Ope'Girl:
Weird thing is I have a bunch of left over elastics and I keep on trying to figure out where to hook them to!!!
Guess after three years of wearing them, I just expect it.
By the way how's your Cruiser? I've enjoyed the last few weeks of top down driving.
Mike
opera^gal's story
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hey iBorg: ye olde Cruiser is doing great..had it out a bunch during the warm days, roof off and tunes cranked up to 'teenager' decibel levels. Looks like the weekend will cross from pleasant warmth to hazyhothumid nastiness. Bleh!
As far as left over elastics, what about a time capsule burial or a small fire to release them back into latex heaven? That, or use them to fire off a home-made rubber band gun at the family, for sure and utter annoyance factor!
Triangle of agony is a skosh better today so far. Progress, ain't it great?
As far as left over elastics, what about a time capsule burial or a small fire to release them back into latex heaven? That, or use them to fire off a home-made rubber band gun at the family, for sure and utter annoyance factor!
Triangle of agony is a skosh better today so far. Progress, ain't it great?
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Hi opera^gal 
It sounds as though someone is making great progress, eh. I've been reading your posts lately, and as noted before, see a lot of similarities in our cases. That's awesome you got the bonding removed from your front incisors, and that the teeth can actually be brought down to give you more length instead of a buildup of bonding. I'm not going to be so lucky. As you know, I also have a history of grinding (& subsequent damage to both top and bottom incisors). Unlike you, I have no bonding on my front teeth - only massive damage from an edge-to-edge bite and years of grinding. While having my 3rd adjustment today, I asked the doc if it was possible to bring my top incisors down just as your ortho is doing for you. He said that it wasn't possible in my case because bringing them down would expose the roots. I'm bummed out 'cause I really want to regain some surface area on these teeth, but would prefer not to build them with bonding. My treatment plan also includes restorative work with my general dentist, done in conjunction with my ortho. This will all have to be completed when I'm finished with braces, but before I'm fitted for retainers.
I would love to see some photos of your teeth to compare. Just wondering - any chance you have some to share?
Estimate: 12-14 Months
It sounds as though someone is making great progress, eh. I've been reading your posts lately, and as noted before, see a lot of similarities in our cases. That's awesome you got the bonding removed from your front incisors, and that the teeth can actually be brought down to give you more length instead of a buildup of bonding. I'm not going to be so lucky. As you know, I also have a history of grinding (& subsequent damage to both top and bottom incisors). Unlike you, I have no bonding on my front teeth - only massive damage from an edge-to-edge bite and years of grinding. While having my 3rd adjustment today, I asked the doc if it was possible to bring my top incisors down just as your ortho is doing for you. He said that it wasn't possible in my case because bringing them down would expose the roots. I'm bummed out 'cause I really want to regain some surface area on these teeth, but would prefer not to build them with bonding. My treatment plan also includes restorative work with my general dentist, done in conjunction with my ortho. This will all have to be completed when I'm finished with braces, but before I'm fitted for retainers.
I would love to see some photos of your teeth to compare. Just wondering - any chance you have some to share?
Estimate: 12-14 Months
hey mike, thanks for stopping by.
I have some spaces between my top lateral incisors and canines, from forward advancement, that will not be closed by orthodontics. The dentist will consult with the ortho to see if closing those is purely for cosmetics or for help with retaining the advancement. If it is for retention, then I will likely have veneers or crowns placed. If veneers are an option, I might consider having all four incisors veneered, to gain a little more tooth length, if I'm not happy with what is achieved when it is all said and done. I can see how the arch wire has been working, to bring things down, but I don't really see more tooth out of the gum yet. What feels like huge movement is probably millimeters, just enough that the bonding was hitting the lower brackets. At the end of it all, you and I may be in the same boat anyway
.
I have some spaces between my top lateral incisors and canines, from forward advancement, that will not be closed by orthodontics. The dentist will consult with the ortho to see if closing those is purely for cosmetics or for help with retaining the advancement. If it is for retention, then I will likely have veneers or crowns placed. If veneers are an option, I might consider having all four incisors veneered, to gain a little more tooth length, if I'm not happy with what is achieved when it is all said and done. I can see how the arch wire has been working, to bring things down, but I don't really see more tooth out of the gum yet. What feels like huge movement is probably millimeters, just enough that the bonding was hitting the lower brackets. At the end of it all, you and I may be in the same boat anyway
.2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
A week since the last adjustment and I believe the triangle of agony has subsided. When I look at the arch wire, it is really clear how much those incisors have moved, by the downward slope of the wire from the lateral incisors on over. Makes me wonder if those front two brackets will have to be moved before it's all completed? The elastics are totally confusing me..as one day, things look all closed up and where they should be, and the next..back to being slightly open..Whaaa? Maybe it's the angle I'm looking at them or some shift in the space-tooth-time continuum, but it is maddening!
3 more weeks until I can ask 'Why?'..I can already sense my ortho's excitement in my inquiry..lol
3 more weeks until I can ask 'Why?'..I can already sense my ortho's excitement in my inquiry..lol
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Allergy season is seriously upon us here on the east coast, and I have to say, I'm feeling it more so this year <in braces> than last year. Might be due to all the frontal movement going on, so it further irritates the sinus cavities, or it's just Mother Nature giving a big ol' middle finger salute to the human race. Either way, a big thank you to the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture those lovely tiny pink and red tablets <names with held to avoid the mighty message board SPAM monster>..my sinuses salute you!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Ulcers ulcers everywhere, and no clear reason why..
even with the tons of wax, it makes me want to cry..
Fifteen months, lips toughened up, this shouldn't be this way..
say it once, I'll say it twice, it made my FRIKKEN day!
even with the tons of wax, it makes me want to cry..
Fifteen months, lips toughened up, this shouldn't be this way..
say it once, I'll say it twice, it made my FRIKKEN day!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Resorted to waxing last night, to keep things from rubbing and when I took off the wax this morning...poof..no more pain and the ulcers had lessened in size and discomfort. Did not do anything but slap on the wax after brushing...more orthodontic magic while sleeping I suppose..lol
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
braces boredom has set in, as it usually does during the middle part between adjustments...nothing seems to be happening, all that metal feels as if it is just 'sitting there', which it likely is, while things are settling..I know I know...we ALL go through this and it is to BE expected..bleh! A week from this coming Monday, it will be as if this post never existed, as there will be something going on from a tweak or a bend or an elastic change..oh PLEASE let it be an elastic change!!!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Just spent the better part of an hour trying to dislodge an almond shard from under the arch wire....gawd! It was wedged in there really tight and wasn't budging at all, so I kept after it with a metal dental pick. Talk about fun fun fun on a bright summery afternoon!!! Now you are asking 'will she continue to eat almonds after this little fiasco?' Well dear reader, the short answer is 'YES', as I do love them. Reminder to self: keep the pick handy! Yo ho, yo ho, it's off to minealmondshards I go <whistling while I work>...ok ok, got lost in a Disney moment.
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Good thing I have an adjustment on Monday, as my top incisors <which have been brought down this past month> are hitting on my lower brackets and there is NO more bonding to remove! Careful careful for the next two days <said tippy toeing quietly across the bed of eggshells>.
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Not very eventful adjustment today for the most part: old ligs off, bottom wire stays in, top wire comes out, advancing loops tweaked for a bit more overjet, top wire back in, ligs back on..silver on top, metallic blue on bottom.
However, doc was really happy with my bite..too happy for an early Monday morning in my opinion..calling in staff members to check it out, overly perkiness grating on my sleep-deprived nerves. Discussed retainers again, and how the top hawley will have some sort of spring contraption to continue to provide 'encouragement' for the minor overjet to remain in place. Good news: retainers are INCLUDED in the price of treatment <which I only have 3 more payments to make..whoowhoo!>!!! This was fantastic news, as I was expecting to shell out another $250 per retainer, as I had overheard a staffer mention on the phone <that was for replacements come to find out>.
Still in dreaded box elastics..gawd! I was really hoping to be done with them by now, but doc said 'while we are still advancing the top, we will continue with the elastics'. Bleh! Snagged a few more bags and a new toothbrush while I was at it. Already took the Aleve and with a nice rainy day nap, should be fine.
However, doc was really happy with my bite..too happy for an early Monday morning in my opinion..calling in staff members to check it out, overly perkiness grating on my sleep-deprived nerves. Discussed retainers again, and how the top hawley will have some sort of spring contraption to continue to provide 'encouragement' for the minor overjet to remain in place. Good news: retainers are INCLUDED in the price of treatment <which I only have 3 more payments to make..whoowhoo!>!!! This was fantastic news, as I was expecting to shell out another $250 per retainer, as I had overheard a staffer mention on the phone <that was for replacements come to find out>.
Still in dreaded box elastics..gawd! I was really hoping to be done with them by now, but doc said 'while we are still advancing the top, we will continue with the elastics'. Bleh! Snagged a few more bags and a new toothbrush while I was at it. Already took the Aleve and with a nice rainy day nap, should be fine.
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Hi Opera^Gal,
I love reading your posts...especially since I have elastics now! I'm snapping myself and others all over the place. My kids are finding them on the floor, etc. pretty hilarious.
what i'm wondering is...do you think you could SEE your progress when you started with your elastics???????? I really don't see any progress and there isn't really much pain associated with these. I have triangle configuration....
anyway, just wondering. I have another adjustment in 2 weeks and I'm going to ask her a bunch of questions while I'm there...
hope all is well!
trish
I love reading your posts...especially since I have elastics now! I'm snapping myself and others all over the place. My kids are finding them on the floor, etc. pretty hilarious.
what i'm wondering is...do you think you could SEE your progress when you started with your elastics???????? I really don't see any progress and there isn't really much pain associated with these. I have triangle configuration....
anyway, just wondering. I have another adjustment in 2 weeks and I'm going to ask her a bunch of questions while I'm there...
hope all is well!
trish
Hey Trish! As far as seeing progress with elastics..I can't be too sure about it anymore. It seems like nothing has changed for a long while from my perspective but the doc keeps seeing 'something' positive to do with my bite..so they must be working in some tiny way, a little at a time. Ask ask ask ask and ask questions..you are paying for their service which includes their expertise and knowledge about how to treat you..so ask away! If the doc seems reticent to answer, keep asking. The squeaky wheel gets the grease...or some such proverb...lol
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B