Kara's Braces Story - UPDATE WITH NEW PICS

Message

#31 Post by **Kara** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:45 am

Hi Samara,

I went through three ortho's before finally getting braces. Every one of them told me a different story. I went with the In-Ovation R self ligating braces. They are not ceremic. They do have a ceremic type of self ligating braces though. They're In-Ovation C. Those are supposed to be translucent ceremic brackets. I went with the R's because they are supposed to be not as irritating and have the whole low profile thing going on. I didnt want my braces to be super noticable either. I love my braces though. I went to the ortho today and had to have my wires trimmed in the back because they have moved my teeth back so much since my last appointment on Feb 20. That's only a few weeks and my teeth are on the move. I'm starting to really notice differences. It just takes time. I'm trying to be more positive than negative on the braces kick. It's just hard to see differences in pictures for me.

Here's the website for the braces that I have.
http://www.gacinovation.com/categories/ ... ystems.cfm

Good luck to you. I hope I answered your question.

Kara

#32 Post by **samara** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:28 am

hey, Kara, thanks for answering

yup, i'm clear now about the type of braces, but i'd still have one more question

do you know, price wise, if there any differences between ceramics and your type?

#33 Post by **Kara** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:03 pm

Hi Samara!

Well I'll be straight up and say that I know my braces were a little pricey. I think that for EVERYTHING I'm paying around 5000. My ortho broke it down in to monthly payments for me...

Just like a car payment but I'll have my teeth longer than any car so it's a good investment! LOL.

I heard that mine were a little more because they are apparently a newer type of braces and allow your teeth to move quicker and you have less visits to the ortho so you pay for the "speed" and the "convenience" of them I guess. Who knows though. I did price out the invisalign and they gave me a quote of 5400 so I guess it's comparable to others. I didnt ask about the price of others because the braces I got were so highly reccommeded by my ortho and others that go to him. He's a great orthodontist and everyone in my town seems to go to him so I took his advice and went with it.

A friend told me that she paid around 2500 for her braces and she had the basic type of braces with the metal brackets and colored ligs.

Sorry I'm not much help as far as the cost in comparrison to others. Ask your ortho though. I'm sure they'll be honest with you. Only they can tell you what will work best for your teeth and the treatment you need.

Good luck to you! I look forward to following your story.

Kara

#34 Post by **Kara** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:49 pm

Ok, so quick update... even though I always type out a book. Anyhow, I went to the ortho yesterday to have my wires trimmed in the back on top. Those springs are just awesome! They are closing those extraction gaps pretty fast! She had to trim a good half centimeter off one side so it sounds like one side is coming back quicker than the other. Is this normal?

Also, my right canine is touching my bottom teeth when I bite down. I thought it was totally kick azz considering that I dont know the last time that any of my front top teeth have ever made contact with the bottoms but they said this wasnt good. They said that the canine shouldnt be my "first contact" and said that she was going to have my regular ortho check it out at my next appt on the 26th.

I hear that they will take off the springs and I'll have powerchains instead to get the gaps closing quicker and a heavier wire put on. Those were all her thoughts though and it's only what my ortho says that goes for sure so we'll see in a week what happens.

She also told me that I need to stop licking my teeth.

Which I dont know if that's possible. It's like a habit now... and honestly it's like the only real way I can FEEL progress. Know what I mean??? You can kinda feel your teeth lining up and you can feel that perfect arch forming... Is it just me??? I read on here something about "tongue thrusting"... I'll have to google it.

I'm trying to quit it. I'm sure I look rediculous licking my teeth too.

I have to get used to NOT having so much room for my tongue to "wander" around in my mouth I guess.

I mean damn... I've been chillin with an overbite almost an inch out from my bottom teeth forever now so the difference is huge and I'll have to figure out a way to train myself or whatever... hell I dont know. I just do not want to do anything to delay my progress so I'll work it out.

Other than my right cheek being all ripped up from the poking wire... I'm doring rather well and I've been in a strangely WONDERFUL mood over the last couple weeks. Spring is on the way, my birthday is coming up and I'm ready for some much needed and overdue partying, and my teeth finally dont hurt like hell... Yea! God I'm such a dork.

American Idol is actually a good one tonight. Hits from the Beatles! Gotta love that.

Ok, I'll shut up.

Kara

#35 Post by **Kara** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:10 pm

Just "blogging" on the braces...

I've had some pain on the top left side for the past two days. It's been the molars that are banded that are throbbing for some reason. It comes and goes.

The one thing that I am so excited to see is how much my top teeth have come back!!! I can tell that my bite is off some... Before I could bite down and my teeth would all come together just fine with the exception of my front teeth. But... either way... My teeth are on the move and I'm excited for my next adjustment.

New pics

Took this one today

This was taken on Jan 21st

Overjet - March 16

Overjet - Jan 21

My pics suck but you get the idea I hope...

The flash on my camera has a mind of its own... works when it wants to and makes the pics look crazy when it wants to as well...

#36 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:22 pm

Hey Kara, thanks for stopping by my page, your teeth look like they're coming along nicely. Seems like your ortho is having fun with his metalwork. I kid. Anyhow, I'll be following your progress!

#37 Post by **laineyloo** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:17 am

Hi Kara,

That is some great progress you have there. It must be so exciting! You have really lovely teeth ..... they are so white.

Keep up the good work

#38 Post by **DaneAnthony** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:05 am

Hey Kara,

You're having some awesome results! It must be so exciting to be seeing some real changes now!!!

Take care,
Dane

#39 Post by **Kara** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:01 am

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and kind words. That's a good thing to keep in mind... "Pain equals movement"

It's feeling better today than it has since last week so that's good news!

I'll be sure to post new pics after my adjustment on the 26th. I'm hoping to get my WAY BEFORE photos from my ortho too. They are so gross to me... but it really shows how far I've come.

I love this site.

#40 Post by **Buffy** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:09 am

Just had a look at some of your update pics - your teeth are flying backwards! You must be so pleased!

Here's to keeping up that kind of progress.

#41 Post by **shayw** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:22 am

Great progress!

Keep up the good work Kara's teeth!

#42 Post by **discomom** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:30 am

Kara, your teeth look WONDERFUL!!! I am sure that you are thrilled with your progress!! Thanks for posting on my site. I appreciate the support and kind words. Take care, Lori

#43 Post by **fluffybottom** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:22 pm

Holy moly! The correction of your overbite is coming along FABULOUSLY! I hope when I finally get braced that I will see that kind of improvement as quickly as you did. You must be so excited!

#44 Post by **Kara** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:02 am

I'll try to get everyone here...

Thank you to Lori, Fluffy, Shawy, Buffy, Dane, Lainey, Ken and Miss Smiley!!!!! I hope I got everyone. You guys are great! Your kind words and encouragement really do help me to feel better about my progress. That's why I love this site.... someone else will get excited about my progress other than me... This site is just a great little family of brace wearers that are so supportive. Awwww. LOL! I love it.

I have my next adjustment on the 26th and I'm so anxious for it. I'll be sure to post pics. I know that my extraction gaps have closed quite a bit since my last visit so I'm hoping he'll do something with these springs... either switch them out or fit me with power chains. I have a smaller powerchain on the right side that is rotating a tooth that came in crooked but it seems to be pretty well lined up so I dont know what he'll do with that. He did mention banding it but I dont think he'll have to. I'm surprised how much that tooth has turned.

If you look at my pics... it's the first little molar on the right side (my right) right behind my extraction gap.

It's been a little stinker in getting it to turn but it has moved quicker than I thought it would.

My bottom teeth still have crowding and little gaps are forming between a few of my teeth. I'll have to take an updated photo of my bottom chompers... I think I've only posted one so far. I guess that's just because I'm mainly focused on my top teeth and getting that overjet to dissappear! I'm so excited for the progress that I have seen and cant wait to see more!!! Thanks again guys for checking out my story!

Kara

#45 Post by **Crystal S** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:54 pm

I was just looking at your pics and I am very impressed how fast you overbite has changed in such a short time! I get my braces on next month! What inspiration! Keep up the good work!