thanks for the input, archwired. I guess the language barrier wouldn't be too bad because I'm actually submersing myself in the language when I get there because I'm earning a minor in Italian, but.... I won't lie, it's more for vanity reasons. I really, realllly don't want my memories from studying abroad to include braces (aka, being in pictures with braces.)
I don't know. I'm used to them, but sometimes I'm just like ugh, why did I do this again?
My Story - *9/30/08* - Braced! *New Pics Pg 3*
Moderator: bbsadmin
In that case, I'd see if you could get some essex retainers from your ortho. He might charge extra, but they're clear, and would hold your teeth in position while you're gone. Remember that when you get back, you'll have to go through armageddon and get your brackets and wires attached again, if you want to finish treatment. 
Sentenced: 18 months + 12 months
Wow guys, I can't believe it's been 5 months since I last updated. Woops!
I still haven't decided what I want to do about going abroad with braces. As of now, I think I'm going to request a clear wire (I would have to special order it.) I have some questions about special requests, etc on a thread here if you could hop on over there and check it out, maybe respond, I'd appreciate it immensely.
Anyway, so treatment is going great (besides the "going abroad" dilemma). I've seen vast improvements on my teeth, both uppers and lowers. Here are some pics! Sorry about my disgusting ligs. I can't wait to get them changed. My next appt. is June 4, so I'm thinking I'm NEVER going to get clear ligs on the bottom again. I don't know what I was thinking. Haha. I'll probably go for blue or pink. I've already done pink, and I liked it, but I was feeling self-concious last time i went in so I just wanted something as unnoticeable as possible. But c'est la vie.
Phew, now that I've written a book...
sorry. Haha.
I still haven't decided what I want to do about going abroad with braces. As of now, I think I'm going to request a clear wire (I would have to special order it.) I have some questions about special requests, etc on a thread here if you could hop on over there and check it out, maybe respond, I'd appreciate it immensely.
Anyway, so treatment is going great (besides the "going abroad" dilemma). I've seen vast improvements on my teeth, both uppers and lowers. Here are some pics! Sorry about my disgusting ligs. I can't wait to get them changed. My next appt. is June 4, so I'm thinking I'm NEVER going to get clear ligs on the bottom again. I don't know what I was thinking. Haha. I'll probably go for blue or pink. I've already done pink, and I liked it, but I was feeling self-concious last time i went in so I just wanted something as unnoticeable as possible. But c'est la vie.
Phew, now that I've written a book...
sorry. Haha.
Thanks, Ken!
I'm hoping to request a clear wire (biomer) with white wire ties, and I'm willing to pay extra, but I'm okay if that doesn't work out.
I would probably only have about 6 months in them when I get back, as my sentence is 18 months.
I'm also worried about something breaking while I'm over there, and not knowing where to go. I guess google can help me out with that, lol. Just when I think I've accepted my fate, something else enters my mind that I worry about. Oh well, I'll just see what happens!
I'm hoping to request a clear wire (biomer) with white wire ties, and I'm willing to pay extra, but I'm okay if that doesn't work out.
I would probably only have about 6 months in them when I get back, as my sentence is 18 months.
I'm also worried about something breaking while I'm over there, and not knowing where to go. I guess google can help me out with that, lol. Just when I think I've accepted my fate, something else enters my mind that I worry about. Oh well, I'll just see what happens!
Had my appointment last week on Thursday. Progress looking good. Couldn't get the wire ties cause there's still some small gaps that he wanted to correct before doing those. I have an appointment on June 25, and then again on July 17.
I got purple ligs on the bottoms, and I love them. I think I'm going to get bright blue or turquoise next time, right before I leave on a cruise! I'm excited that I get to get the clear chain changed right before that too.
Also, my ligs were getting a little dingy (even though I just had my appt a week and a half ago), so I brushed with a mixture of toothpaste, baking soda, water, and peroxide, and WOW! I would definitely recommend that probably only once a week though, but it sure does brighten up the smile!
I got purple ligs on the bottoms, and I love them. I think I'm going to get bright blue or turquoise next time, right before I leave on a cruise! I'm excited that I get to get the clear chain changed right before that too.
Also, my ligs were getting a little dingy (even though I just had my appt a week and a half ago), so I brushed with a mixture of toothpaste, baking soda, water, and peroxide, and WOW! I would definitely recommend that probably only once a week though, but it sure does brighten up the smile!
Hi fellow college person in braces! 
Your teeth are looking SO good! I really like the purple ligatures (purple is my favorite color). Right now I'm in wire ties, so I don't have any choice of color but I'm thinking I will get purple when I get ligatures one day.
I'm jealous you're going on a cruise, by the way. Have fun!
Your teeth are looking SO good! I really like the purple ligatures (purple is my favorite color). Right now I'm in wire ties, so I don't have any choice of color but I'm thinking I will get purple when I get ligatures one day.
I'm jealous you're going on a cruise, by the way. Have fun!
I absolutely cannot believe it's been a year and a half since I started this braces journey... and that it's been seven months since I update this. Time flies like crazy.
Well, currently I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy! It's been such a huge learning and growing experience. I love it here, but I'm definitely missing the good ole US of A.
In the braces department, I decided to keep them on for my duration here. I'm not having (and haven't had) any adjustments for these nine months, so it will put me off schedule, but hopefully I'll be able to get these things off a few months after I return home. I'm supposed to be wearing elastics on my back molars every night... which I haven't been doing. I really, really need better motivation to do it, considering I don't really have any right now because I'm not seeing my orthodontist. Any suggestions?
I decided to just keep with my hardware while I was here, and my orthodontist gave me wire ties so they wouldn't stain or anything. I've been very happy with them, but I really can't wait to get some clear ligs back on. Here's a pic I took with my webcam tonight of my teeth. If I get bored I'll post some better ones later.
Over Christmas break, one of my back brackets broke, but my orthodontist said that since everything is anchored down, nothing drastic should happen, and as far as I've noticed, nothing has shifted or anything. It just feels weird sometimes. It's the bigger bracket next to my molar band on the bottom right. It just slides a little back and forth, but nothing too bad.
On a slightly different topic... I started and completed the Harry Potter book series last semester. I know, I know, it's like 10 years late on the bandwagon, but the point is... I LOVE them! And when I get home, my first lig colors are going to be red and gold... Gryffindor! *nerd*
Anyway, that's pretty much all I've got as of now. I'll hopefully update in about 3 and a half months after my first appointment when I'm back home!
Feedback is always greatly appreciated
Well, currently I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy! It's been such a huge learning and growing experience. I love it here, but I'm definitely missing the good ole US of A.
In the braces department, I decided to keep them on for my duration here. I'm not having (and haven't had) any adjustments for these nine months, so it will put me off schedule, but hopefully I'll be able to get these things off a few months after I return home. I'm supposed to be wearing elastics on my back molars every night... which I haven't been doing. I really, really need better motivation to do it, considering I don't really have any right now because I'm not seeing my orthodontist. Any suggestions?
I decided to just keep with my hardware while I was here, and my orthodontist gave me wire ties so they wouldn't stain or anything. I've been very happy with them, but I really can't wait to get some clear ligs back on. Here's a pic I took with my webcam tonight of my teeth. If I get bored I'll post some better ones later.
Over Christmas break, one of my back brackets broke, but my orthodontist said that since everything is anchored down, nothing drastic should happen, and as far as I've noticed, nothing has shifted or anything. It just feels weird sometimes. It's the bigger bracket next to my molar band on the bottom right. It just slides a little back and forth, but nothing too bad.
On a slightly different topic... I started and completed the Harry Potter book series last semester. I know, I know, it's like 10 years late on the bandwagon, but the point is... I LOVE them! And when I get home, my first lig colors are going to be red and gold... Gryffindor! *nerd*
Anyway, that's pretty much all I've got as of now. I'll hopefully update in about 3 and a half months after my first appointment when I'm back home!
Feedback is always greatly appreciated
Its good to hear you're doing well. I agree the time seems to fly by. I went almost a year without updating my blog.
As for wearing the elastics, not wearing them will only slow you down once you return. Plus we know who your ortho is and we're sending him copies of your blog.
Mike
As for wearing the elastics, not wearing them will only slow you down once you return. Plus we know who your ortho is and we're sending him copies of your blog.
Mike
I wore braces (this time) for 1294 days or 3 years, 6 months and 17 days.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.
But who's counting?
Jaw Surgery June 1, 2009
Thanks for praying for me and thinking happy thoughts.