My story, initial situation, with pics.

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#46 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:05 pm

Pics again:

My stubbern left front tooth seems to finally start aligning with the others. Such a relief

Initial situation:

About 3 weeks ago:

Now, 3 days after my last adjustment:

It's so good to see that that stubborn tooth is finally surrendering. One month until next adjustment, can't wait!

#47 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:16 pm

Progressing pics from the side:

About 6 weeks ago:

About 3 weeks ago:

Today, 3 days after last adjustment:

#48 Post by **Lingualita** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:11 am

Today I got my ticker. Have been looking at everyone else's ticker for months now, I wanted one for myself

. So I got the pink hearts with a another pink heart which will start moving as time goes by

. If I feel it's come very short, I'llhave to remember that I've already been braced for 6 months now, actually 6 1/2.

#49 Post by **Lingualita** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:40 pm

I'm just signing in to vent a bit. I've not seen any improvement at all for the last weeks, I've not yet received a letter from an OS calling me in to discuss possible surgery, and I just feel like everything is going soooooo slow. I know that this will pass, and I'm still glad I've got braces, but I'm just so tired of them at the moment...

Braces are fun when you se progress, but not fun when the process has seemed to stall.

#50 Post by **Lingualita** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:48 pm

Well, yeah, 2 weeks until my next adjustment, will try not to focus on the lack of progress until then

#51 Post by **Lynne** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:21 am

Lingualita wrote:Well, yeah, 2 weeks until my next adjustment, will try not to focus on the lack of progress until then

Hi, your progress looks absolutely amazing, you have lovely teeth. I completely understand you feeling fed up of slow progress - I have had lower linguals since Jan and had uppers for about 10 days. It's so reassuring to see your progress!! Good luck and keep posting - it's so helpful.

#52 Post by **Lingualita** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:12 am

Thanks for the reply Lynne. It's so encouraging to get feedback on my progress. Even though I feel it goes soooo slow most of the time, I'm very satisfied with the progress I've had so far

.

#53 Post by **Lingualita** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:33 am

I've just gotten home from an adjustment. I always forget to check the time when I leave, but I would guess I was there for about 30 min. He changed the wire in my upper jaw. I now have a 0.16 wire, and the last one was 014. I suppose that means it's thicker?

Here's some pic's:

As you can see, he made some sort of "loops". I have them on both sides, next to my extraction-gaps. He says that will help closing the gaps. I have no clue how, but I trust him

He said that next appointment he will do the same in my lower arch.

My upper jaw is starting to get and nice and round arch. The changes compared with my initial situation is great.

He shaved a little on my fake tooth to make room to start pulling the front teeth backwards.

My stubborn left front tooth seems like it's finally ready to get in line with the others. Hoooray

My next appointment is the 7th. of nov, 6 1/2 weeks from now. Already looking forward to it.

I'm very satisfied with my appointment. He said I'm great brushing and flossing, and that my teeth and gums look healthy. The only thing that sucks is that it is 8 months waiting time to meet with and OS, not 5 as I thought. So there'll still be a few months until I'll see and OS to discuss possible surgery. My ortho said that it does not affect what he's doing, so it's really noe biggie other than that it's annoying to wait.

Let's hope the time flies until Nov 7th

!

#54 Post by **Margie** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:15 pm

Your progress is amazing so far!

I know how you feel about slow progress though, that is how I am feeling now! I have had my braces for just over 4 months and I saw such amazing progress in the first two months but for the last two months I haven't noticed much of a change at all!

#55 Post by **Lingualita** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:40 pm

Hi Margie!

Thanks for checking out my story. When the feeling that nothing's heppening takes over I go back to previous post to remind myself the changes I've had the last 7 months. And speaking of changes. I read your thread, and the changes you had in the first couple of months are amazing. It's only natural that is slows down. Will definately check in to see your further progress

#56 Post by **OzzysMom** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:31 am

Hi, I just read your story. It's amazing how much your teeth have changed in a few short months. The movement of your lowers is impressive! Hopefully you'll see the OS soon. It seems like forever but the time really passes by quickly.

#57 Post by **Lingualita** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:17 pm

Hi OzzysMom,

Thanks for reading my thread. I'm really happy with my progress so far, and PATIENCE is the key to get through braces, possible surgery, retainers etc.

I can be think that I'm waaaay beyond half of the time when including all the years I procrastinated this

.

My teeth are so sore now. In the adjustment yesterday I changed until a thicker wire, and I guess that's causing more pain. Been taking pain-killers but even though I know they're weak and not dangerous in small amounts, I always hate taking pain-killers. I hope the teeth will be fine in a couple of days.

#58 Post by **Lingualita** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:26 am

Now I've been braced for 8 months and 1 week. That's a long time!

In three weeks I've had them for 9 motnhs, which is half of the estimated time I've been given. I just want to say that all in all it's been a good experience, and I would definately encourage others to pursue orthodontic treatment if they're thinking about it.

Last week we were celebrating my brothers birthday. My aunt was there, she's about 60 years old. Once we finished dinner she started to talk about her orthodontic treatment she had once she was 15. First I felt really awkward that she was talking about it, since hardly noone mentions my braces. But as she continued speaking (she speaks ALOT!!), I actually felt relieved. That she wasn't afraid to talk about it. It's not like I don't have braces, so the fact that only a handful of people have mentioned them, and actually only two talking about them, it actually felt good that she just asked me about them and talked about her own experience. So what started as an uncomfortable conversation turned out pretty good

#59 Post by **Lingualita** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:39 am

To follow up on my last thread, I've found that the more I talk about my braces, the less embarrassed I get about them. It's so weird really. I remember especially before getting braces, I remember I was so embarrassed that I was getting braces. I wasn't even able to tell most of my friends in person, I sent them an email where it said I was going to have braces.

When I picture one of my friends getting braces, I'm sure I wouldn't mind at all, just being supportive they were having resolved an issue. You always regard your own problems being much greater than they actually are. If there's one thing this braces process has taught me, it is to be patient and to not freak out about the braces and teeth, cause now I'm actually doing something proactive to get it solved

Today it's 3 weeks axactly until my next ortho appointment. Can't wait

#60 Post by **Lingualita** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:43 pm

Met my dentist at the subway today. Not my ortho, but my family-dentist that referred me to the ortho initially. He sat right in front of me, and it's always kinda awkward to sit right in front ofsomeone you know, but is not feeling comfortable to talk with. LOL

Luckily I was reading a paper, so I guess I just seemed very "busy". The only thing we have in common is teeth, so I dreaded the only possible conversation; "So, how are y

ou finding your braces?" or even worse, starting to talk about the weather.