Braces at 22!

[xerxes]

Great progress

[xerxes]

one question is always on my mind: why does it take so much time to take off the braces although proper alignment is reached in in about a year?

your teeth are aligned and it's less than 5 month

[SunshineRay]

Great progress. Do you have braces on the bottom? We have been braced the same amount of time. I'm also very happy with my progress!

[agrace90]

So the adjustment went fairly smoothly. My teeth definitely ache the first 48 hours. A few doses of ibuprofen took care of it as well as some mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Although it wasn't super painful it was definitely the most pain I've been in. They also redid my molar build ups so I'm back to no teeth touching. A pain to eat but I ate pizza tonight so I think I'll be okay three days later.

Thanks for the comments. My teeth a much straighter than they were when I started but are far from finished. I definitely would not be happy taking my braces off at this point in time xerxes. But I know what your saying.

Sunshineray, I do but they weren't too bad to being with I can post pictures of the bottom as well if you would like. I've just seen the most amazing progress with my uppers so I decided to share that. I'll take a look at your progress as well! it's such an adventure and exciting time.

[agrace90]

This is a day 1-today (10/11/13) photo so just over 20 weeks progress. there are actually really good progress in most teeth. The picture quality is poor I've been finding time to take photos after its dark already. I'll have to take the time to get good clear photos soon.

[mapleleafman888]

one question is always on my mind: why does it take so much time to take off the braces although proper alignment is reached in in about a year?

Xerxes, I do believe that there's a whole lot more that goes on then just aligning the teeth on the archlines. Starting from front to back it goes... The ortho has to level and align everything, then adjust root postions and torque (by this time the teeth appear straight), then complete rotations, then once the teeth are straight they starting fixing the bite and fully develop the arch...and as far as I've read then they have to use a heavy wire for finishing and tweaking and this sounds like it take a few months in itself.

agrace90, What awesome progress you have made. Congrats!

[agrace90]

So I'm six months in and am happy with my progress so far. Major improvements and changes. One thing I noticed recently is my teeth are tiny. Everyone's pictures have nice long straight teeth that are at least average normal looking by I have these little nubs. all my teeth are on the small side but specifically my front side teeth. Not the two front bu the top ones next to my canines are my main concern. I have a small mouth so I assume small teeth go with that but I'm just concerned once they straighten out they will look funny. Anyone have any similar situation? Even your opinion would be great to hear. Thanks.

Looking at the picture you can see the brackets practically cover my entire tooth. I have the Damon brackets as well which are supposedly smaller than typical braces but don't look like it on mine!

[plugnickel69]

What an unbelievable improvement! You must be stoked! An amazing improvement in only six months.

[Pisces1305]

Wow! They look great!

[Anna5]

Beautiful! I love your teeth and don't think they are too small!

[Matilda]

Wow! Great progress.

[Anna5]

So much progress, wow!!!

I was wondering, do you also have a bit of a crossbite (like I have)? If you have, does your ortho think he can fix it? Or were you recommended surgery for this (like I was)? Anyway, crossbite or not, your teeth look great! (and definitely not too small).

[agrace90]

Thanks so much for the reassurance guys. I should just be grateful I have teeth I suppose

Anna, I have a major crossbite, if you can see the photos first posted or even the "before" photo (the top one) the whole left side looking at the picture, (my right side) curves inwards instead of being in a correct arch shape. That side, my teeth didn't touch ever, so that was bad. It's been majority corrected so far and I'm going to start in elastics to further correct it starting next Tuesday at my 3rd adjustment. All my teeth were in and out of a crossbite, my teeth literally zig tagged in between each other so yes. Definite crossbite(s)!!!! I don't know how to get a good picture showing it, and even if I did I don't know if you would be able to even see it currently. No I was not advised surgery. My ortho just said he uses Damon braces in a lot of these cases and has a really good outcome. I will have elastics, but otherwise no surgery or extractions (besides my wisdom teeth which two were impacted anyways and I didn't have room for the other two of them). Sorry for rambling. I'll have to take a look at your photos if you have any.

Thanks again for all the kind words!
~Ash

[Anna5]

Hello!

Thanks for your reply. I see on your before pictures that your molars were curved inwards, and now it is a lot better! in only 6 months! That is great that your ortho thinks he can give you a great outcome without surgery or extractions!

Here is a picture of my teeth: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 13&t=45897
I had a bad crossbite, but it is almost corrected now. However, my top jaw remains narrow, that can only be widened with surgery and I still doubt whether I want to talke that route.....

[agrace90]

Seven month/3rd adjustment update:
I had my third adjustment almost two weeks ago and am at 7 months today! Time has flown by! I'm making lots of progress but thing have definitely started slowing down. At my last adjustment I had two brackets repositioned on my 2nd and 4th teeth on my top right side of my mouth on both sides of my canine. The were sore a few days after but feeling nothing as of today. They kept the same wires (literally) top and bottom. I was evaluated for elastics and they said at my next adjustment in 7 weeks, which will be at the end of Jan. I had a dental cleaning so they took off the wires then when I came back they put on the wires again. All is going well so I will update again when something changes or at my next adjustment. Thanks!