Can I do it?

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

You're right, I think she is super cool for that. Though I told her there was no way I could thank her so I bought her a ton of gifts which she got mad at me for buying because my tuition was 40 grand. My orthodontist is a cute little short lady who's my mom's age so she's kind of like that friend's cool mom (except I don't know her kids). LOL She is hilarious every time I go she has me rolling. She texts which is pretty amazing. She's always got this voice of enthusiasm every time I see her, and she's soo optimistic once she started seeing progress so now she is always double as happy when she sees my teeth come in through that door <3 Which makes me glad I got denied but 7 other orthodontist when I was a kid, and was matched with her.

[Mylovedtheeth]

Yes, I had two extractions and they went well. No problems with them. Do you need exactions?

Yes, I need 3, upper molar, upper pre-molar and unfortunately lower incisor. Ortho said that with this upper extractions I will be having upper arch fixed with still crowding of lowers incisors. He made his decisions about incisor over lower pre-molar really long and explain it to me. But as the time pasts I am more nervous. I didn't ask every questions I waned last time cause I was frozen with the sentence.

[NICURN85]

Eb,
I know I am late but HAPPY BELATED ONE YEAR BRACE ANNIVERSARY!!!

[EbonyQ]

Had my second appointment at this dental phobia clinic yesterday and this time it was the person (dentist) I will work with during my treatment who met me. I really liked her and was very happy that I got her. We talked about my treatment, it’s a special case since most of their pt have fear for general dentistry and since she is a general dentist she can’t treat me the same way as their regular pts (I know more about orthodontic than her).
She wanted to join an appointment I have with Eric at Eric’s clinic. This is because she needs a reaction in order to help me, she can’t do anything when I’m calm.

Have an appointment with Eric on Monday (she will not join that one but the one after that), and a following up appointment with her at this dental fear clinic on Friday. Eric wants me to start with elastics because I went from no overjet to 8-9mm overjet, which is very strange in class I. Some overjet is normal but this was much.
I’m very skeptical about elastics, the overjet does not bother me but I promised the dentist who does my phobia treatment that I would agree to elastics (this is why I have an appointment with her on Friday, we will work with these elastics).

I must admit that I do not look forward to Monday, just the thought of elastics is terrible. Just holding the bag of elastics that I know is mine gives me the creep. Don’t think I can manage to put them on before Friday but I will try….
I HATE this anxeity....

[Kipepeo]

Oh Ebony I'm so proud of you. You are really facing up to your fears and conquering them. Keep it up.

[EbonyQ]

Just arrived home after an adjustment (or whatever I can call my appointments).

All we did was to attach a hook to my right upper canine so I can practice with elastics and try to overcome some of my phobia. I will work with these elastics at the center for dental fear/phobia on Friday too.

These elastics are super thin and they will not have much effect. How long I need to wear them ? Just a few seconds or minutes when I want, it is more “training” elastics. If I can keep them on a day then that is very good. If I can tolerate these then we will move to the next step with elastics. Elastics are not a big part of my treatment, and therefore it is not that important if I want to start with elastics for real or not but I will at least try.

So I don’t think I will have any “adjustment soreness” tomorrow . There has been a while since I have had any soreness but my teeth are still moving (just not as fast as your teeth), we are going slow...

[EbonyQ]

As some of you guys remember I only wanted to do phase I of the treatment but I think Eric is “forgetting” our agreement and trying to move to the second phase, trying to do as much as possible with my bite.
When I wanted to get them off last summer but agreed to continue he told me that if I wanted them off before they are “ready” later he would try to postpone it as long as possible, trying one month at the time, dragging out the time, hoping to get me through this treatment somehow.

And I think this is what he does now, hmmm. Where is my impression for upper retainer? We were supposed to do this last time or today.
Eric, I know your plan! Don't think I have forgotten our agreement to just do phase I

[plugnickel69]

Just got my first elastics today. So far no big deal and no pain. Of course I can't open my mouth as far.
I actually was able to eat with them in until one snapped off. Roughage? Also, so far I like the feeling of the pulling as it assures me that the teeth are moving.

Ebony: You can do it! Try an elastic on for a minute or two. A few hours later, try it for a little longer. Keep increasing the time. We're all behind you!

[klobird]

Hey Plug--After almost 2 years in elastics, I have found that you really need to take them out to eat--or your tummy will end up being full of elastics!!

Eb--Don't you know?? Ortho Con 101 is one of the first classes they take!! (kidding, of course).
They all say all these nice things and then keep stringing you along. Probably a whole lot better not to make promises, I guess....

You are doing so great!!! You must be soooo proud of yourself! If you can get thru your BIGGEST fear, you can do anything you put your mind to--and I know that you are capable of almost anything!!

[annashefia]

wow youve had such great momement! Ive read your story and i was so happy to find out that you have been getting over your fears and anxiety and doing something for yourself, i too am soon to get braces, at almost 20 years old i can finally afford it!

[EbonyQ]

I lost the evil elastic hook today (don’t ask me how, it just was not there anymore) and when I discovered it I said without thinking to my boss “Hey, the hook it gone. Yes! That means that I can’t practice with elastics! I’m freeeeeeee!”

Boss put it on again so that was my freedom . AND I found an even thinner elastics that what Eric gave me at our clinic, so I started using these instead. Eric’s elastics can wait . Wow, these are super thin… I can’t feel them at all on my teeth, which is good (I still have the urge to take them off but I hope that will soon be gone).

I actually have elastic on now (and I think I’m still alive), which is 3 min!

Klobird: I know Eric is doing what he thinks is best for me (since I can’t think straight with this phobia, I know) so I can’t be mad at him. It just shows that he cares and want me to get the best possible result. If he was tired of my treatment (he has spent so many hours on this and worked so hard) I think he would stick to what we agreed on before Christmas and remove my braces.
Yesterday he seemed so eager to explain what would happen next appointment that I did not have the heart to remind him about what we agreed on. One year with treatment and he is still as eager as day one

[EbonyQ]

Just got my first elastics today. So far no big deal and no pain. Of course I can't open my mouth as far.
I actually was able to eat with them in until one snapped off. Roughage? Also, so far I like the feeling of the pulling as it assures me that the teeth are moving.

Ebony: You can do it! Try an elastic on for a minute or two. A few hours later, try it for a little longer. Keep increasing the time. We're all behind you!

How is your mouth today? What kind size are they?
And thanks for the support!

[EbonyQ]

wow youve had such great momement! Ive read your story and i was so happy to find out that you have been getting over your fears and anxiety and doing something for yourself, i too am soon to get braces, at almost 20 years old i can finally afford it!

Thansk! When do you get your braces? Good luck!

[plugnickel69]

Ebony: I'm doing great. No pain from the elastics. No pain from my new SureSmile wires. Not even a hint of soreness! I don't know why, but I'm sure not complaining! Thanks so much for asking.

Elastics obviously feel different, but not really in a bad way. It's good to feel the pull. Gives me the feeling that things are moving. They do seem to lose their strength fairly quickly, however. They're 3M Unitek 3/16" (4.6mm) named "Bill." And I'm noticing I have developed a little lisp from them, but no one has said anything. Don't know if they've noticed. Of course only one person has ever said anything about my braces unless I brought it up. I think most people are unaware, for sure most people don't care, and I'm also not a big smiler so if they're not focused on teeth they do not notice.

That's great that you're starting to try the elastics to get used to the idea. It really isn't so bad, is it? I know you can do it!

I wish I could take away some of your anxiety. But you need to take heart and be proud of yourself. You faced your fears head on and are working to conquer them. A weaker person would never have even started. I felt so bad when you talked about giving up and having your braces removed. But you soldiered forward. Big congrats. We're all solidly behind you, and I know many wish they had an ortho as caring as Eric. Just to put in a plug, my ortho is pretty awsome as well.

I just want to say to you that when you've completed your treatment you will be so proud of yourself and this experience will help you conquer other challenges in your life. You will never forget your victory over your fear. That may even be more importannt to you than the great smile you're going to have. Best of luck to you!

[jem]

Hi Eb,

Wise words from Plugnickel. Glad to hear you are doing well and continuing your treatment.

Jem