Halfway There (with Pics)

Message

#16 Post by **Lilypad** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:31 pm

Thanks Meryaten, after reading your story i'm like

LOL

#17 Post by **Lilypad** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:01 pm

It's been nine days since the surgery and its still a little tender. Cant wait til these stitches fall out, they are driving me bonkers.

Still looks kinda gross too. I go back to the periodontist AND the ortho this week, so hopefully all is well and I can continue on this journey.

#18 Post by **Lilypad** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:04 pm

Yay! Back from all my appointments and all is good! Moved on to aligner #9 and felt very little pressure with this one. So, 4 more trays until I decide if I want a refinement series. I saw a different ortho in the group this time and he also is still adament about wearing a bonded retainer for at least 2 years. He explained the gap will try to open during the day when not wearing a removable retainer and then closing back up when I put it in at night. Too much movement for the choppers LOL. I talked him into making me a FREE essix retainer for the bottom for bleaching. Now, I'm wondering if my last invisalign aligner will fit when I have the bonded retainer on top? Hmmmm, I might have to do some major begging to get an essix for the top.

#19 Post by **Devushka** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:30 pm

Glad to hear your appointment was good!

Thanks for keeping us updated Lily!

I am about to start the whole process and it's nice to see another case with a diastema, especially with pictures to show how much you progressed over the treatment so far.

I can't imagine I'll be lucky enough to not need a frenectomy. There is a lot of gum tissue between my first incisors unfortunately. I'll no doubt need something to keep my gap from reforming after as well.....

Please keep updating. Your progress is inspiring!

#20 Post by **Lilypad** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:48 pm

Thanks so much Devushka! I TRULY believe attitude is the whole secret behind this ordeal. If it's something you really want, all the inconviences are worth it in the long run. I went to a club tonight for the first time in a long time and I just couldnt keep from smiling. It's amazing how many people smile back! (I had quit smiling) One HUGE plus of closing a gap with invisalign is that the gap immediately looks smaller with the aligners in. I guess the plastic kinda helps fill it in. Oh yea.......and I've lost 20 pounds since I started this journey!!!!!!!!!!!I just had no clue how much I was snacking at work, thats the only thing that has changed. Expect the frenectomy, and if you have any redness or swelling call your ortho straight away. If ya need it, get it over with, the aftermath of the procedure was less irritation than what I went through trying to not have it. My ortho didnt even mention it at the beginning. I have a friend who worked for a different ortho, so I had a clue, and asked about it. Only then we discussed it. Heck, I only knew about the Clincheck because of this board. Yay Archwired! Good luck and keep us posted, we love all the knowlege and support we gain with each new poster.

#21 Post by **Lilypad** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:15 pm

Wow Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.......just put in aligner #10/12 and jeez louise, INSTANT headache. I guess that means time for some tylenol and bed! Hmmmmmm.......what do we say when we feel pain? Yay, it's working!!!!!

#22 Post by **diehard** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:32 pm

we say no pain no gain

#23 Post by **Lilypad** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:45 pm

Hello Hello

well, 4 weeks to go! I put in #11 of 12 today. Just a minimal amount of pressure. Guess not much movement with this one. I'm so used to having them in that it's gonna feel weird when I'm done. My teeth feel really sharp without the aligners. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the invisalign tunnel. Amazing how fast these months have passed. $+\+$

Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:50 pm

Thats great that the end is near

- mariah

#25 Post by **Over50** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:16 pm

Wow, it seems that you were able to accomplish a lot of change with 12 trays.

Did this actually work out to be 6 months, or did you have to wear some trays longer than 2 weeks?

#26 Post by **Lilypad** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:29 am

Yes, I was surprised the treatment time was so short. But as I looked at my Clincheck once again, I realized only the front 7 teeth have moved. I did have a small setback in aligner 8. That's when I had the frenectomy and was stuck in that aligner for about 5 weeks. My next appt with the ortho isnt until Jan. 28th so I will be wearing the last one for at least 3 weeks. I still have a small gap between the right two front teeth, and I'm not sure one more aligner will gonna close it. He said to be ready to decide if I want a refinement at that appt. So I'm looking at 7 months so far and depends on this gap whether I do more. I have to say I'm extremely happy with how things have went!

#27 Post by **Lilypad** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:16 pm

Well, could this be it? Could this really be my last aligner?

I just put in #12/12. A moderate amount of pressure, but no pain. I'll try to take pics this weekend after the teeth have settled. Maybe y'all can help me decide if this is TRULY the last aligner or if I should go for the refinements???? It looks as if I could use a little shaping to even up the front two teeth, but not sure I want to sacrifice any enamel. Anyone have any experience with that?????

#28 Post by **Lilypad** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:28 am

Ok, notice how the two front teeth are longer on the sides than in the middle?

Or am I just getting too picky?

#29 Post by **Over50** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:29 pm

I think your results are terrific! I know my front top teeth will end up that way, too. My dentist (not my ortho) said that after they are straightened I could do veneers. I think what happens is that when the teeth are crooked, the bottom edges of the top front teeth wear off level with the bottom teeth. So as they are straightened, the bottom edge that was horisontal is now at an angle because of the previous wear on them.
I don't have the space between my two top front like yours were when you started out, but my front teeth have tilted inwards, and have had the edges worn by contact with the bottom teeth. I am hoping my outcome is as good as yours looks like it is! I am still waiting on my aligners, which may be coming in about 2 weeks.

#30 Post by **Over50** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:32 pm

Sorry about the typo -- "horizontal" not "horisontal" yikes!