BrandiJeane's Braces Journey! ALMOST OVER!!

[BrandiJeane]

So I got my top and bottom expanders put on August 12th 2005. The first couple days were hell! I couldnt eat or sleep. Im still not eating well and I cant talk very well at all! I have a huge lisp going on. These things are so uncomfortable . I just cant wait until they do what they have to do and can be takin off. I havent noticed any changes or anything yet but hope too soon! My next appt is September 9th! Cant wait to see what the ortho has to say!

[BrandiJeane]

Just took some pics. My mouth looks as tho its getting bigger ALREADY!

Here are some pics from tonight and some of my bottom and top expander!

[jaws]

Hi BrandiJeane,

I feel your pain! I have had top and bottom lingual expanders for 4 months now! My expanders don't look exactly like yours, but here are some pics:





They can be quite a pain at first! For the first month or so I had A LOT of trouble speaking...I had a constant lisp that was very obvious. Plus I'm a grad student and had to do a presentation at a conference--however everyone was very supportive which was nice.

After around a month or so things got a bit better. I am now 4 months into treatment, and the bottom expander doesn't bother me at all (I get a bit of food stuck in it here and there, but otherwise it's ok). I still sound a bit funny when I speak (due to the top expander), but I think I notice it more than anyone else does.

My top has expanded quite nicely according to my ortho...the bottom is moving along a bit slower since those teeth were more crowded to begin with, and the lower expander had to be removed for a couple of months because it had become too "short" for my tongue.

Good luck with your treatment!

[BrandiJeane]

Thanks for sharing Jaws! 4 months! WOW I dont feel so alone now! lol. My lisp is getting somewhat better. I have a lot of trouble with my 3's lol Im eating alot better too.Having food getting stuck in these expanders suck tho! Its does seem as though Im seeing more change in my top teeth than my bottom . Thanks for the info and I will keep up with your progress!:D

[jaws]

Glad to hear your lisp is getting better! In terms of the top moving faster than the bottom--my ortho also told me that it's 'easier' to move/expand the top teeth because the bone that those teeth are in is much softer. The bone that the lower teeth are in is quite thin and hard, so those teeth tend to move/expand a bit slower.

I started to see gaps from my expander after around 3-4 weeks. The gaps didn't look that great, but they made me excited because they signaled progress!

If you want to check out my whole story you can go to "Bethany's Story" in the "Our Braces Stories" section.

Good luck!

[BrandiJeane]

Every morning I get up and look in the mirror hoping to see a gap.. I cant believe that Im saying that lol. Who would be excited to have gaps in their teeth! haha! Me I guess! Again thanks for the info and Im going to check out your site!

[BrandiJeane]

I can finally almost eat normal now! Except for the food getting stuck in my expanders its great! My lisp is still here but not as badly! Thank God for that! Tomorrow is the last day of turning my expander. Ive been turning it once for 12 days! 12 days! WOW THAT HAS FLEW BY!!! I got back to the ortho the 9th! I cant wait to hear what he has to say! What should I expect for them to do?? Heres some pics!

First day of having expander. August 12th


August 16th


August 19th


And today August 23rd!!!


And another from today!

[BrandiJeane]

So here is a picture of the first couple days the expander was in

August 12


Augyst 16


August 23


And some from today August 27th 2005!





You can see where the tooth with the wire across it is getting pushed back! Its very upsetting and I hope they do something to correct their mistake next appt!

[HollyDontSpend]

You'd think they might tell you about that wire across that bottom tooth. I hope you get some answers about that. Your teeth are looking great though. I truly admire those of you with expanders. I think I'd be a big wuss about it. Good luck!

[marcTO]

So here is a picture of the first couple days the expander was in

August 12


Augyst 16


August 23


And some from today August 27th 2005!





You can see where the tooth with the wire across it is getting pushed back! Its very upsetting and I hope they do something to correct their mistake next appt!

Hey Brandi nice pics...i just wanted to know how come braces on only 4 teeth??

[BrandiJeane]

Im going to the ortho tomm. to see about the wire that is across my front tooth since it is pushing the tooth backwards. My next appt wasnt supposed to be until the 9th but when I called they wanted me in ASAP. So I will update and let ya all know what happened at tomorrows appt! Wish me luck!

[marcTO]

good luck!

[BrandiJeane]

Went to the ortho today and he put that wire back inbehind my teeth where it should have been in the first place. He said it was pushing that tooth backward and should start doing its thing now . My next appt is the 9th and Im not sure if hes going to start having me crank it again or not? I just really cant wait to start seeing that stubborn tooth come to where it should and start seeing more improvement! I just feel so blessed that this is happening and know all the pain and discomfort and hassle is going to be well worth it in the e nd!

Heres a pic from the first day with expanders and the wire across my tooth and today after it was put where it should have been!

August 12


Today August 31st!

[BrandiJeane]

Just a couple of pictures. Not as much as improvement as I was looking for. But it takes time I guess lol
These were takin today 9/2/2005

[JN_Woods]

Brandi, your teeth are looking good! I'm getting my braces on next week then upper and lower expanders the following week. How bad are they? I know you said you couldn't eat and sleep for a couple days, but what should I expect? Do you have any tips? So, is your upper expander a quad-helix and lower a bi-helix (is that what they're called?)? I think that's what I'm getting. Thanks and good luck.

Jen