Decisionmade's (D.M's) story:summer '07 update

Message

#166 Post by **hannah164** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:57 pm

That's great to hear that your first cleaning went so well!:dance: Its always nice to hear that your keeping your teeth that clean!

Good luck getting your expander out next week!

-Hannah

Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05
Next Adjustment 1/11/06

#167 Post by **joplin** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:25 am

so one week form today and my expander is out!

Counting down with you! Make the most of your last days with the RPE - you'll never get to wear one again

Any ideas what to do with it when it's out? Going to keep it? My intention was to place mine on the train tracks and watch it get hit, but that thing is such a piece of work that I got worried it could make the train drop off the tracks and I'd suddenly find myself in prison as a terrorist suspect

So it's still there in my drawer with other ortodontic collectibles from my journey so far

Congratulations, DM!

#168 Post by **decisionmade** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:21 pm

Hey Joplin! It will be so nice to lose my lisp..or much of it anyway..the braces still play their part:)...I've had that same railroad track fantasy for months...but now I'm betting I'll want to keep it in my sock drawer with other odds and ends of this journey..we'll see what tomorrow brings..I plan on celebrating with a manicure, pedicure. and any other indulgences I may come across that catch my fancy...and of course a meal will be involved!..I'm looking forward to joining the unexpandered!..thanks for the thoughts!
DM

#169 Post by **decisionmade** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:00 pm

My expander is out after 6 long months!! It was not easy taking it out and there was some pain involved but its over now....little bleading and tenderness but I am very optimistic...I got the new bands put in on the top and more power threads on the bottom which are already creating a new space..next visit will be in 5 weeks for a new wire on top...and hopefully we can finally engage a stubborn bottom toth which is tottally out of whack compared to the rest of my almost beautiful teeth...i just can't beleive how quickly my teeth are improving...i'm thrilled though sore:)

#170 Post by **katemm06** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:19 pm

I'm glad everything went well with the expander removal! You are so lucky!!! Now you have officially graduated from the expander club. Enjoy your freedom

I have a few more months with mine to go but I'll be joining you soon

Hope your mouth feels better soon.

#171 Post by **joplin** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:37 am

CONGRATULATIONS, DM and welcome to the club of Ex Expanderists

You did great!

#172 Post by **decisionmade** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 4:37 am

thanks kate and joplin..i, like you joplin am living proof thant anyone can get through sarpe and 6 mos. w/the expander..anyone frusturated right now I hope will take comfort with that!

However, I didn't know i'd be in s o much discomfort..I can't chew my molars are so tender and sore so its back to oatmeal and yogurts and pudding for a bit.....

thanks again...DM

#173 Post by **hannah164** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:20 am

Congratulations DM on finally getting rid of your expander!

Sorry to hear that it was a bit painful!

Good luck with your journey! Hope you see lots of progress!

-Hannah

Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05
Next Adjustment was 1/11/06 but now is rescheduled to 1/21/06

#174 Post by **decisionmade** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:38 am

I've healed well since the expnder removal..although still sensative molars- it has gotten better. My bite changed drastically beginning the evening after it was taken out..not sure why..also I am continuing to wear elastics at least until my next appointment in five weeks..I actually like the elastic which may sound strange but I'm more comfortable now with it then without it....I'll post update pics in another week..

#175 Post by **Slawdawg** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:46 pm

Thank you, DM, for your posts. I have read every one of them and truly enjoyed hearing about your journey thus far. I'm headed for the SARPE shortly and then some other jaw surgery (or surgeries, who knows?) and I have become a little more calm as a result of reading your story. It is a great comfort to read about folks on the other side and know it all works out in the end. Congratulations on getting through to this point. I wish you much success in the future and hope I can be as much help to others coming behind us as you and some others have been for me.

#176 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:56 am

Thanks for the reply!

I started reading your story, but it is long so it is going to take me awhile to get through all of that. I'm so glad I found this forum. I had been on the Yahoo one, but not very happy with it. This one is so much more informative, and much easier to follow!

Honestly, I'm really not too worried about the surgery. I mean I have resigned myself to the pain and discomfort, as I know it will be worth it in the end. I'm actually sortof excited to get it going so I can begin my journey. I can't wait to see my new smile, as well as my new bite. Will be so nice to have teeth that actually fit together like they are supposed to!

Now, with the SARPE, I cannot find anything on chaining the front teeth! Weird huh? I mean pretty much everything I have read has said nothing about this. Supposedly my ortho says that chaining the teeth together has been shown to have no adverse affect on the overal SARPE results. It sorta makes sense since they pretty much bring the front teeth together right after the expander come outs, but I wish I could find at least one other person or an account of someone else who has done this.
It would just make me feel a bit better.

I noticed from one of the links that it looks like the expander attaches to the rear molars. Do the other prongs just rest on the teeth? Not exactly sure how it works. Thanks and I look forward to hearing back from you. I think I will document my journey with pics too, just for fun.

Brandy

#177 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:54 pm

Hi Brandy, Have you had a consultation with your oral surgeon yet that will be doing the surgery? If not I would ask ask him or her specifically wha they think of this chaining the teeth during the expansion method..Make sure that your os and ortho are in full agreement about your proposed treatment plan.. ..

Yes my expander was attached to a molar on each side other metal pieces resting inside and along the gum line....

slawdawg..I am so glad my posts have helped you!!..please feel free to ask me questions..and good luck to you!

#178 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:51 pm

Hey DM,
Yes I have talked with both, in fact I called my oral surgeon today to discuss it with him. I talked with his nurse, but she has been with him for 20 years and assists in all his surgerys. She said the they have done a few fairly recently with the chain, and it doesn't affect the actual expansion.
They are going to put my braces on top on on the 23rd of Feb. She said that when the doctor gets in there if it doesn't look ok to chain things together, then he will just cut my archwire.

I decided today, after reading everyones stories, and listening to Dr. J's reply that I'm not even going to worry about it. I'm going to tell my Ortho that I'm fine with having the gap (I really just don't care about it anymore) It is such an inconsequencial amount of time in the big scheme of things, and quite frankly.....this is my journey so I really don't care a whole heck of a lot what others think. I'm looking forward to the whole process, and while I know it will be unpleasant at times I know it will be worth it in the end. In fact I pushed my surgery date up a week today so I could get with the program even sooner.

I didn't realize that they would be cutting inside my palate too, but oh well just more to love huh? Did I mention that they are extracting a lower molar, and an upper wisdom tooth at the same time they do my SARPE?...probably not, as I think I'm in denial about that. My brain can only handle so much so I figure I will just focus on the big stuff and the rest will be cake! (uh..yea, maybe if I keep telling myself that enough, I will start to believe it)

I compare everything to giving birth to my son. I mean how much worse than childbirth can it be? I'm sure not even close, so I'm all good with it.

Your story has been very inspirational, and I have to say that your teeth look amazing! It is truly mind blowing what they can do with orthodontics and surgery these days. WOW! you must be so totally thrilled with the results huh? I know I would be!

#179 Post by **decisionmade** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:18 am

Brandy you have a great attititude and true-after childbirth I am sure this will be cake;)

I have now had braces for four months

Here I am first day with braces:

And today:

and the bottoms:
first day w/braces:

And today:

And its only been four months with braces..Just 20 more to go!!
I am so thrilled!

#180 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:45 pm

I agree! Please keep the pics coming! I can honestly say after viewing your progress that I'm sorta excited about getting my stuff going.

Maybe I'm weird but I can't wait to get my braces on, and I'm truly not too stressed anymore about the SARPE. I want my teeth to look like yours! LOL I can't believe how much has changed in such a short time. I personally think that orthodontics these days are nothing short of amazing!

Your pics are very inspirational, and it is fun following your progress! You have a great attitude too!

Brandy