My story, initial situation, with pics.

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#16 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:47 pm

Today's my 1-month b-day! Hooray

Have to admit that I can't see any changes so far, which makes mw a bit depressed, since all the threads I read are those of excitid people with fast-moving teeth, or at least that's how I feel...

Let's hope it speeds up soon! Have my next adjustment in exactly one month. Can't wait!!

#17 Post by **Lingualita** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:34 pm

Now I have some new pic's to see if there has been any progress. I've had lower braces for five weeks, and uppers since the beginning of february. Here are some pic's for comparison:

Upper arch:

Lower arch:

Front:

In my upper arch I cannot see any difference yet. But I haven't changed wire on my upper arch yet, and I think he started out quite gentle on my upper arch, since that was were I was braced first, and he started out gently, just in case I couldn't fix wearing braces, I would still have a chance to take them off.

In my lower arch I can see small differences. The tooth standing out of the arch has come more in line

, and the "opposite" tooth of that one, seem a bit more crooked

. But I suppose this is just temporary, and I've read loads of post about teeth getting worse before they get better, so that don't concern me yet:) My extraction gaps in my lower arch seems just a tiny bit smaller, and I'm glad I finally seem to see some changes, as I was really frustradet the initial weeks, not seeing any differences.

One thing that concerns me though, is that the tooth next to the protruding one (which is on its way back into the arch), seems to be smaller/shorter than in my initial photos, like it's gone down into the gums.

Is this something you guys have experienced? Am I suppose to be concerned, or is this something that's just a passing phase?

I really appreciate all feedback! Today it's exactly 3 weeks for my next adjustment, and I'll post before that in case I see more changes!

And, in case you thought I've done nothing but drinking coffee and drinking cigarettes the last weeks, the new picture are taken without blitz. haha!!
So long

#18 Post by **Lingualita** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:49 pm

I just figured something, what if I think that the improvement I see, is just the one tooth "goin down" into the gum, and not that the other tooth is getting into the arch! See what I mean?

#19 Post by **xTc** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:07 pm

Hi Linualita,

I can definitely see improvements! I think your teeth are gonna look amazing, and they are certainly moving already, you don't have too much crowding so it's not gonna be anything major - but I can see that there is definite movement.

What brand are your linguals? I am due to get incognito (iBraces) on the 1st of June and am pretty worried. Mainly about speech!

I really can't wait though, I'm gonna post a lot of pictures once I'm braced. Good luck and keep us updated!

#20 Post by **Lingualita** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:16 pm

Hi xTc,

I'm glad you can see the improvement, makes me so glad to hear. I have actually no idea what kind of braces I have. I wasn't even aware there were different kinds of linguals. LOL

My major problem is my overbite, and that I have "too" much teeth in my jaw, so I needed four extractions.

I was really worried when I was getting braces as well, but it actually went better than i thought. I have to admit that it was such a weird feeling having them on for the few couple of days, but I got used to it in a couple of weeks.

I was definately able to hear difference in my speech, but my bf wasnt ablo to, and she knew I had braces! And after a weeks tops, I wasn't able to hear it anymore either. But I know this differs a bit from person to person, but let's just hope it's not an issue for you either!

Only about a month to go now! Do you already have a braces story? Will you need extractions? Good luck!

#21 Post by **asabea** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:16 am

Hi, have you been able to eat properly with the lingual braces. And how are you finding cleaning and flossing your teeth?

#22 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:12 am

Hi asabea!

In the beginning it was really hard to eat with the braces. Especially after having the extractions, it was really hard to eat. I was so sore, and afraid to get things stuck in the extractions sites. I ate soup and liquid food for about four-five days, and then harder and harder food as time went by.

As for braces, it was quite much the same. Three-four days with soup and yoghurt, and then harder and harder food as time went by. I now eat completely as normal, chips, popcorn and everything, and it works out perfectly fine. From what I understand you get sore after the adjustments and then you'll eat soft foods for a couple of days berfore it gets better. I have my first adjusment in one week today, and I'm pretty excited.

When it comes to flossing I am able to floss almost as usual, but the floss does not go all the way down to the gum in the back, but if something gets stuck I just use a toothpick. It works out just fine. Perhaps some have some sort of technique to get it underneath the braces, but to be honest, I don't have the patience to do that

And my ortho said my hygiene was just fine the last time I saw him, and then I had had braces for two months. I usually keep a couple of tootpicks in handy in case I feel something gets stuck when I eat.

#23 Post by **asabea** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:54 am

Lingualita it is so encouraging to hear your feedback. The horror stories that my ortho has shared have made me have serious doubts. I guess he is only doing his job so that I understanding that the first few weeks will be tough. I suppose it is a case of mind over matter and keeping my long term goal of perfect teeth in mind. Keep up the updates. As soon as I am braced I will start a blog too.

#24 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun May 10, 2009 7:18 am

I've had the lower braces on for about 6 weeks now, and the upper on for about 3 months. Has not yet had an adjusment, will have that in a week from tomorrow. Really looking forward to that actually! Wonder what is going to happen. If he will change the wire, or just do something else. I also wonder when he'll be able to attach the "lonely tooth" at the bottom. It was really messy to begin with, and it's a bit better now, so I'm really curious of what he has to say about my progress.

Here are some updates:

Lower arch:

Front:

I'm sorry the light and angle are a bit different in the picture's, but I can definately see some changes! Hooray! As already, stated, I can't wait for my first adjustment in one week. So curious of what he will think of the progress, whether it is as expected/slow/fast, and what happens from now on. Will definately keep you posted!

#25 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun May 10, 2009 7:35 am

Asabea:

I'm glad I can be at help

. AW has been sooo helpful for me in this process. My ortho was also emphasizing what I might experience, but I think they just do that, as you stated, to make sure that this is something that you are really commited to do. It was a bit hard in the beginning, but all in all it's been really good so far. Once you start seeing the changes that increases your motivation even further. Good luck on your journey! Looking forward to follow your braces story

#26 Post by **Lingualita** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:12 pm

A LITTLE of topic! But I'm sooo happy. We won the eurovision song contest! HOOORAY!!! And tomorrow is our national day. And I'm seeing progress in my teeth. What a weekend!

#27 Post by **Lingualita** » Sun May 17, 2009 10:28 am

1st. adjustment tomorrow! I am so excited. Actually, I should be studying for my exams now, but I'm so excited, so I'm kinda unfocused. I wonder what he will say of my progress once he sees me. This will be the first time I get any "professional feedback" on how my progress is.

As from what I've read here, I might have to be prepared for some pain, some claim it's even worse than applying the braces, so I'm gonna take some pain killers to be prepared

.

Will go there at 7

p.m. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Just ate plenty of chips, as I fear I'm on a soft diet for a couple of days

#28 Post by **Lingualita** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:01 pm

Hey,

So now I've just returned from my first adjustment. It was not as scary as I thought

I think it went really well. When I came, he asked how I was coping with the braces, and I said that I actually thinks it's working out well. I was there not too long, I would guess about 25 min. He started by attaching the tooth in my lower jaw that was earlier too far out to be hooked to the archwire. So it's now joined it's fellow friends behind bars.

I was so happy about that, cause that tooth's been bugging me for five years (when it started getting out of line). Except for that he did not do too much. He didn't change the wire, but he tightened it with some kind of tool he twisted several times, and then cut off pieces of the wire. (sorry for the poor explanation). I have my next appointment in 5 weeks, and then I'm "booked" for 45 min, as he said we would have "more to do then".

I didn't ask him what he meant by that, I guess I'll figure it out then. Here's some pictures of my progress so far:

Front

Upper:

Lowers:

#29 Post by **Lingualita** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:56 am

Hi Ken!

Yep, I'm so happy with the movement. Even though I have a long way to go, at least I'm on the way!

I know, usually I would wanna ask in advance, but I'm in the middle of a quite hectic exam period (finished in 2 weeks), and just in case there's something bad that's going to happen, some weird appliences or something, I think that actually right now I would prefer not to know

I recall him saying that at some point I was going to start wearing elastics, so it could be that. Or it could be changing the wire. Time will tell

Will def. keep you posted

#30 Post by **Lingualita** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:49 am

And by the way, as I might having surgery. I am "in the system", but since there is a waiting list at the hospital that does the surgery, I'll probably not see an OS until after the summer holiday. But my ortho says that won't slow my treatment, as we still have plenty of things to get done before a possible surgery

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My story, initial situation, with pics.

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