WiredInLA's story (with pics) Update 2/12/06 !
Moderator: bbsadmin
Ok, so granted it's only been 4 days, but I'm starting to fear that I may need extractions. I'm just not sure that my arch can wide enough for these canines to drop to where they are supposed to be. All of the presssure I feel is in my front teeth, nothing in the back... is this normal?
How much time do orthos usually allow before making the call that extractions are needed -- 1st adjustment? 2nd?
Yikes -- didn't think I'd be this impatient about it.
Thanks you guys!
How much time do orthos usually allow before making the call that extractions are needed -- 1st adjustment? 2nd?
Yikes -- didn't think I'd be this impatient about it.
Thanks you guys!
*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Hi WiredinLA. I just got (most) of mine on Tuesday the 10th. My movement will not be as much as yours as I had my major movement done on my first round years (many years) ago.
I will say this, it may look like there is not enough room, however, if you take 1mm and multiply that by many teeth and shove a molar or two back, the space suddenly appears!
Obviously, that is a very basic way of putting it, but I'll bet your ortho has a plan to get them all in or else He/She would have talked about extractions. You can always ask about it.
It'll be great to see your progress! I will post some of my pics after next Wednesday's appointment. My wife has already taken quite a number of pics including at the orthodontist's office for her scrapbook. (I'm a little iffy on doing my braces in the scrapbook!)
I will say this, it may look like there is not enough room, however, if you take 1mm and multiply that by many teeth and shove a molar or two back, the space suddenly appears!
Obviously, that is a very basic way of putting it, but I'll bet your ortho has a plan to get them all in or else He/She would have talked about extractions. You can always ask about it.
It'll be great to see your progress! I will post some of my pics after next Wednesday's appointment. My wife has already taken quite a number of pics including at the orthodontist's office for her scrapbook. (I'm a little iffy on doing my braces in the scrapbook!)

Pat
Class III tendency, crossbite 10-23
Maxillary horizontal & 2mm deficiency for upper teeth
GAC In-Ovation R, metal. Now with upper & lower Hawleys 24 hrs.
Ok, so I am finally taking the time to upload some progress (or lack thereof) shots. I took this pic today. I'm at about 5 wks now.
I do feel difference in my bite, but I cannot see any visible changes/progress from my before shot. I have my first adjustment scheduled for Feb. 22nd. I may ask about extractions -- which I don't mind at all it they are recommended.
Talk to you all soon!

I do feel difference in my bite, but I cannot see any visible changes/progress from my before shot. I have my first adjustment scheduled for Feb. 22nd. I may ask about extractions -- which I don't mind at all it they are recommended.
Talk to you all soon!

*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Thanks again for your comments everyone. They are very reassuring.
I know things are happening... I just have to be patient. My molars began "popping/craking" this weekend just like my front teeth did around wk 2. I know this means the teeth are loosening which is awesome!
I'll post after my 1st adjustment tomorrow. I'll also be getting bottom braced!
Talk to you tomorrow!
I know things are happening... I just have to be patient. My molars began "popping/craking" this weekend just like my front teeth did around wk 2. I know this means the teeth are loosening which is awesome!
I'll post after my 1st adjustment tomorrow. I'll also be getting bottom braced!
Talk to you tomorrow!
*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Hello again!
So, first adjustment went well. It was fairly uneventful though. Did not get bottom braced. My ortho said he wanted my top teeth to come out even more b/c when the bottom teeth are braced they will move faster than the top teeth and he wants my top teeth to stay "ahead" of the game for now. He says bottom braces won't go on for another 6-12 weeks.
So, only had my ligs changed; same wire. He said I was making good progress. His assistant was very kind and told me that she sees movement. What a nice woman! Hahaha... but I think she fibbed.
I'm posting pics from my first day in braces and some from today, as well as an upper arch pic.
My next appt is scheduled for 6 weeks = 4-12-06.
First day in braces - 1/9/06

6 weeks in braces - 2/25/06

Upper arch @ 6 weeks - 1/25/06

So, first adjustment went well. It was fairly uneventful though. Did not get bottom braced. My ortho said he wanted my top teeth to come out even more b/c when the bottom teeth are braced they will move faster than the top teeth and he wants my top teeth to stay "ahead" of the game for now. He says bottom braces won't go on for another 6-12 weeks.
So, only had my ligs changed; same wire. He said I was making good progress. His assistant was very kind and told me that she sees movement. What a nice woman! Hahaha... but I think she fibbed.
I'm posting pics from my first day in braces and some from today, as well as an upper arch pic.
My next appt is scheduled for 6 weeks = 4-12-06.
First day in braces - 1/9/06

6 weeks in braces - 2/25/06

Upper arch @ 6 weeks - 1/25/06

*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

6 week progress report and pics!!
Sorry guys, posted those pics incorrectly; and now I cannot edit in this forum (?) Here they are again...
1st day in braces - 1/9/06

6 weeks in braces - 2/25/06

Upper arch @ 6 wks - 2/25/06

1st day in braces - 1/9/06

6 weeks in braces - 2/25/06

Upper arch @ 6 wks - 2/25/06

*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Thanks KK and Flora! You guys are so supportive and wonderful all-around.
Flora -- supposedly I have silver. I'm gonna check my orthos little lig box and see if maybe he's been holding out on me with the "light silver"colored ligs! Hahah.
Flora -- supposedly I have silver. I'm gonna check my orthos little lig box and see if maybe he's been holding out on me with the "light silver"colored ligs! Hahah.

*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

MOVEMENT!!
I see it...
Since my adjustment I've been feeling pressure on my laterals. Not bad painful pressure, just a nice consistant kind of... snugness (is that a word?).
Anyway -- check this out... I SEE IT! My left canine (right on the screen) has moved down. The wire is much straighter than even a couple of days ago. WooHoo!! I'm so excited I can't even tell you. I've been waiting years to see that sucker move down and to see progress in just a couple of days is so exciting!
Progress pic 2/27/06

Progress pic 2/25/06

First day in braces

Thanks for allowing me to share!
Since my adjustment I've been feeling pressure on my laterals. Not bad painful pressure, just a nice consistant kind of... snugness (is that a word?).
Anyway -- check this out... I SEE IT! My left canine (right on the screen) has moved down. The wire is much straighter than even a couple of days ago. WooHoo!! I'm so excited I can't even tell you. I've been waiting years to see that sucker move down and to see progress in just a couple of days is so exciting!
Progress pic 2/27/06

Progress pic 2/25/06

First day in braces

Thanks for allowing me to share!

*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Hi guys ...
It's been a couple of weeks since my 1st adjustment. Still feeling constant changes in my bite and while the visible changes are subtle I am starting to see movement.
It's amazing... never thought I'd get used to these things, but now... I can barely remember NOT having them! Don't know yet if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
Here's my latest progress pic...
I can see that my laterals have both moved forward, both canines have rotated but only the left one (right on the screen) has dropped some. Also... a new development, my 2 upper front teeth are starting to part!! What the heck does that mean?!
There is a slight space appearing between my front teeth and while before it was hard to even get the floss between them, now the floss slides in without any effort.
8 week progress pics - 3/9/06
[img=http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/6535/10032868ow.jpg]
First day in braces - 1/9/06
[img=http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5927 ... 9064jd.jpg]
It's been a couple of weeks since my 1st adjustment. Still feeling constant changes in my bite and while the visible changes are subtle I am starting to see movement.
It's amazing... never thought I'd get used to these things, but now... I can barely remember NOT having them! Don't know yet if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
Here's my latest progress pic...
I can see that my laterals have both moved forward, both canines have rotated but only the left one (right on the screen) has dropped some. Also... a new development, my 2 upper front teeth are starting to part!! What the heck does that mean?!
There is a slight space appearing between my front teeth and while before it was hard to even get the floss between them, now the floss slides in without any effort.
8 week progress pics - 3/9/06
[img=http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/6535/10032868ow.jpg]
First day in braces - 1/9/06
[img=http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5927 ... 9064jd.jpg]
*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Hi guys!
Here are some 11 week progress shots.
I can't take a good picture of it, but there is a gap between my right canine and my lateral at gum level. I can pretty much fit the head of a toothpic clear across to the other side, just so you can imagine the size. It doesn't extend to the bottom of the tooth, it's just at gum level. Consiering that less that 3 mos ago these two teeth were on top of each other, I see this as significant progress...
Here is a pic I took today:

And here is one from my first day in braces....

I'll post again after my 2nd adjustment on April 12th.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Here are some 11 week progress shots.
I can't take a good picture of it, but there is a gap between my right canine and my lateral at gum level. I can pretty much fit the head of a toothpic clear across to the other side, just so you can imagine the size. It doesn't extend to the bottom of the tooth, it's just at gum level. Consiering that less that 3 mos ago these two teeth were on top of each other, I see this as significant progress...


Here is a pic I took today:

And here is one from my first day in braces....

I'll post again after my 2nd adjustment on April 12th.
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
*~*~*~* WiredinLA *~*~*~*
Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006

Top braced (ceramics) : Jan. 9, 2006
3rd Adjustment: May 24th, 2006
