My story begins about 12 years ago when I was 13 and received braces for the first time... well kind of. A rapid palate expander was used to widen my upper arch and they placed brackets on my two front teeth to close a fairly large gap. After that gap was closed, my treatment was postponed for the rest of my teeth to develop/grow. Unfortunately, due to family financial circumstances, I never went back and payed the consequences. As I went through middle school and high school, I began to develop severe crowding (top and bottom) to the point where my lateral incisors where hidden behind the rest of my teeth. (see pictures)
Fast-forward to my junior year of college. As I continued to search for the next step after school, whether it be graduate school or professional work, I couldn't help but thinking about my teeth. I had always wished they were straight and I hated my smile...to the point where I never showed my teeth. My girlfriend of 4 years helped push me to finally make the decision to go back to another ortho. She told me that my teeth had never bothered her, but if it's something that is important to me, then I should do it for me.
So, to the orthodontist I went. During my consultation, he told me it would be a tough but do-able case. He said that I would need a rapid palatal expander (again) and 4 extractions (first bicuspids). He also mentioned that he was unsure if the RPE would work, so he said surgery would be a follow-up plan. At the time I didn't mention this, but I was not okay with that option.
The RPE went in May of 2011 and I cranked it probably every 3 days (I believe). Thankfully, I was getting consistent movement and my ortho was happy. Interestingly, he mentioned if my last ortho would have kept my first RPE in longer, I would have not needed as much work my second go-around. Anyway, in August of 2011, I had all four bicuspids extracted and my braces put on (all on the SAME DAY). He asked me about 3 times if I was sure I wanted that and I said, yes...not knowing the amount of pain I'd experience for the next couple of weeks.
I was told the braces would be on for about 2 years. I started with monthly visits and lots of powerchains tugging and pulling my canines into the empty spaces where my bicuspids once were. Soon enough my lateral incisors began to peak out and start moving towards their destination. The day they attached a bracket to my right lateral incisor and pushed the wire back to connect it was a great day. I remember always pressing on that tooth when I was a kid just wishing I could somehow push it into position... The feeling of that tooth coming to the front of my smile was so invigorating.
Last June, I informed my ortho that I had a big date coming up and would absolutely LOVE to have my braces off by a certain time (if possible, of course). I became engaged to my lovely fiancé. I asked if the braces would be off by September 2013. He told me that he believes they would be but to be sure, they wanted to expedite the process, meaning I may experience some extra discomfort due to more frequent adjustments. I didn't care. I was ready for them to come off.
So fast-forward to now! Last Thursday I was informed that my braces have successfully done their job and they can come off in 2 weeks! I don't think I've been this excited in a very long time. I am almost counting down the hours! As soon as they come off, I will be posting pictures. In fact, I can add some pictures that I took during my progress throughout the upcoming week.
June 27 will be a big day!
EDIT: I will upload pics as soon as I become authorized!
