cat meow's story, now with pictures

[cat meow]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a little while but I've decided to finally introduce myself. I'm a 26 year old lass from Australia who has decided to take the plunge and get braces. I was told when I was younger that I didn't need to have braces but as I've gotten older my not so perfect smile has bothered me more so I decided to finally do something about it.

The main things that bothered me about my teeth is my top left lateral sticks out and my 2 front top teeth and top right lateral all bite in slightly (rather then stick out). I also have a bit of an overbite, but that's never bothered me.

So after seeing 2 different Orthos, I decided to go ahead! I was a bit disappointed that I need to have bottom braces as they are all straight but I understand that it's required to correct my bite, especially when the top teeth are where they should be.

I'm soooo glad I went overseas for a few weeks before getting the seperators and braces on as I was able to ate everything and anything I wanted It was a bit of a pre brace binge!

I had 8 separators put on November 3rd, which wasn't too bad except that four fell out over the first couple of days so I had to go back in twice to have them reinserted (well...I accidentally swallowed 2 on the first day without noticing ). When they were all in properly I got a bit sore but it wasn't too bad, if anything it was more annoying.

I got braced yesterday November 10th! Yay! I was a bit nervous and apprehensive, but just kept thinking about the long term and how great it will be! I only got the tops done to start with, ceramics on the front 6 with clear o rings. I also have bands put on the bottom molars.

Its been well over 24 hours now and I'm not what I would call sore yet (but I am waiting!). I only have 1 mouth ulcer at the back of one cheek that isn't sore. I haven't had to use wax yet either (again yet is probably the key term!). I've been eating pretty slowly cause it takes forever to chew everything.

I've been to work and everyone has been really lovely!

This is only the start of a journey, I will need to have the bottom braces put in after a few months, as well as extractions (2 impacted wisdom, 2 top bicuspids and possibly the two top wisdoms ). I'm more anxious about the extractions then the braces.

Thanks for reading my story and I look forward to meeting you all and also seeing the progress

[deville]

Congratulations and happy brace day!

[cat meow]

Hey there, thanks for the replies
It's so nice having somewhere to chat with people who have an understanding of what you're going through

Well I've had almost my first week in braces, and it hasn't been too bad at all!

I surprisingly haven't had any pain and that one mouth ulcer that i did have healed up very quickly and didn't cause any discomfort at all. I haven't need to use any wax yet either In a funny way, I kind of wish I had some discomfort as I would know that some movement is happening. I'm sure this will come though

They feel also quite comfortable in there now too and not as full. Initially I felt like I couldn't close my mouth properly.

Eating hasn't been too bad either! Just biting into things is difficult and I've been good at avoiding things on the "banned list". I am a bit of a foodie (I've traveled to India and Vietnam doing food tours) and the most challenging thing for me with these ceramics are avoiding stains!!! I am quite partial to curry, red wine and a bit of coffee, and it's that aspect of food I'm missing!!!

I went out to a restaurant for the first time last night, a yummy gourmet wood fired pizza place. I managed to eat everything, just by cutting things up and not eating the crusts. I have a very supportive boyfriend and friends who kindly let me know when there was a bit of mushroom stuck in my teeth I had taken my toothbrush with me, but what I do wish I had more was a toothpick and floss, cause there was one impossible bit to get out! I will now add them to my little kit.

Thanks again for stopping by, i will have to post some photos soon

[cat meow]

oops double post

[lionfish]

Hi cat meow, seems like you're doing well one week in.

Lack of discomfort doesn't mean that things aren't happening for you, so not to worry on this score.

Re staining foods: turmeric is a killer as far as turning ligs from clear to lime green, so if you eliminate that from your curries, you'll do a lot better.

Other than that, I can recommend either silver or lilac ligs as being stain resistant as well as fairly discreet. That way you can continue to enjoy all the yummy Indian and Vietnamese food.

[jpiper001]

congrats! glad to hear you arent in much pain! mine still ache! i think my teeth and gums are just sensitive and i just need to get use to it...the spacers killed me and the initial brackets tore my entire mouth apart! ouch! curry turned my light blue ligs to a very strange looking light green, so i would avoid light blue if you are partial to curry. coffee and smoking turned my hot pink ones a lighter pink. my red ones stayed pretty, so i have just decided that if i am going to be super-dork railroad track metal mouth, i'm just gonna go for it and have fun with the colors. at least they wont end up silly green from one curry meal

[cat meow]

Thanks for the tips guys! Yeah someone warned me about about turmeric and also I believe saffron is supposed to be pretty bad too staining wise I've been having a look at other threads and I read that thai green curry is ok so I was happy about that. I think I may do some experimentation with foods just before my first adjustment and see how things go.

My ortho is great and said that is this does become an issue, she could also tie them up instead. I've seen some pics with silver ligs and I like the look of those too.

[cat meow]

Ok I'm going to post some pictures finally.

This is my pre brace teeth. Front on it's not too bad. I'm spewing I didn't take a side on view as that's when that little tooth sticking out, and the others pointing inwards become more noticeable.


My brace face


Now you can see the little tooth better. You may also notice that the top front teeth need to move forward to make a nice arch.


and the bottoms


Btw, I had some thai green curry last night and it was fine, no staining!! I was sipping water very frequently

[RainAndTangerines]

Hi Cat Meow!!! Congrats on the braces!!! Wooo!!!

I had a similar problem as you in that my front top teeth intruded a bit, but now my top arch is completely arch-y (if that's even a word), and soon you're teeth will be too. Good luck on you're progress.