Moving straight ahead and around the Archwire.......

[Crazy4Snow]

Congrats!!! i can't wait to see photos!

[Nettie]

@crazyforsnow: that's where I've seen the silver ligatures, it was you!!! I couldn't remember who recommended them! Thanks!!!! Your a few months ahead of me, keep posting your pics!!! I'll eventually get mine up. the kids are out of school and there's a line for the laptop.

@Klobird: You have metal damons right? Those are advertised as needing less visits to the ortho, no ligature changes and they are newer technology. I wanted those but no one nearby used them and the one in the next town charge $$$ more than I thought it was worth.

@Kipe: where are you? How's the new braces????

[Crazy4Snow]

I LOVE the silver ligs!!! I'm gonna be real torn at Christmas...I wanted to go with red & green but since I've discovered the silver ones it's gonna be hard to go with anything else. Love, love, love the silver!!!

[Kipepeo]

I'm here...trying to figure out how to TAKE decent pics!!!

[Crazy4Snow]

I'm here...trying to figure out how to TAKE decent pics!!!

It ain't easy!!! I take about 30-40 pictures to get the 3 final ones I use each week. It takes practice and a lot of time.

[klobird]

Hey Nettie--Ya, I have metal Damon Q--that's probably why I don't go so often...I'm wondering if I will get those power chains and if I can have those in colors...I know if I go from these elastics to heavier ones, I will get to choose colors...
but no ligs on my braces...

I have seen pics of the ligs with 2 colors on one bracket, and like criss crossed and it looked really cool....that would be fun!

I'm starting to get more used to the braces, and not feeling so overwhelmed...it's a good feeling...

[Nettie]

I've been really hesitant to post my pictures, because I'm embarrassed!!!
But I know that it will be helpful for others as others have shared with me their photos and progress.

So here we go: My overbite is mild at 5mm, crowding and wearing down of top and bottom teeth due to bite issues.
If you look closely you will see the center bottom tooth has gradually literally moved itself upfront and center and wearing down to the bottom of my top front two teeth. Uggghhh, I wish I would have done something sooner!






These are my official before and Beginning Braces Photos. Can't wait to see the progress.

[klobird]

Wow--you were able to get pics up!! I am going to have to get someone to help me with that...I do have my orthos pics on my "I will do this" blog, but I changed blogs because I was so embarrased about my pics...so I understand what you mean. But really, truly you have beautiful, white, strong looking teeth. They are going to be so fabulous when you are through!!

I'm thinking my ortho was wrong about the size of my overjet...he said mine was 6mm, but compared to everyone else's pics here that are around 5mm, mine look like 12mm!!! Not to worry!!! Soon, that will be a non-issue!!!

My braces have been doing the hokey pokey the last couple days--how are yours feeling?

Oh, by the way--you are one of the lucky ones whose teeth look really good in braces!! (In that regard, I feel a little lucky too--I was pleased when I saw them the first time, because I was sure they would look AWFUL on me...)

[Kipepeo]

Nettie your teeth look so nice. Why are you embarrassed? Your teeth are going to straighten out remarkably in just a month or two. I think your braces look awesome. We're all in this together now.

[Nettie]

Thanks for the kind words Klobird and Kipeleo. I don't like any pictures of myself, especially blown up closeups!!!!! I've ignored my teeth all my life and the current scrutiny is a bit much!

Well I survived the first weekend with braces. No pain whatsoever!!! I'm a little disappointed but happy that I was able to eat hamburger at a barbecue this weekend, granted I chopped it up to the point it looked like ground beef

I'm pleased that I am completely use to having brackets/braces on. After two weeks, I can honestly say they aren't too big or bulky. I have one band on my upper left side that I waxed up two days ago, but have been wax less with no sores since:jump:

I feel slight pressure all around my teeth and cannot bite down on anything hard, I got daring and tried a few Doritos last night. Ummm after feeling my front teeth throb I gave up. So the trick to staying away from pain I guess is well cut up food that is of medium texture.

I'm beginning to wonder if first wire I got was too gentle??? Does anyone recognize or have the same wire? it looks braided and copperish in color, feels hard yet flexible. there's a picture a few post back. I'm worried no pain no gain? I'm too impatient to have a month of inactivity in my mouth when there's so much work involved with keeping everything clean!!!

Have a great week everyone, happy Monday!!!!

[Nettie]

My orthodontist called exactly a week after I was fully braced.
I thought it was great that she called to see if I had any questions and to see if I felt ok.

After the first three days, I have had no pain no change nothing...

But last night as I was flossing I noticed where it was very tight to floss there is now suddenly some space

So I guess there is something going on. This first baby wire does apply pressure but no pain, so I guess I should not be complaining.
I'm just a little impatient. In the meantime, I will read the progress of those that are weeks and months ahead of me.

[Nettie]

Hello Fellow Bracefaces!!!!

It's been awhile and I wasn't even sure if I remembered my password! Hope you are all well and I plan on catching up on all the stories and latest posts. I don't know the exact # of weeks I've had my braces on, I've stopped counting the days as I've found it seemed to drag on and make the process all the slower! I decided after my last entry that the more I obsessed over these darn things the longer it would drag out. True time seems to have flown by this summer and I actually see progress after only about 9 weeks (i'm not really sure will have find my ticker to get the exact date).

I started out with BABY BABY wires, the lightest of the light weights, the most flexible they had both on top and bottom, forgot the #, but it's on my chart. At my first adjustment 7/14, I had my top wire changed out to a silver baby wire, and the bottom braided/twisted baby wire stayed on. I have had no pain, have not taken even a 200 mg motrin throughout this whole process, have been able to eat most things well cut up without a problem. I had pizza last night, sliced up in bits.

Ok, so I thought maybe this process is going too slow as I'm not feeling anything just brushing more and taking forever to floss, given up on sugar in my coffee and no longer drink my beloved diet coke for fear of the sugar/acid will eat up the adhesive on my braces and have given up on salsa and chips which I love but the chips are much too hard to bite down on

I've noticed in the last week after having my new wire that my top front right tooth has straightened out a little and now looking at my original pictures that I posted before braces that two of my bottom front teeth have straightened up a little too. These are not drastic movements but there is movement!!!! Best part of all this is that I have had no PAIN just slight pressure and I'm feeling more and more small wiggles throughout my mouth, these baby wires have loosened up my teeth in just a few weeks!!!!!

My second adjustment is on August 25 and I was told depending on how my teeth look, I will have the bottom wire changed and possibly the top wire again. Though IPR was mentioned at my bracketing appointment, it will be done in my future though I thought they said next appointment. My appts are approximately every 6 weeks.

I must add that I am really happy with my ortho and all of the dental assistants, they've been real nice and I look forward to seeing them! I'll try to take some progress pictures so that in the end I can post a nice slideshow of progress.

[catgyrl]

Hi Nettie

You have beautiful teeth, and I truly think they will straighten up in no time. I'm happy to hear that you've not experienced any pain, either.

And before I forget, every time I see your name here I think of "The Color Purple", and the young girl named Nettie.

Cathy

[Crazy4Snow]

Wow, you're teeth are gonna be gorgeous when you're finished! They're so white and they're shaped perfect. I love to see photos, especially when you start to see movement, you're gonna be amazed by the 3rd month!!!

[mlk]

Any new updates Nettie -

I am pondering this decision of taking the plunge and your posts were making me feel better. I have more issues than just crooked teeth, my jaw has issues as well. The Condyle (part of the jaw joint) is worn down. Mixed recommendations from a TMJ/Slpee Medicine Dr. and Ortho. It's a toss of the coin if Ortho can harm or hurt what is going on and don't have good answers. Ortho says, no problems, TMJ guys states I should have splint 24/7 to up to a yr before getting ortho. Ortho doesn't seem that is necessary. It is scary.