Another braces story

[MarciLouWho]

Luchababe, I love, love, LURRRRVE your progress pics. Your teeth are looking soo good! I know that it seems like a lotta weeks, but I'm guessing that because your teeth are so well-behaved and moving into their proper spots, you need plenty of time for the redepositing of minerals to go on so your teefers will *stay* in their new spots. My first appointment after brace day was 6+ weeks and my next one will be nine weeks out, so I feel you on the impatience thing but wow - seriously you're looking so marvelous! I really love how you've put them all together in the progression format. Hang in there!

xoxo
M

[luchababe]

4 Months



Four whole mellon-farming months. I'm super happy with the results but now it takes a month to see any movement where it used to be every week. I'm waiting for my front bottom teeth to go down into my gums and even out. Especially one tooth where I can feel the bulge of the root of it against the front of my tongue. Blech. My wires seem to be still straightening out. I don't see much going on on the top. I think it's just the angle of today's photo but comparing it to last month it looks like my arch on the one side has shifted inward. Hm. Yeah, I think it's just the angle.

Yet more and MORE plaque is seeing the light of day as things move. I'd really like it cleaned but my dentist cleaning isn't until the first week of April. On March 28th, (5 month anniversary) I go in for xrays and repositioning. I hope they give me a good cleaning where they need to move things around. Not looking forward to the dentist no matter how much I want things scraped though. It's going to be a noisy and (what I'm scared of) painful job.

MarciLouWho Thanks for your comment! I do the photos for 2 reasons: It really, REALLY helped convince me to get the braces in the first place when I saw progress photos of other people. And I somehow managed to make these photos the same size as the screen on my camera so when I need a pickme up I can just take a pic and come here for a quick reference!

[Ellebraced]

WOW!!! Looking great as always, I can see that one lower tooth that has a little bit of moving to do and then they seem perfect.

Yes we do have very similar teeth, I like yours better and SOOOOO WHITE.

I am on a mac too and LOVE it, every time I have to help a friend or family with an annoying PC problem I try to convince them to get a mac too, I am trying to convert the world one computer at a time.

Take care, How many more months do you have, have they said you are ahead of schedule because your progress seemed so fast????

[luchababe]

I am on a mac too and LOVE it, every time I have to help a friend or family with an annoying PC problem I try to convince them to get a mac too, I am trying to convert the world one computer at a time.

Take care, How many more months do you have, have they said you are ahead of schedule because your progress seemed so fast????

I wouldn't know what to do with a PC! Never owned one.

I was told 6 months to straighten things plus longer to correct my jaw (elastics), 24 months is quoted on my contract. So anywheres in between!

[stepher7]

Wow, I loved reading through your posts! Your teeth are looking gorgeous! I'm getting the same Damon braces on Monday (eek!) and seeing how good they look on you is making me feel much better about the whole thing! I really hope that I see movement quickly like you did, my top is fairly well aligned, just a few spots that need to straighten out. My bottom has a lot of crowding going on and my bottom arch is pretty narrow right now, so hopefully that all gets sorted out soon. Keep the updates coming!

[luchababe]

5 Months



On my 5 month anniversary I had another adjustment appointment. It was for xrays and repositioning. I had the xray done, everything was just up at my chair to take off and put back on any brackets. The ortho took a look at my xray, then a look at my teeth and said we'll give it another 6 weeks for the bottom wire to do more work. I was hoping any moving of brackets they might do would make my bottom teeth move a little faster than they have in the past few months.

The Good
I got a heavier wire on the top teeth because they won't be moving anymore and nothing needs repositioning.

The Bad
Another 6 weeks before finding out if any brackets need moving, which delays getting elastics, which delays finishing everything. Bummer. My bottoms are moving soooooooo slooooooooooooooowly now, the light at the end of the tunnel seems a little further away than it did.

What I Miss
Being able to walk around as I floss. I have to stand in front of the mirror now so I can see where I'm threading things.

[drgnchsr36]

That's awesome that your top teeth are done!!!

Just need those pesky bottom ones to catch up!

.. I could never floss and walk.. I'm lame and need a mirror. I have a tendency to cut my gums otherwise.

[tashay1985]

wow your teeth are looking AMAZING. congrats you're almost there! I also just got my "heavier" wire put on top and mine will be off soon. not much longer hang in there! you'll have that hollywood smile in no time good luck at your next visit!

[drgnchsr36]

Just curious, does the heavier wire hurt more than the other wires? Or not such a big deal?

Thanks!

[luchababe]

Nope, didn't hurt a bit. The way I see it, the flimsier wires are to move the teeth. As your teeth move into position they tend to slow down (mine seem to have) so the heavier wire doesn't put as much pressure on them. So the straighter you teeth become, the heavier wire they use, the less they need to move teeth around, until you get to the finishing wire which doesn't move anything.

[drgnchsr36]

Wow.. in 5 mths, your top teeth are done almost. I wonder what the finishing wire does.. just act like a retainer until ??

I have a ways to go, but will probably bug my ortho about that when the time comes..

[luchababe]

Yeah, as far as I can tell, the finishing wire is super stiff and hold everything right where it should be so you're bones can get stronger around them. That's when I think the elastics come in, but it seems to be different for everyone.

He did tell me he could have my teeth straight in 6 months, so my teeth have until May 28th to prove he's right!

[drgnchsr36]

That would be awesome if they were done that quickly!!

I can only dream ... it's too early for me to tell quite yet.

[petal]

Your smile is gorgeous. You must be so thrilled with the results!! I am so happy for you!

[luchababe]

Went to dentist today for a proper scaling and polishing. It took about twice as long as usual but the hygienist was gentle and by her deft hand my teeth are super clean again. Those grey areas I was seeing? Stains. Those white spots? Plaque. Both gone. I've never seen such a difference before and after a cleaning before with my teeth. I was told I had some mild staining from my coffee and tea but it's surface staining and is cleaned off with each visit. She didn't floss me and I made a joke about having an extra 15 minutes if she wanted to try it.

For Canadians out there, you can claim braces, extra dental cleanings and anything you had to buy for your orthodontics on taxes, as long as it wasn't covered by your insurance. Good to know!

petal They're getting there. The novelty has worn off so now they're just there, you know? But thanks for the compliment!