Grin&bareit73 Story (with Pics)

If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!

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Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

#16 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Thank Goodness for this forum!

My bite is really off right now. I actually have to concentrate to get the 2 arches to meet without banging my front teeth on the bottom..and ouch!

So while I was practicing closing my mouth properly I heard (and felt) this little click. I thought maybe my lower molar was touching the top arch wire and moving it around. Then I thought maybe a bracket was loose.

Finally after some investigating with my mouth mirror, I realized that it is actually my molar that is clicking, and that it is loose. It's the second to last molar on both sides actually, and this really freaked me out because I was under the impression these teeth wouldn't move. My treatment is for spaces in the front, and my molars are the only teeth that appeared to be fine.

I searched the forum and found out that this clicking and looseness are normal things and boy was I relieved! It's a really strange feeling and noise, and I find myself endlessly playing with it which is probably not good.

My questions are:
Has anyone else had looseness/clicking in their very back molars, or is it usually the teeth towards the front?

Also, how long does it take for the looseness to go away. I'm paranoid about chewing now..like my tooth is going to pop in and out of the socket or something.

It all reminds me of the swingset I had in my back yard as a kid. If I swung high enough in the air, the poles would actually start lifting out of the ground....I really don't want my teeth doing that..

Ok, I think I'm delirious.... :shock:
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

2 Weeks Pic!!

#17 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Well, I've been busy at work and started dwelling on my mouth less...

Finally I took a pic and though it may not be drastic, there is definitely a difference.

This was Day 1:
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This is Week 2:
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My left front tooth (with chip) has come down a bit to match the one next to it. But the best part is it is actually turning in, and the gap is slightly closing. I have a check/adjustment(?) on the 31st so maybe I'll get a thicker wire and more movement.

My bottom teeth have actually gotten slightly more crooked, and the front right one is loose and hurts to brush, but I am definitely happy with the top! Gaps, your days are numbered!!

No matter how slight, progress always helps the process seem to go quicker...it's so worth the tons of lip gloss.... :lol:
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

Leslie022
Posts: 578
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:21 am
Location: SC

#18 Post by Leslie022 »

Yes, I can see a slight change with the chipped tooth and the gap! You're right, progress does make it easier! Congrats!
Braced: Jan. 17, 2006
Removed: Oct. 26, 2006
Fixed bottom retainer
Clear Essix Retainer on top

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

#19 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Thanks Kiwi and Leslie022!

Last nite a bracket came loose off of one of my molars while I was eating. Some of my teeth have been loose and I automatically thought one of my teeth fell out--pretty scary!

Anyway, my ortho's assistant got me in today and reglued the bracket for me, so I asked her to snip the wire that was poking me in the back.

She pulled the wire as far to one side as she could and grinded it down with a tool. When she pulled it, it seemed to tighten up my whole top arch or something, because now my teeth feel tender again. This seemed strange to me, as she didn't change the wire, just pulled on it. Am i crazy?
Unfortunately, the wire is as sharp as ever in the back, but not quite as long now....oh, well. I still have plenty of wax!!

I've read some people mention paying for replacing a bracket that comes off. Is this only if you lose the bracket? Fortunately with the Damons, the bracket stayed attached to the wire. It sort of just slid around in my mouth and I could spin it with my tongue. (Sort of amusing when you're bored at work staring at cameras all day.)
They didn't charge me for regluing it, and called the appointment a "comfort visit". I wonder if they put a limit on these before they start charging??

Well, just another day in the life...still grinning :)
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

K-9 wants to be braced

#20 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Kind of off topic, but I think I caught my dog making fun of my teeth...there's just no end to the humiliation...lol

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Her bottom teeth are kind of crooked, and her top lip sometimes gets caught on them, so maybe she's just jealous and wants braces too....

Anyway, I just wanted to share this pic because I thought it was funny. I don't have any kids, so this is my baby!
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

Leslie022
Posts: 578
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:21 am
Location: SC

#21 Post by Leslie022 »

Haha, that's a cute picture of your doggie!
Braced: Jan. 17, 2006
Removed: Oct. 26, 2006
Fixed bottom retainer
Clear Essix Retainer on top

butterfly
Posts: 346
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:15 am
Location: Middle East
Contact:

#22 Post by butterfly »

Hi Grin&bareit73!

The process has definitely started for you! Enjoy watching your progress in these first few months. I think they are the most exciting. Keep posting photos.

BTW this is not funny - dogs actually get braces
http://members.tripod.com/arf4dogs/members/diva.htm
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Nov 2 05 braced, 1/1/07 debanded & got positioner

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

#23 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Thank you butterfly!

That article about the dog with braces was crazy, i've never heard of that in my life. My dog would never go for that- she loves to eat way too much!!

I'll keep posting pics. Right now a lot of my molars are feeling spongy and my bite is way off on one side. No movement that I can see, but man I can definitely feel something going on....

I have an adjustment coming up on the 31st but not sure if my ortho will be changing wires or anything. The one I have now looks like it has nothing left to do, but obviously looks are deceiving...
I gotta be honest though, I would love some of those powerchains to close up my gaps...all in good time I guess :?

I'll leave it to the expert!
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

#24 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

10 days before my first adjustment and my mouth is all wacky....

I have to keep wax on the top archwire all the way in the back because of the sharp end that I like to refer to as my "fishhook". I have to eat with wax on or while I am chewing, the inside of my cheek actually gets hooked on the barb and I have to carefully pry it off...it's horrible.

That is truly the last time I ask them to try and sand down a pokey wire for me, it made it so much worse.
I don't know if they plan on giving me a new wire at my adjustment but I'm going to ask for one anyway because I almost rather not eat than deal with this any longer... :cry:

My lower molars are very spongy, my bite is way off, and now when I sleep I think i'm grinding my teeth together. I wake up with a sore jaw and my lower lip always seems to be stuck to my brackets. Speaking of which...

Yesterday I was running my tongue along my lower brackets and it actually got stuck on one! I realized one of the trap doors slid open on a bracket and I had to close it (after I removed my tongue from it). It was really sharp. So much for Damon doors not wanting to open...

Besides the very first, I think this has been the worst week ever for me in braces.

Sorry for the rant, I'm just really frustrated. But my teeth are looking better. :? :oops:
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

butterfly
Posts: 346
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:15 am
Location: Middle East
Contact:

#25 Post by butterfly »

Pokey wires at the end of the mouth are by far the worst thing about braces. I got myself a toenail cutter (the smallest one) and cut the wire myself. My ortho usually refuses to cut the wire and just bends it (don't know why - maybe they want to save on wires?) so I cut it myself. I got tired of not eating because of bleeding infections in my mouth.
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Nov 2 05 braced, 1/1/07 debanded & got positioner

Flora2006
Posts: 1088
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:39 pm

#26 Post by Flora2006 »

Oh goodness...wire poking out really is the worse!!! My cheeks are ALL cut up.

Your puppy is SO adorable!!!!!
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~~~~~~

Ceramic top braces: January 9th, 2006
Metal bottom braces: May 1st, 2006

Grin&bareit73
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:59 am
Location: Sunshine State

First Adjustment- uneventful but good news

#27 Post by Grin&bareit73 »

Well, today was my first adjustment. Nothing was changed, however and i was bummed. I guess this wire isn't done levelling(?)
But she did clip my wires in the back on all 4 sides and I haven't needed wax at all (I even ate) so I guess my fishhook is officially gone! Thank God-- I've been wearing wax 24-7 since she last grinded them down...

Anyway, I got great news. My next adjustment on June 12th I'm getting a new thicker wire and powerchains!!! I'm so happy and can't wait for the next 6 weeks to go by!
Can you say "bye-bye spaces"?

I also got an A+ on my hygiene so I guess I'm doing something right..

A little off subject, but I changed my avatar to the crocodile sign because it really struck me as funny after the run-in I had with a gator the other day on the way to work.

I don't know if anyone has heard in the news, but the gators in Florida have been going mad. (I can't quite blame them, after all- we did move into their territory, this was all swamp at one time). People have been getting attacked recently, and they've always gone after dogs walking too close to canals.

Anyway, I got off a turnpike exit and thought i saw tire retread, but it was an 8-ft alligator who had crossed halfway over. He had his jaws all the way open and was hissing at the cars driving by--very scary!

It's hard not to respect something of that size, but they really are amazing prehistoric creatures as well....times like these are a reminder that the earth is not just ours...

I'll get off my soapbox now :oops:
Sorry for the long update! Take Care!
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"Smile; if you can't lift the corners, let the middle sag..."

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