Sunshiney Saga

[Anna5]

Poor you, that you seem to have bad luck always! I wish you lots of strenght to cope with this all. In the end it will all be worth it, I am sure!

[SunshineRay]

I had my adjustment last Thursday and the TAD's are still in place so yay! Like I said, I check them all the time with my tongue to make sure they are still in my mouth so Im imagining that Im loosening them. He took the powerchain off one set of molars since its closed so well. The part I hate is that I now have a powerchain on the top 2 front teeth and its tooth colored when I usually get pearl ligs. I feel like its a huge spotlight and of course Im self consious about it. Just when I was getting used to the braces. (haha, yeah right!) The front powerchain is to close the gap in between my front teeth. It had closed before but then when we took the 2 mo time out for the TAD ordeal it slowly opened again.....which has me paranoid! Its not as bad as it was and its almost closed since Thur. I also have alot of wire out the back on the powerchained side so I know things are moving quickly!

I took my daughter with me and she had a consultation after I was done with my adjustment. She had phase 1 molar buildups from our previous dentist, that screwed up lots in my mouth, and they have all fallen out with her baby teeth. She only has 1 baby tooth left but waiting on several adult teeth to come in. She's 12 1/2 btw. He said that he really doesnt think shes going to need braces and that her arch is great. The only thing that may happen is a little crowding once her adult teeth come in. He said to bring her back in 6 months so he can check things out then.

Ohhh and someone older then me was in the chair beside me. I love seeing older people there and it rarely happens. Older being over 14....lol

[TrustGodAuburn]

Your comment about someone older than you being there cracked me up. I always feel the same way. Luckily, they try to schedule all the adults to be in the room around the same time, so there is usually at least one other adult in one of the chairs. The times I have been the only adult I feel ancient and silly! LOL!

[Dee17]

Oh yes, I hear you on that one, TrustinGodAuburn. Despite the many reassurances I've been given by my orthodontist that about 20% of his practice is made up of adults I have yet to actually see another person even close to my age in my whole city who is wearing braces. Took me a long time to get over my self-consiciousness (about 8 months) but it finally seems to be gone, thank goodness!

[chichi]

My orthodontist seems to schedule kids during the day and adults later in the evening. I've been going in the evenings after work and it's usually adults and older teens with a few kids here and there. It definitely makes me feel better seeing fellow "grownups" coming in for adjustments.

[Dee17]

Ahhh, so that might explain it. I usually go around 1:30 p.m. Maybe that's why I never see another adult when I'm there. Thanks for the heads up. I don't think he has evening hours. He also only works Monday to Friday.Lucky guy to have a three day weekend every single week!

[SunshineRay]

Dee- I'm at almost 7 month and just getting comfortable with the braces and then they threw in the magnifying front powerchains and set me back.
Ive also been told that 20% are adults. That must be some generic number they through out there. lol
My first appts were at 2pm or after and they were allllll kids. Ive found the best time to go is at lunch time. I am in and out with no problem and have seen other adults at each appt. I asked the least busy time and was told midday because kids come first thing in the morning or after school. Makes sense!
I would love it if they scheduled all adults together though!

[chichi]

Ahhh, so that might explain it. I usually go around 1:30 p.m. Maybe that's why I never see another adult when I'm there. Thanks for the heads up. I don't think he has evening hours. He also only works Monday to Friday.Lucky guy to have a three day weekend every single week!

haha mine is closed on Wednesdays and weekends, so he only works Mon-Tue and Thur-Fri. His evening hours are also on days that they don't open until 11 or 12. That must be the life

His office also said about 25% of their patients are adults. Either adults everywhere are getting braces at the same rate, or it's a number all the orthos use.

[Dee17]

I told both my sons they should become orthodontists. Very few real "emergencies" to deal with. They never have to be "on call" and they make more money than a "real" doctor and work fewer hours. What a life, huh?

[SunshineRay]

Comparison pics taken today. Top pic is week 1 then bottom is week 5. Big photo is today at 6 1/2 mos. (my mouth is just tilted odd, its really not off center like that....I havent learned the selfie techniques yet)

[SunshineRay]

Comparison pics

[SunshineRay]

TAD's

[SunshineRay]

The TAD's are in the roof of my mouth. lol, I took all of these pics while at work so excuse the quality.

[Dee17]

I think it is showing great progress. Good for you!
As for the tads, eeek! They look painful. I don't even think I would be able to take a picture of the roof of my mouth so kudos to you on that photo!

[Anna5]

I loved seeing your pictures. You have made great progress, Sunshineray!!! Your teeth look beautiful.
I think your arch is rounder now and your smile has definitely widened a bit, which is great!
Are you happy with your progress yourselves? How long are you still planning to be in braces? I wish you very good luck with your treatment, keep us updated!