A Stubborn Canine

[Clo]

Hi Eleni,

I just wondered if you could move that nasty tie some ?

and do not shred the floss each time

Tell me about it ! I have lots of wire ties. And those just ruin all my little
interdental brushes in no time. I will not say that for every cleaning I need
a new one, but it is getting pretty close to that ...

[Eleni]

Your bottom teeth are looking good too. Do you know how much longer you have? (Or are you afraid to ask!)

Hi Shawnie! Welcome to our Impacted Canine Club, which seems to be flourishing on this board. There are many happy/positive stories around here like Firelight's and Evelyn’s, etc. It's nice to know and see how common this is and what wonderful results can be possible.

I have no clue how much longer I have to be in braces. I stopped asking. Not because of any fear, but more from the fact that “A few monthsâ€

[Clo]

Héhé, glad that it worked. I am most pleased to be able to help.
After almost 2 years in braces, I learned that a bit of DIY here and there
can make life a lot easier !!

If only I could find out for myself how to close a bite, reduce an overjet,
expand a lower jaw, and tweak some teeth, I think all my issues would be
resolved ... Nah, that tweaking may be asking too much ...

I am not sure though about your question. Do you mean how I use it
in its normal function ? I mean the front end, being a very little brush,
that I use to clean between teeth, teeth and brackets, and all other spaces
I see a normal toothbrush can't reach. But being the clever girl you are,
I think you know that, so I fear I am missing here something ...

[Shawnie]

Hi Eleni,

When I went for my sugery consultation last week I asked the surgeon about how the gums will look when the tooth comes down. He said it depends are where the tooth gets moved from, sometimes the gum line is at a good position other times not. I figured I'd just have to wait and see, first those teeth have to come down, then I'll have to wait and see about the gum line.

Didn't ask what could be done if the gum wasn't good, figured I was jumping way too far ahead. I'm sure there is something they can do, let me know what you find out.

Thanks
Shawnie

[Flora2006]

Eleni - Your journal has been truly inspirational. I am in the exact same position as you were...only my canine was erupted but it was exactly in the same position. I have my baby canine extracted in November and the braces went on in January so I didn't have any buttons to pull it down or anything...My ortho is just moving it forward. But knowing that your canine made so much movement in that 6 months (from pictures on page 1 i think) I can't wait until I hit the 6 month mark!!

You have had great progress and your teeth are looking great!

[Eleni]

Hi all, it’s been awhile.

A new job and orthodontic frustrations have kept me away from the board.
But it is good to be back and I look forward to catching up on all your stories.

I"ve also updated the first post to show my customary 6 month Oct to April comparison shot. I hope Oct 06 will be my last one!


Overview
I think I’m 2-3 months away from finishing and joining the naked tooth club. I approach this with mixed feelings. First, there are issues I have with the position of some teeth that I do not believe will be properly addressed by that time frame. Second, after reading about the joys of retainers (sarcasm), I don’t know how well I will get along with mine. And lastly I have work ahead of me to break a very bad habit where I put my hand in front of my mouth when I speak. I knew these things bothered me, I didn’t know just how much subconsciously until it was brought to my attention at work of how often I did it unaware.

Quick Recap
These last 3-4 months have been a holding pattern it seems. My adjustments were quick 15 minute lig changes and that’s it. In July I would be hitting my 2 year anniversary and was quite fed up by how long the treatment had extended. It was a 12-16 month original estimate and at this point there was no end in sight. Frustration had 2 sources - first was me and how slow my teeth were moving - second was my ortho and how little communication there was on estimated verus actual progress and what was up ahead.

My questions of how long do you think this will take were answered with “We’ll see, we’ll see.â€

[Clo]

Hi Eleni,

First, it is great to hear from you again. I missed you here.
I read your post and it raised mixed feelings for me too. But for other
reasons I think.
Know this, your teeth look absolutely awesome. No doubt about that. So
don't feel frustrated about your braces. You already had a great job done
in bringing your canine down. Not much remains to be done. On the other
hand, you are right about the issues you mentioned. But see these as a
challenge to get these issues sorted out too. You reached 90 pct, now
every pct you gain is one closer to perfection. But again, your smile is
absolutely gorgeous. It is indeed a pity if you hide that with your hand
when spreaking. Try to break that habbit. How ? By knowing all of us here
tell you to show your smile. Each time you hide it, hear these hundreds to
thousends ArchWired voices whispering in your head to take your hand
away. You could give that hand another 'toy' to play with, for example a
pencil or a ballpoint.
You do have a point that the communication of orthos could be better, to say
it mildly. But over the years, I learned that sometimes it is good to 'play
their game'. I mean, it is a narrow line to walk on between asking too little
and therefor not getting much information and asking too much and giving
him or her the impression you are questioning his or her ability. If you
cross it too much, your ortho may get frustrated too and that is not good
for anybody. So, I walk slowly but surely to that line, get more and more
information but do not doubt openly his abilities. It worked well, as at my
last appointment, my ortho congratulated me on my knowledge and insight
in orthodontic matters. He even said I would be a great ortho myself. I am
convinced this way the cooperation between you and your ortho will be
better and you will get more done.
About your issues. I am sure your right side not touching and the overjet
can indeed be corrected by elastics. If you are so close to good occlusion
like your pics show, they will work. I know elastics can be annoying, but as
some here call me the elastics king (as I had so many of them during the
last 2 years) I know they can do great jobs and when wearing them all the
time, they become much easier to wear after some time. And I know about
what I am talking. Maybe you can take a look at a post of mine of a month
ago in the general forum. Even this almost ridiculous configuration that I
have to wear all the time is doable. Spraying people is an issue, but it gets
better. Well at least most of the time. It is part of the game, no more, no less.
So, some more elastics here and there, and some tweaking of your
archwire and I am sure you will get there. The very last thing is settling
all when the braces are removed. Then your bite will feel great again.

I really hope this helped you a bit. Even if it only did get some frustration
away. Because only joy you should feel when having such a smile !

PS. You should not stop taking pictures. Where would we be then, Eleni
of ArchWired without pics of her awesome smile ...

[Eleni]

Know this, your teeth look absolutely awesome. No doubt about that. So
don't feel frustrated about your braces. You already had a great job done
in bringing your canine down. Not much remains to be done. On the other
hand, you are right about the issues you mentioned. But see these as a
challenge to get these issues sorted out too. You reached 90 pct, now
every pct you gain is one closer to perfection. But again, your smile is
absolutely gorgeous. It is indeed a pity if you hide that with your hand
when spreaking. Try to break that habbit. How ? By knowing all of us here
tell you to show your smile. Each time you hide it, hear these hundreds to
thousends ArchWired voices whispering in your head to take your hand
away. You could give that hand another 'toy' to play with, for example a
pencil or a ballpoint.

Thanks for the welcome back!

You are right, now that the major issue has been addressed (bringing that canine down) everything else is gravy, or chocolate syrup - based on your food preferences. I'll be the first to say how great the smile is. I never particularly thought my teeth were bad before but seeing what they look like now, it's very cool.

As for my bad habbit - I try to sit on my hands. It's the only thing I have found to effectively keep them as far from in front of my mouth as possible when speaking at a meeting. I fear hearing hundreds to thousands of ArchWired voices whispering in my head could possibly lead to more serious issues for which other medical professionals would have to be called in.

You do have a point that the communication of orthos could be better, to say
it mildly. But over the years, I learned that sometimes it is good to 'play
their game'. I mean, it is a narrow line to walk on between asking too little
and therefor not getting much information and asking too much and giving
him or her the impression you are questioning his or her ability. If you
cross it too much, your ortho may get frustrated too and that is not good
for anybody. So, I walk slowly but surely to that line, get more and more
information but do not doubt openly his abilities. It worked well, as at my
last appointment, my ortho congratulated me on my knowledge and insight
in orthodontic matters. He even said I would be a great ortho myself. I am
convinced this way the cooperation between you and your ortho will be
better and you will get more done.

Beautifully said and very sage advice indeed!

In hindsight, I probably have not been as fair to my ortho as I should have. Since we are old friends from college I may not have viewed him as the medical professional that he is. I also insulted him once by saying I had regretted getting braces. The tension headaches + pressure at work had created a very cranky patient. I have a quite a bit of work ahead of me to finish this doctor/patient relationship on a high note.

<snip> I know elastics can be annoying, but as
some here call me the elastics king (as I had so many of them during the
last 2 years) I know they can do great jobs and when wearing them all the
time, they become much easier to wear after some time. And I know about
what I am talking. Maybe you can take a look at a post of mine of a month
ago in the general forum. Even this almost ridiculous configuration that I
have to wear all the time is doable. Spraying people is an issue, but it gets
better. Well at least most of the time. It is part of the game, no more, no less.

I saw your post and Clo that elastics configuration is very art deco, and quite impressive. I have gotten used to mine and to your point of it being part of the game - I pride myself on being able to put them on in under 5 secs with a pair of tweezers. How fast are you?

I really hope this helped you a bit. Even if it only did get some frustration
away. Because only joy you should feel when having such a smile

It helped, more than you know.

And I know I will miss my elastics pushing my lips together and out like Angelina Jolie. Others pay big $$$ for botox to get the same effect.

[Clo]

Héhé,

I really enjoyed reading your replies. I just tried to make you feel some
better about your braces. It seems like you are. That is great.

I think I can see how you are sitting on your hands. I imagine a little Eleni
back in school sitting there all alone on her little hands. What happened,
they ask. Well, the teacher says, Eleni is punished again for hiding her
mouth. But, how does she then take notes ? She just can't, she has to
remember all by head. One advantage though, it made a very intelligent
Eleni ...

About my elastics ? Well, I guess about 1 to 2 seconds for one elastic. I
generally do them all under 10 secs. And yes, they make pouty lips for me
too. But as a male, I do not know if that is any good at all ...

[Blonde_Metal04]

hey Eleni!
I just caught up with your story! It's a little late but I have enjoyed reading it!
I am sorry to hear about the frustrations that you are feeling, and I think that Ortho's should always take our questions seriously... alas that is not always the case...
Thanks for sharing your story, and your progress makes me hopeful for my outcome!!
!

[Chris]

Boy, Eleni, I really enjoyed reading your post! I identified with it so much!

How big was your overjet and how much was it brought back and how long did it take? (I don't even have index cards for this long question!)

Did canine to molar help make your backs meet or did you have to wait until the triangle phase?

[chillin-in-grilz]

Lots going on:) the elastics u got those are the ones i am having. what is it like?

[Eleni]

Blonde_Metal04, glad this was good reading!


Chris I don't know how big it is/still is. My ortho didn't measure it. I wore the Fox elastics for 4 weeks and I'm in the Chipmunk ones now for 5 weeks. My upper laterals have moved back for some reason making me feel more like Bugs Bunny than ever. Next adjustment has been moved up to Monday as I'm leaving for vacation next week (yeah!). I'll ask him then if he can measure, or guestimate.

Since all my wisdom teeth are fully erupted and have been for years, my backs have always met. It was just that with pulling the canine down the right side had been pushed higher into the gum and nothing from the cuspid to the 2nd molar touched. A bend in the wire plus the elastics have helped even out this imbalance. Except for the canine which STILL has to come down a bit.


Brace_Face_2006, what are the Chipmunks like? Well, they are tiny and strong (imho). I put them on with tweezers cuz otherwise they shoot across the room in my efforts to fit them on the wire. That last picture posted on Aug 26 shows how far I am able to open my mouth. As with all things in orthodontics, you get used to them. They do make me spray spittle when I talk which gets annoying. Have I answered your question?

[chillin-in-grilz]

thanks:) (where is aug 26)

[chillin-in-grilz]

thanks:) where is aug 26