Sue's story (with pics)

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

Post Reply
Message
Author
Sue Balou
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:45 am
Location: Surrey, England

Sue's story (with pics)

#1 Post by Sue Balou »

I'd like to share my story with you. This site was very helpful when I was deciding about getting braces and answered many questions that I had.

I got my Damon III braces on April 7, 2005. My main issues were with my upper laterals which were seriously out of line, but I also had crowding in my lower arch and an open bite (especially on the right).

My experience of having braces has been very positive. I haven't had to use any wax. Admittedly my teeth did ache for the first 5 days or so, and after each adjustment I have 24/48 hours of aching.

One thing that I have noticed is that when I smile more of my teeth are visible, and this is without using an expander. At my next adjustment (Nov 24) I will be getting elastics to close my open bite on the right.

The pictures below were taken on my camera phone, so the quality is not brilliant. I hope these links work, the photos are April 7, 2005; May 19, 2005; Oct 10, 2005

Image

Image

Image

I've found that most people make no comment about my braces, only a couple have and it's been positive comments (I'm 41).

Sue
Top
decisionmade
Posts: 307
Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 2:33 pm
Location: BOSTON,MA

#2 Post by decisionmade »

Beautiful transformation Sue..really inspiring as I amonly 3 1/2 weeks with braces..Thanks for sharing!
crowding, mild overjet, and crossbite
SARPE AND R.P Expander: 7-14-05
extraction : 9-15-05
Brace date: 9-29-05
Expander out! 1-12-06!!!!! after 6 long mos.
Taking them off!!! Feb 26, 2007
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5209
Top
weird_wired
Posts: 427
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:33 pm
Contact:
Contact weird_wired

#3 Post by weird_wired »

So much change so quickly! You must be really happy ;)
Top
hannah164
Posts: 728
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:02 pm
Location: Las Vegas

#4 Post by hannah164 »

Thats some awesome progress Sue! I wish I had that much improvement! Good luck wiht the rest of your treatment!

-Hannah :frogbraces:


Image
Top
joplin
Posts: 639
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:38 am
Location: Europe

#5 Post by joplin »

Nice progress, Sue!
It's great to see your pictures, because I started out in a situation a lot like yours.

Here are my teeth before braces (June 2005):
Image

and this is after 3 months (September 2005):
Image

After taking the latter picture there has been progress still.
It's so nice to have to laterals where they should be, isn't it!

How long is your treatment going to be, do you know?
Case: Impacted canines, crowding & crossbite.
Treatment: SARPE 2004/10/6, RPE 2004/9/28 - 2005/1/31, w-arch until 2005/11/22, impacted canines extracted 2005/5/18.
Braces on: top 2005/6/2, bottom 2005/8/30.
Braces off: 2008/6/9.
Retainers, phase one: expanding Hawley retainer 24/7, bonded retainers on top & bottom.
Retainers, phase two: Hawley on top, bonded both top & bottom, positioner for night time use.
Top
dkt3
Posts: 167
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:34 pm

#6 Post by dkt3 »

I have silly laterals as well, pretty much exactly as you both. Nearly four months and they are still the same, however they are not bracketed yet. Room is being made in my mouth so they can put brackets on. Cant wait for them to go! but seeing your joplin and sue I cant wait!!!!!!!!
Top
Sue Balou
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:45 am
Location: Surrey, England

#7 Post by Sue Balou »

Thanks for all your replies.

Joplin - treatment is estimated to be 20-24 months.

I haven't had any extractions yet, but this is still possible. I had severe crowding on my lower arch, around the right canine, which was pushed forward and the teeth either side (lateral and first premolar) were touching. I also had the first big molar on the left missing (I had a phase of not going to the dentist and got an abscess and left it until the crown of the tooth crumbled away and I had to have the root dug out). Anyway, my lower teeth are nice and straight now but they have shuffled along to the left (as there is space on that side), making my lower midline off by about half a tooth. At each adjustment my orthodontist says he's still considering whether to extract my first premolar on the right and then my teeth can moved slowly back again. He said that the Damon III braces will make my arches wider and this may make enough space for all my teeth.

When I started, my upper arch was very narrow, especially round my right premolar. I hade the first premolar extracted when I was 11 to make more space but this wasn't followed up with any treatment to get my laterals in line. I can remember the dentist asking me if I was happy with the way my teeth looked and of course I said Yes.

I was amazed at how quickly my laterals got in line, within 8 weeks they were done. Something which took a bit longer but is equally amazing is the widening of my upper arch. I only noticed about 2 weeks ago (so after 6 months of braces). I must study my teeth every day now :D

Sue
Top
krzysiek
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:50 pm

#8 Post by krzysiek »

WoW! I can see it works :-)

Girls - did you have class2/division 2 bite? I have this type of bite and I was wondering how it will be, changes etc.

I keep my fingers crossed!!
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Our Braces Stories”