mikesmile's Orthodontic Journey

Message

#16 Post by **Jethro** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:03 am

I join the others in saying congrats on the start of your journey! We're about the same age and this is my second time also. I'm 14 months in and am so glad I decided to take the plunge...I'm sure you will be too.

I had tops (ceramic) and bottoms (metal) put on at the same time, so I can't say one was more uncomfortable than the other. But I do vividly remember how HUGE these brackets felt for the first couple of weeks and how sore the inside of my cheeks were (wax was definitely my friend back then). Hopefully, you'll have smooth sailing the whole time!

#17 Post by **mikesmile** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:36 pm

Hi

Thanks cmone, the pain is definitely bearable, and only when I bite down. Otherwise, I have some tingling (almost a pulse feeling) in some of my teeth which seems to alternate around my teeth. I feel good knowing that's the archwire is doing it's work.

My ortho's office called today for an update to see how I'm doing here on day 4. Although I've been bragging about how comfortable I already feel in my new braces, I've started to develop a couple of sores on the inside of my cheeks today. Looks like I'll have to break out the wax for the first time.

Thanks, Jethro. It's nice to encounter other second timers like myself who aren't afraid to take the plunge!

Visiting this site has shown me the diversity of people who are doing this at any age. I'm already very glad to be getting started.

#18 Post by **Emms** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:39 am

Hi Mike, just read your story and congratulations on getting braced

You've taken the first step which sure is the hardest and now you just have to let those braces do their job. Time will fly. You are doing great with the pain also, lucky you!!! Thanks for sharing your story and I look forward to reading it as you progress.

Bye for now
Emms

#19 Post by **mikesmile** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:11 am

Hi emms

..so nice of you to drop by! Thanks for the well wishes. I'm really glad I decided to go for it! I've been checking out your story as well.

Today I'm feeling a lot of pressure in both lateral incisors, as well as my right canine. It's exciting to feel some work going on.

Here's another pic showing my upper arch a little. It definitely needs opening up.

Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:51 pm

Someone is sporting braces quite well! :]]]

#21 Post by **cmone** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:40 am

I agree with Chelsea, your braces look good...& small. That's my only apprehension to the clear, they look huge to me. How's the eating going? I started my trek last year to becoming a vegan & it was going well & then towards the end of the year I did the unthinkable...I ate some chicken wings!...& they were so damn good! People were stopping by my table asking me what kind they were because the way I was eating them, it was like I was in heaven...can u say embarassing! The restaurant should have paid me for that little promotion.

but since I'll be knee deep in soup in a little while, hopefully I'll get straightened out. Keep us posted!

#22 Post by **mikesmile** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:38 am

Thanks Chelsea and Cmone. I think they look good too

and yea, not too big...and I feel like that increases my confidence about opening my mouth. They're also pretty comfortable sitting there, so I'd say I'm happy with my choice of brackets. It's easy to smile!

Cmone, that's a riot about you chowing down on the chicken wings. My wife would be right in there with ya. She's thai, and makes them w/ special seasoning...boy can she put them away!

I used to be a vegetarian for years (never really vegan). My daughter and her fiance are both vegan, but they fall off the bandwagon, like you, every now and then and eat some meat.

All I can say to you guys who'll be in braces soon is - pig out on all the foods that are on the braces no-no list. Do it now...while you can. I'm already missing my popcorn, nuts, corn chips and hard pizza crust...

Starting my 8th day w/ braces, all is well. No real pain, just a general tightness when I bite down, and an achey feeling in both lateral incisors. I see a slight space increase between my central and lateral incisors - both sides. I definitely feel slight change in my front bite, and every so often when I bite down, I can feel a slight 'snap' as my lateral incisors move against my canines. That's been going on for a couple of days. Eating, I have to admit, is a challenge because the braces are a food magnet !! I find that I don't like to snack between meals any more 'cause I want to run to the bathroom and brush my teeth right away.

#23 Post by **mikesmile** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:34 am

HI

Ken, thanks the advice

and levity on the subject of snacks. Maybe I'm being a little bit anal about it, but I've been afraid of loosing a bracket. But like you said, we are adults...

I had a minor ortho emergency yesterday. While I was flossing my back teeth, I accidently popped the wire out of the tube in my last molar bracket. My wife was able to get it back in with tweezers, but it wasn't easy. As careful as she was, the inside of my cheek got cut up a bit...ouch. I could feel the change in pressure on my teeth when the wire was restored into the tube. Glad I didn't have to bother my ortho with that one.

#24 Post by **wycket** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:16 pm

Hey Mike!

Just dropping by to see how things are going --- glad to hear you were able to avoid a trip to the ortho, thanks to your wife!!

I had to visit the ortho roughly 10 days ago, due to a popped bracket. It didn't want to stay on the crown, so he removed it for the time being. Said the tooth was already in a good position, so we'll evaluate in 7 weeks (my first adjustment). Anyways, hoping you are getting more adjusted to the braces, and things are continuing to go well for you!

#25 Post by **mikesmile** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:59 am

Thanks wycket for checking in. Yea, all is well here at the 2 week mark.

I'm pretty comfortable at this point - no pain - just a little tightness, and only in certain teeth. Ken, I know what you mean about the first wires being so flimsy. It's kind of amazing, considering the work they accomplish. I don't think we could have gotten away with a DIY fix if the wire had been any thicker.

As far as my oral hygeine goes, I'm determined to keep on top of it. I love my waterpik, and consider it an awesome tool for helping to keep teeth and braces scrupulously clean!

#26 Post by **mikesmile** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:20 am

Hi...some more news: Friday night I had another ortho emergency. I had a bracket break off from one of my molars.

I was eating spring rolls, curry puffs & crab rangoon (yum) and didn't think that would break anything, but you never know. I'll have to cut them up next time... I was playing in there with my tongue and felt something loose. I called my ortho's office the next morning & reported what happened. They said if it wasn't bothering me, then we can just wait 'til my next scheduled appointment on Feb. 26 to fix it. They thanked me for calling in, and said if it does start to trouble me I should call them and come in sooner. When braced years ago I remember loosing brackets at least 5-6 times,

, but I wasn't as careful then as I am now. I just hate to slow down progress in any way...
Other than that, I still feel the wire working. I'm also feeling micro changes in my bite - mainly in the front 6 teeth. I keep clenching my teeth periodically to "test' things out. I can't wait until my top teeth clear the bottom ones instead of smashing into them.

#27 Post by **opera^gal** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:29 am

hey mike! I feel for your wanting your top teeth to clear the bottoms. After a second advancement on top, mine are clearing now and I'm thrilled. Hope this time around, it settles and takes hold!! Sorry to hear about losing a bracket. Knock wood, I haven't had that but for a while, I was coming down onto the top of the brackets in front. If the wire is still bugging you, go in and have them do something about it. It's why they get the big money!

#28 Post by **brendap27** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:38 pm

mikesmile wrote:HI

I had a minor ortho emergency yesterday. While I was flossing my back teeth, I accidently popped the wire out of the tube in my last molar bracket. My wife was able to get it back in with tweezers, but it wasn't easy. As careful as she was, the inside of my cheek got cut up a bit...ouch. I could feel the change in pressure on my teeth when the wire was restored into the tube. Glad I didn't have to bother my ortho with that one.

I've had to do that about four times already!

#29 Post by **mikesmile** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:48 am

Brenda, I don't know if I'd have the patience to do that 4 times. I wonder why they can't secure it behind the bracket? I'll just be glad when I get a heavier wire so I don't have to worry about that.

#30 Post by **brendap27** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:09 am

I've had that same thought. I go in for my first adjustment on the 26th and I'm wondering if I'll get a heavier wire at that time. It might be a little early though. I can see that there's been some movement on the bottoms, but I can't really see any difference on the top right now.