Jade's Story - braces round 2

[sjs8906]

My bite has become more and more one-sided . Very frustrating. My jaw feels very uncomfortable and I've started getting frequent headaches in which the pain starts around my jaw & moves up. I assume this is from the weird bite I've got going on right now.

I go back to the ortho next week so hopefully he will do some adjusting to even things out!

[rhomboid]

I can see a difference, progress between the two photos. My youngest kid had an expander just like yours, however he was thirteen years old. He had the dreaded thing for the better part of a year; one day sometime during, he woke up one morning and had a gap between his front centrals where there had been none before. No question they are effective, but lord all of this stuff is so slow.

[sjs8906]

Thanks for your input, rhomboid! I agree, the process just seems SO SLOW! I’m nearly halfway through my time with the expander (I hope!) and I have hated every second. Hopefully it will be worth it in the end though .

[sjs8906]

I went in for an appointment today. The spring that the power thread was tied over had completely compressed (moved all it could) so they took off both the spring and the power thread. Put on a powerchain by itself in that spot, and also put powerchains over the three remaining springs.

Since my last appointment my open bite has gone from 12.1 mm to 10.5. So it's moving in the right direction! I'm pleased.

[Clo]

Since my last appointment my open bite has gone from 12.1 mm to 10.5.

WOW !!

[sjs8906]

Since my last appointment my open bite has gone from 12.1 mm to 10.5.

WOW !!

[sjs8906]

Went in for another appointment and my bite is now at 9.8 mm. More progress!

One of the springs had been putting a crazy amount of pressure on my gum and was cutting into the gum tissue, thus making the area around the TAD very swollen. I was worried that it would get infected, but luckily it did not. My ortho took off all the springs except one (the one that wasn't bothering me) and just put new powerchains on. That was a relief, it feels much better now.

To make sure the TADs weren't getting loose he took a little screwdriver? and tightened them. That felt very weird and a little painful on the side that was swollen. But they were still in tight, no problems.

This portion of my journey is nearing its end, only 2-3 more months hopefully!

[sjs8906]

The swelling around the TAD is almost completely gone now, which I'm pretty happy about. There's no pain at all now.

I'm getting quite anxious for all the stuff in my mouth to be taken out. I'm especially sick of the expander. Ugh. Since I'm not turning it anymore, the fact that it's just sitting in my mouth taking up space makes me hate it even more. I'm fairly sure that when the braces go on the expander will be taken out...if I'm wrong I'll be pretty devastated .

I graduated from college this past weekend and have some job interviews coming up. The thought of trying to sound eloquent and professional with the speech impediment that's still lingering from the expander makes me nauseous .

[gotbracesat49mom]

Hi Jade,

Haven't been on in a while, but finally got a chance to look at your story again. Sounds like you've experienced some difficulties, but also some improvement!!! Very cool!!!! I'm due to get my TAD's (finally) after the 1st of the year, hopefully my dental insurance will cover most of it since they don't cover any of my braces (ugh). I'm excited/nervous, having them done at the oral surgeon's since my ortho doesn't do them in the location I need them. Anyway, do you have 4 TAD's? Did it hurt getting them put in, and did they put you to sleep or give you pain medication? Just curious....
Anyway, I'm happy for you that you are getting results with your bite, (from 12 to 10 cm, WOW)!!!! Thanks for all your posts, I've enjoyed reading them and hearing about your progress. Take care

[sjs8906]

I HAVE A BRACE DATE! March 2nd. I’m so happy!

I had an appointment today and my bite is now measuring 8.8 mm. Started at 12.5, last appointment was 9.8, today 8.8. Seven weeks from now (next appointment) the number should be smaller still.

At first I’ll wear the braces with the expander, bite plate, etc. then at the NEXT appointment the expander and everything will come out. That will be a wonderful day.

I’ve decided to switch to ceramic brackets on top. It’s not going to cost that much extra and I think I’ll feel more comfortable with clear.

Anyway, do you have 4 TAD's? Did it hurt getting them put in, and did they put you to sleep or give you pain medication? Just curious....

Good to hear from you! Have you gotten your TADs yet? Sorry it’s taken me a while to reply, I haven’t been on in a while!

I only have 2 TADs, and having them put in wasn’t bad at all! They didn’t have to put me to sleep – all my ortho did was rub on a topical anesthetic and give an air blast of Lidocaine at the spot of insertion. Then he just screwed in the TADs, and I didn’t feel a thing! I was very nervous, especially when he made the comment “it’s just like putting a screw into drywall!”

However, my worrying really was for nothing! There was no pain, only a bit of pressure.

[sjs8906]

I finally took an updated picture of my bite.

2010-07-22 02.jpg

2011-01-13 02.30.23.jpg

[MarciLouWho]

Wow. Your teeth are gorgeous! When all is said and done, you're going to have one beautiful smile.

I simply cannot imagine someone coming at me with a screwdriver! Amazing progress, amazing story. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[sjs8906]

Wow. Your teeth are gorgeous! When all is said and done, you're going to have one beautiful smile.

I simply cannot imagine someone coming at me with a screwdriver! Amazing progress, amazing story. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Thank you so much! You're so kind!

I know, the thought of the screws/screwdriver was pretty scary to me at first too! It's a much better feeling when it's over

[sjs8906]

Just a simple powerchain on the TADs now...all the springs are gone! Feels much less bulky without the springs (and the powerchains don't cut into my gum )!

[jensceana73]

You have very nice looking teeth!! But....that contraption in your mouth....looks like it hurts.

The things we do for healthy teeth!!