I am a 23 year old full time student and employee. I was supposed to get braces when I was 17 but my ortho gave me the option of using hawley retainers instead. The only problem was I rarely wore the retainers so my teeth were never straightened. Fast foward 5 years... I am having the worst time with my TMJ. I have chronic myofacial pain and my jaw even locks open sometimes. I am at the point where I am willing to do anything to recapture the disc in my jaw so I can chew, speak and smile normal. I have a kinda lopsided smile because of my TMJ issues.
I saw an ortho about a month ago because my primary dentist noticed my TMJ has gotten signifigantly worse. The ortho said he thinks he can recapture my disc and straighten my teeth all at once. I have crowding, a crossbite and narrow arches. My sentence is approximately 2 years with the possibility of early parole because of good behavior
![BigTeethGrin :BigTeethGrin:](./images/smilies/BigToothyGrin.gif)
My appointment for x ray's molds and spacers is set for this Thursday, and my appointment for braces is March 30th. I am going to try to move my installation appointment up if it is possible. I'm ready to get this show on the road.
Here are some pictures
![Image](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/YellaGyrl/Pre%20Braces/000_0833.jpg)
The upper picture, which really shows off my narrow arches and crooked right side.
![Image](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/YellaGyrl/Pre%20Braces/000_0836.jpg)
Here's the frontal picture of my teeth. It seems as if my whole right side came in crooked.
![Image](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/YellaGyrl/Pre%20Braces/2493259c.jpg)
I will post again with a detailed diagnosis once I so to my appt on Thurs.
![DancingBanana :banana:](./images/smilies/Dancing_Purple_Banana.gif)
![DancingBanana :banana:](./images/smilies/Dancing_Purple_Banana.gif)
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