Mary's Story--almost 2 months finally added photos!

Message

#16 Post by **melliemoo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:13 pm

Nothing much going on here. At various times, one or more teeth will hurt. Usually, they are ones next to the extraction. I measured again today and my gap is now at 4mm so definite movement. I still get some stares from people; mostly because of my extraction. They don't always see the braces and most of the time I get asked if I had an accident. And then when I tell them that I had an extraction for my braces the response is usually, "oh, I was hoping you weren't thrown from your horse and fell on your face".

Now, I just tell them about the braces before they ask because the rumor mill is horrid at work--I'm either a beat up wife or have a mean horse that threw me...so much for positive outlook from folks.

Today I had the pokies so I put globs of was on. I still find it hard to say "s" and "sh" words without lisping. But I can eat most anything.

#17 Post by **dbink** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:09 pm

Wow, when I read this board I thought this is where I need to be. I got my braces on Jan. 28th. Metal on top and bottom. Then got 4 teeth extracted 4 days later. Thought I would deal with it all in the first week and get it over with, this way I could progress with my treatment. They were waiting to put wire on the lowers until I got the extractions. So now they can put the wire on and maybe I will start to see progress. I'm told you can almost immediately start noticing the shifting. Most have been so supportive of my decision to get ortho but many will stop me upon noticing the braces and say 'I'm surprised, I always thought you had really nice teeth' Being I'm not that secure with my decision yet I start buying into what they are saying and start second guessing myself. Its nice to talk to others who are experiencing similar things.

#18 Post by **melliemoo** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:38 pm

Just a quick update. It's been just over five weeks since my braces were put on and I'm somewhat excited that things are progressing well. I was sick with a horrible flu for ten days and I swear that during that time, my teeth moved fast. My extraction gap, where a bottom central incisor once existed, was originally at 5 mm and it has closed to 3 mm which is a bit better than what my ortho thought might occur by my first adjustment. In the meantime I think my premolars are turning; they need aligning. My tipped lower canine is also turning. So my pain level has been a bit up but nothing too bad.

If anyone could venture an opinion: When are powerchains generally put on? After crooked teeth have aligned or even before? Second, my ortho said that he wanted to "push my incisors down". I'm assuming he meant intruding my teeth into my jaw. When does that normally occur during the process?

I am planning to ask him when I see him in a couple of weeks but I'm just anxious now. Thanks all.

Two weeks, four days until my next adjustment.

#19 Post by **LynB** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:12 pm

Hi,

Melliemmo

I read your story and I am hopeing this appliance will be the worst of what I have to go through. I am glad you are doing better. Keep us posted on your journey.

#20 Post by **Braced32** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:33 pm

Hi melliemoo ~

I just caught up on your journey! Way to go! It's NEVER to late to get braced!

Glad you're feeling better - brace-wise & flu-wise!

After my extractions, I didn't eat any solid foods for several days. When I finally decided to start chewing again, they were SO sensitive, even for mandarin oranges! So I waited awhile and tried again and they were still so sensitive. I finally decided I had to break down and chew, chew, chew to make the pain go away and it worked! So I plan on chewing, chewing, chewing when I finally get braced (3/3)!

I found that I had a lisp for about 8-10 days after my extractions! How annoying! I'm sure I'll go through it again when I get braced & get my bite plate!

Will you be getting your uppers braced at some point?

#21 Post by **melliemoo** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:26 pm

I'm really excited about my progress. It appears better almost every day. Thanks Braced32 for your encouragement. I had a lisp for almost two weeks but it went away. Once in a great while and when I'm tired, I'm start lisping again. I'm hoping to be out of my braces in time for my 50th birthday party in April, 2009.

I will not have braces on top; my alignment is good on top. What needs to occur is this: I will have a new bridge put in on my upper teeth as I lost 3 teeth at 12 years old due to a bike accident. By having my lower teeth straightened and aligned, and intruded, my upper bridge will fit much better and will look much more natural. So I'm excited.

#22 Post by **melliemoo** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:47 am

My first adjustment is on Tuesday and I'm a little worried because my ortho told me he was putting in a new archwire that is thicker than the little one I have now. I am concerned about pain as I am due to visit my sister in San Diego two days after. I've had relatively little pain since that horrible third day and I think I've adjusted well. I'm posting some photos for comparison. First I have to say, I need some Nair or something and ignore my dry lips.

The first two were taken today; the last two were taken on January 16, the day after I was braced. You might be able to see the wear on the top of my bottom teeth from where they were hitting the top teeth.

I see so much progress so I'm happy. I wish I had done this so long ago.

#23 Post by **redwingzfan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:07 pm

Hi Melliemoo,

You can see some real progress in those pics. Congrats! My brace day was on March 4th, hopefully I will see some progress soon too.

Well best of luck,
-Dave
redwingzfan

#24 Post by **melliemoo** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:05 pm

Thanks Dave! I noticed my first movement when I flossed and it was harder or easier to floss between certain teeth so look for those changes. Next, you may notice that one or more of your teeth will hurt or feel pressure more than others--usually those are the ones that are moving more. Anyway, that's my experience.

#25 Post by **redwingzfan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:41 pm

Hey Melliemoo,

I have noticed that my lower left molars are harder to floss between and they hurt when I bite so maybe they are moving more

I really want my canines to start moving though!

-Dave

#26 Post by **Braced32** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:20 pm

Great pics melliemoo!

You're too funny - "First I have to say, I need some Nair or something..." That made me chuckle!!

#27 Post by **melliemoo** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:02 pm

Braced32: It's true! You can see every little hair and pore and tiny age spot (or whatever those are).

They look huge!

I went for my first adjustment today. My wire was changed to an 18 (whatever that means) and I have a power chain to help close my gap. I took two Aleve tablets about four hours before my appt. and another two about an hour after. And it still hurts. I'm such a wimp. I abhor pain and I get so irritable when I hurt. And what's worse is I think the ortho messed with my head because he told me that this adjustment would hurt worse than when I first was braced. Please tell me this is not true.

Maybe he meant I would feel more pressure. I only rarely had any pain after those first three to four days.