Foxsong's story: Let's start at the start...

[Foxsong]

I've been so encouraged by all the nice people I've found here that I'm going to go ahead and post photos and try to keep you up on how I'm doing!

I obviously should have had braces when I was a kid, but it wasn't a priority for my mom. I was terrified of dental work, too -- I had bad reactions to novocaine; they couldn't give me enough to numb my teeth without me passing out. There were enough times that they drilled into a live tooth that I was pretty hysterical at the mere thought of going to the dentist, so that probably made it easier for my mom to ignore my wildly crooked teeth.

Fast forward to 50 years of age. Dental anesthetics have improved, or something has changed with age so that I can tolerate them well now. I was introduced to Dr. S, a wonderful general and cosmetic dentist who said he knew an orthodontist who could change my life. And so... I have embarked on the journey.

This is the 'before' picture. I should have grimaced to show you all of my teeth, but I was so in the habit of trying not to let anyone see them!

That's an ugly old crown on the right incisor. The left incisor and lateral were 30-year-old root canals that were disintegrating.

Here is what my regular dentist could do for me pre-braces.

That's a better temporary crown on the right incisor, and Dr S's associate Dr. G put new posts into the two old root canals, and then Dr. S repaired them and brightened them up with bonding.

And here is the first braces picture after Dr. Z started with me!

Dr. S. put a pretty permanent crown on my right incisor, which is part of why the top braces aren't done yet...

And this is the second reason:

Dr. H (I have met a lot of dentists lately!) extracted the right lateral to make room for the canine to come down. Dr. S is going to disguise it as a lateral after we're all done.

I am so impatient now because I have to wait another week for the upper braces to be wired up so that the extraction site has time to heal. I can hardly wait to see my teeth start moving!!!

Thanks so much for reading my little tale. I'd love to hear from anyone who had teeth like mine and about what your experiences have been like!

[Crazy4Snow]

Congratulations on getting braced and a double congrats for overcoming your fear of the dentist!

I bet you are gonna have a beautiful smile when you are finished! I've seen a lot of people with incisors just like yours and they come right down and settle into their new home and look like they've always been there.

I'm only 10 days in myself so I know what you're going through...I just want to fast forward to 2 years!

[Foxsong]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I love this board. It makes such a difference to be able to talk to other people who are doing this too!

[diegorgeous]

congrats on having your braces..i can't wait to see your progress, you'll be amazed at the changes that will happen

[rwashington007]

Congrats on your decision to come into the light

Your smile is going to be GREAT and you will see that is is the best decision you ever made.

[revelvia]

How long are you expected to have them for? I think they're going to look great when you're finished

[Foxsong]

They're saying at least a year and a half, probably closer to two. Which doesn't surprise me, considering how far around my mouth my teeth are scattered around.

I got the all-clear from the oral surgeon after the extraction -- the upper braces can get wired up on Monday morning!

[Foxsong]

Full Metal Jacket, as my husband said!








My ortho had to put individual little wires up from the archwire to reach the canines because they're so far up there.

I'm so psyched to have everything on, even though now I understand what some of you folks were saying about numb teeth!

[threescompany]

You are going to have a fantastic smile when you are all done! Good for you for doing this for yourself. It's strangely exciting, isn't it?

Your brackets are really interesting to me. I haven't seen that type yet.

[HeyBuckey!]

Helllllooooo Foxsong!

Your teeth are going to be AMAZING! Give it about 2-3 weeks and I bet you'll barely recognize yourself. Your dentists have done wonderful work on your teeth so far too!

[Foxsong]

Your brackets are really interesting to me. I haven't seen that type yet.

I don't know what they're called -- I'll have to try to remember to ask -- but aren't they cute little things? They snap open and shut, so my ortho doesn't have to thread the wire through them; he just lays it in there and snaps the bracket shut around it. He says they make the wires really easy to change.

Give it about 2-3 weeks and I bet you'll barely recognize yourself. Your dentists have done wonderful work on your teeth so far too!

Will I really see that much in two or three weeks??? Wow, that would be amaaaazing!!! I hope you're right!

[5kYL1n3]

Congrats on starting your journey! Your brackets sound like In-ovation C's with the snapping open and shut, but I'm no orthodontist. I just happen to have In-Ovation C's too and I felt that opening and shutting feeling today at my adjustment. Keep it up with the pictures, I'm interested in seeing your progress as well!

[Foxsong]

Thanks, 5kYL1n3!

And if anybody has a suggestion on how long is a good interval to take pics, I'm all ears. I know to take pics after every adjustment, but my first one will be in six weeks. Maybe I should do it more often and just post if I see anything interesting?

[jensceana73]

HI

So I just got done reading through your story. First off....congratulations!!!!!! This will...be the best thing you have done for yourself in a very long time. Maybe even EVER!!! I had really crooked teeth before I started my journey. I would ALWAYS try to hide my smile as much as I could....and from the second I got my braces on....all I have done...is smile. I figure, hey...my teeth are (or they were) still crooked....but I've got braces on now, and people can SEE... that I am now trying to get things all fixed and straighted out. I love it and them. Best thing I have ever given to myself. EVER.

Your going to have time's when it sucks. You can't eat what you want to. Your too tired to floss, but must. Sore mouth. Sore tongue. Sore cheeks. Sore teeth. But absolutely nothing....NOTHING, will be as wonderful as that first time you compare your before.....and after pics and go....HOLY...FA-REEK-IN....SHI-T!!!!!!!!!!!! That my dear, is a wonderful, priceless, feeling!!!!

Take pictures often. They speak a thousand words. You'll think your teeth haven't moved a bit, and then, you'll look at pictures and compare and poof......there's been change!!!!! In the beginning, I took them about every week to 10 days. It really does help to see the changes.

Good luck to you. I really am excited to see and hear about your changes!!!

[catgyrl]

Thanks, 5kYL1n3!

And if anybody has a suggestion on how long is a good interval to take pics, I'm all ears. I know to take pics after every adjustment, but my first one will be in six weeks. Maybe I should do it more often and just post if I see anything interesting?

Hello!

I usually take pics once a month after each adjustment. This month I took them twice: once on my one-year braceversary (April 9th) and the next one after my adjustment (April 21st), because that's when they change my ligs out, so my teeth look nice and clean! haha I think after every adjustment would be fine. Of course... if you see anything outstanding, TAKE A PIC! I've done that when I finally got a gap between my two front teeth, and I was so excited to post the pic. Well... the gap closed up a couple days later. Same with my midline - took a pic when it was finally lined up... and then it moved.

I cannot wait to see how quickly your teeth/wires straighten out. You will be amazed. I saw my first results at about the 3-week mark with my lower teeth (which I never had a problem with... until I saw the dreaded orthodontic photos. Yikes! )

-Cathy