The Wait Is No More!

[Waiting4braces]

I'm getting my braces on in two days time- EEK!!! I can't believe it's actually going to happen soon, and I can't believe that after months of being completely hyper about braces I'm suddenly feeling really freaked out! I've kind of come to associate myself with my crooked teeth so it feels really odd that they're going to be straightened out and look nice...

(Can't post photos yet- will post some when I can)

I'm congenitally-missing a tooth on the right hand side of my mouth, so my other teeth have moved to help fill the gap. My options were to either close up the gap and have a tooth removed from my bottom row to even things out, or to widen the gap for an implant or bridge, and widen the lower arch to make room for all my teeth to be straightened out. The bonus to the second option would be that my centre line would be corrected, as now it's off to the right.

It was suggested that I may want to get a bridge or an implant in this space, but after researching both, I think I would prefer an implant in the long run, but will have to save like mad to get one. YAY at the prospect of actually having a full set of teeth!!!

I also really want to look into gum contouring, since my top teeth are really small except for one bigger tooth at the front. Arg.

Actually, I think after talking about what my ortho is planning on doing and looking at some pictures of my teeth, I no longer feel as freaked out about the braces! I hate my teeth, can't wait to change 'em. Bring on Monday!!!

[Waiting4braces]

I can't believe it's today!! My appointment is at 3:15, where I'm going to get my x rays and moulds taken, then it's straight on with the braces! (Unless he decides to put some spacers in or something first I'm guessing)

As promised, here are some pictures of my starting point- tooth missing on the top row, so everything has shifted to fill the gap. Crowding on bottom teeth- my smaller front tooth has actually got a funny angle on the bottom of it where it has been meeting my bottom tooth all these years!





(I promise my teeth don't look this yellowish normally- the flash is just really unflattering!!)

Gosh, I can't believe it's only a matter of hours away, then my teeth will officially be on the move! Whoop!!!

[kmluvgod]

Congrats on your big day it seems we will be starting our journey together as I type this I am on my way to my 10:00 appt. I'm looking forward to following your journey. Have you thought about what color ligs you're going to get?

[Waiting4braces]

Thanks- I'm on my way to the appointment now! I think I'm going to give clear/white ligs a try... I know it's a recipe for disaster but I need to learn things the hard way!! I'm getting ceramics with a white band... should be interesting! I've stocked up on foods that -in theory- shouldn't stain, but I'm sure I'll crack within the month and go out for a curry!!

Good luck with your appointment too- it feels good to meet someone starting treatment on the same day!

[kmluvgod]

How do you put a picture of your teeth in you post? I tried and I'm only able to get the link on my post

[Waiting4braces]

Annnd they're on!!!





Kmluvgod- Upload pictures to Photobucket, then go to your album, hover over the thumbnail and it will come up with various ways to share the picture. Click on the IMG code and it will automatically copy it for you so that you can paste it on message boards.

I got them on about four hours ago and so far my teeth are a little tingly but nothing I can't handle (yet! ). My ortho said that my roots are a little shorter on my front teeth, which I really worried about, but he said it just means that we need to keep an eye on them. If they hurt more than my other teeth, I should let him know about it. Gosh, I hope everything will be okay!!! I'm still feeling worried about that.

Here's my haul:



Contents:

Mouthwash/travel mouthwash
Toothbrush/travel toothbrush
Four disclosing tablets
Wax
Sand timer
TePe mini brushes for brushing under the wires

So far, everything has been fine, bar the most unsuccessful eating attempt ever!! My ortho has put little hard clay type lumps on my upper back teeth, as when I bit down my teeth touched the lower brackets, so he put the lumps on to make sure I can't accidentally bite down into a bracket. I can't close my bite, which is annoying as it was really hard to eat my dinner! I'm sure that's something just to get used to though. I ended up trying to suck down a plate of fish and chips- did not happen. I was at it for twenty minutes (I'm stubborn!) and got nowhere, so dumped my dinner and am making do with a yogurt instead, which is much better! Also drinking a cup of tea through a straw, so things could be worse!

Woohooo can't wait to see some progress! I just can't believe they're finally on and things can get started!!!!

[kmluvgod]

CONGRATS!!!! Dont worry everything will be fine.

[klobird]

Hi Waiting No More!!

Congratulations!! Wow, they are barely even noticeable! I got mine, well, it will be a month on Friday, and the time has flooowwwnnnn by!!! I can't even believe it's been that long already.

The whole eating and cleaning routine is a learning experience at first, then it's no big deal. I didn't even know how to use the superfloss or waterpik at first! There was water spraying everywhere because I couldn't get to the off button fast enough, and flossing took about 1/2 hr at first...but then you figure out the best ways to get the job done and it gets a whole lot quicker.

I still think about mine all the time, and I am always looking in the mirror to see if there's any change....sometimes they are a challenge, but I still am thrilled I have braces!!

You're finally on the road!!!! Yipppeeeee!!!!

[Waiting4braces]

Thanks Kmluvgod and Klobird!

Klobird, I can't believe how un-noticeable they really are! The braces I've got are InVu Braces (http://www.invubraces.com/invuaesthetics.html) and I thought that the promo pictures would have been airbrushed like mad, but they seem to be as good as their word so far! It's only really the wire that shows

A better picture (the marks on the brackets have actually gone already with a decent brush):



I think I might eventually need to bust out the wax or the Bonjela for my lips though- they keep getting snagged on the brackets with the bits sticking off them! (What technical language!)

I really wish I hadn't known about the shorter roots on my front teeth- I'm going to be paranoid city about them! Such a natural worrier. My teeth do feel like there's a little pressure on them, but it's not too bad. In fact, all my teeth feel a little sensitive- woohoo!! Their journey has begun!! How exciting!!!

[kmluvgod]

Hey there! Just wanted to drop in to see how you're doing. Your braces look really good. How's your teeth feeling?

[Nettie]

Wow your braces look great. Your photos are helping me decide!!!!
I was leaning towards getting all metal, but your ceramics are nice. Do you know what brand they are?

thanks

[Waiting4braces]

Thanks Kmluvgod and Nettie!

Kmluvgod- I've been so lucky and haven't felt any pain at all so far- I'm still having trouble chewing though, they're still sensitive to chew with but other than that all is grrrreat! I hope you're doing well too?

Nettie- They're InVu braces (http://www.invubraces.com/). I can't believe that they are actually really discreet, I thought they were just using flattering publicity pictures!

I haven't seen any changes so far, but I'm trying to be patient!!! It's only been five days and I keep peering into the mirror as though I'm going to see that my teeth have magically sprung into position hahaha I've been taking pictures every day too, but I'll cut it down to once weekly! A watched kettle never boils!

[Waiting4braces]

Here's one of today's pictures for anyone contemplating this type of brace- you can see what the brackets look like now without the marks from when they were first put on:



I'm really happy with them so far!! I wish the time would hurry up and go by so I can see the finished product already!! I'm so excited!

[Waiting4braces]

It's two weeks today since my braces were put on, and I think I may have spied a tiny bit of movement!



The bottom tooth on the left hand side of my mouth has come down a teeny tiny bit, so at least there's some movement! It's really hard to take pictures at the same angle- I've been surveying all my pictures from the beginning of the treatment to try and find a similar one! But the tooth is definitely on the move- hurrah! I do sort of wish there had been a little bit more movement- I keep having to remind myself it has only been two weeks.

The white coating on the spring has mostly worn off, but I don't think it's a huge disaster. I think the wire is starting to chip a little bit (see near the wire) but hopefully it'll all keep whiteish until my first adjustment (30th June- YAY!). I'd been a little bit worried as there was some bracket glue over some of my bottom teeth, which I was worried would stop them from moving if they were glued together, but that chipped off yesterday, so it's one less thing to worry about!

My teeth are still a little bit sensitive here and there, but I'm getting used to eating with them just fine- don't fancy trying to bite down into any sandwiches yet though! It's still knife and fork with them all the way!

I'm so happy with my braces so far- I think they look sweet and they feel natural in my mouth now, instead of feeling like clunky weirdness!

Two weeks down- woohoo! Full steam ahead!

[Nikkistixx06]

I want your braces!!! Hardly noticeable!!