Sunshiney Saga

[SunshineRay]

Thanks Dee and Anna! I am happy with my progress. Even though I am still self consious about the braces I am so glad that I did this. I would have been embarrassed with or without braces....I cant wait to smile all I want!

[Dee17]

Oh, I know exactly what you are talking about. Whenever I am meeting someone new for the first time I am STILL very embarrassed. I have been trying to get back into the world of dating and that is the one thing that has really been holding me back. Hang in there!

[SunshineRay]

Aww Dee, I can imagine that would be tough with dating. The right man will not mind one bit though!

I had my adjustment yesterday and was hoping the front powerchain would come off since I dont like the look. lol Its still there and he added 2 more on the sides to close gaps. I was starting to be able to bite with my front teeth but now it hurts to bite anything!

[Dee17]

That will go away, don't worry. Tylenol and soft foods for awhile will help you.
I've been sort of seeing a guy and he says he doesn't mind. But I am still terribly self-conscious. I expect that problem to resolve itself in about 8 months though (when I get them off!)

[SunshineRay]

Guess who broke something else? Saturday evening after dinner I go brush my teeth and bam! The wire that attaches the tad to the tooth came off. It had toothish stuff on it so I had no idea if it was my tooth or something he put on. Called the emergency line and the assistant said it was probably glue....which it was. I went in Tue (they were closed monday) and he thought it was going to be an easy fix but I was there an hour because the wire did not want to go back in.

All of this stuff happens on one side. I chew on that side for some reason. I am trying so hard not to but its really habit.

Nothing else exciting going on. I go back in 3 weeks for an adjustment. I still have the power chain on the front, which I still hate! 2 power chains on the sides too. I feel like my teeth quit moving because alot hasnt changed.


Dee- how is the dating??

[Tobilei]

If it makes you feel any better, I have broken 1 bracket and every single power chain I've had (which has been every month but the first 2!). I'm sure my ortho wonders what on earth I do to them!

Hang in there with the no change. I felt like mine stayed the same for eternity through the middle.

[SunshineRay]

Thanks Tobilei! Where have you been?

Soooo Thursday I brushed my teeth after dinner and tada....lost a powerchain. This has happened with several of them so I think I brush my teeth too hard?! I had an appt yesterday but it was cancelled due to bad weather. Apparently I wanted to make my visit worth it because I ate a starwberry yesterday and the wire came off of my TAD again. Im pretty sure I am going to get the problem child award. Everything is always on the one side and Ive been trying really hard not to chew on that side but I guess I still do. ugh!!

[28andbraced]

I've read your entire story and am so impressed with your perseverance! And it sounds as if you're making awesome progress--congrats!

Like you, I've got a 12-18 month sentence and am hoping I get to be at the shorter end of it. I'm so sorry your TADs have given you issues; I have one myself, but apart from having a panic attack in the chair while they gave me the shots before installing it, it's been okay. Then again, it hasn't had to do anything yet, LOL!

Good luck to you, and thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[SunshineRay]

Thank you 28andbraced! I was just thinking yesterday that while I have hated most of this journey I am so happy with the results and glad I finally went through with it.

I haven’t had time to update but at my adjustment last Tuesday I asked if we were still on track for one year….I never mention the 18 mos, lol. And he said if not sooner!!!!!!!!! He put power chains on across all of my front teeth to close the remaining gaps. In a week almost everything is closed. My next adjustment is April 1 and mid-June is the 1 yr mark! I can not believe I am almost done!!

[Dee17]

Yay! That is terrific news. So glad to know you're happy with your results. Will be looking forward to seeing a picture of you when you're all finished!

[Anna5]

WOW, how great that you are almost done, Sunshineray!!! I am very happy for you! I would love to see a picture of your teeth!

[SunshineRay]

I had an adjustment yesterday. There is only one more gap to close and then I think we are done. Its on a back molar though so Im worried that the other teeth arent going to move and we have to power chain them to the right place. I am so happy with my results and glad I did this! The guy beside me yesterday was asked are you happy and he said yes and the ortho said me too so do you have time to get them off today. Maybe that will be me when I got back April 29th! (you know how Ive done wishful thinking this while time)

[Dee17]

I hope you will be able to get them off soon!

[parsleysage]

Wow! That would be great if you could get your braces off so soon. I will send my mean thoughts to the gap and tell it it better close up ASAP or else! lol Any updated pictures of your progress?

[SunshineRay]

I know, I am not very good with the pic updates! I will try to get some up.

My last adjustment was April 2 and last thursday while eating lunch the bar that attaches to my TAD came out. I went in today and he decided not to put it back in, the screw is still there but he thinks we are so close to being done that he decided to just powerchain the whole top to close any remaining gaps and wait on putting the bar back in. My next appt was April 29 and they had me keep it. He said if everything closes up (there isnt much left) that we may be done next time. I got all optimistic and changed my appt time because I usually go in right before they close for lunch. The receptionist double checked with him and he said he wasnt guaranteeing a debrace then but to go ahead and move the appt just in case.