Manda's Story - Almost over! (with updated photos)

Message

#16 Post by **joplin** » Tue May 17, 2005 11:34 pm

Cuspid = canine.
Congratulations on getting braced! They look good on you!

#17 Post by **Manda** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:06 pm

Today is Day 3 in braces, and I guess I am just over anxious, but I have not noticed any change except for my bite is a little different. My two front teeth used to touch my bottom teeth, but now they don't. Everything else looks the same. I have read posts on here where people notice changes within the first day or so. I know everyone is different, and teeth will move when they are ready. I guess I have been waiting for my braces for so long now that I want everything to happen at once. That is a bit unrealistic, I know. I hope I wake up someday soon and see some sort of a change. 3 days really isn't much time for them to move I guess. I'm just being silly.

On the positive side of things...the pain has subsided quite a bit. I still cringe at the thought of biting into anything, but I can now chew with my back teeth if I am very careful not to move my jaw the wrong way and make one of my front teeth touch another...ouch! The best way I can explain it is when you bang your elbow really hard and it hurts so much it takes your breath away and you can't think to say anything. It even brings tears to my eyes sometimes. But its nowhere near as painful as the first two days.

So far I have only had one person mention my braces. A guy from work asked me if they were new, or if I've always had them. He then asked if I minded talking about them, and of course I said, not at all! Turns out he is thinking about getting braces, and wanted to know what it was like. I am really starting to get used to my braces now, and don't feel like everyone is staring at my mouth.

Well, that ends my gab session for today. Thanks for listening everyone, good luck on your braces journey.

#18 Post by **Manda** » Mon May 30, 2005 11:46 am

Well, it's been 2 weeks with braces and so far things are going quite well. I had an appointment with my dentist today. It was just a check up to make sure things are going well. He said everything looks great, and he also mentioned that I am doing a great job at cleaning them. That really made me feel good because I haven't seen a great deal of movement yet, and knowing that I am doing everything right makes me feel better. So thats about all for now...my next appointment is the end of June, I can't wait!

#19 Post by **joplin** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:48 am

Good to hear you're doing fine, Manda! Keep up the spirits

#20 Post by **Manda** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:48 pm

It's been awhile since I've last posted an update so here it is...
It's been 1 month, 1 day since I was officially braced. My teeth are finally starting to show some noticable movement!! This makes me very happy.

My two front teeth have moved a lot in the past week. If you look closely, you will see that there is now a small space between them, and they are almost parallel instead of one overlapping the other like the old days.

Most of my front teeth have been quite tender lately, so more movement is on its way...YAY! Below are some pictures of my progress.

This is my first day in braces.

1 month, 1 day later...

Sorry guys, I'm not sure why my pictures don't show up smaller like everyone elses.

#21 Post by **joplin** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:56 pm

That's very obvious progress, Manda! Thanks for posting the evidence

#22 Post by **Manda** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:23 am

Today was my first adjustment!

At my last appointment my dentist said I would be getting a new wire, but I didn't get one. All he did was change my ligatures. I chickened out at the last minute and went with silver instead of the pink I wanted. He said that on my next adjustment he is going to give me a chain, (I think he meant a power chain) to close the gaps. He also said that I am making really good progress so far.

One thing he mentioned was the fact that I only have one cuspid...he is going to eventually slide the tooth on the other side of it (where this would normally be one but theres not) over and it will bacome a cuspid, then I will have a gap (somewhere on that side?) that we will decide what to do with later on, maybe bonding. Does that make sense? lol Anyway, my next adjustment is July 21st, I will probably post another update between then and now with pictures.

Chow

#23 Post by **Manda** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:47 pm

So here is a picture of how my teeth look today...
They're getting there.
(Sorry about the dark picture)

#24 Post by **fins** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:54 pm

I love seeing the progress you are making through the photos. WOW. I have two teeth that got bumped out of alignment with my appliance and I am sooo hoping that when the braces are put on they go back into position within a short period of time. Your photos really give me hope.

#25 Post by **~*mAnDy*~** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 4:21 am

Hey, Manda! Your teeth are looking great! I reckon you should go with pink next time, it will look awesome!!! Well good luck. From Mandy

#26 Post by **bracesgrrl** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:13 pm

Manda, you look great! Wonderful progress you are making, keep up the good work! Thank-you for posting the pictures too!

#27 Post by **Loop** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:09 pm

Looking good Manda!

#28 Post by **Manda** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:24 pm

Thanks everyone for all the encouraging comments! Its a real "pick me up" on my down days in braces. Like today, there are a few spots on the inside of my mouth that are really sore. I refuse to wear wax unless it hurts to talk because I want my mouth to toughen up. This is only I think the second time I've even thought about wax. Not bad so far I'd say.

Well not much longer until my next adjustment...July 21st! I am getting excited. My dentist said I will be getting a powerchain...so no pink ligs for me...definately next time though! I will post more pictures soon...probably after my adjustment. Good luck to you all and thanks again for the kind words.

#29 Post by **Manda** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:05 am

I had my second adjustment on Wednesday. It went very well. My dentist said everything is looking very good. I didn't get a powerchain like he said last time. Instead I got a new, stronger wire...I think he mentioned 18?? Not sure. Anyway, some of my teeth are a bit tender, but nothing too bad. I'm not going to post any pictures yet because they don't look any different, and you can barely notice the difference in the wire. When I see some change, I will post. In the meantime...good luck everyone on your progress!

#30 Post by **Manda** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:08 pm

Well, I had an adjustment on Thursday. It went very well. Got a new wire and a powerchain. My appointment was at 8:30am, was in and out in no time, got home just after 9am. I went back to bed because I had worked late the night before. I woke up at 12pm and all my gaps were completely closed!! I am still in shock of it all. I must say, they are looking awesome. lol I will post a picture later, just wanted to do a quick update since I haven't been on here in awhile.