On my way to a BIG SMILE! 37 years old

[Timetoshine]

Hi

Thanks to you all who have quelled my fears, offered advice and listened to my 'important' questions that others just wouldn't understand. I have been on here before my braced date, and appreciate this forum so much.

Here are some pics so far of my progress:

Before - never smile for a photo - so this is a first!

Day 1 - ouch - braces and 4 premolar extractions on the same day!

3 months in - coil spring to be removed in 3 weeks and tooth connected to main arch wire. Molar bands to come. Only upper and lower 8 braced at this stage.

[Ellabelle]

You've made such fantastic progress already! Yayyyyy!

[SunshineRay]

Great progress!

[Angel269]

Great progress in 3 months

[Timetoshine]

Updated photo! It's been 9 weeks since adjustment as i have been overseas and can't wait to see the ortho on 1 August

Check out the two front teeth!!

[Nana51]

Lookin' good. Can't believe they did 4 extractions in one day AND put braces on! I had two pulled at a time and two weeks between. I guess different strokes for different folks, huh?
I'm counting down to 7/29 as my brace date and just hope for such visible results as yours!

[Tobilei]

Yay! That's awesome!! Great progress

[Timetoshine]

Thanks y'all

Its really interesting to contemplate my braces journey...

...now that I am used to my teeth 'getting worse before they get better' in the braces process, I can actually look at the progress and have a giggle about some strange movements - like what the coil is doing to my lower arch, and the black triangle that I 'dislike a lot' etc...

... KNOWING that it is only temporary and I am on the way to something better.

THANKS to this forum for answering questions that I cannot ask anywhere else, and to seeing others great results.

Will make sure I let you know what happens at my ortho appointment on 1 August - I have NO inkling what he will do - anyone want to hypothesize now before I go in??

I am thinking it will most likely be coil removed and tooth attached to arch wire, change of thickness of arch wires, possible discussion about molar bands on very soon. Would love to had the front tooth (that has dropped down lower than the other) filed, but have been told it may stay as is until further into treatment.

[Timetoshine]

Bit of an update...

The good and the bad

Had my ortho appointment last Thursday (so 4 days ago). It had been NINE weeks since my last adjustment as I had been overseas, and ortho was happy with the gap between adjustments.

Unfort I developed a cold sore the night before - called into ortho office and they said he would see me, but maybe not do as much work as he would have. I felt the appointment was quite rushed :/ I had some concerns re eruption of middle lower teeth, and also of teeth staining I have noticed on the lower arch - and I didn't really get an answer on either :/

My partner wasn't with me at this appointment and was miffed that we are paying SO much money and I shouldn't feel 'rushed through' - must say I agree with him - 15 mins seemed very quick.

So, the long and short of the adjustment:

Work done:
coil spring removed and tooth wired in
change top archwire to 018 (I think thats the size- its my first squarey one anyway)
seperators in between molars

Work to do next time
grind down two upper teeth to even them
reposition several brackets on upper and lower front teeth
molar bands on
change wire on lower arch

Next appointment is longer because of all this work, and is in THREE weeks time. Will also be discussing staining and eruption of the lower teeth - must be more assertive!!


Here are some pics - from before, and today. Note the difference in color, and the lower front - thats where my concerns lie...
**I know things must get worse before better... ho hum**

[Timetoshine]

OK - so my ortho appointment has taken place about three days ago...

LOTS done!
Spacers out and molar bands on...
filed slightly between upper two front teeth...
two brackets removed and replaced at a different angle...

I have been in pain from the molar bands for 3 days - mainly it is the end of the arch wire that is digging into my cheeks that is causing me angst - I can feel the sharp end of the wire with my finger and it is REAl sharp! The ortho said he unfort needs to leave that end sticking out (REALLY I asked or is he just a pain-man?) The bands themselves seem ok. I know I just have to sit tight and get used to them! Lots of panadol, lots of wax, and not much food Another cold sore today on my lip on the side that is really sore.. BAH.

On the GOOD side:
1. I forget about my braces now, and my partner says I am not looking in the mirror at them as much haha.
2. I am also open-mouth smiling even more than before I had braces, as my teeth are not crossed over any more and I am SO happy about that
3. I have stopped introducing them when I see people I know... was becoming a bad habit!!

Here's a picture from today...

[Timetoshine]

Wow- Can't believe its already been 4 months and 2 weeks - I *love* the ticker on this site! Only 11 month, 2 weeks to go!!! Thats LESS than a year

On that note, my mouth is starting to get used to the molar bands, still sore if I talk to much!!

[JeniK]

Looking good. I always find it amazing the changes in just a few months. I am hoping I have great improvement in a few months also!

[Timetoshine]

Looking good. I always find it amazing the changes in just a few months. I am hoping I have great improvement in a few months also!

Its fun to watch the changes JeniK! I am sure you will love the improvement in your teeth - it is a life-altering experience!

My brother had braces when he was a teenager and he can't understand- quote: "why are you doing that to yourself - let along paying for it!" ... some people don't understand the impact the way your teeth look have on your self-confidence. As shallow as it may sound (and I am certainly NOT a shallow person) I already can notice that I have MORE self-confidence knowing I am on the journey.

Sometimes it feels like they have been on forever, but then you sorta get used to them and time flies... AND the 'stoke' from seeing your teeth becoming straight is amazing!

Best wishes JeniK!!

[SunshineRay]

woohoo for movement!

[Timetoshine]

Latest photo - disliking the massive upwards curve on my lower arch :/ liking my straight top teeth !!