Catgyrl's (Cathy's) Journey at age 42...

[bridget51992]

Thank you for the supportive words, Cathy! I'm feeling a lot better about starting the braces now, especially after my mom (who's in another state, so I'm pretty much doing this on my own, which is strange for me) talked to my orthodontist on the phone and asked him so many questions! Now I feel like I know more about what has to happen - I tend to stress out a lot, so this was good for me, haha! Out of curiosity, how long did it take your gaps to close? You're teeth really look great after the year!

[catgyrl]

Bridget

My extraction gap isn't quite closed yet, and neither is the one between the lateral and canine I think I have a couple more millimeters to go for each of those. But you'd have to look really close to notice.

I'm glad you were able to get some of your questions answered! Don't worry...everything will be just fine.

Cathy

[mikesmile]

Hey Cathy

...just when you thought the elastics were over! haha! It's so funny you pointed out the similarities in our elastic wear. You now have a very similar v-shape configuration that I had as well! I found that it made me lisp and other people would even comment about it. Are you lisping at all?

RE: Full Lips! They look awesome. Who knew that braces could do that for you?

Mike



Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months - Treatment Only 1 Month Beyond Estimate

[catgyrl]

Mike

Am I lisping? Dude... When am I NOT lisping? And it's definitely worse now with the new elastics because I can't fully open my mouth to speak very clearly. I was concerned about the bands rubbing and causing irritation, but it's actually this damn HOOK on the left side (the one in the pic above). Less than 24 hours in, and it has already rubbed the inside of my mouth RAW! I'm talking bleeding, skin peeling off, burning RAW. Strangely, it was only after I took the elastics out to eat that I noticed it. Probably because I can't really open or move my mouth too much. I think I'll try to learn how to eat with them in.

I'm also having problems putting the elastic onto the lower right hook because it's almost flush against my gum. It is SOOOO tiny! However, on a good note... I see that they're already working, as I can see the left teeth starting to come down. YAY!

Cathy

[fangsbegone]

Cathy, you're teeth look absolutely AMAZING. I don't even have mine on yet and just looking at your pics is making me want them even more ! Well done so far. Is it really all that bad compared to what some people make it out to be ?

[catgyrl]

Cathy, you're teeth look absolutely AMAZING. I don't even have mine on yet and just looking at your pics is making me want them even more ! Well done so far. Is it really all that bad compared to what some people make it out to be ?

Thank you very much! I don't think it's bad, at all. Yes, you will have your days where things hurt a bit more than others, like what I've been experiencing for the past 2 days with the elastics hook, but now it doesn't hurt a bit; I can open my mouth a lot wider now and there's no more pain. I can even put them in without looking now!! All of these things just take getting used to. It's the best thing I ever did, and I would recommend it to anyone considering braces.

Good luck to you!!

Cathy

[Roboto]

Woo hoo! Everything looks fantastic.. I'm down to less than one week brace-less now and I'm getting more and more excited/apprehensive.. your pics really help!

Thanks!

-Kaleigh

[jensceana73]

Hey girl,

I just had to post a quick comment on what you noticed about you lips being "fuller". I too, have noticed that my lips don't only look "fuller", I have actually had people ask me if....if....I've had injectables!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe that??!!! If I was gonna get injectables...it sure wouldn't be in my lips...

Anyway, I wonder why it is, our lips are bigger? I never thought in a million years that my lips would change due to braces. But, I also have more teeth showing when I smile, so maybe that has something to do with it. Hey.....I'll take it. At least it's a positive!!!

[catgyrl]

Okay, I'm almost one week in with my new triangle elastics, and I must say... they are a pain in the A$$!!

(1) My speech is almost unintelligible;
(2) I have what I think is going to be a permanent ulcer on the inside of my bottom lip thanks to my new "apparatus" (hook);
(3) I've had at least one snap every day for the past week, for no particular reason (both snapped whilst eating popcorn at the movies over the weekend, and I had to replace them IN THE DARK with NO MIRROR!); and
(4) It's almost impossible to put them in without (a) two hands, and (b) a mirror. And even then, it takes a couple of tries.

I know this is a relatively simple configuration compared to some others I've seen, so I shouldn't complain... but I surely hope he doesn't give me anything more complicated, as I'm not very coordinated. The assistant did mention that at some point I may get a "zigzag" configuration, and that one I know is prescribed towards the end of treatment to keep your bite in place. I've seen a pic of it... not pretty. Kinda scary, actually... It looks like your entire mouth is wired shut. Thankfully, I've heard you only have those for about a week or so. (How much weight can I lose in a week?)

On a positive note: I do see the teeth being brought down, but they are still slanted. I think he's given up on the gaps for the time being, and will probably slap on a chain or something at the last minute to close them up.

-Cathy

P.S. YES, I ATE POPCORN AT THE MOVIES!!!

[bridget51992]

Cathy I'm really sorry to hear about how much trouble the elastics are giving you Is it getting any better?
I hope you get to have them taken off soon! In the meantime, no more popcorn! You've been really positive throughout your whole journey with braces, and your teeth are looking wonderful! I know you'll be happy to get those elastics taken off, but at least you know they'll really get your teeth moving! You can do this! : D

I think I saw the same photo you were talking about of the zigzag elastic configuration - scary!!

[catgyrl]

Hi bridget!

Things are going about the same. The hooks aren't rubbing quite as much, but all of a sudden, today my upper left canine is hurting again. Hoping that means something's moving... I don't really see any difference in the leveling on that side - it's still way high.

But I'm still trying to stay positive. I stumbled upon a video of Carrie Underwood, circa age 14, singing in some talent show, and lo and behold, she opened her mouth to belt out a note, and what did I see? SILVER, GAPS, AND ELASTICS!! I mean... her braces were positively SHINING, and she hadn't a care in the world. She was a beautiful girl, anyway, but it reinforced my feeling that this will all be worth it because she has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen.

One more week until my next adjustment. Should I be brave and ask about gap closure; if he's going to do anything specific, or if he's just leaving them to close on their own? I have to find something to bug him about, as I've been behaving myself for a long time now...

-Cathy

[bridget51992]

Haha I would definitely ask him about the gaps closing. Do it! As of Tuesday, I have my lovely gaps as well! Getting food caught around them is a real pain though...
That's cool about Carrie Underwood; I think it's encouraging to see anyone with braces! And especially photos of people who had braces compared to the great smiles they have now. Good luck with your next adjustment! How much longer do you have to have your braces?

[Marilyn711]

Hi Cathy,

I enjoyed reading your posts as your bite is very similar to mine. I am 57 and planning on getting braced soon. I put money in my work flex plan which is a loose it or use it program so I guess I had better get the appointment scheduled. I am planning on see an Ortho who I have several friends that have used. I am scared though as I have very sensitive teeth it seems. I cant stand to use those teeth whitening strips as they cause me so much pain.

I am so happy to have found this forum! Marilyn

[catgyrl]

Hi Marilyn!

Thank you for stopping by! I'm glad my ramblings are able to help someone who is going through (or about to go through) the same thing as me. I think it's so much harder for us "older folks" to adjust to, as we have much more "stuff" to deal with (i.e., control issues... that would be ME!... low pain tolerance, etc.) I've always told people that (guys, turn your heads now...) I'd rather go to the gyno than to the dentist. (Guys... you can come back now... )However, I think that braces has made me tolerate pain much, much better than before. Heck, if I can put up with brackets, pokey wires, pokey hooks, loose teeth, sensitive gums, blah, blah... I can put up with a 45-minute cleaning twice a year.

Great idea to have that work flex plan! I had one of those available to me at my first job with the State over 10 years ago, but decided not to sign up for it. Back then, I never would've dreamed I'd be getting braces at my age (then, I was in my 30's). Now look at me!

I hope you plan to take lots of pics so you can track your progress. Sometimes, that's the only thing that gets me through. I was getting pretty down about a week ago because I couldn't see a darn thing that's changed since my last visit. But this morning I took a few pics and did...FINALLY!...notice the upper left teeth making their way down to join the lower ones. Right now, I think those gaps are what's making the leveling look "crooked" (like an optical illusion). I'm willing to bet that when I go back on Friday, I'll be in elastics some more. I'm going to ask if the gap-closing has been put on hold, or if he can start on that, again. (Yes, I will probably regret it, but I have to ask...)

Good luck to you!
-Cathy

[catgyrl]

WOO HOO!!! THEY’VE DROPPED!!!

Hmmm… that sounded odd, didn’t it? No, I’m not talking about the usual things that drop as women get older… No, that I wouldn't be cheering about.

Let me rephrase that: My upper left teeth have finally dropped to a more “normal-looking” level, and are no longer edge-to-edge. They’re still uneven with the right side, but SO much better looking than before. Here's a comparison pic (Please forgive the yellow-ish tinge in both pics. My cell phone doesn't have the "magic tooth-whitening flash" like my camera does. Also, I ran out of my Aqua Fresh Iso-whitening toothpaste, and I’m due for a powerchain change tomorrow morning. I think I might go with lavender, because I’m in such a good mood. )

March 2011:


May 2011:


I’m such a dork! Every single picture on my cell phone is of my teeth. Whoever decides it would be funny to steal my phone and go through my pics will be in for a rude awakening… (Hey, maybe that's a good deterrent!)

I can actually see a little bit of light at the end of this looooooong tunnel, and can almost picture what the end result will be.

-Cathy