Wheellug's journey at 40 in Damon metal braces - w/ pics

[Wheellug]

Just came back from the ortho and he is making some final tweaks on my lower braces and changed the powerchain on the uppers! I am scared to ask him how much longer but I did and he said another 2 months or so - YIKES ! Hopefully he is just saying that so when it comes off earlier than than I will be very happy about it. I only have a couple of gaps approx 1.5 millimetres in total on my top teeth. I am tempted to double up on the elastics but I probably shouldn't!

[Wheellug]

So I went for my weekly adjustments, powerchain change and he did and "IPR" on my lower teeth so it doesn't flare out as much. Unfortunately I have a cavity in between two of my teeth. I noticed it because of the gap that has formed. He says it is very small and won't take much to fix! I guess I haven't been flossing as well as I should have. I try but sometimes it is impossible. Of well I will cross my fingers that I don't have any more when I have my teeth X-rayed after the braces are taken off.

[Wheellug]

I cannot believe that it is 2 years tomorrow that I had my top braces on. I am not sure how much longer because the lovely gaps that I have are not closing very quickly even with weekly powerchain changes plus elastics. Has anyone had gaps closing very slowly? What did your ortho do to have them close faster?

[Wheellug]

So tomorrow my ortho who also does restorative work is going to make my lateral incisors a little bigger with bonding. We have been trying to get the gaps closed right beside them for a while and he suggested that we do some bonding because they are small compared to my central incisors. It would be better proportion if they were a little wider.

He said if I don't like it than it can be removed also if I want I can have veneers put on anytime in the future. Has anyone had any work done during their treatment? I hope that it helps to close the stubborn gaps. He indicated that all my teeth are in their right positions and it would nicer in the end.

Hope it hope it goes well.

[opera^gal]

I have the same small laterals plus gaps as you do. Right now, I have springs on my retainer to hold those gaps that were created while moving my arch forward, until I decide what is next. I'm also considering bonding over veneers at this point, so will be interested in your story after you get it done!

[Wheellug]

So after sitting in the chair for over 2 hours my lateral incisors are finished. I think that I will ask him to add to one of them a little tiny bit so square it out more but I am not sure (it is the one that had a chip in the tooth to begin with). So the gaps are almost closed and now all he has to do is move one of my front teeth down and even out the canines, not sure if I want them longer or even?

Does it look natural? He can change it in the future but I don't think that I want to go through it all again unless absolutely necessary.

;;;
vs.
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[opera^gal]

Looks good to me. What took 2 hrs? Would be great to hear the process you went through, for those of us considering something similar. Thanks!

[Wheellug]

I was at the office for 2 hours because I also had a very small filling. I have a bottom molar that is slightly rotated so some of the side is exposed and there was a black spot that wasn't soft like a cavity but because it is going to be between 2 teeth soon after it aligns it was suggested that I have it filled. So I had that done and the 2 teeth bonded which took around 30 minutes each plus I had to wait a little bit in between so. Plus I had to have the wires removed and put back on! It wasn't painful at all just a little long to keep your mouth open.

[Wheellug]

I have a debanding date of May 9th - YEAH!!! I will have the back braces taken off two weeks before keeping on the social 6, top & bottom and then they will make impressions. On the day of debanding I will have a cleaning and then have my retainer fitted!

I am sooooo excited.

[drgnchsr36]

Wow, congrats!! That's about the time I get my bottom braces on!

Anyways, let the countdown begin!

[wheellug2]

for some reason I wasn't able to logon using my original username so I have changed it to Wheellug2.

I just went to the ortho yesterday and I won't have the braces off until May 30. I have 2 very stubborn gaps that are not closing quickly enough and he wants them closed before they come off. I was sooooo dissappointed yesterday. Oh well only another week right?

[drgnchsr36]

Hmm, you should be able to reset your password or something with your original username?

Aww, that sucks. But, hopefully your teeth cooperate .. it is only a week.

[wheellug2]

I have my pictures of my teeth naked in - "The Naked Tooth" under the same heading. I am so pleased that I am done and it was well worth it.

[wheellug2]

I figured out a way to post them here.

[stepher7]

Your teeth look awesome! Congrats on being finished!!