Smilehope's story

[smilehope]

Thanks, Jem. Bit confused re the rectangular wire as a lot of people seem to have them later in treatment. I was told it would get the roots moving - and it'll hurt. Which it is !!!

[smilehope]

Three month progress pics. New rectangular wire - looking ever so straight! I can't even belive those wonky lowers in my first pics ever belonged to me - how did I put up with these teeth for so long?

First pic is of my bite without my plate in - slight touch with my right molars - you can now see a bit of lower teeth so my overbite is reducing.


Next, two pics of my lower arch with new thicker wire. I've lost the double twist on the ligs, except for the canines which have always had a figure of 8.



(Reminder of my wonky starting pic for comparison)


And for those who have the stomach for it, this is my plate. Losing it on 5th September - over half way now so I know I can stick it out!


I think of my ortho as a magician or alchemist. It's an amazing process, isn't it?

[jem]

Fantastic progress Smilehope both on your bottom teeth and your bite.

The plate looks quite bulky, so you have done well to cope with it. But it is obviously doing a good job and you are on the home stretch now.

Jem

[smilehope]

This process really is roller-coaster, isn't it? Whereas a week ago, when without my plate in my molars were starting to touch, now they don't and I'm biting on braces again. My teeth don't look like they've moved in the last week but they clearly have! As long as it is a means to an end and my upper brace date 5th Sept doesn't get delayed I don't mind.

Loving flossing my lower teeth. Never able to in the past as there was zero space and all floss would get shredded. I'm using Superfloss which is working just great, and it doesn't take too long. Doing this once a day in the evening.

[smilehope]

OK guys, here's a tip for you. Don't dance with 8 year old girls. I was at a ceilidh with my daughter last night. She jumped up when I didn't. Cue a cut lip from braces which is ever so swollen ! Ooowwwwwww

[gapsbegone]

Ouch, not fun!

[NICURN85]

Ouch Ouch!!!!! I hope it feels better soon!!!

[BetsyBug]

Owie!!!! I got a headbutt from my daughter about a week into my braces....it sucked pretty bad. I hope your lip feels better soon!!!!

[smilehope]

Lip healed just in time for long rehearsal this pm and concert this evening!

[BetsyBug]

So how much longer do you have with your expander?? When do they plan to put your upper braces on?

Your lowers straightened out very quickly and so well, I'm not sure why my lowers are giving me such fits but I'm sure it will all work itself out.

[smilehope]

Ok, so went for my 3rd adjustment today, at 4.5 months. Ortho seems very pleased. When he looks at my teeth he's muttering "mm that's very good, excellent" and that sort of thing. When he changed the ligs he offered me coloured ones this time, "for summer". I chickened out and kept with silver - I want my upper teeth to look less wonky before I go to colours. I kept the same wire this time.

Good news is it's still on for me ditching the plate and getting my fixed uppers next time (5 weeks 5 days now, counting down every minute!) We had a further discussion re metal or ceramic. He says I can choose on the day, but I'll probably go ceramic - I don't know what make he uses but they look good to me and weren't any bigger than the metal ones.

I have mixed feelings re my next appointment. Mostly I'm really excited as I want to get my uppers moving and looking straighter and that arch widened - looking back it's all I ever wanted. Also no more plate for food to catch under and I'll be able to get my speech back. However I'm going through a bit of the "what on earth will I look like" panic like you do when you first start.

Here's some photos I took this morning. Lowers still moving and sitting upright better. Bizarre gap which has shown up in the 2 days since my adjustment, between right 2nd incisor and canine. Quite exciting when all I've had is crowding, and when I think how tight they were when the incisor was pushing it's way forward! First pic is my bite at the moment with plate in.

[jem]

Hi Smilehope,

Your bottom teeth have straightened out remarkably well and it is incredible to see that you have gone from crowding to actually having a gap.

You have not included a picture of your bite without the plate. Has it made much progress in sorting out your deep bite?

If your top teeth move as quickly when you get your top brace as the bottom ones have, you should have a near perfect smile by the end of the year.

Don't worry about the appearance of your top brace-with ceramic brackets it will be pretty discreet and probably no more obvious than the clasps which you currently have with your plate.

Jem

[smilehope]

Thanks, Jem. Without my plate I'm biting on braces so it's a bit hard to tell how it's doing at present. I can tell the molars are closer, but you wouldn't see that in a pic. I asked my ortho if the teeth would start to move quicker because of the pressure they have had from the plate and he said no. However, he then said that I'll be pleased how quickly they'll "unravel themselves". Straighter looking for Christmas would be lovely!

5 weeks 3 days...

[smilehope]

Hi all, not been here a while. I can't believe I've been braced nearly 6 months. 12-18 months to go doesn't sound nearly as bad as the 18-24 estimate I started with!!

Only 5 days to go until I should lose the horrid plate but also get my upper fixed brace. Starting to get nervous - I'm so used to eating virtually normally now I'm not looking forward to soft food all over again. And my top teeth stick out more so my lip will look silly. And all the other reasons for dreading it that we all have.

I'm slightly concerned still that without my plate I'm not biting on molars yet. Equally I can't tell if I'm biting on teeth or brackets at the front. You would have thought I would be able to, but I can't. I thought it was brackets, but actually it might be premolars / canines starting to fit together. Anyway, we shall see next week.

Next Wednesday my eldest starts senior school, so at least I'll be able to focus on getting him ready over the next few days, rather than think about my teeth! I'll try and post a photo of the new me when I'm braced. Wish me luck!

[Angel269]

Hi smilehope

Great progress on the lowers. I hope that the uppers are ok for you.

I still have my removable bite plate, sometimes wearing it in the day in addition to wearing it every night. I just hate the feel of it, even after having it for about a month and a half-I just hate the feel of the acrylic when my tongue touches it On the upside he has seen progress in my deep bite though

Upper braces are doing well with my diastema though (feel free to check out pic on my story) I can't wait to get them off in about 6 months!