Lau's Story

[jem]

Looking ever better, Lau

Jem

[jem]

So where are those 15 month photos?

Glad you got chance to see your family in Buenos Aires but 40 celsius-wow! I guess only the Aussies on this board know what that feels like. We have lots of snow here in the UK at the moment and pretty cold temperatures for us.

Hope you are well

Jem

[lau]

Hey Jem!
I am doing well, thanks for asking. I am actually in Mexico for work now-

So thanks for following up! you are the only one that cares Can you tell that I've had enough and want the brackets off?? haha I dont even compare month to month anymore, i just want them out. But I took the photos as I do every 4th- so I'll post them i promise.
Its just that the week and weekend have been hectic.

how are your braces doing? are you as over the braces treatment as I am?

[jem]

Hello Lau,

From the number of views of your thread, a lot of people obviously do care! But people have limited time to write comments; I only manage to keep up with a couple of the other Brits on here plus 2 or 3 others like you who have had something interesting or kind to say.

I know what you mean about being over having braces, but I shouldn't complain as my treatment has been pretty easy being upper arch only and no elastics/expanders etc. But you get to a stage where there is little visible progress and you wonder what is the point . My ortho thinks we are nearly there, but I am still unhappy with my left lateral and do not want her to take my brace off until that is better aligned.

I look forward to seeing your pics

Jem

[lau]

Happy Sunday- so here is my belated 15 month progress pic.
Only my bite is noticeable better. 3 weeks ago I had IPR on two of my bottom molars- one is already closed the other is a tiny bit open.
my next appt is Feb 4-

[lau]

and this is how my smile changed

[jem]

Looking great, Lau. Do you have powerchains at the moment?

Jem

[lau]

Hi Jem-
yes and no. I mean I have elastic chains on both sides that pull from the front to the back of my top teeth (not the ones that go in every tooth) then i have thin wire between my teeth and the archwire. My mouth is pretty much hardware

[lau]

Jem, here i painted in red the chains so you can see how they run

[braceface74]

I know the hardware feeling lol! looking good lau, pesky midline otherwise your teeth are totally awesome x

[Kipepeo]

Yes beautiful, Lau!

[jem]

Thanks Lau. What is the thin wire for? Is it criss crossed like mine to keep certain teeth together?

Your teeth are looking great and hope the midline sorts itself out quickly.

Jem

[lau]

hi Jem-
they told me the thin wire is so that teeth move together. The ortho tightens it at every adjustment and cuts off the tips.

My top midline will still be off and its ok, I've learnt to live with it. its gotten much better with IPR, but the fact is I am missing a tooth (they extracted it when i was 11) and the real solution was to extract 3 perfectly healthy teeth and I didnt want to do that. The main reason was that I've read it changes your profile and treatment takes longer, plus the midline hasnt bothered me before so why bother. I just hoping for a shorter treatment and thatt it would have been done by now here is hoping ...

[jem]

Hi Lau,

So it sounds like the thin wire is a more controlled way of pulling teeth together than a powerchain. The first powerchain I had a few months ago was just on my 2 central incisors to close an IPR gap. It achieved that overnight but then the teeth were starting to cross within another couple of weeks.

Your midline has visibly improved with your IPR and your teeth overall look lovely, so hopefully you are nearly finished.

Jem

[lau]

hey guys- THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS EVER!!
i got the braces off. more to come, but since i am so busy at work I wanted to leave you with a preview

Basically, I walked in and told them that I was pleased with my smile and wanted the braces off today. they checked me and said OK. I am getting my retainers and Bleaching trays on Thursday!! yay

see a preview-