Can I do it?

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EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#331 Post by EbonyQ »

Klobird: Yes, I will tell him next time :wink:

I’m having a bad time with my ortho anxiety, almost back to the feeling of wanting to rip them of my teeth (just that I won’t do it). Even though I have my ups and downs with these braces the anxiety is not even near how it was in the beginning (can you remember klobird?). That is a good thing! I just wish all of it would go away, sometimes it’s really terrible to have it (how did I survive in the beginning? :shock: ).

On the appointment on Monday:
“How about getting the .014 wire?”
Me: *panic*
“But you know that there is not much different between them”
“It looks twice as big. Look”
“It’s not twice as big. A .026 would be twice as big”
“It’s still looks twice as big” *panic*

When I got my lowers: I was standing beside the chair waiting for the anxiety to calm down so I could “jump in” (to use my ortho’s words) the chair.
After the anxiety had calmed down a bit: “I would rather extract teeth than having these appointments”
Eric with his back towards me trying to find his gloves in the drawer “No,no,no…. Don’t say that. We are having so much fun here!”
Me: *gets another panic attack for no reason* (so fun!... :? )

Every time there is time to change arch wires we are using ages on it, either he have to use a few appointments to get me ready or we have an appointment with a lot of panic. I have said it several times before but I have to say it once more: it’s incredible that he have not given up on me yet! He must have had a few moments where he have wonder what he had gotten himself into, especially when the anxiety was on its worst.

Tend to have a notebook where I write down my questions and feelings for the next appointment and Eric always ask if I have it with me (at the end of every appointment we sit down and have a talk). Forgot it when I got my lowers so when I arrived on Monday the first thing he asked about was if I had my notebook with me (which I had), it’s an important piece on my appointments. Have had it almost since the beginning so there are tons of questions I have asked him.

When I’m done I will give him a special gift that will both have things that have been important for me in our appointments (like this notebook) and something that shows how grateful I’m are for everything he has done. I still have a lot of treatment left but I have already gotten much longer than I would ever dream of.
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EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#332 Post by EbonyQ »

And I did it again! :HugeGrin:

Boss explained the different between rectangular and round wires to me when I suddenly felt like being brave again (like with the .018 wire) and without thinking said “Maybe we should switch to a rectangular wire so I can surprise Eric?” (Eric have tried "forever" to get me on the rectangular wire).
I have never seen my boss react that fast before. He is Greek and therefor taking things easy and slowly like most Greek people but when he heard me say that… Wow! He let go of everything and pointed to room number one (it’s an “isolated” room where new pts tend to be). Before I could even let the nerves get to me I was in the chair and it was no turning back.

It was a bit funny :lol: . When I was in the chair (he had not managed to open the brackets yet) an assistant came to ask boss something, and I immediately got up and on my way out of the chair. So boss tried to get me to stay in the chair with his hand waiving in a “down” motion while he answered some questions. No other disturbances happened after that so it went smoothly but the "down" with his hands was funny :lol:

After a few hours I could feel the new arch wire working (but not with pain) and boss asked if it was the left side I felt it, which was right. He sure knows his field!

Can’t wait to see Eric’s expression when he hears this! This means that we can change the lower arch wire next time if they are ready and I feel brave (and I don’t need to wait till next appointment after that since I can’t managed to switch both upper and lower arch wire on the same visit.). Yes! :dance:
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khaymie78
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:17 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Can I do it?

#333 Post by khaymie78 »

Wow, you have such an amazing story!! I am happy that you are overcoming your fears. It is a slow but steady progress, and you are doing great. :jump: :jump: .

Your teeth look great already, and I'm sure after it's all done, you will look back and be glad that you did this.!!
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klobird
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: Washington State, USA

Re: Can I do it?

#334 Post by klobird »

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I think that about "th"ums it up!!!

I am soooooooo proud of you!!!!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:

TMJJill
Posts: 827
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:18 pm

Re: Can I do it?

#335 Post by TMJJill »

Ebony, way to go!!!! You have more courage than you know.

You are doing such a great job sharing your story. I know I find inspiration in your story. :D

I wore my .018 for 10 months, just upgraded to the .019 yesterday. Hopefully you will have plenty of time in this wire too.

I got my lowers 2 months ago. I'm still in my starter wire for a while. I never know when I show up for an appointment if there will be a wire change or anything. Yesterday, they sprung a power chain on me for my uppers. I'm happy my upper arch is doing well, but it really came as a surprise. :o

Keep us updated on what Eric says.
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Braces as Phase II treatment for TMJD.
Lower mandibular repositioning splint 26 months.
Lower braces on 10.75 months into Phase II treatment.
Duration in braces: 2 years, 2 weeks, 5 days
Removal of Braces: September 18, 2013

TMJD treatment now complete!

jem
Posts: 942
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:05 am
Location: UK

Re: Can I do it?

#336 Post by jem »

Hello Eb,

Glad to hear you have joined the rectangular wire club! You should really see some progress now. I look forward to seeing pictures.

Well done

jem
Sectional brace with Damon clear brackets fitted to front 6 upper teeth 3 January 2012
Brackets added to premolars 2 April 2012
Estimated treatment time originally 6-9 months
. Brace removed on 22 July 2013 after 18 months and 19 days
Now enjoying bonded upper retainer plus part time essix/hawley( I have both)

Click here for my story http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42194

EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#337 Post by EbonyQ »

I’m still alive despite the rectangular wire! :lol:

I was a bit sore but my right molars took the chewing job, and it’s almost back to normal. Not as bad as I thought it would be at all! 8)

Khaymie78: Thank you! :D

TMJJill: you can always ask you know, if they have some idea of what will happen next time. Our pt asks us this all the time. I’m now on the 14x25 wire, so I have two more wires left I think Yay!

But the lowers…. :roll: I hate to change wires, I wish the .014 wire could do the whole job 8)

I hope your teeth will get better soon! :heart:

Klobird: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
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EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#338 Post by EbonyQ »

So Eric's office called to let me know that I had my app. later today :shock: (last pt of the day of course :roll: )

The big shock: I'm not that stressed (yet) :o
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klobird
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: Washington State, USA

Re: Can I do it?

#339 Post by klobird »

YAY!!! :jump: :thumbsup:

I remember the first time at superdentist's. I was shaking and lost my voice. Now I love her!!
She is the coolest. I hope you start to see Eric as someone you look forward to seeing, instead of the anxiety that goes with it!!

EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#340 Post by EbonyQ »

The appointment went very well. For the first time we had an appointment without panic attacks, just with the usual strong anxiety. That is a huge step!

When I arrived: “Are you ready for the .014?”
Me “YES!” and smiled
Eric looked at me “Eh.. Good! The chair is yours”
It was not the response he expected I guess :lol:
He, of course, had to push it and asked for the .018 as a joke :roll: :lol:

Eric showed me the models of my teeth and I was about to cry…. They were so horrible before I got braces… luckily I managed to keep the tears down and I don’t think Eric notice. I'm glad that I started this and god braces.

When we had our usual chat I asked him if we could go for the OK-result and not the perfect result orthos are trying to achieve. Eric agreed with this and asked what I would be OK with (spaces, crossbite, overbite etc). Even though this anxiety is getting better we both agreed that we should not push it any longer than necessary and since he has so little to work with because of this anxiety it would take forever to get a perfect result.

This new lower wire will work its wonders for a few weeks and then he have to make some decisions (IPR, another extraction, if things are going as they are supposed to etc). I guess he is not used to how slow working braces are without power chains because today he carefully mentioned power chains. “You know power chains are there for a reason. They make things go much faster” :roll: doh!

He really wanted to bond a bracket on my last tooth next time and put a power chain on a few teeth to push some of my front teeth towards the extraction gap (they got so little space that he need the space he can get). Just the thought of power chain almost sent me out of the chair. This is out of option!!!!!!
So Eric had to come up with some other ideas (they were not as good as the first one but they might work if I can do them).

What he needs to do to fix my cross bite was not something my anxiety liked either so we might have to let that part be if the wire can’t fix the cross bite alone. I’m all fine with that. The crossbite does not bother me.

Before I left he mentioned several times that I should not think on power chains even though he had mentioned them today. We had agreed to not use them before I said so and he was going to keep that promise.

Too late, they are already on my mind… :roll:
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klobird
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: Washington State, USA

Re: Can I do it?

#341 Post by klobird »

Hey Eb--you know...power chains are just not that bad. Maybe you have a bad memory because of how high your anxiety was in the beginning. Could you let him put a small chain on and let you sit there for a few minutes to see how it is and then take it off. Maybe work up to longer times. I'm really being honest--power chains are just the same as any adjustment soreness--it's not even really soreness--more like pressure --and it goes away quickly--a couple of days...

Just think of the fun colors you can choose!!! (I like my very rich dark sky blue color--really nice!) :arrow: :HugeGrin: Like that!!

NICURN85
Posts: 528
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:30 am
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: Can I do it?

#342 Post by NICURN85 »

Good job Eb!

I am glad you made it through your appointment today!! :D I am so proud of you for progressing in your treatment so well!
~KIMMIE

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Click here to view my story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=42578

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EbonyQ
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:20 pm
Location: Europe

Re: Can I do it?

#343 Post by EbonyQ »

Klobird: I’m sure Eric would hug you if that had worked :lol: Every time I manage to do something it must be like Christmas for him: one more thing he can work with :roll:

I don’t want power chain at all. Know that they work wonders but I don’t care about that right now. I like the speed that things are progressing now, nice and snail slow. No surprises and no pain :wink: My only worries are thicker arch wires.

Nic: Thanks! :heart:
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klobird
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: Washington State, USA

Re: Can I do it?

#344 Post by klobird »

Hey Eb--You know I support you no matter what--and you have come soooo far that I almost hate to say anything that would jeopardize your progress!

You are one of the most courageous people I know and it's amazing how far you are getting along...
one step at a time!! :heart: :heart: :heart:

TMJJill
Posts: 827
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:18 pm

Re: Can I do it?

#345 Post by TMJJill »

Hi EbonyQ,

I just wanted to share a bit on my experience with wire changes. I just got my .019 finishing wire on my upper arch a couple weeks ago. I wasn't expecting it when I went into the appointment. I haven't had any pain at all with this wire. I didn't have any pain with my .018 wire that I'd worn for the 10 months prior to that either.

I really think that if your teeth are ready for the next wire that it makes any adjustment easier. Try not to focus on the actual size of the wire. Continue to focus on the end result, even if you continue your slow pace. That is OK. You are doing something GREAT for yourself. :jump:
Image

Braces as Phase II treatment for TMJD.
Lower mandibular repositioning splint 26 months.
Lower braces on 10.75 months into Phase II treatment.
Duration in braces: 2 years, 2 weeks, 5 days
Removal of Braces: September 18, 2013

TMJD treatment now complete!

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