Braces at 28!

[Rgreb]

I had my second adjustment today. A larger wire was placed on top and bottom. Also, I had my spacers removed that were put in last week. Brackets were placed around molars to start the work on my bottom teeth. Three hours post appointment, I feel like someone has punched me in the mouth (or what I would imagine that would feel like considering I've never been punched in the mouth). Everyone assured me that my incisor will not fall out and it's ok that it is loose and sore. We had one small (and painful) hiccup during my appointment. Previously my top wire was curved and ran back towards my canine, through the gold chain that is attached, and back up into my brackets (this description is confusing so please refer to the pictures below). This wire was flush against my gums which were still healing from the exposure. Unfortunately, because of this, the gum tissue grew over the wire! (No wonder it was always tender!) Anyway, they had to pull the old wire out of my gums using only a topical numbing agent. This experience was not pleasant, but my new wire runs straight with only a slight curve to allow a second wire that is attached to the gold chain on the impacted tooth, to be attached (again, very confusing description, please refer to photos). Anyway, I survived the ordeal, but just barely! Hoping that the discomfort does not get any worse and things start to feel a little better.

[Rgreb]

More photos!

[Rgreb]

Side view of snaggletooth

[Rgreb]

Progress thus far!

[Rgreb]

I have to say I actually like the thicker/larger wire that was placed during my past appointment. While it was considerably more painful directly after the appointment, it is worth it. I'm seeing more movement and my teeth feel less like they are constantly going to fall out of my mouth! I have some tenderness in my sinuses on my left side where the canine is impacted palatally. I'm going to look at this positively and think that it means that tooth is moving! I really don't mind the braces, but I would like the impacted tooth to quickly move into place so I don't have to continue to walk around with this gaping hole in my smile.

Even though it seems like this process takes forever (and at times has been rather painful), I would do it all over again! Can't wait for my perfect smile....in two years....

[Rgreb]

Had another adjustment today. They have run my upper wire through the chain again rather than using a tie. Since I've had movement, the wire won't be digging/growing into my gum tissue this time! My ortho is pretty please with the results thus far, it's just pulling down a canine can take time. I can see movement, so I'm happy. I've been wearing rubber bands to fix my bite since my adjustment last month. Since things aren't perfect yet, I will have to continue with those. The rubber bands really aren't that bad, only just the first few days were. I also had power chains put on today which are incredibly painful. My mouth hurts bad. Really bad. As bad as it hurts now, I know by morning I will be hating life. The ortho said I could wait until later in treatment to start the power chains, but if I began the process now, it would be easier and would increase my chances of getting my braces off sooner. So, of course I said to go for it. I'm curious to see how difficult cleaning my teeth becomes considering the bands add more obstacles. Even though adjustments always mean my mouth will be killing me for a few days, I always look forward to the progress. Oh, and I eat nothing but frozen custard for a few days after, so that's another positive.

P.S. I did accidental swallow one of my rubber bands a couple weeks ago, but I survived and didn't experience any ill effects.

[Rgreb]

I'm excited to announce the arrival of my canine! It officially has a real bracket! While it's not completely down and in place, it's getting closer. My ortho said I should see major movement this month and by my next appointment it should/could be completely down. Once the tooth is down, there will need to be some movement of my other teeth to realign them since they shifted in the pulling down of the canine. While I still have a year left in braces, I feel like I've come a long way.