Braces For My Spaces II

[Bec There]

My first adjustment is actually tomorrow! Finally! I am so ready for some new progress already! I will post tomorrow and include pictures for you all

[Bec There]

So this morning, I finally went in for my first adjustment (it's been 2 months). It took 5 minutes and I was out of there. He put a thicker wire on the top and bottom, and then put 2 new powerchains on both arches. Stronger ones than last time. I know they work, but it also hurts a wee bit Here are the photos below...

From the front, it appears to all be fine and dandy! No sign of spacing issues at all really! My powerchains go across the top 6 teeth, and the bottom 8 teeth. These grey chains are thicker than the one I had last time, and are in front of the wire, not behind. I wasn't given a choice of the colour, but I kind of like them (stretched out it kind of looks clear-ish)


In this picture you can see the spacing between the lateral incisors and the canines (best angle I could get on it, sorry!)




In these next 2 pictures you can see the spaces I mentioned above. On the bottom there are still small spaces between the lateral incisors and the canines, and there is a big space between the canine and the first molar.


This picture is a bit dark, but you can see the space I'm talking about.


And this last picture shows how all this movement so far, has affected my bite.


Next time, I may be getting elastics to close the spaces, depending on how the top canines move.

He also showed me the mold to give me an idea of how far we've come (as if I of all people, might not have noticed haha)

So that's about all I have to tell you all, any questions, feel free to ask

[Bec There]

I feel like I look weird when I smile Does anyone else feel like this? Is it because I haven't had years of practice!?

[TMJJill]

Actually, I think you have a very nice smile. Your spaces aren't noticable in your straight forward smile. Your teeth seem pretty straight as well.

The thing I feel wierd about with smiling with the braces is how my lips tend to fall above the brackets. Before the braces, my lips fell about where the brackets are. It just doesn't feel the same anymore. I've decided not to be self-conscious about my smile though. It is what it is right now so why now enjoy it.

I really had a worse time when I started wearing an acrylic splint 2 years ago. I have the wierdest look on my drivers license because I hadn't learned to smile around it yet.

I'm in braces to help me with my bite. I've got quite a few spaces of my own.

[smilehope]

Looking good I reckon!

[Bec There]

Thanks guys
I wasn't very clear earlier, I didn't mean I didn't like my smile, as I'm very happy with how my teeth are coming along. I just meant that it just feels like it's unnatural. And it definitely feels like it looks unnatural. haha. I'm just not used to smiling so I guess I'll get used to it!

While I'm here, I'll update. My teeth are no longer hurting after my adjustment, and I've noticed progress already. The spaces between the lateral incisors and the canines on my bottom teeth are non existant now. These powerchains are faaaaaaaaaaassssssssttttttt!

[GillyWeed]

Just wanted to stop by to say the teeth and ligs are loooking great! Good to hear that your pain has subsided and I can't wait to see those updated photos;)

-G

[NickelNikki]

Your teeth are looking great!

I know what you mean about the smiling issue. I *always* used to smile with my mouth shut, never laughed without covering my mouth with my hand. Learning to smile with your mouth open is a weird feeling, but trust me, soon you'll be doing it without even realizing it.

[Bec There]

Had an adjustment with the ortho this morning. Not much was said. He didn't give me a new wire, but he replaced my powerchains and I now have 8 across the top and 10 across the bottom. Not in as much pain as last time, so that's good
I have noticed my spaces have closed a little, but like my ortho said, the canines are stubborn so it is slow. I'm happy with my results though, no real complaints!





My wide grin.


And last but not least. A before smile and (I wont say after) a now smile. What a difference huh?!


Hope you're all doing well and getting results!

[GillyWeed]

Bec, they look great!

[NICURN85]

Great progress!! They are looking good!

[Bec There]

Just a quick update for those interested! Only one more week til my next adjustment! I'm excited to see what's next! I'm very happy with my progress! Spaces are nearly all gone! Wooooooo I'll update again next week and let you know what's been done!
Hope you're all going well and enjoying your new smiles!

[Angel269]

I'm amazed at how quickly and beautifully your diastema closed with the powerchains.

I have been told that my teeth will need to be fully upright (as they flared outwards) before the powerchains go on to close mine. I hope that my powerchain will go under my wire to prevent it catching and make it less noticeable should the chain stain.

[Bec There]

Argh! I just wrote this big long post about what's been happening with pics and everything and then lost it all. Grrrr

So in summary, I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, life's been a little hectic.

I've had some minor setbacks since I last wrote which I hope the Orthodontist corrects soon! He upgraded my wire to a thicker one, which for some reason doesn't fit in my front central incisors bracket (on your right)


The spaces are only there because the tooth has rotated on an angle, due to being pushed back by the wire. Weird huh.
You can kind of see in the next picture that the wire isn't sitting flush in that tooth's bracket. You can click on the pic to see close ups.


On the bright side, the only real spacing left in my mouth is this one on the side. Which hasn't budged in a long while.



I finally tried out the blue powerchain and I can't say I'll choose it again. In the picture it looks kind of nice but in real life it was fluro blue and made me feel 12. Haha I will be sticking with the light silvery clear colour from now on, as I now fully appreciate how much that colour tones the braces look down


I go back next Wednesday for another adjustment and will post on my progress!! I wont leave it so long to post this time!

[BetsyBug]

hey Bec there!!!
Its been a while!! Your teeth look awesome. BTW its ok to look like a 12 year old occasionally I'm sure that wonky incisor will be pulled back into line in no time its crazy sometimes how things get better then worse and then better again. I'm having the same problem with my lowers. My next appt is tuesday so hopefully mine will get lined out too. Good luck wednesday