Joplin's Story (photos on page 12)

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#271 Post by **joplin** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:48 am

Thanks, everyone! Nice to have so many of you sweet people checking on me

Got that arch back home ? Any idea what to do with that item ? BTW, have you seen my most recent pics
I posted in the section 'ask the doc' ?

I asked to keep it and it's now in my drawer, accompanied by the evil expander itself. I still haven't decided on what kind of a ritual to perform on them

In fact I enjoy having a look at those torture devices from time to time and thinking "I actually survived these things!"

Clo, I checked out your pictures. I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with your treatment

I wish from all my heart that they will be solved soon and you'll get the results you deserve. You've been so patient!

BTW, one more thing I forgot to mention in my latest report:
I had two ceramic brackets replaced at this appointment. They were the ones on my laterals. In the beginning of treatment those teeth were so rotated that the brackets could not be attached in the proper spots, but now that they are straightened out the brackets could be positioned correctly.
I was worried because I remembered people mentioning how difficult it is to remove ceramic brackets, but what a relief! They just snapped right off in a second, painless and easy! That's nice to know while waiting for the distant future and getting the braces off one fine day

Meanwhile I'm enjoying the newly gained opportunity to eat and only pick food from the outside of my teeth afterwards, not all over them...

#272 Post by **HollyDontSpend** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:39 pm

Good to hear that your progress is going so smooth.

Is it weird to feel your teeth in their new positions? I found that I would expect my teeth to be in their crooked and rotated position and it would always be a suprise to find them straighter. After having the braces on for a while I got used to it. Now that they're off, I still residually feel the brackets too.

Congrats on getting those brackets moved!

#273 Post by **joplin** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:22 am

Is it weird to feel your teeth in their new positions?

Well, Holly, on the inside it doesn not feel that different, but I bet it would if I could run my tongue over my front teeth! Those uppers have undergone a major change that I really really like!

Your smile is fabulous, Holly! Congratulations!

Website · #274 Post by **Kettu** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:46 pm

Congrats on the great progress from me too! You must be smiling now at every reflecting surface you pass by of mere delight of your new appearance! Keep up the good work.

#275 Post by **joplin** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:43 am

Kiitos (Thanks), Kettu! True, I have spent a number of quality moments in front of my bathroom mirror loving the change I see

First there was the facial change made by the SARPE and now my teeth are lining up too - all in all I think I actually look a lot different now than a year ago and it's all been for the better.
I bet you're very happy with your results, too! Especially because you got away with such a short sentence

Well done, Kettu!

#276 Post by **Manda** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:29 pm

Wow Joplin, your smile is looking fabulous! You are making such great progress, it feels great doesn't it!

#277 Post by **joplin** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:40 am

Adjustment #7 was done on December 21st. They replaced my powerchain and ligs with wire ties and that truly made a great Christmas surprise: no ligs, just wire ties = nothing staining = I could enjoy red wine and whatever I liked on Christmas dinner! And for three more weeks now! YAY! The surprise was even better when it turned out that this adjustment caused no pain or sensitivity at all afterwards.
My next adjustment is scheduled for January 24th.

Happy New Year, everybody!

#278 Post by **Guppie51** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:40 pm

WOW, congrats on the whole "no pain" part. HEHE, Im only on adjustment two and I see some changes, I cant wait for number seven. Keep us updated on your progress, your smile looks GREAT

#279 Post by **joplin** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:08 am

Thanks. Guppie! I think you see the biggest changes take place during those very first adjustments. At adjustment number 7 I see no major changes going on, although I know they are in progress nevertheless, they just get more subtle. The only visible thing to me lately has been that restless left lateral that keeps crawling closer to my front tooth and then further away from it again

It has moved closer to its right place since the last photo, not that big a gap there anymore. I'll try and post a fresh pic soon.

#280 Post by **joplin** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:19 am

Update, adjustment #8:

It's spacers time again. The lower left canine has not enough room to rotate to its right position so my ortho punished it by putting spacers on both sides of it. Ouchee.
I also got spacers between the upper back teeth. I'm getting my second molars banded too next week. Yes, I'm going to have all my molars banded. When that is done I'm getting new arch wires.
The ortho didn't say much - she never does - except that "it's not easy but I think we'll make it". Make what? On what expence? Do I have to give up any of my premolars? What? Couldn't ask those guestions because the assistant was changing the ligs while the ortho spoke and the she just left the room. On the other hand I though maybe I'm better off not knowing at this point

Next stop February 1st.

#281 Post by **Clo** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:03 am

it's not easy but I think we'll make it. Make what ?

Hey, my first reaction was, you too, left in the dark ...
I posted today in the section Metal Mouth Forum. That explains what I
mean. You know I truly mean it when I say 'Good luck !'.

#282 Post by **hannah164** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:55 pm

Hey Joplin!

Sorry to hear about spacers again! THose are horrible!

Good to hear about getting new archwires next time!

I also have a pretty major appt. on February 1st! My impacted canine finally gets a bracket! Can't wait to hear how your appt. goes!

I like following your progress! You've had quite a journey!

Good luck!

-Hannah

Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05
Next Adjustment is 2/1/06 where they will bond a bracket to my cuspid which was impacted!!!!

#283 Post by **joplin** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:22 am

Adjustment #9:

From this adjustment they sent me away with two more molar bands, new arch wires both on the uppers and the lowers, new powerchain and one spacer that is supposed to guide a crowded lower canine to the right direction. Don't know how long that spacer is supposed to be there, but they said if it comes off by itself it's done its business and I won't have to worry about it. It doesn't bother me that much, anyway.
Looking forward to yoghurt, soup and ice cream tonight

Adjustment #9, wow, I'm starting to feel like a pro about this

#284 Post by **joplin** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:55 am

Adjustment #10:

I was looking forward to having ligs changed and that's it, but no. This turned out to be the greatest adjustment of all: I made my ortho go WOW!
She checked how my laterals have been behaving since she last saw me and doing that she actually said "WOW, look at that! I've never seen progress as beautiful as this!" I'm not kidding! Isn't that The Thing you always wish to hear your ortho say?!!
That said she thought I was ready for my first steel wire that should now do the most of the job that remains to be done. As she was making the bends and curves in the wire before installing it she went on: "This made my working day." Well, that made my day too

The assistant said there is only one more wire coming up after this. This one may be used for a year, though, so it doesn't mean I'm anywhere near the finals, but in a way it sounded nice

I'm talking about the uppers now, the lowers are coming one step behind, but they will get their steel wire too next time.

Next adjustment in 6 weeks, yeah!

#285 Post by **fins** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:37 am

How lucky you are to be getting near the last wire. I am waiting on my last wire too, I know it will be on a while but just think, that is the last one! My ortho doesn't say much to me about what's happening but I can sort of judge where I am (still a lot left to go) but it's quite a milestone to hit the last wire.

Congrats!