Dani1983's not-so-cleverly titled braces story

[Dani1983]

Decided to post a before pic. I took side pics but I can't resize them for some reason. Can't wait until 3/31 I'm getting self-ligating ceramics with 2 miniscrews about 8 months into treatment. Major probs: Class I open bite possibly due to tongue thrusting, large front gap

I'm trying to "train" my tongue so that I don't undo the ortho treatment when it's all over but it's soooo hard to do. Any tips?

[LongInTheT]

Hi, Dani1983, and welcome to Archwired!

Congratulations on deciding to get braced. The time to end of month will soon pass...

It is a really good idea to take pics as you go along so you can track your progress. Once the braces are on you'll soon start to see changes. Yr teeth are already a really nice white. Do keep us updated with your progress and with pics.

Good luck with your brace day!

[brika]

Hi Dani!
It's fantastic that you're looking forward to your brace-date so much! I'm sure the 31st will get here in no time at all. Thanks for sharing a before-photo with us--the ceramics are gonna look so nice on you!

I'm not too familiar with tongue thrust myself, but I've seen a couple posts on these boards that discuss it!
--> Post: Does Tongue Thrusting Affect Treatment?
--> Post: Tongue spikes???
They might give you some ideas (if you haven't already read them, that is!). I'm sure you'll get more great advice from the other folks on here, too!

Best of luck to you! I look forward to seeing your progress!

[SharMarali]

Hi Dani. Congrats on your decision!

Is your orthodontist aware of your tongue-thrust issue? Most orthodontists don't like to begin treatment until tongue thrust is under control, because not only does it pose a risk of undoing all the treatment afterward, but it also can slow down progress during treatment. However, your ortho knows best. It could be that he or she is planning to give you some gear that will help break the habit while you're being treated, or there could be another reason why treatment is proceeding. But be sure the orthodontist knows about the tongue thrust. Braces are too expensive to take chances by not being completely candid with your doctor!

[Dani1983]

Sort of nervous about the discomfort but I'll deal. Does getting spacers automatically mean metal bands on your molars? If so, what are the metal bands used for?

[Dani1983]

Ok so I had the bottom banded and braced on 3/31. Top received all but bands on the same day. I went back on 4/24 for spacers on uppers to make room for bands and TPA. Prior to 4/24 it was smooth sailing. I had no pain, was very optimistic...yada yada. I went in today for my first wire change and to get the TPA in. I asked the otho how long the TPA would stay in and she said "for the rest of your treatment". I was like WTF!!! No one ever mentioned that this thing would be in for the next 18-20 months...I wanted to cry (I actually did when I got into the car).

So I'm supposed to go back in 4 weeks to get 2 miniscrews put into my jaw to help intrude my upper molars and align the top teeth to close the open bite. The TPA is beyond awkward. It rubs my tongue and everytime I put something into my mouth I feel like I'm choking. I'd seen pics of other people with TPAs and they had a line across their tongue from the pressure it applies to the device. Silly me to think that that would only happen after it'd been in for months. I've only had the darn thing for a few hours and I've ALREADY got an indentation in my tongue in the shape of the appliance. In short, I am REALLY rethinking fixing my bite. Maybe I should just have them align my teeth, close the gap and move on.

GRRRR....

[staceyr2]

You have made the first step, you can make it through this part too. I know I have cried many times after my ortho has put some new appliance in my mouth. You really do get used to it after a little while. My fiancee likes to say that I have had the Brooklyn Bridge in my mouth. For a while it seemed like everytime I went in for an appointment they were preparing for or putting another appliance in there, I wondered when they would run out of room to put stuff in. You just have to remember that after you survive these torture devices, as I like to call them, it will all be worth it in the end, you will have a beautiful, healthy smile that should last a lifetime. Now isn't a short time being tortured worth that? No worry, I still need to remind myself from time to time too. It can be a tough road, but deep down I really believe it's worth it.

[Dani1983]

Ok folks...tell me what you think. I've had the TPA for 2 weeks and I'm getting TADs (miniscrews) on 5/26 to help close the open bite.

Pre braces/day one:




and here I am at week six:

[lav1]

I really see a difference in just 6 weeks! Your open bite seems to have closed a visual amount! Is this just from widening? I am sure that the next few months will be amazing.

[Dani1983]

Thanks! Progress really helps take the blues away. The TPA is not being used to widen my arch (always had a big mouth hehe), it's just holding the molars in place while the other teeth move.
I've got many months to go but I hope to keep seeing good movement

[milliondollar]

hey dani!
have you gotten your TADs in? How is your progress?

[Dani1983]

TADs were put on hold by the new ortho (previous ortho moved to Texas). He decided he wanted more control over the last molars and banded all four. I'm now on schedule for TADs in "several" months. He says my traditional braces treatment is progressing terrifically but that getting the TADs in will be the real determining factor in my treatment. I was anxious to get them on b/c I'm really hoping for a much shorter treatment time than the 24months they initially told me.

How's your progress going?

[milliondollar]

My progress is going really well. My open bite has virtually closed with vertical elastics. The original plan called for TADs later down the line but I am not sure that I will need it. Here is a link to my updates: viewtopic.php?t=30617

I am happy with the closing of the open bite and hope that it stays closed. I don't know much about the long term stability after using just elastics. But at least now I can bite into things like lettuce and pizza!!

[alibracket]

I see a huge difference. Im sure by now its pretty close to being closed! I have a gap too, from sucking my thumb (and not listening to my mother when she said stop)

Do you miss your gap?

I wanted mine gone as long as i can remember and now thats its closing i feel a little sad. Like an old friend thats fading into the sunset.

[Dani1983]

***I tried and tried to resize but it wouldn't work for me, sorry**

Ali - I don't miss my gap at all. I didn't realize how much it had grown in the last few years. Every time I look at my before pics I'm amazed (I could almost put my pinky finger in there!).



I've decided against TADs because I've had such rockin' results with elastics. Here are some new pics after 4 weeks with elastics.






There's a tiny gap still - I wonder if they will have to shave the inside of the left front tooth because it seems like the gap won't fully close with that tooth as is.

There's also more closing to be done on the left side but it's moved a lot in these last 4 weeks. Hopefully I'll be ready for powerchains soon. The original estimate of 22-24 months was moved down to 16-18 (June/July 2010) with elastics but I'm hoping it'll be less than that.

Oh...and the TPA (the bar across the roof of my mouth) was removed when I got the elastics because it had somehow become embedded in the roof of my mouth (ouch). It's all healed up now but woo-wee