Basketball to face can lead to a brace "streamers story

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#1 Post by **toddPstreamer** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:53 pm

Well I have always had pretty good teeth. No problems with them growing in. Good teeth sort of just runs in my family. My grandma was only four teeth shy or her original teeth when she died at 87. So I never really had any dental problems. Only problem so far was the chip in my tooth sustained from when I slipped and fell into the crack in the sidewalk.
So I am getting married in a year or so. Met the girl of my dreams on Valentine's day this year. And started my journey to my version of "perfection." I started weight watchers in March of this year. And have lost 24 pounds so far. And I decided my next step in my journey would be to fix my teeth. With the "chip" in my tooth I hate taking pictures, and I hate my teeth.
I set up an appointment and was told that if I get a filling for the chip I would have to wait about 2 months before I could get braces. So I decided to get braces first then get the "chip" fixed. So on Friday I contacted an orthodontist in my area and set an appointment for Monday. I was really anxious and almost didn't go. Well after talking to my support network "my Mom" I went in. The lady at the front desk said I saw you pacing outside. "Didn't want to come in did you?"
So I got the x-rays and exam done and all went welll. He said I want you to get a cleaning before I start and want to do a week of spacing the bottom. He said I was a level 2 and would be 15 to 19 months. And he told me to go get a cleaning. So I made an appointment for yesterday afternoon for that. And that went well, awesome hygenist by the way, She said that everything looks well. And cleaned my teeth which was interesting never had happened before except by me when I brush.
So I go on Tuesday and get the top braces on and a cap on 2 of the bottom teeth don't ask me what teeth they are. And I am actually excited about going this time. I have spacers in right now 3 rubber and a metal one. The metal one was the hardest one to get in. And it took her 15 minutes to just that one spacer. Well I will post pictures later of the awesome blue spacers and will remember to not pick at these like I have been wanting to do.

#2 Post by **wallywest** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:26 pm

welcome to the club,
let me give you a heads up , things do get better, there are going to be phases where you are going be like what the hell am i doing , but in the long run you are going to know that you made the right decision

#3 Post by **brika** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:08 pm

Congrats on your weight loss and starting the braces process! It's great that you worked up the nerve to begin treatment...I know that a year and a half from now you'll be so happy you did!
Have your spacers been causing you a lot of pain? Those things were dreadful for me.

Best of luck to you!

#4 Post by **toddPstreamer** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:18 pm

Wally,
Thanks for the welcome. I know I am already excited for the final result.

Brika,
Yes my spacers have been causing my tremendous pain. I was actually late 2 hours for work today thanks to those retched things. I think I would much rather have a tooth extracted then wear these things again. But thank all that is Holy I don't have to do that. And I will be happy my "ortho" stated today that my prognosis is shooting for August 2010 which will be great for the wedding. And will allow me the time to lose the weight too. And thanks on the congrats for weight loss. It has been such a journey for me.

So now to posting some pictures. Last night I tried to take photos with a digital camera. And the photos were horrible. They were either too bright from the flash, or too blurry to see. So today my "fiancee" took some pictures with her camera phone and they turned better then expected.

These are the bottom teeth before braces.

These are the top teeth before braces. Yes it is upside down my nose don't grow on my chin.

One of the spacer pictures. Yes I couldn't get them all in my mouth was too sore to stretch that far I was finally able to take in a Subway sandwich.

And the other picture. A little better without the fingers.

So I got 3 rubber ones and a metal one. I "shake my fists" at the man that invented the metal ones. I hope people who are paying for their ortho work realize those metal ones are stupid staples from the receptionists desk.

#5 Post by **pinkpixie1588** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:56 am

you may have already mentioned this, but i read your post quickly: when do you get the braces on?

also, for the pics, i read someone give the tip to use the "macro" setting on the camera and it worked like a charm. it's a setting designed especially for taking shots close up, usually it's under your options somewhere and it's a little flower symbol. it focuses in really well even with flash. try to search for that setting in your camera; i think most standard digitals have it.

if losing weight is what you're going for, braces is the way to go ! lol. i've always had a hard time keeping weight ON so for me it's been a real struggle because even when it doesn't hurt THAT badly to eat, i know that right after eating i'll have to go do the whole shpeel with the brushing and interproximal...blah blah blah. it's like punishment for eating! haha..i'm sure i'll get used to it, but just saying, if i were trying to lose weight, this would be good motivation.

#6 Post by **toddPstreamer** » Thu May 07, 2009 12:16 pm

I get the top braces put in on Tuesday and the bottom ones in a couple weeks. He said because I am a masher with my teeth. I don't grind them but when I sleep I bite down on them really tight that he wanted to band the bottom row so I won't bite them off. But with my teeth I don't see how I could do that. I guess they come close enough that the top teeth would knock of the brackets without the "cap thingy." I am a Texan and anything we don't know the word for we call it a "thingy." My sister-in-law's dad is a professional photographer and even he couldn't take any photos. I think it is because I couldn't open my mouth wide enough. I don't know though. But I will try the macro setting. We tried black and white and the pictures came out black. And losing weight is kinda what I am going for but I didn't really want to lose weight as a result of the braces. I got spacers put on on Monday and was finally able to eat a foot long Subway sandwich last night. Even though it tore up my stomach.

#7 Post by **classII** » Sat May 09, 2009 5:28 am

With or without flash (flash is okay), stand at the bathroom mirror, (or any mirror), hold the camera at arms length away from your mouth, lens pointed at you, and view the screen on the back of the camera in the bathroom mirror to make adjustments.

#8 Post by **toddPstreamer** » Sun May 17, 2009 11:18 pm

Well I got the top braces on on Tuesday, and I can tell you that spacers were more painful. But atleast I could eat. I have lost ten pounds since I got braces and it isn't that much fun. Especially since with my diet I am suppose to eat my calories for the day. But I am managing I actually have been doing good the last few days. I was laughed at while eating a sandwich with a fork and knife. But I managed to go to work the next day which I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do. I am actually liking them now. At first the bottom caps were cutting the crap out of my tongue and I went through 3 boxes of wax by Sunday. But I am actually wax free right now! And have been since about 3 this afternoon. We will see how I do tonight.
I do however have a real personal message and was wondering if someone could help me. I had some speeding tickets that I didn't pay for and still can't pay for them. So I have a 2 week vacation coming up and was going to go to "the bad place with bars" to sit it out. And am wondering if anyone with braces has been in that situation while in braces. I should only be in there for like a week. And have never been there before. I know that is an odd question but I searched for answers through out the board and couldn't find any.
So without further ado. Here are the photos.

I couldn't get that close of shots so this will have to do.

I get the bottom ones in on July 16th!