Decisionmade's (D.M's) story:summer '07 update

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#61 Post by **katemm06** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 2:05 pm

DM,

Glad your extraction went well! I think the cavities are unavoidable with the type of surgery we went through. I still find it really difficult to brush my teeth in the back because of those heavy metal hooks. I end up not putting in as much effort as I do the ones in the front. But oh well!

If only my gap was the size of yours right now! I'm hoping that mabey it will be like that in a month's time, but I guess I will have to wait and see.

Happy healing!

#62 Post by **fins** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:54 am

FYI the ceramics haven't stained (I have them) and if your ortho goes with wire ties instead of elastics, they won't stain either. So far, everything looks bright and white on me. I miss my coffee though, but I don't want to stain my teeth.

#63 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:14 am

thanks karen, Jen, and fins for your insight into ceramic braces..It is so wonderful to have you all as such great resources on this site! I have complete trust in my ortho and will let her guide me in all my decisions:)..Kate, would you believe that the cavity is nowhere near my expander..its on the bottom..so i'm afraid I can't use gettingh the area clean as my excuse but my dentist said its a spot hes been watching for a while so I guess it was just time...and i forget I even have the space now that it is so tiny..so glad I've taken so many pictures so I can see how far I have come! It is soo encouraging..I bet yours is shrinking and you just can't tell yet..

now a little venting
well my extraction site continues to heal well but todayI had the cavity from hell filled..It was worse than my extraction last week...apparently the novacaine shot area was still tender from thursday's shot or not enough topical stuff was applied..whatever reason it hurt! ..to make matters worse..the first shots of novacaine didn't do the job so I was given additonal which seemed like it took forever..and he actually directly hit the nerve which felt like a mild electic current..kind of a zinging if that makes sense..i flinched with that one...I consider myself pretty tough when it comes to pain but it was all very rough..and the whole left side of my face was numb from my chin to my temple...now it is several hours later and my jaw hurts from the numerous shots..so i've taken a pain pill and am going to try to sleep for a bit.....oh jeez i just re read this and now sound like a whiner...but my positive attitude is still here.. just covered up with some discomfort right now

Well thats all for my entry today..next stop -dreaded spacers for the THIRD time on thursday and of course a celebration of being 10 weeks actively involved in this seemingly unending process! 9 DAYS 'TIL BRACE DAY

#64 Post by **mmgreco** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:49 am

Sorry about all the pain with the filling! Are you getting excited/nervous about brace day? My nervousness is almost gone, more excited now. I was really scared. I finally updated my pics.

#65 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:03 pm

Hi mmgreco..I am soo excited..It has been a long time in coming and I can't believe I am so close now..I just checked out your pics! Hooray for us! we can do this..not long now!l

#66 Post by **katemm06** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:14 pm

Hi DM,

I hope your feeling better now. Your poor mouth has really been poked and prodded a lot for September! Best of luck with the spacers. They're not a lot of fun, but hey, no pain no gain!

My gap is getting smaller, but at a very slow pace. I think in a few weeks the difference will be a lot more noticeable. I'm really happy though that I'm able to go back to eating my favorite junk foods. I had popcorn this weekend and cheese curls today! It's pretty amazing when I am only been 5 weeks postop that I can chew without any problems!

Take care.

#67 Post by **decisionmade** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:21 am

popcorn ? you can eat popcorn?..ahh i miss my favorite snack....As my teeth moved back there were days that they were so loose feeling and sensative..but every day was a bit diferent ..some days I have been more adventurous with my eating than other days...I prepared for spacers by having a big eating day yesterday..I'm actually making dinner for my sister and brother and their families tonight but am betting I won't be haivng much of it

When I was waiting for my gap to close up i just kept saying our Julia Roberts like my smile will be and ya know I was watching the view the other day and they did a whole segment on how orthodontics can make a huge difference in your appearance as you age..It was really interesting ..basically it showed how having expanders and braces can fight the appearance of signs of aging such as thining lips and narrowing mouths..How appropriate that I was actually home that morning to watch the show..a message (from above)? perhaps that I am doing the right thing! i'm so glad you are feeling good Kate..keep up the positive energy and we'll both be showing off beautiful smiles before long!

ten weeks today!!! Here is my natural smile

exagerated smile showing of my crowded lowers..just had first premolar on my left side extracted last week:

#68 Post by **joplin** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:52 am

basically it showed how having expanders and braces can fight the appearance of signs of aging such as thining lips and narrowing mouths..

YAY! This is music to my 36 years old ears. Keep talking, DM!

Your smile looks so pretty! It will be knock out gorgeous when braces have done their job, absolutely no doubt about it!

#69 Post by **decisionmade** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:05 pm

oh joplin you made my night! Thanks! Oh we are both look'n good aren't we

the spacers are in! my sis who is a mother of three says i look like ihave playdoh in my teeth

#70 Post by **HollyDontSpend** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:59 pm

Holy mole-y DecisionMade!!!! Your smile looks amazing!!!! I feel like everytime I get on the message board, someone's smile is completely different!

That is so great! (Sorry for the amazing use of exclamation points). Whoo-hoo!

#71 Post by **joplin** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:06 am

Oh we are both look'n good aren't we Wink

We're Absolutely Fabulous, sweetie

#72 Post by **decisionmade** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 5:14 am

Thanks for your enthusiasm holly and Joplin..the other day I bought this gum in a little box with a pig tailed braced girl on the front with the words "wanna kiss?" I couldn't resist!

The spacers aren't bad yest this morning but were constantly uncomfortable yesterday..I'm sure i'll become more sore again as the day continues but I am headed out for brunch and plan to double up on the mimosas!!

oh joplin, this may be a question you can answer..Since I have the expander..how the heck can i get more brackets for braces around those molars that are anchoring it..Would have been a good although maybe dumb question for my ortho but it only occurs to me now...maybe I've got something backwards....

Have a great weekend!

#73 Post by **katemm06** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:28 pm

Very nice pic, DM

Each week your smile looks better and better!

I've really been so lucky about having no pain or discomfort with my teeth. It really makes eating an enjoyable experience again

My guess is that the brackets will not be put on the molars holding the expander, because it seems like it would make things more complicated when the expander is finally removed. But I guess you will find out soon enough!

#74 Post by **joplin** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:33 pm

oh joplin, this may be a question you can answer..Since I have the expander..how the heck can i get more brackets for braces around those molars that are anchoring it..

I had the expander removed before getting braces. I'm still wearing the w-arch (that is holding my palate steady post-op), but that is only attached to my molar rings that would be there anyway. So I can't really answer your question, sorry. I'm sure your ortho has a plan for this - they seem to know all kinds of mysterious tricks

The big B day is so close now, isn't it?!?!?

#75 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:10 pm

well it will be interesting to see what it is like to have full braces AND the expander at the same time...

i'm having a particularly uncomfortable day but not due to spacers as far as i can tell but just sore loose teeth all over and an overwhelming urge to grind them ..ugh...Actually the spacers this time only caused me 2 days of discomfort whih i could specifically attribute to the four spacers ...i've been very aware of my expander today and i still have more than 3 mos. left with it.

I've been eating everything in sight except of course for the crunchy hard things I can't eat but bring on the pasta and ice cream! I'm just anticipating a tough time adjusting to the braces and the effect on my eating...just tomorrow to get through ..then Thursday is my day..I can hardly believe it is finally going to be here.,,I feel really prepared thanks to all the great information and insight I have gained from all of you on this sight..thanks so much..Next stop--fully braced on 9/29/05 and you can bet i'll be posting pics of that!

Metal Mouth Message Board

Decisionmade's (D.M's) story:summer '07 update

Great progress!