Finally starting my journey

If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!

ATTENTION NEW MEMBERS: Do not post full-face photos or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.

Moderator: bbsadmin

Message
Author
midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#16 Post by midnight »

I'm currently in Chester but my treatment was started in Coventry (and is now being carried out between Coventry & South Warwick). This is why it took so long:

1998 - had removal top braces aged 12/3 which did nothing - advised that i might need surgery but that they wouldn't even consider that until I was over 18

2006 - aged 20 my dentist referred me back to an orthodontist. Had x-rays and molds taken and was referred on to the hospital. About 3 months later I went to the orthodontist at the hospital and had more x-rays and molds taken. At my second appointment I was told about the surgery etc.. but that the orthodontist was actually retiring so they didn't know when they would be getting someone in etc.. was advised that i would be put on a waiting list when they got someone new in but that it could be two years as they would have to deal with patients already undergoing treatment

(2006/7 part of the maxillo-facial unit at Cov Hospital went over to the new hospital at Walsgrave (or whatever it's called now!)

October 2009 - i still hadn't heard anything (nearly three years later) so phoned the hospital. they told me to contact the department at Walsgrave. Phoned the department at Walsgrave to be spoken to very rudely and was told there was no way they would still have my records - I made an official complaint about the way I was spoken to! Long story short (and i never did get an official answer to why i was not put on the waiting list although someone mentioned that they thing all the records were just put in a box and filed away somewhere during the hospital mergers...) - I was contacted a few days later by the Consultants secretary who made an appointment for me to go in the next day. Went and met the consultant who took more molds, sent for more x-rays. photos etc.. This consultant is the one that would actually do the surgery.

November 2009 - wisdom teeth were removed in preparation - was told it would probably be a few months before I heard from the ortho regarding braces

April (i think) 2010 - had an appointment at Cov with the ortho - had more molds and x-rays taken. had a second appointment (can't remember what for) where the ortho told me she was leaving! So once again, they wouldn't start treatment as didn't know when they would get someone in so could only work old those currently undergoing treatment. They would be in touch when they knew more.

June 2011 - i phoned Cov to be told that they had transferred my records to South Warwickshire PCT so contact them. Phone SW who told me that they were trying to appoint an ortho but didn't know when she would be starting - i double and triple checked that I was definitely on the waiting list and was assured that I was near the top so when someone started I would be seen fairly quickly.

October 2011 - get a phone call - they have finally got someone in so I can have my first appointment

December 2011 - finally get my brace fitted!

Although they've transfered me to South Warwick for the orthodontic treatment, my surgery will be carried out at Walsgrave by the consultant that removed my wisdom teeth so yes i've met him :) I've also had the letter that's been sent to him about my treatment so it's all on my records over there too :)



In terms of my appointment today.. I had my bottom brace fitted :) New ortho was nice but they don't know how long she will be there... annoyingly they couldn't get the molar bands on though so i've got to go back in two weeks to get the spacers (which i'm dreading after what i've read on here) and will then have to go back a week later to get the molar bands fitted. She said i'd then get the elastics. I don't really know why she couldn't fit the spacers today though? Work aren't going to be happy as it takes me three hours each way to get to the appointment so i'm going to have to take a day off two weeks in a row and the first appointment to get the spacers fitted is only going to take 5 mins...

Will add pics of the bottom over the weekend.

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#17 Post by midnight »

Forgot to say, she thinks the Quad Helix is fitted fine which is reassuring - i'm still not convinced that it's actually going to do anything but they obviously think it might.... and they don't think i've got signs of decalcification so i can be slightly less paranoid for a while :D

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#18 Post by midnight »

Lower arch and hardly any gap between my top front teeth but now I can't floss!:
Image Image

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#19 Post by midnight »

So today I had my quad helix removed :) Can definitely see a difference - not sure if they'll put it back in at any point - i hope not. Getting it removed was painful though :(

Before and after
Image Image

I now have molar bands on the 1st and 2nd molar on both the top and lower arch and full wires fitted on both. They changed the top one back to a round one that looks slightly thinner than the rectangular one that was there before. I can't tell if the lower arch is still the same of just ever so slightly thicker.

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#20 Post by midnight »

Had another adjustment today and feeling sorry for myself as my bottom teeth are really sore :(

She changed my top arch wire back to the 18.25 rectangular one and on the bottom arch she twisted the wire round on the lateral incisors which are the ones that need rotating but now they are the ones that hurt. I like the fact that I can see them moving though, makes it feel worthwhile. Everything is looking good apparently whatever that means...

libbylou
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:35 pm
Location: Cheshire UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#21 Post by libbylou »

Your difference already is fantastic! You can see already what a great result you are going to have - your teeth already are really lovely, and once you have had the surgery and it all lines up - oh my it will be beautiful :D

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#22 Post by midnight »

Thanks libbylou :) Still seeing differences all the time! The canine's on the lower arch have rotated a lot. The ortho that I first saw mentioned IPR but the new one hasn't mentioned anything so I'm wondering whether i'll still need it? My teeth are resting much further back on my lips which i'm really happy about as it means i'm not waking up with cracked lips every morning :D Next appointment on 11th June. Must remember to be brave enough to actually ask the questions I want to know the answer to such as the IPR and possible length of time before i'm referred back to the surgeon. I want to book a holiday for this time next year but would need to take into account the surgery with insurance etc.. Surgeon was the one who told me it would probably be about 9 months in braces pre-surgery, really hope he's right as that would mean i'm already half way there, can't believe it's been nearly 5 months already!

Image

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#23 Post by midnight »

Can't believe it's been nearly 6 months since I got my top wire and nearly 5 since i got the bottom one!

Had my 5th adjustment this morning and got a .19 stainless steel wire on the top arch which the ortho said will be my final wire on the top! I know it might be there for months but still good to know that the top arch is doing well. Got a powerchain on the front six teeth on the lower arch and that's starting to be sore now :( sure it will be fine in a few days though.

Also, i actually went for coloured ligs this time. I went for a purple which i'm not sure about much i will get used to it and it's only 5 weeks until my next appointment anyway. Hope they don't stain too much.....

GillyWeed
Posts: 262
Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:13 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: Finally starting my journey

#24 Post by GillyWeed »

Hi Midnight,

Your teeth look absolutely brilliant! Glad to hear that things are progressing so well for you. 6 months in and you're already on your final wire--that's pretty awesome. I hope the next 2 days aren't too painful and I'm looking forward to seeng you story progress :thumbsup:

All the best;)

-G
-Gabrielle

Image
Image

Click here to see my story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=41964

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#25 Post by midnight »

Another adjustment today. They replaced the top archwire with the same wire that was there before and they've put on my second to last wire on the bottom arch now too (a rectangular one, can't remember what size it is). Power chain was also removed. Went for what I thought was a baby blue lig colour but it's actually quite bright on my teeth - will try and take a pic soon. I like it better than the lavender/purple that I had last time as it doesn't make my teeth look as yellow - the blue is definitely more noticeable though!

My next appointment will be in 8 weeks at which point they should put me in my final wire on the bottom arch too as long as everything is looking good. If it is then they will also take all my impressions and then I should have one more appointment before they refer me to the combined clinic to see whether the surgeon is happy and if he is then they will arrange the surgery date! I know it's still a few months away but hopefully that means my surgery should be done by the end of this year or early next year :) Only bad thing is that I start a new job next month so taking time off for surgery in the first six months might be interesting... Oh well, i've waited years for this, there's no way I'm not having the surgery now! Ortho said after surgery it would be a lot of elastics in the first 6 weeks and then would be 6-9 months of fixed braces before getting the retainer. Which also means I should hopefully be out of these braces in time for my wedding at the end of next year! Sorry, just really surprised that things seem to be going to plan (for now at least!)

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#26 Post by midnight »

Well a few appointments later, and I have a provisional surgery date!

Had an appointment at the joint clinic on Wednesday and the surgeon has said that i'm ready for surgery and that I can have it in December (just need to wait for his secretary to confirm the date). Starting to freak out a bit now though...

I have a long wire lig on both the top and bottom (no individual ligs so no colours :( )and they've added about 10 extra hooks so the inside of my lips are suffering again... I now feel like a have a proper metal mouth!

The only thing is they've given me a choice of double jaw or single jaw surgery and I have no idea of which is best. When I first saw the surgeon in 2009 he'd said that I would be having both jaws but then the referral to the ortho only mentioned lower jaw so I thought that this was what i'd be having. However they've now given me the option of both but they're not allowed to tell me what they'd recommend as both have positives and negatives! Lower jaw only, i'd still have incompetant lips and my bite on the left would still be slightly out as my upper right jaw is lower than my left. It's a quicker operation and wouldn't change my appearance too much. Both jaws were correct the bite and my lips but would leave me looking like I had a wider and longer nose (and although my nose isn't wide it is quite long) and I got the feeling that my ortho wouldn't suggest both jaws. My original instinct was both as the point of all this was to correct my bite but then I don't want to hate how I look afterwards. I guess I could always get a nose job though.... :lol: Recovery time should be the same for both options. No idea how to make the decision...

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#27 Post by midnight »

Well I made the decision to have bi-max surgery which I had on 28th December (about 2 1/2 weeks ago now). My stay in hospital was horrible but I asked to leave after just one night rather than staying in the two that I had originally been told I would be in for. Luckily everything had gone ok during the surgery so they agreed. It took them 5 hours to discharge me and then they sent me home without enough antibiotics so had to make an emergency visit to the GP which I really didn't want to do with my face being so swollen at that point. Got some weird looks in the waiting room lol. Swelling has definitely gone down considerably but is still obvious. Wondering how long it will take for me to start looking normal!? I know it can take up to a year for all the swelling to go but I'm imaging that eventually it will only be me that will be able to notice it. Liquid diet is driving me absolutely crazy and I've got another 2 weeks of it unless the consultant is feeling very nice and tells me I can move to a no-chew diet on Monday but I doubt it. I've already started imaging all the meals I can have on the no-chew diet! Anything will be better than milkshakes, soups, smoothies and apple puree after this! Luckily there hasn't actually been much pain at all. Discomfort yes but not proper pain.

Saw the orthodonist on Monday and she said that it looks like I will get very good results and should be very happy with the outcome. Also said that I was brushing my teeth well which I was pleased to hear as I was a bit paranoid with not being able to brush the inside of my mouth at all when the wafer was in. She added one more elastic so now I've got 5 on. 3 on one side, 1 on the other and 1 right in the front/middle as my mid-line is now slightly off - only by about 1mm I think but it's amazing how that's obvious. Another appointment with her in 3 weeks and I guess they will change the archwires then if I can open my mouth by then. At the moment I can only open it about 1/2 cm.

Finding it hard to tell whether I'm happy with the results of the surgery yet due to the swelling but hopefully over time I won't regret it.

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#28 Post by midnight »

So I had an appointment with the consultant today - turns out I could have been eating a no-chew diet since the last time I saw him! A bit annoyed as I've been so bored of the liquid diet but never mind. Apparently I can move on to a soft food diet from friday (which will be 4 weeks post-op) but I think i'll stick with the no-chew diet for at least a couple of weeks as don't want to rush straight from liquids to chewing.

He asked whether I wanted the stitches in the middle of my top lip taking out as they are the most obvious and I asked whether it would hurt. Answer I got was no it shouldn't! :evil: It hurt! I think it was just one of the stitches that was being stubborn but ouch! At lest the tentacle stitches have gone now though, the other ones are still all there but will dissolve in time.

He advised that it would probably be 'at least' a year before I regain any feeling in the numb area as they had to 'dig out' the nerve from that side and although the nerve wasn't damaged it was apparently very difficult to remove. Not too bothered by the numbness though but hope some feeling does come back eventually.

I tried to eat some scrambled egg when I got home. I still can't open my mouth more than about 7mm though so it wasn't the easiest thing. Guess I'm going to have to get used to taking hours to eat anything! Hope it gets easier to open my mouth eventually but I find it hard to understand how the muscles will get stronger as with the elastics on my jaws are basically still banded shut???

I think the swelling has gone down some more but maybe not - it's hard to tell.

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#29 Post by midnight »

Had an appointment with the ortho today and looks like everything is going well. She is very happy with my teeth and the movement with the elastics. She considered letting me wear that only at night but then decided to just reduce it to 2 elastics during the day and wearing them all at night which is fine by me :) next appointment in 3 weeks when she will (probably) change me to a lighter elastic and then after that there shouldn't be many more appointments at all and they will be talking about when to de-band :) I was going to ask her whether it would be before September as I'm getting married then but I didn't have to as it should definitely be by the summer. I am aware that all this might change but it was very nice to hear that everything is going well.

She has no idea why I'm getting the pains though so going to leave it a few more weeks and then if it's still there contact the oral surgery unit.

midnight
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:40 pm
Location: UK

Re: Finally starting my journey

#30 Post by midnight »

Had an appointment with the ortho today and looks like everything is going well. She is very happy with my teeth and the movement with the elastics. She considered letting me wear that only at night but then decided to just reduce it to 2 elastics during the day and wearing them all at night which is fine by me :) next appointment in 3 weeks when she will (probably) change me to a lighter elastic and then after that there shouldn't be many more appointments at all and they will be talking about when to de-band :) I was going to ask her whether it would be before September as I'm getting married then but I didn't have to as it should definitely be by the summer. I am aware that all this might change but it was very nice to hear that everything is going well.

She has no idea why I'm getting the pains though so going to leave it a few more weeks and then if it's still there contact the oral surgery unit.

Post Reply