4-13-18
I hit the 3-week mark yesterday. Almost a full month ^_^ There has been progress, so I'm happy. Still a log way to go.
My teeth are starting to move again because they've been getting really sore these last few days, especially at night. Updates are probably going to be more sparse now going forward, but I will check back in when there is something major.
My Journey thus far...
Moderator: bbsadmin
Re: My Journey thus far...
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
Congratulations! I got my brackets and arch wires on three days after you got your arch wire. We are in this journey together for the next 18 months!!
Re: My Journey thus far...
That's pretty awesome ^_^ We're braces buddies now!
Actually, the last 3 weeks have gone by pretty quickly for me. Coming up on a full month here pretty soon. This whole process has gone by quickly as a matter of fact.
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
4-20-18
Reached 1 month yesterday. 4 weeks exactly. Time flew by. Hopefully the 17 remaining months do that too.
Reached 1 month yesterday. 4 weeks exactly. Time flew by. Hopefully the 17 remaining months do that too.
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
Exciting things have been happening since I last posted. Let me backtrack a bit...
4-23-18
I had a dentist appointment with Dr. R (general dentist) to do my 3-month deep cleaning maintenance. This was the first time I would be seeing her since getting my braces put on, so I knew she would be excited to see them. Sure enough, she was more excited than I was about the whole thing! It's not like she was the one wearing the braces
So during my cleaning maintenance, she noticed on my upper right 1st molar (which has been exposed due to the premolar extraction) that I had old cavities that have resurfaced. Of course, she wanted to take care of them, like any dentist would (I had seen the spots myself and hoped and prayed to God that they weren't cavities. Unfortunately they were...-_-). I made an appointment to go back the next week (4-30-18) to get that taken care of. Didn't even need my wire removed for it. I'll see her again for my 6-month in August.
5-16-18
Fast forward to today, my most anticipated appointment to date: my 1st adjustment! I admit, I've been excited for this appointment for some time now, and I was hoping I'd get a new wire. Well, the girl calls me back (I think she was new, so one of the veteran assistants was helping her and explaining things and I got to be a crash test dummy ^_^) and she takes my cobalt bands off, which I have become quite fond of during my near 2 months. However, I had determined ahead of time that I'd be going with silver for this adjustment, so the blue is no more (my next one is going to be red--but for a very specific reason which I'll get into when the time comes). So now the bands are off, and she calls Dr. G (ortho) over to assess my progress. He seemed quite pleased with everything, as do I, and then he spewed some numbers new girl for what was happening next. I heard something about stoppers and chain 3-6's, and I also got a new wire on the top ^_^
Anyway, new girl and vet assistant proceed to do me up--got a thicker wire up top, stoppers put on my molar brackets (2nd molars are still bare), and then they placed steel ties and c-chains to start closing my bottom gaps! Finally(XD). Bottom wire is the same.
My Next adjustment is July 9th. Funny thing is I have an Ophthalmology appointment that same day in the morning. Luckily school will be out and I won't have the kiddos to deal with.
4-23-18
I had a dentist appointment with Dr. R (general dentist) to do my 3-month deep cleaning maintenance. This was the first time I would be seeing her since getting my braces put on, so I knew she would be excited to see them. Sure enough, she was more excited than I was about the whole thing! It's not like she was the one wearing the braces
So during my cleaning maintenance, she noticed on my upper right 1st molar (which has been exposed due to the premolar extraction) that I had old cavities that have resurfaced. Of course, she wanted to take care of them, like any dentist would (I had seen the spots myself and hoped and prayed to God that they weren't cavities. Unfortunately they were...-_-). I made an appointment to go back the next week (4-30-18) to get that taken care of. Didn't even need my wire removed for it. I'll see her again for my 6-month in August.
5-16-18
Fast forward to today, my most anticipated appointment to date: my 1st adjustment! I admit, I've been excited for this appointment for some time now, and I was hoping I'd get a new wire. Well, the girl calls me back (I think she was new, so one of the veteran assistants was helping her and explaining things and I got to be a crash test dummy ^_^) and she takes my cobalt bands off, which I have become quite fond of during my near 2 months. However, I had determined ahead of time that I'd be going with silver for this adjustment, so the blue is no more (my next one is going to be red--but for a very specific reason which I'll get into when the time comes). So now the bands are off, and she calls Dr. G (ortho) over to assess my progress. He seemed quite pleased with everything, as do I, and then he spewed some numbers new girl for what was happening next. I heard something about stoppers and chain 3-6's, and I also got a new wire on the top ^_^
Anyway, new girl and vet assistant proceed to do me up--got a thicker wire up top, stoppers put on my molar brackets (2nd molars are still bare), and then they placed steel ties and c-chains to start closing my bottom gaps! Finally(XD). Bottom wire is the same.
My Next adjustment is July 9th. Funny thing is I have an Ophthalmology appointment that same day in the morning. Luckily school will be out and I won't have the kiddos to deal with.
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
6-19-18
I'm about a week early, but I'm approaching 3 months in braces. MAN, that time flew by fast! Anyway, here's what's been going on:
My bottom teeth have finally unraveled to the point where they are ALMOST completely aligned. Quite a few substantial gaps have formed on both top and bottom (the biggest gap has formed on, wait for it, my top right incisor--you know, the one that has been hidden behind by front tooth for years and years). Extraction gaps are shrinking. Progress is happening. Very pleased so far.
15 months to go!
I'm about a week early, but I'm approaching 3 months in braces. MAN, that time flew by fast! Anyway, here's what's been going on:
My bottom teeth have finally unraveled to the point where they are ALMOST completely aligned. Quite a few substantial gaps have formed on both top and bottom (the biggest gap has formed on, wait for it, my top right incisor--you know, the one that has been hidden behind by front tooth for years and years). Extraction gaps are shrinking. Progress is happening. Very pleased so far.
15 months to go!
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
7-9-18
Had my 2nd adjustment at just over 3 months (approaching 4) in braces. We're finally working on bringing my protruding teeth back and closing my extraction gaps.I got chains (sporting red bands this time around), closing loops up top, and (dun dun DUUUN)...elastics (DX) I had gone shopping with my mom earlier that day and we decided to make salmon burgers for dinner, but then I remembered that I was getting an adjustment and my teeth would be sore. Little did I know what I was in for. My teeth were so sore I couldn't even bite. Had to go back to knife and fork just to make eating tolerable. Went to bed last night and when I woke up this morning, oh my goodness the pain! I haven't been in this much pain since week 1.
Anyway, I've been changing my elastics every 4 hours or so as prescribed. When I take them off, I do get instant relief from the pressure. But once I put the new ones on, the pressure is back and my jaw gets stiff and sore. The good news that came out of all this is that the big lovely gap that formed between my upper right central and incisor has closed up significantly since yesterday morning. I even noticed how small it had gotten within a few hours of my adjustment! It's not gone, but I think it'll close quickly. I still have a few lovely gaps on the bottom, but they're not as noticeable.
Next adjustment: September 6th
Had my 2nd adjustment at just over 3 months (approaching 4) in braces. We're finally working on bringing my protruding teeth back and closing my extraction gaps.I got chains (sporting red bands this time around), closing loops up top, and (dun dun DUUUN)...elastics (DX) I had gone shopping with my mom earlier that day and we decided to make salmon burgers for dinner, but then I remembered that I was getting an adjustment and my teeth would be sore. Little did I know what I was in for. My teeth were so sore I couldn't even bite. Had to go back to knife and fork just to make eating tolerable. Went to bed last night and when I woke up this morning, oh my goodness the pain! I haven't been in this much pain since week 1.
Anyway, I've been changing my elastics every 4 hours or so as prescribed. When I take them off, I do get instant relief from the pressure. But once I put the new ones on, the pressure is back and my jaw gets stiff and sore. The good news that came out of all this is that the big lovely gap that formed between my upper right central and incisor has closed up significantly since yesterday morning. I even noticed how small it had gotten within a few hours of my adjustment! It's not gone, but I think it'll close quickly. I still have a few lovely gaps on the bottom, but they're not as noticeable.
Next adjustment: September 6th
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
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StaceyJeannette
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 10:40 am
Re: My Journey thus far...
So happy for you that you are seeing such progress! 
Re: My Journey thus far...
So I was going to wait till after my next adjustment to do this update, but then I realized that I had only just passed 5 months and am still a bit of a ways out from 6 months, then I got sad...not really, but still. Anyway, quick update for you.
8-21-18
Went to Dr. R (general dentist) for my cleaning. Next one's in November (Been on a 3-month since January, but my gums are doing much better since then, especially with the braces on now since I brush 3x a day and alternate between flossing and waterpiking).
8-28-18
Took a trip to the ortho office to pick up some more elastics. The original 2 packs they gave me barely lasted me through July! Picked up a new pack at the beginning of August, didn't make it through the month. Had to get more (got 2 this time, just in case). My adjustment is literally next week on September 5th. Man, I'm going through these elastics like candy!
Anyway, looking forward to my adjustment. I think I'm going to get black chains this time. Got some new gaps on the bottom arch that will need to be closed, and extraction gaps are still closing (slowly). Also, looking forward to a 3-day weekend ^_^
8-21-18
Went to Dr. R (general dentist) for my cleaning. Next one's in November (Been on a 3-month since January, but my gums are doing much better since then, especially with the braces on now since I brush 3x a day and alternate between flossing and waterpiking).
8-28-18
Took a trip to the ortho office to pick up some more elastics. The original 2 packs they gave me barely lasted me through July! Picked up a new pack at the beginning of August, didn't make it through the month. Had to get more (got 2 this time, just in case). My adjustment is literally next week on September 5th. Man, I'm going through these elastics like candy!
Anyway, looking forward to my adjustment. I think I'm going to get black chains this time. Got some new gaps on the bottom arch that will need to be closed, and extraction gaps are still closing (slowly). Also, looking forward to a 3-day weekend ^_^
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
9-5-18
Had my 3rd adjustment! Changed up my bands to black this time around. I guess I was supposed to get a closing loop on the bottom this time like the one I have on the top, but my stubborn bottoms aren't ready. I still have one tooth that refuses to rotate forward. In it's defense, that tooth used to be sandwiched behind another one, and it no longer is. So that's good.
Had spaghetti for dinner last night. Couldn't chew the noodles, so I just swallowed them. Teeth are killing me right now, but I know the pain means progress and that's the only thing that makes this worthwhile. 13 months to go (hopefully).
Next appointment is on Halloween (XD)
Had my 3rd adjustment! Changed up my bands to black this time around. I guess I was supposed to get a closing loop on the bottom this time like the one I have on the top, but my stubborn bottoms aren't ready. I still have one tooth that refuses to rotate forward. In it's defense, that tooth used to be sandwiched behind another one, and it no longer is. So that's good.
Had spaghetti for dinner last night. Couldn't chew the noodles, so I just swallowed them. Teeth are killing me right now, but I know the pain means progress and that's the only thing that makes this worthwhile. 13 months to go (hopefully).
Next appointment is on Halloween (XD)
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
11-1-18
Had my adjustment yesterday (Halloween). I FINALLY got my 2nd wire on the bottom. Nothing done to the top, upper chains were removed and replaced with individual ligature bands. I now have a chain on the lower six and I'm wearing a record 6 elastics (4 to close gaps--2 upper, 2 lower; 2 for the bite). Went back to the original blue bands that I started my braces journey with--however I was very tempted to stick with the black. Lots of good progress going on, and also a fair bit of pain in my lowers...
Next appointment is December 5th
Had my adjustment yesterday (Halloween). I FINALLY got my 2nd wire on the bottom. Nothing done to the top, upper chains were removed and replaced with individual ligature bands. I now have a chain on the lower six and I'm wearing a record 6 elastics (4 to close gaps--2 upper, 2 lower; 2 for the bite). Went back to the original blue bands that I started my braces journey with--however I was very tempted to stick with the black. Lots of good progress going on, and also a fair bit of pain in my lowers...
Next appointment is December 5th
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
Man, 8 months flew by! Anyway, quick update.
12-5-18
Had my 5th adjustment, and my ortho is very pleased with my progress ^_^ He activated my closing loops up top, and my teeth have been quite sore as a result. Bottom gaps are closing nicely. Bite looks good. I also got red & green bands for Christmas (very childish for an adult, but luckily I work with young kids so I can have a little fun with it ^_~)
Next adjustment is January 7th.
12-5-18
Had my 5th adjustment, and my ortho is very pleased with my progress ^_^ He activated my closing loops up top, and my teeth have been quite sore as a result. Bottom gaps are closing nicely. Bite looks good. I also got red & green bands for Christmas (very childish for an adult, but luckily I work with young kids so I can have a little fun with it ^_~)
Next adjustment is January 7th.
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
Happy New Year Everyone!
Really quick update here:
12-31-18
Last night as I was brushing my teeth, I noticed something that made me not very happy. A fistula has formed above tooth #9 (front left central incisor). Mind you, I have already had an Apicoectomy in 2017 on this tooth after infection from a failed root canal from 2010. Now I have to go back for re-treatment not even 2 years post surgery! That's bs, if you ask me. Unfortunately I don't know when I can get that done. I was able to reach my dentist at her private number and explained to her the situation, and she's sending me back to my Endodontist who did the Apicoectomy for re-treatment. I called the office and left a message (since everyone is closed for the New Year). We'll see what happens.
Also, I am out of rubber bands and will be without until Wednesday when the orthodontist office opens back up. They've been closed since Christmas Eve I discovered when I called ahead to make sure I wouldn't be waisting my time going all the way down there to find a closed office.
I'm so glad all of this happened while I'm still on winter break...(-_-)
Really quick update here:
12-31-18
Last night as I was brushing my teeth, I noticed something that made me not very happy. A fistula has formed above tooth #9 (front left central incisor). Mind you, I have already had an Apicoectomy in 2017 on this tooth after infection from a failed root canal from 2010. Now I have to go back for re-treatment not even 2 years post surgery! That's bs, if you ask me. Unfortunately I don't know when I can get that done. I was able to reach my dentist at her private number and explained to her the situation, and she's sending me back to my Endodontist who did the Apicoectomy for re-treatment. I called the office and left a message (since everyone is closed for the New Year). We'll see what happens.
Also, I am out of rubber bands and will be without until Wednesday when the orthodontist office opens back up. They've been closed since Christmas Eve I discovered when I called ahead to make sure I wouldn't be waisting my time going all the way down there to find a closed office.
I'm so glad all of this happened while I'm still on winter break...(-_-)
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
1-3-19
Went to see Dr. S (endodontist), and she took x-rays of my tooth and did notice something had changed--basically my infection came back, the one that I had previously had invasive surgery to remove. So she drained the fistula and gave me antibiotics and Peridex (my favorite -_-) in the hopes that I would not have to go through surgery again (was a long shot).
1-7-19
Had my appointment with Dr. G (orthodontist) and showed him my infection. NOW, treatment on my upper teeth is stalled until the bone heals (If this puts me off track to finish in 18 months total I'm not going to be happy). No uppers for 12 weeks, AND I can't wear elastics during this time, which was a little annoying since I ran out over new year weekend and literally just picked up new ones days before this appointment. At least my lowers aren't letting me down. Left extraction gap is fully closed and right one is nearly there! Got a full chain on the lowers as well. Next appointment is 2-18-19.
1-17-19
I went back to Dr. S this afternoon for the bad news. I had prepared myself ahead of time, so I already knew. Surgery it is--it's the only way to fully clean out the infection or it'll just keep draining as it is. That's getting done in February, approximately 2 years from my last one for the first infection. The good thing that came from today's appointment was I got refunded some money from last time because my benefits for the year kicked in just in time. I now have 100% coverage for most dental services after successfully receiving regular treatments since 2016
Went to see Dr. S (endodontist), and she took x-rays of my tooth and did notice something had changed--basically my infection came back, the one that I had previously had invasive surgery to remove. So she drained the fistula and gave me antibiotics and Peridex (my favorite -_-) in the hopes that I would not have to go through surgery again (was a long shot).
1-7-19
Had my appointment with Dr. G (orthodontist) and showed him my infection. NOW, treatment on my upper teeth is stalled until the bone heals (If this puts me off track to finish in 18 months total I'm not going to be happy). No uppers for 12 weeks, AND I can't wear elastics during this time, which was a little annoying since I ran out over new year weekend and literally just picked up new ones days before this appointment. At least my lowers aren't letting me down. Left extraction gap is fully closed and right one is nearly there! Got a full chain on the lowers as well. Next appointment is 2-18-19.
1-17-19
I went back to Dr. S this afternoon for the bad news. I had prepared myself ahead of time, so I already knew. Surgery it is--it's the only way to fully clean out the infection or it'll just keep draining as it is. That's getting done in February, approximately 2 years from my last one for the first infection. The good thing that came from today's appointment was I got refunded some money from last time because my benefits for the year kicked in just in time. I now have 100% coverage for most dental services after successfully receiving regular treatments since 2016
Brackets Bonded: 3-15-18||Extractions: 3-16-18||Arch wires: 3-22-18||Adjustments: 5-16-18; 7-9-18; 9-5-18; 10-31-18; 12-5-18; 1-7-19; 2-18-19; 4-15-19; 6-10-19; 7-24-19; 9-18-19; 10-23-19; 12-5-19; 1-9-20; 2-20-20; 3-12-20||Braces Removed: 6-3-20
Re: My Journey thus far...
Wow, that sucks about needing surgery again for the infection. I hope this time gets it all.