I'm going to get braces this year!

[NeilH]

I went in for an adjustment yesterday and had another relaxed and informative appointment. Some of the IPR gaps hadn't started to close so I'm back in double powerchains on the top to see if this will encourage some movement. I still have a powerchain on the bottom but my ortho acknowledged that we are about done on the lowers and even mentioned about the possibility of taking impressions for a fixed lower retainer next time!! I have appointments for Dec and Jan scheduled so still think I'm going to keep my braces until early next year but the end is definitely in sight.

As for my mid-line, I have been asked to wear these pesky elastics full time for the next four weeks and then go to part time wear for the week before the next appointment to see if this will prove successful. Fingers crossed it will do the trick. Photos to follow.

[NeilH]

The double powerchain seems to have done the trick, the gaps have gone! I'm pretty impressed they disappeared that fast, they clearly just needed a little extra encouragement.

I have been wearing the elastics full time and my tongue is really sore but hopefully will see some remarkable progress with the mid line too.

A few aches in various places but nothing at all uncomfortable. I just have to worry about keeping three powerchains stain free until my next appointment.

[NeilH]

I just thought I would capture this moment before it passes... For the first time, I was thinking hurry up, I just want to get finished!

[kppixie]

Hi Neil

Not so long to wait then really, I predict at this time we may be de-bracing around the same time!

My teeth are moving well now and I will try to attach the photographs. The top one is awful as my powerchain is stained.....

Having trouble uploading!

[NeilH]

[quote="kppixie"]Hi Neil

Not so long to wait then really, I predict at this time we may be de-bracing around the same time!

/quote]

Now that's something to look forward to. I'm also in an unofficial race with Rhibee who has been with me through this journey from the beginning but suspect she will beat me to the finish line.

[NeilH]

I just thought I would post a quick update on my pesky elastics. I have been wearing them pretty much full time since my last appointment, including at work, and they still feel a little awkward. I get the feeling everyone is looking at them but I'm sure this isn't the case, although they can be forgiven as the front one is very visible and a bit odd looking. I have found it makes my speech a little less clear at times probably as it gets in the way of my tongue and although never sore, can be a little uncomfortable on occasion.

One positive benefit is that eating is never going to happen with them in so snacking between meals has all but disappeared. To take all the elastics out for a biscuit just isn't worth the effort so they end up staying in until I manage to bite through one of them.

So far my midline has absolutely refused to budge so it better hurry up as I don't think my ortho is keen to continue this approach for too much longer. It's not far out but still worth pursuing in the interests of perfection. With just over two weeks until my next appointment I'm hoping for a miraculous change but to be honest, will be very surprised if I see much movement.

Apart from that, my IPR gaps have remained closed and everything else is settling down nicely. Oh, and for the first time in two and a half years my other half has started to take an interest in what's going on!

[Viconia]

Do you have a de-bracing date yet Neil? Hope the elastics are doing their job! I get mine next time!

[NeilH]

Do you have a de-bracing date yet Neil? Hope the elastics are doing their job! I get mine next time!

Hi Viconia, no, not yet. I haven't pushed for one and my ortho hasn't volunteered one but I can't see it being much further away. There is very little left to do and we are really at the micro refinement stage which is making changes imperceptible to all but me. The elastics I think are slowly starting to work, my mid-line appears to be ever so slowly creeping into alignment but again, we are talking about it only being a tiny amount out. Good luck with your elastics, let me know how you get on and hope the appointment goes well. Neil

[NeilH]

Do you have a de-bracing date yet Neil? Hope the elastics are doing their job! I get mine next time!

Yes, Yes, Yes, 16th February 2016...

[NeilH]

Well that was certainly an eventful appointment!! All my IPR gaps have closed and my ortho was completely happy with everything other than a minor refinement to UL2 which was accomplished with a small wire bend. I have kept the power chains to ensure the gaps remain closed but no longer have the elastics for seating and the mid-line. The mid-line isn't exactly lined up (it's off by about 1mm) but to achieve this would cause some seating issues and he didn't want to take the risk. I have another appointment scheduled for mid-January to check all is well then a further three appointments in the diary for finishing. The first appointment is for impressions to be taken for upper and lower fixed retainers, the second a couple of weeks later is for the braces to come off and for the fixed retainers to be fitted and the final appointment a week later is for the Essix and Hawley retainers to be fitted. I had given retainers some thought before attending the appointment and had written a letter explaining what I would like which was two sets of Essix retainers (as they tend to distort, crack and break quite easily and I wanted a spare set ready for when this happens) and a set of Hawley retainers for when I'm travelling. I had already agreed on the fixed retainers so no discussion was necessary on this. We had a good chat about the pro's and con's of different retainers and seating issues and going prepared I felt really helped.

I really can't believe the end is now firmly in sight and I'm going to be brace free by mid February. The date is 16th February which will mean I would have been in braces just a little over 33 months. Just so happy right now. Life is good, very good!

[Viconia]

Yes, Yes, Yes, 16th February 2016...

Oh Neil I'm super chuffed for you! I cannot wait to see why your teeth look like without braces!
How did your appointment go?

[NeilH]

Yes, Yes, Yes, 16th February 2016...

Oh Neil I'm super chuffed for you! I cannot wait to see why your teeth look like without braces!
How did your appointment go?

Hi, thank you, nor can I, I just can't imagine what they will look like. You must have responded as I was posting so see my account above. How are you getting on?

[TheProfessor]

Congratulations! Feb. 16 will be here before you know it! I had an exciting adjustment yesterday too--if everything goes as planned, my debracing appointments will be scheduled at my next adjustment at the end of January. So I predict that I will be just a few weeks behind you in getting these braces off of my teeth! I don't know how you have handled 33 months of braces--I'm at month 21 and ready to get these things off now!!!

[metalliKa]

That's awesome news Neil! It'll be a little late Valentines Day present to you and your s/o.

I also can't wait for mine to get debraced. So tired of them now that I'm not seeing any improvement.

[NeilH]

Congratulations! Feb. 16 will be here before you know it! I had an exciting adjustment yesterday too--if everything goes as planned, my debracing appointments will be scheduled at my next adjustment at the end of January. So I predict that I will be just a few weeks behind you in getting these braces off of my teeth! I don't know how you have handled 33 months of braces--I'm at month 21 and ready to get these things off now!!!

Thank you, I'm really exciting that the end is in sight but also a little apprehensive that this journey is coming to an end. 33 months sounds like a long time but it has flown by and I just don't know where the time has gone. Its also helped that it has been a really good experience with a super orthodontist who has taken time, care and attention at every stage and in doing so, I have enjoyed the whole process too. I have read your update and great news too, we will both be entering the spring with super new smiles!