Tobilei's Train Tracks.

[beckyboo0205]

What kind of mouth guard is it? While I don't have braces yet, I was curious about this. I wear a mouth guard at night now because of clenching so I was worried about what to do when I get braces...

[Tobilei]

Hi beckyboo It's just a clear one that you get from the chemist. It looks like a regular sports mouthguard. I tried to fit it this afternoon and so far not much luck It really hurt to get it off and after 4 goes I gave up because my teeth were sore before I started and were beginning to throb. I'll give it another go in a couple of days but it's SOO big I can't even close my mouth so I don't know if I'll wear it

[Dee17]

Hi Tobelei,
Oh, yes I can definitely see a difference in your top teeth from the two photos! Yay! I think that's so awesome that your orthodontist has allowed you to get a night guard to help with the clenching. I wish mine would! I'm going to bring it up with him again when I see him on the 25th.
That's great about getting your wire changed. Hope you haven't been having much pain since then! Hang in there!!
Dee

[Tobilei]

Thanks Dee, I'm in agony as usual When I left nothing felt much tighter so I stupidly thought "yay not much pain this time". Even managed the garlic bread without making it soggy in my soup for dinner last night. Then woke up this morning, no chewing for me today

BUT! SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! My front top gap has closed! I checked it while I was brushing last night and holy crow! There is nothing left but a sliver! I'm sure it will probably move again but WOOOOOOOOO! I have a pic but am running out the door right now so will post it up when I get home


(PS. Didn't wear the nightguard. That thing is horrendous!)

[Dee17]

Oh wow! I can't believe your front gap closed just like that. He didn't put a powechain on your front teeth, either, did he? It closed just after he changed the wire, right? I can't wait to see the new photos! Glad to know you were able to eat something last night but sorry to hear that you're having so much pain today. Eeegads, this whole process can just be so disheartening, huh?
Too bad about the nightguard not working out. I don't know what I'm ever going to be able to do to solve my clenching problem. I sure hope I don't have to endure that for another 18 months or so.It's just killing me!

[beckyboo0205]

I wear one of those mouthguards now (no braces yet though) and I know that if you don't get it fitted right (like if you couldn't clench down on it good.) then it will feel like it's constantly falling out and definately feels huge! A few months ago I tried to fit one and it just didn't work right. I tried to sleep with it in but I just couldnt' do it. But then I bought another and it worked out fine.

[Tobilei]

Dee I know! I couldn't believe it either! I have a pokey wire at the back now though but I'll give it a few days and see if things move back again (they always seem to *sigh*).

here's today:

Yesterday:


It's not quite closed but it's moved a LOT!

Beckyboo, thanks for that. Mine says you can re-shape it, I might take it in with me for my next appointment and get some help with it.

Edit: Dee, no, no powerchains (yet, he hasn't mentioned them but that doesn't mean there won't be any and is why I think it might move back-my bottom one nearly closed up once before and at the moment it's worse than when I started but I know that's how it needs to be. Gives you some hope when you see how it will look though!)

[Dee17]

My goodness, that's impressive! And just with a wire change, huh? I'm quite amazed. It looks just great. Oh, so here's hoping I'm going to get a similar result when I go back to see him on Feb 25th. I'll update here and on my blog. Thanks for posting those photos. Enjoy your new results!

[Angel269]

Fab progress

[Tobilei]

Thanks Dee Yep, just a wire (he did skip one though I think, I know in the grand scheme of things it's not thick, but compared to my last one it is). Fingers crossed for you for your next adjustment!! Let me know how it goes!!

Thank you Angel269

[Dee17]

I didn't know they could actually skip a wire. Good to know. I'm really happy for you and am looking forward to more pictures whenever you're ready. I'll let you know what happens at my next appointment. Take care until then!

[Tobilei]

ACK! Having a minor (okay semi major) panic attack!!!!!!!!!!! The wire where my extraction gap is was rubbing me raw and had caused a HUGE ulcer that kept getting worse when I sleep so I made an emergency appointment and saw one of the other ortho's at the office to have some tubing put on the wire.

I got there, sat down, told him what I wanted and he took all the ligs off my bottom brackets which I thought was odd because they were only changed a week ago and the gap is on the top but I had my mouth wide open so couldn't really talk. He took the top wire off, checked my bite a few times (also odd I thought) and threaded the tubing on. Then he put the ligs back on my bottoms and I went on my way.

I sat in the car and had a look to see what he'd done and to my horror he's put WHITE ligs on!!!!!!!!!!!!! I *always* get smoke because I'm a coffee drinker and tomato soup eater I sort of want to cry at the thought that I'm going to have yellow ligs in the next couple of days Ugh. I know it sounds pathetic but my teeth are yellow enough on their own. They certainly don't need help to look that way.

Okay, calming down *deep breaths*.


Dee-I didn't know they could skip wires either Dee and I'm not sure if they did. My records today (I peeked) said I have an 018 on the top I think and a 019 on the bottom (but it could have been the other way around, I was reading sideways .

[Dee17]

Hey Tobelei,
If it were me and it was going to be such a source of upset for me to have those white ligs on, I'd call back and tell the receptionist what happened and explain why I was upset and ask for yet another appointment to come in and have them changed to smoke coloured ones. Remember, you are paying for this course of treatment. I think you have the right to be happy with what is going on (within limits, of course). But the fact that you ended up seeing a different ortho for your emergency appointment was also not your fault. He should have asked you if you had a preference in lig colours. That's just my take on the situation.
Have you ever heard of anything called the Consumers' Bill of Rights? I don't know if it's in effect in Australia, but have a look at this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Bill_of_Rights It might help you get an idea of what I'm talking about.
Dee

[Tobilei]

Thanks Dee. Yep, we have fair trading over here that I think is similar. I'm kind of figuring it's only for 4 weeks. I'll give them a shot. If they start to look horrible I'll go in. I'm more worried about the fact that my ortho had a plan to move my 2 back molars outwards in order for me to start on the elastics next time. This ortho checked my bite and did some fiddling (it was also the one that made some changes last time that I don't think my ortho was super happy about-not that he said anything, just got that impression) and I'm worried that it's going to change everything Like I said though, I'll see how they go and if they look gross I'll go in and explain what happened.

Worst thing is I could have seen my own one this morning just didn't have the time

[Dee17]

Sounds like you're pretty sanguine about it, so that's good. It's too bad you weren't able to get in to see your regular orthodontist. I've been very lucky.... my orthodontist is in practice all by himself so I always see him every time I go in.
I have an appointment on Monday. I think they're going to finish putting the rest of the brackets on my molars and put on a powerchain. So, I'm sorting of dreading the coming appointment but if it starts to get things moving, then it will be good. Good luck with your new ligs. I hope you don't have much staining.