Shane's Journey

Message

#1 Post by **VisualForces** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:26 pm

Man...why oh why did I refuse to get braces when I was a kid!!!! My mom should have knocked me out, threw me in the car, and took me to the ortho...but nooooooo. Kids...

So what happened over those years? Well, 6 wisdom teeth grew in and forced some major crowding. At the age of 25 I decided I had enough. I visited an ortho that was recommended by a friend and they did all the typical consultation work. They made a ceramic mold of my teeth and then made another mold of what my teeth would look like in the end. I was blown away!!! That was definitely the selling point for me. If I hadn't seen that I might not have decided to do this. But I did...and then the work began....

I had 6 wisdom teeth and 1 permanent tooth on the bottom row removed. I don't know about anyone else, but I was awake for the whole thing. I guess I got unleaded instead of premium gas.

After that mess, I got spacers. Talk about craving a toothpick. They didn't hurt, but dang they bugged me!

At first, I only got my bottom row banded (April of 2004) in order to shrink the arch to fix an underbite. It wasn't until August that I got the uppers on. ouch. Good thing I saved some hydrocodone from the wisdom teeth extraction!! hahaha I opted for metal/metal as they said I wouldn't have to wear them as long as ceramics. They estimated 24 months for these babies to do their thing. You know, as much as these cost, they should at least tune in XM radio or something.

FOOOOOD....man did I start missing my foods. I'm a meat eater and meat was just no fun those first couple weeks. Even after adjustments now I have to lay off anything chewy or hard for a week or so. I dropped about 10 lbs during that first month of braces!!! ugh!

I just had an adjustment today and am SO happy that every bracket is attached to the wire now!!!! I had 1 or 2 teeth before this that would just get "partially" attached as they were so far off. Now those suckers are ON. And boy do they hurt. haha My teeth have moved a ton since the beginning and I can't wait to see the final results!!!

#2 Post by **VisualForces** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:19 pm

Well, I finally decided to take a pic...after 5 months of having these things on. I probably should have taken pics each month, but oh well. As you can see in the top pic, my outside-front teeth were turned away pretty hard. The one on the right was way higher than the rest. You can't tell in the pic, but my front 2 teeth weren't the same length. The one on the left was lower than the other. I also had an underbite.

Now...after 5 months, most of the teeth are the same length and those 2 outside teeth have turned! The one on the right has dropped down into place dramatically. Most of all, I now have a slight overbite! All of that without headgear...whew. There is still a lot of work to be done, but everything is "moving" along...ha

Also, here's a pic of me before braces with my old smile...man I'm glad that thing is gone. haha!

-Shane

#3 Post by **bbbsq11** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:44 pm

Your teeth are looking great! You're a pretty cute guy!

#4 Post by **VisualForces** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:57 pm

bbbsq11 wrote:Your teeth are looking great! You're a pretty cute guy!

Thanks! haha Being single makes that sound even better!

#5 Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:34 am

Yes, Visual Forces you smile is looking good. You have got to be thrilled with the amount of change. thanks for posting pictures.

Website · #6 Post by **jeangenie** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:04 am

I agree with bbbsq11, and with your new smile, you will only be Better!

#7 Post by **josephine** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:23 am

Wow! Dramatic results so far. Very inspiring!

#8 Post by **kelly12300** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:02 am

I agree with bbbsq11, and with your new smile, you will only be Better!

I agree

Good luck with the rest of your treatment

#9 Post by **VisualForces** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:47 pm

Thanks ladies!

#10 Post by **VisualForces** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:18 pm

I went in for another adjustment today. I am now powerband free!!! woohoo! Today is the 1 year anniversary of getting these bad boys on. I was originally told I would wear them for 24 months...so I asked the dreaded question...."Am I still on track to get them off by next April"

He looked at my files...checked out my progress....and said, "You'll be done in 4-6 months!" WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll have them off before the holidays come back around! So stoked

#11 Post by **Chris** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:56 pm

Wow, thats some rapid progress! Congratulations!

#12 Post by **TessaLeoni** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:20 am

Well, that sounds great!

I hope I'll hear the same from my ortho in some months!

Good luck,
Tess

#13 Post by **VisualForces** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:03 am

Went in for another adjustment yesterday and they said I'm in my last wires! YEAH! If everything looks ok at my next visit (aug 4) then they're going to fit me for a retainer! They had originally told me at LEAST 2 years (April of last year) so having these things off in a little over a year will rock!

Peanuts here I come!

#14 Post by **strugglebuggy** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:14 am

Congats on your rapid treatment! I'm 4 1/2 months into a 2 1/2 year sentence, and I've been a good girl, doing everything the ortho has told me to do- not eat certain foods, wear my elastics 24/7. I'm hoping I'll be released early on good behavior....LOL.

Congrats again! That's awesome.

#15 Post by **VisualForces** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:44 pm

Wow...been a while since I've been back here. Where do I begin?!?!

Well...I got my braces off!!! WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I am so glad I decided to get them.

I've gotten engaged! www.crystalandshane.com (Yes, I met her and fell in love while I was in braces at the age of 26 [now 27]. Crazy huh?)

I got a new job!

I'll be graduating in September!

Getting married in November!

Whew...what a year...

I can honestly say that braces made a difference in my life...for the better. For anyone thinking of getting them, I say DO IT!