you wise people I never got a second opinion (having said that I felt very comfortable with that ortho, he explained things very well and his staff were friendly and supportive - and I later found out that he braced friends of the family who gave him the thumbs up) So, after further dithering, I thought that if I didn't do it now I would never do it. So here I am


I had my 4 extractions done over a month (wasn't the greatest thing but nothing like having wisdom teeth pulled) and after a trip to Melbourne (love those stocktake sales!!!!!) was finally braced on the 11th of July (after having my last feed of nuts). I have had both upper and lowers done, clear up the top and metal on the bottoms. The bracing itself was fine (I took some hints from here, loo stop before I went in and lots of lip balm! I think my ortho was more excited than I was as he has told me that this is really exciting for me as it will make a big difference! ). The pain didn't really hit until the 3rd day (when I forgot to take my pain relievers to work with me - silly girl) especially when I was so hungry after working in the evening (I do shift work) and soup just doesn't fill me, that I thought I might try to eat a quarter pounder - well I don't think I am going to forget that burger in a hurry it hurt like hell and my teeth hurt all the way home. That'll teach me.

Now the pain is much better, (I ate another quarter pounder yest. hardly hurt at all - YAY!). I still can't chew very well up the back as I can't close my jaw properly due to my overbite (I was warned about that) but am learning to eat again. Wax is my good friend, as the back right ones are constantly pinching my cheek when I close my mouth, and I have already discovered the joy of wires poking into my cheek (moved that back real quick - ouch!) and food stuck in braces (my teeth have never been this clean ever). Now I speak with a lisp, and just about everyone at work has noticed (they are all pretty well supportive, am amazed one told me about how she wants them (and her teeth are perfect in my eyes). I do know that this is all going to worth it in the end and these are nothing but little inconveniences that we all go through.

Ok I have tried to add some pictures lets see how they go
OverbiteMore overbite
Upper arch
Lower arch
Crooked eh!
Bday, sorry about the quality taken using a phone camera. 9 days since bday
Lower arch
Upper arch

[markybwoy]

Hi Livi35!

Welcome and thanks for sharing your experience with us. I have class II div I on one side and class I on the other side, so I totally recognise (half of) what you experiencing and the same crowding - yours looks less severe so chin-up! You're just one day behind me as well so looking forward to seeing your progress. I can imagine a great arch shape emerging from seeing your pics, I think you are going to be thrilled, eventually...

Don't forget your warm salty water rinses, this helps the toughening up and is generally soothing even after that. Also, daily flouride rinse to combat any possible demineralisation - rare but worth going through a few bottles for your peace of mind. And you gotta fringe upon obsessive about your hygiene routine, but it will be worth it, concentrate on your end day!

Cheers
Mark

[Livi35]

Hey Markybwoy,

Thanks for the welcome, it will be certainly interesting to compare our progress considering we have similar bite and crowding issues and we were braced at the same time.

So far this week no real issues, pain has settled heaps and am eating pretty well normally, I still have a slight lisp but that is all improving, but now am faced with a new issue that hopefully some of you may be able to help with.

I am a flautist, I have been playing the flute for the better part of 20yrs and whilst I am not a professional (only in my dreams!), I do find it very relaxing and enjoyable. I have taken a slight break in the last two years due to work related study and have now decided to get back into it somewhat, so imagine my disconcertion today when two weeks into my braces I decided to pick it up and have a practice.... no sound, none whatsoever, it was worse than all those years ago when I learnt for the first time. My embouchure has completely gone (we flautists need to make a sad face to play and I think because I can't bring my top lip over my top braces too well this is why this is happening), so after nearly an hour I have packed my beloved flute away completely in disgust with myself (can't play the drums have no rhythm ).

Was wondering if anyone else has been in the same boat and if so how did you manage and if anyone has any tips. Would be very grateful.

I know, practice, practice, practice........

[cwatt1]

Hi Livi!

Seems a LOT of us have similar issues. I also have a deep class II overbite and lots of crowding, and I was braced on July 12, one day after you! It will be interesting for us to compare notes as our treatment proceeds. I never thought much about braces as a child, and I don't think my folks could afford them anyway, but here I am at age 56, braced and proud of it!

I'm finding, as Markybwoy and others have stated, that salt water rinses -- even 4-5 a day if needed, help a lot with the discomfort and help in healing those pinched cheeks and lips.

Best of luck

[adrienne]

hey!!
i'm a flautist too and i am yet to get my braces but i'm getting them after my expansion .. i have a couple of friends who play the flute and they were able to get their embouchure with more and more practice!! i promise you that you will be able to play flute again!!
i'm 15 and i'm doing my grade 8 exam soon but that is after i get my braces .. obviously i'm pretty creeped out but just ask your teacher for tips because they obviously have experience in trying to teach people to play with braces (cause a lot of my friends have had braces too)

so playing braces with the flute is like speaking with an expander: where at first you think it's all screwed up but the more you practice the better

good luck with everything!!!!!!!

[Livi35]

Thanks Adrienne, Cwatt1, Linda21 and KK for your welcome and words of support, sure is appreciated.

Has now been just over 3wks since 'b'day', wow hasn't the time flown!!! Been interesting times, seems like everyday another tooth starts to hurt, just felt like I was able to eat normally again, and then whoosh, all my teeth decide to complain, and back to soft foods. Oh well, thems the breaks Mind you I have managed to cut the inside of my left cheek with the exposed wire that is on the lower jaw (the one that covers the gap where the extraction occurred- sorry, I am not doing a good job of explaining this). Not sure how I managed that, (think papercut in your mouth) but anyway, lots of salty water for me!

As for the movement stakes, I don't think that much has happened but I'm not overly worried about it as my ortho told me not to expect too much in the first month due to the cells being in a static state. Mind you having said that, I suspect that my canines may have moved just a wee bit as they don't seem to stick out as much (it may be just wishful thinking on my behalf) (am not going to post photos today, camera is having a little tantrum).

Adrienne. it is great to meet another flautist who is going through (or just about to) the same thing. I've been a bit slack with the practicing but I'm sure I'll be able to play again when I get used to my new embochure. Good luck with the grade 8 exam (it has been many, many, many years since I last did a music exam). Let us know how you go.

One thing I have noticed, everyone is still flossing in their braces, my ortho never said anything about flossing (mind you virtually impossible with those bottom front teeth, unfortunately the tight crowding doesn't show too well on the photos), maybe I will ask when I go for my first adjustment in just over a week (15th of August). Am determined to have no cavities when those braces come off.

Until next time (probably after the first adjustment, I am going on a little trip to South Australia for a week - YAY, HOLIDAYS)

[Laurie]

Flossing .... yes! You need to do your best to floss. KK has great advice too!

[Livi35]

Hi all,

wow, time certainly flies when you are on holidays. I got back from South Australia on Monday after an 11hr bus trip (normally fly or drive but this time thought I would catch the bus, not bad, but long and tiresome). Had a nice time, didn't do much sightseeing this time, I just spent the week catching up with my brother whom I don't often get to see when I go over as his job has him away heaps. KK, you are right when you say SA is a lovely part of OZ, I really like it over there, so much so that a move may be on the cards in the next few years (maybe).

It was also on my holidays that I finally noticed something new. I have a gap where there has never been a gap before. A GAP, wow!!! I got so excited that I messaged everyone and kept looking at it for ages (bit sad isn't it, but finally some movement). On further investigation of my teeth I noticed that my lower incisors seem to have straightened up a little to what they had been previously. Woo hoo, action

KK and Laurie, thanks for the advice re: flossing. I wasn't sure, as when I had my braces fitted I had a lesson on cleaning my teeth, but nothing was mentioned about flossing. So after reading your replies, I went and bought some superfloss, I used it a few times but found that it was really hurting my teeth when I threaded it (my teeth hurt even if I hit them slightly, eg. when cleaning). So, rather than give up, I thought I would try flossing tape, I found that whilst it still is a little painful (wuss that I am), and it isn't as easy to thread, it's not quite as bad so am using it instead. I figured that whilst it may not be ideal, it's better than not flossing at all.

I had my first adjustment today, well not really an adjustment, no wires where changed or anything. Just had a looksy and a lig change. My ortho didn't say much, just hello, how have they been etc. I was going to be brave and go for coloured ligs, but wimped out and went for what I had before. It was nice to have a lig change though, my uppers were looking slightly like green tea!. I didn't think lig changes would hurt much, but did they what. Of course after being quite good for the last few days, all my teeth thought it might be a good idea to start hurting again today. The dental nurse explained that they will settle down, it's just in the first few months they are moving heaps. I'm okay with it, I know it means movement etc, but I'm back on the painkillers tonight.

Anyway, only another five weeks until next adjustment!

I have attached some pics, and you can decide for yourselves about my movement.

GAP


UPPER ARCH


LOWER ARCH


LOWERS


UPPERS & LOWERS

[Laurie]

It's fine to use flossing tape.

[Livi35]

Hi all,

I have just spent a little time browsing this site and reading others stories and one thing that really struck me is how positive and supportive everyone is towards each other. It is really nice to see especially in this day and age, and especially for something that can be very difficult for an adult to go through. I must admit I came here many times before I decided to get braces and the information and support contributed to me finally taking the leap. So everyone, well done.

Not much has happened since my last post, my teeth have finally settled down heaps (I think my biggest problem was the pain, I was told it would hurt, and I expected it to hurt, but not quite as much), I am pretty well eating normally again (great weight loss tool braces are!! ), and have had more movement (I will post pictures after my next adjustment on 19th Sept), my lower incisors have straightened heaps (wow), and to see such movement is a great motivator. My only complaint that not being able to close my jaw properly due to the back braces hitting each other because of my bite, is a pain in the you know what; oh well.

KK and Laurie, I am flossing to my hearts content. I know it's only a small thing, but I have never been able to clean my teeth as well as would have liked (I was a little anal about my teeth even before I got braces) and being able to clean them properly was one of the reasons I did this in the first place, (apart from the crowding, impacted rear molars and bad bite!); flossing was difficult at the best of times. I have graduated from flossing tape and can now use the flossing thread with little difficulty. It sure is a great way to assess change.

And what's even better, I can finally play my flute

[cwatt1]

Great that things have settled down a little for you, Levi! Here's to continued smooth sailing!

And what terrific news that you're back to playing the flute again

[Livi35]

Wow, I can't believe it has been 10wks since my last post. I feel naughty for not posting more often, just have been very, very busy with work and I have bought a block of land and am starting the building process which has taken up a heap of my time.

I had my third adjustment only two days ago, lost the powerchains between the extraction spaces but got one across the front uppers instead. Also got a much thicker wire (it looks massive compared to the others, it is so black!!) and elastics. Don't think much of those elastics, I keep losing them. When I try put them back on after eating or cleaning, they just seem to grow wings and fly, and then hide And I keep forgetting to take them off before I eat, and wonder why I can't open my mouth properly! And they RUB heaps.

As for my teeth, the amount of movement since I began this process is amazing, my uppers are all pretty well aligned (at least compared to what they were when I first started & I still need to close the extraction gaps); my lowers, well that pesky little left lower lateral incisor that was slow to join the party has finally moved, and is in line with all the others. I did get a good demonstration of how quickly they could move a few hours after this adjustment. When I went to the ortho, I had two gaps between my upper fronts and my two eye teeth (about 2mm each - easy peazy for flossing ), and after the application of the powerchain, the new wire and elastics, by that evening they had closed and no more gap (but loads and loads of pain). That sort of blew me away a little, I didn't realise just how quickly they can move. I now know why the ortho's are so stringent with wearing the elastics and retainers as they say!

There is still obviously heaps and heaps of work to do yet. My bite is off, the upper jaw sits somewhat laterally compared to the lower jaw, and chewing is really difficult (have nearly choked on lettuce leaves on more than one occasion - that is NOT good ). I think that my bite is worse than when I first started, however, I'm thinking that this is probably not entirely to be unexpected (my ortho spent a lot of time looking at my bite on this appointment) and it will get fixed. I have also noted that my lower arch looks like it sits higher on the right side than it does on the left, but again I think that this is an issue that will get sorted over the next couple of years....

Until next time,

Cheers.