Metal Mouth Message Board

Okay so today, my journey officially begun. To read up (if you're interested) on my story and previous posts, here is the link below.
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =3&t=41086

So earlier on I got my braces on. It was rather an uneventful process despite me looking forward to this moment for many MANY years. Haha.

I first had the moulds done which wasn't nearly as bad as people described, except the little pieces left in my mouth tasted really bitter. Then they showed me the brackets they were going to put on, and surprising they look a lot smaller than you imagine them. At this point the assistant told me start thinking about what colour I would like for them. Hmmmm

Then he begun the process of glueing them on. It definitely didn't hurt for those worried. It was hard to swallow since my mouth was open wide for so long, and the most painful part of it was probably just the plastic thing they use to keep your mouth open, but I'd say it was more uncomfortable than anything.

I chose the purple ligs and he started putting the wire in. He has also put a small clear powerchain on the front four teeth to close the gap and I can tell you that I'm seeing it working already! YAY!!
The chain is visible to me only at the moment but I reckon I'm going to be careful of staining it so that others can't see it! My next appointment has to be 2 months from now since next time the Ortho is in town, I am not.

They feel weird in my mouth, but I can see me getting used to it quick. It's not as big and as bulky as you imagine! The whole appointment took 1 1/2 hrs.

I'm having no trouble talking or anything, and so far, no pain. I'm looking forward to RESULTS!

Stay tuned for some photos of my braces on. Hopefully you'll be able to see the movement I'm talking about

well done!
can't wait to see the pics
all the best with your journey.

Yay Bec!!! congratulations! I'm definitely getting colored ligs as well....just can't be so serious that I can't have a little fun with this. I still have about an hour before I head to my appointment and I'm a little nervous to say the least.

are you going to post any pics? would love to see your purple ligs.

Thanks BetsyBug, how did your Brace Day go? It's today isn't it?

Thanks for all the well wishes guys, all is going well. I will be posting pics below for you all to see

This was before braces, so you can compare without having to read the story in the old forum. All images are clickable to see them enlarged, thanks photobucket

This image is straight after I got them on.



These images are today, because I've had progress already!



In this image you can kind of see the powerchain I was referring to earlier.











I will post photo updates every month at adjustments or etc or when EXCITING STUFF HAPPENS. (Like my gap closing, which at this rate, wont be long!!)

Day 2 with braces is pretty okay. My lips aren't getting caught on the hooks as much, and my teeth are tender only if I eat. But generally I am in no pain!

Yay Bec...
things look great!! I actually got my braces on yesterday and everything went well. am not really sore at all except where my front lip are rubbing my brackets on my lower lip. Gonna have to wax them. I will try to get some pictures taken this evening, my phone camera is worthless so I'm going to have to get out the good camera - it has a micro setting.

Yay Bec - they look great! Congrats

Hey looking great with the braces. Yeah they deinfatly felt weird but now i don t even notice they're on my teeth unless i look into the mirror.

Your braces look great! I don't think I've ever seen someone look so cute with them on (I hope that doesn't come across as creepy). Best of luck with the rest of your treatment!

Thanks for all the positive comments guys. I'm certainly not feeling amazing in them yet but it's good to know they at least look cute haha. They make me look younger though, which can't be a bad thing.

Day 3 with them and they hurt quite a bit this morning. And my gosh, when I went to floss them yesterday I seriously was thinking to myself, what the hell have I got myself into?? What a mission that was. haha. I'm still waiting to get my hands on these things called 'floss fish' which I seen somewhere on the internet and ordered.. They made flossing look like a piece of cake. Almost too good to be true. When they arrive I'll let you know if they're as good as they say!

Hey Bec! I'm past my one week mark and I feel like I have weights in my mouth. Isn't it amazing how we look for more ways to brush our teeth! I have flossed more this past week in my entire lifetime!

Hey Bec,
Don't know if there is a better way to floss....It is taking me forever as well. I guess its a small thing to give up to get these teeth where they belong. I'm sorry you are sore, ibuprofen seems to help a lot. I'm a couple days ahead of you and I'm still a little sore, but I think the bite turbos keep everything moving more then when you are actually biting on your teeth, so I don't know when the pain in my mouth will subside. I told my husband last night I feel like a baby who needs to cut a tooth chewing on something...give me a teething biscuit I think that might help. (however that defeats the purpose of the turbos so I didn't do it)
Im not sure if I look younger with these things in my mouth, or not. But it couldn't hurt. I definitely sound like a little kid with my lisp...LOL.
Oh the things we do to ourselves....LOL

smile often!!!

So here's a little update people

Tomorrow has been 2 weeks with my braces. For the most part I am used to them. Yesterday I tackled a steak. Yes, I'm proud. I'm able to chew almost normally now, but I find that I tire of chewing quickly, almost as if my mouth is out of practice.

Also I've noticed this weird sensation when I'm chewing. The first time it happened I had to run to the mirror to check if the powerchain between my space had snapped. When I'm eating it feels like the pressure pulling my teeth together has stopped (like it's broken in the middle) and that the force is pulling them the other way. Hmmm, weird huh. And hard to explain.

Most people haven't noticed my braces yet, unless I tell them. They're really not as noticeable as you imagine them to be. As for progress, I've had some movement, which I'm happy with, but being impatient like I am, I feel it's coming to a standstill til my next appointment, and I'm devastated that it's 6 whole weeks away yet
The space between my central incisors is smaller. Yay.
And the spaces between the lateral incisors and the central ones is gone!
Two of my teeth were slightly tipped but the wire is almost straight.

Good news huh! Also for those of you about to be braced and are dreading the sores in your mouth, be comforted by the fact that I didn't get any!! For the first two days my lips got caught on the hooks but after that all was good. So don't stress, you may be one of the lucky ones!

How exciting that you've seen changes already. Don't worry though, they're not standing still for the next 6 weeks!

looking awesome.
i can see your hooks for the elastics that is in your future you and me both. i am dreading it already. i can't wait to see some progress pics in the future. your smile is going to be beautiful