Hi Mike,
I'll be watching to see how you do with the new bottom braces. I have yet to get mine on but I can't wait! I know it will add to the discomfort, but it'll also seem like things are getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel!
Good luck,
Karen
mikesmile's Orthodontic Journey
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hi Everyone 
Again, sorry for my slow return here. I'm in the midst of my busy season at work and have been putting in some very l-o-n-g hours. I won't complain as the economy in general still sucks for a lot of people.
MegP60+ - Thanks again for your well wishes. I am more comfortable now. Lots of luck with your 1st adjustment!
Ken - Glad to hear about your "gearing up" for the races.
I'm sure you guys will get some good weather-we're getting it here now in ma. I'm so happy for ya that your treatment is windin' down. 
Yea, just as my treatment in gearing into full swing. I'm getting used to my lower hardware finally.....and I never thought I'd go for the colored ligs, but yes they are adding to the fun! I might actually pick a bright color next.
Gokix - Thanks for peeking in. The lisping is getting better, for sure. It does appear unexpectedly sometimes 
but I'm learning to work around it. I find it's mostly when my mouth is dry. I think retainers are far worse in that department. 
Under Construction - Karen, I'm doing much better thanks. It's been nearly a month now with these bottom braces and I have to say the worst part is probably over. (the break-in period) Next, I'll be looking forward to power chains and elastics.
I can't believe I'm over 5 months into my treatment now! The time is wizzing by! I go in for my 5th adjustment tomorrow morning. My bottom teeth are all still loose from their first month braced. I wonder how they'll feel after tomorrow?
I'll post again soon...
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Again, sorry for my slow return here. I'm in the midst of my busy season at work and have been putting in some very l-o-n-g hours. I won't complain as the economy in general still sucks for a lot of people.
MegP60+ - Thanks again for your well wishes. I am more comfortable now. Lots of luck with your 1st adjustment!
Ken - Glad to hear about your "gearing up" for the races.
I'm sure you guys will get some good weather-we're getting it here now in ma. I'm so happy for ya that your treatment is windin' down. Yea, just as my treatment in gearing into full swing. I'm getting used to my lower hardware finally.....and I never thought I'd go for the colored ligs, but yes they are adding to the fun! I might actually pick a bright color next. Gokix - Thanks for peeking in.
The lisping is getting better, for sure. It does appear unexpectedly sometimes but I'm learning to work around it. I find it's mostly when my mouth is dry. I think retainers are far worse in that department. Under Construction - Karen, I'm doing much better thanks. It's been nearly a month now with these bottom braces and I have to say the worst part is probably over. (the break-in period) Next, I'll be looking forward to power chains and elastics.
I can't believe I'm over 5 months into my treatment now! The time is wizzing by! I go in for my 5th adjustment tomorrow morning. My bottom teeth are all still loose from their first month braced. I wonder how they'll feel after tomorrow?
I'll post again soon... Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Hi
I noticed a lot of overall shifting in my bite this past month after having my having my bottom teeth join the game. About 2-3 weeks after my previous adjustment (my 4th), I began feeling my top incisors hitting some of the bottom brackets when I bite down, so I called my ortho's office to report what was going on. They asked if it was bothering me and I said "Not really, I'm just worried about biting them off." The receptionist said it could wait until my next appointment, but if it started bothering me (or anything broke) to call them.
So I had my 5th adjustment the other day and the bracket issue was foremost in my mind when I went in for my appointment. After I was seated, the first thing the tech said was "Mike, you're going to be getting a new wire today". Awesome!!! I didn't expect it. I heard the doctor tell the tech to get a .018 wire. Up until this time I haven't known what size wires were in my arches. Before she put me all back together, the doctor came over to take a good look. He said "everything looks real good. You're hitting the lower brackets because the bottoms are catching up to the tops." See, although technically I have an underbite, the bottom arch is quite crowded and still needs to be rounded out and advanced forward. The top arch will continue to be advanced forward. Eventually I'll wear elastics to help create a normal overjet.
Believe me, I've sure been feeling a lot of tingling from my new wire. My laterals and canines are really getting some action. I also feel some nice soreness in my bottom arch just from the change to fresh ligs. My new ligs, incidentally, are transparent teal. Here are a couple of recent photos. I can finally see a small space between my two front top incisors as the top arch slowly rounds out. I've yet to get some decent pictures of my lower arch, but can already see great improvement down there in only a month!
Oddly, my next adjustment is a mere 3 weeks away because of my ortho's vacation schedule. He want's to see me sooner rather than later. That's fine with me! His office is only up the street.
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
I noticed a lot of overall shifting in my bite this past month after having my having my bottom teeth join the game. About 2-3 weeks after my previous adjustment (my 4th), I began feeling my top incisors hitting some of the bottom brackets when I bite down, so I called my ortho's office to report what was going on. They asked if it was bothering me and I said "Not really, I'm just worried about biting them off." The receptionist said it could wait until my next appointment, but if it started bothering me (or anything broke) to call them.
So I had my 5th adjustment the other day and the bracket issue was foremost in my mind when I went in for my appointment. After I was seated, the first thing the tech said was "Mike, you're going to be getting a new wire today". Awesome!!! I didn't expect it. I heard the doctor tell the tech to get a .018 wire. Up until this time I haven't known what size wires were in my arches. Before she put me all back together, the doctor came over to take a good look. He said "everything looks real good. You're hitting the lower brackets because the bottoms are catching up to the tops." See, although technically I have an underbite, the bottom arch is quite crowded and still needs to be rounded out and advanced forward. The top arch will continue to be advanced forward. Eventually I'll wear elastics to help create a normal overjet.
Believe me, I've sure been feeling a lot of tingling from my new wire. My laterals and canines are really getting some action. I also feel some nice soreness in my bottom arch just from the change to fresh ligs.
My new ligs, incidentally, are transparent teal. Here are a couple of recent photos. I can finally see a small space between my two front top incisors as the top arch slowly rounds out. I've yet to get some decent pictures of my lower arch, but can already see great improvement down there in only a month!Oddly, my next adjustment is a mere 3 weeks away because of my ortho's vacation schedule. He want's to see me sooner rather than later. That's fine with me! His office is only up the street.
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Hey mike..I see you went with the jelly transparent teal..my old fav! I have worn those many times. Glad to hear things are progressing well with your treatment. Bottom Bracket Banging aka BBB is still happening here, but likely to continue until debanding..oh joy! Just wait until you become the 'rubber band man' with elastic fun.. it's a whole new level of PITA and hilarity! Best of luck!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Hey mike..I see you went with the jelly transparent teal..my old fav! I have worn those many times. Glad to hear things are progressing well with your treatment. Bottom Bracket Banging aka BBB is still happening here, but likely to continue until debanding..oh joy! Just wait until you become the 'rubber band man' with elastic fun.. it's a whole new level of PITA and hilarity! Best of luck!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
whoops, sorry for the double post...stupid Firefox!
2/2/09: metal braces T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
8/20/10: braced removed (18mons, 18days), hawley retainers T/B
9/16/10: LR central incisor extracted (failed root canal)
2/23/11: implant/bone graft
9/15/11: implant crown placed, lower lingual bonding corrected
9/21/11: upper bonding on lateral gaps from upper arch forward advancement
10/17/11: new hawley retainers w/plastic tubing over the 'social six' wire, both T/B
Love the teal ligs, too!! Man, it's times like this I kinda wish I'd gotten regular brackets so I could play with colors, too.
Aren't spaces great? I showed my brother (who was against my getting braces in the first place) all my spaces yesterday, and he said, "And I take it that's a good thing?"
Enjoy your new wire... hehe... I'm finally not able to "feel" mine as much as I did last week. How's your bite? I love the oxymoron "nice soreness". I can't wait until you get an elastic (or more than one), so we can be elastic buddies.
Aren't spaces great? I showed my brother (who was against my getting braces in the first place) all my spaces yesterday, and he said, "And I take it that's a good thing?"
Enjoy your new wire... hehe... I'm finally not able to "feel" mine as much as I did last week. How's your bite? I love the oxymoron "nice soreness". I can't wait until you get an elastic (or more than one), so we can be elastic buddies.
So I've never mentioned on here that one of my lifelong interests is martial arts. Before and since getting braced I've worried about getting hit in the mouth while training. We only wear mouthguards when sparring, but not during the course of practice during class.Well, the inevitable happened the other night at karate class.....I was practicing a move with 2 other people.....and got punched right in the mouth!!
Not full blast, but strong enough to force my upper lip against my top brackets, which cut the inside of my lip. 
I've been reminding the guys I work out with to watch out for my braces, but stuff happens... I was extremely worried that one of my brackets got knocked loose, but checked everything thoroughly and it was fine. I guess that braces (esp. metal ones) are bonded pretty darn strongly onto your teeth. I remember years ago when I was in braces the first time, I was in a karate class where a guy punched me in the mouth and cut his fist on my braces...and then he blamed me! opera^gal I know you've been warning me about 'bbb', but I didn't expect it would be upon me so soon...
The good thing is, I know it means progress . cathy I can't believe the movement I'm getting from the new wire! I love seeing spaces open up where they're needed and close up where they're not. My bite, incidently, is WAY OFF.right now. I'm biting down on my front teeth/brackets...Yea, can't wait for those elastics to get the bite right. It will be great fun to compare notes...you with your overbite...and...me with my underbite.
I'm still liking these cool ligs...My next adjustment is so close to my last, that I may just continue with 'jelly transparent teal' again.
Have a happy and safe holiday everybody!
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
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jensceana73
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:11 pm
- Location: cow country
- Contact:
Sooooo....U a kung fu fighter...a??? Me love to kung fu....."hiiiiii Karate" (rolling the r)...ok...ok....back to reality now. 
I just couldn't resist. My husband loves....absolutely loves Jackie Chan. Me...hmmm, not so much. Anyway, sorry to hear about your intimate moment with someone's...um....hand?..foot?....whatever it was, hope your doing better!! 
Oh ya, and still....LOVIN your choice in color this time around....I'm thinking I need to see if my ortho has that color...cause they...are....SPANKIN COOL!!!!!
Me love to kung fu....."hiiiiii Karate" (rolling the r)...ok...ok....back to reality now. I just couldn't resist. My husband loves....absolutely loves Jackie Chan. Me...hmmm, not so much. Anyway, sorry to hear about your intimate moment with someone's...um....hand?..foot?....whatever it was, hope your doing better!! Oh ya, and still....LOVIN your choice in color this time around....I'm thinking I need to see if my ortho has that color...cause they...are....SPANKIN COOL!!!!!
If God wanted me to have straight teeth, he would have made my parents rich..or so I was told....
Click
to view my SAGAHi Everyone
Hope you're all having a great summer so far. Thanks, Jen, for stopping by. My lip healed up fine from being punched . I hope it doesn't happen again, but I won't let it stop me from working out. 
I went in for my 6th adjustment the other day (wednesday). It was right on the tail of my last adjustment, which was only 3 weeks ago. My ortho's gone on vacation now, so he wanted to see me before he left. Despite the short time between visits, I've noticed some encouraging movement in both my top and bottom arches.
When I got called into the main treatment room and seated in one of the exam chairs, my ortho was busy installing braces on another patient. Before the tech began working on me, the doc told her he'd like to take a look in my mouth once she had everything apart. In a few minutes he came over and did the usual "Bite down... Open up".. etc. "Looking good!" he says. Then he instructs the tech to change my bottom wire to an .018 gauge. WOW! that was quick...I've only had my bottom braces for 7 weeks and already a wire change! As soon as that new wire was in - and my new ligs (bright blue) snapped into place - I felt an instant tightness in my bottom arch. The tech explained to me that my ortho uses even numbered wires, so they must have started me off with a .014 wire on top, since I'm on my 3rd wire up top. Now I have .018 wire in both arches.
On my way out of the office, the doc warned me that the new bottom wire would cause some discomfort and the teeth to become loose. "They're already loose." I told him. "They're going to get even looser..." he replied. Boy, was he right!!! My bottom incisors have become very loose and sore in the past 3 days. It's hard to eat again with the pain from this wire change. Another problem I have since getting my bottom braces is that 4 of my upper teeth bang into 4 of my lower brackets now when I bite down. I don't know why my ortho doesn't use molar build-ups or bite turbos on me to prevent this. I want to mention it to him, but I'm afraid of undermining his professional methods. After all, I can't stand it when any of my customers try and tell me how to do my job! Since the terrain of my bite is changing so fast, I'll just wait it out and see what happens by my next adjustment in 5 weeks. I LOVE the progress that I've seen so far - especially since the bottom teeth have joined in the fun!
I'd also like to report that I've gotten several favorable comments lately on my braces. Some people think it's so cool encountering a guy my age sporting a metal mouth. They seen to get the biggest kick out of it...and that only makes me smile wider. One lady said to me yesterday 'You're never too old to get braces!"
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Hope you're all having a great summer so far. Thanks, Jen, for stopping by. My lip healed up fine from being punched
. I hope it doesn't happen again, but I won't let it stop me from working out. I went in for my 6th adjustment the other day (wednesday). It was right on the tail of my last adjustment, which was only 3 weeks ago. My ortho's gone on vacation now, so he wanted to see me before he left. Despite the short time between visits, I've noticed some encouraging movement in both my top and bottom arches.
When I got called into the main treatment room and seated in one of the exam chairs, my ortho was busy installing braces on another patient. Before the tech began working on me, the doc told her he'd like to take a look in my mouth once she had everything apart. In a few minutes he came over and did the usual "Bite down... Open up".. etc. "Looking good!" he says. Then he instructs the tech to change my bottom wire to an .018 gauge. WOW! that was quick...I've only had my bottom braces for 7 weeks and already a wire change!
As soon as that new wire was in - and my new ligs (bright blue) snapped into place - I felt an instant tightness in my bottom arch. The tech explained to me that my ortho uses even numbered wires, so they must have started me off with a .014 wire on top, since I'm on my 3rd wire up top. Now I have .018 wire in both arches.On my way out of the office, the doc warned me that the new bottom wire would cause some discomfort and the teeth to become loose. "They're already loose." I told him. "They're going to get even looser..." he replied. Boy, was he right!!! My bottom incisors have become very loose and sore in the past 3 days. It's hard to eat again with the pain from this wire change. Another problem I have since getting my bottom braces is that 4 of my upper teeth bang into 4 of my lower brackets now when I bite down. I don't know why my ortho doesn't use molar build-ups or bite turbos on me to prevent this. I want to mention it to him, but I'm afraid of undermining his professional methods. After all, I can't stand it when any of my customers try and tell me how to do my job! Since the terrain of my bite is changing so fast, I'll just wait it out and see what happens by my next adjustment in 5 weeks. I LOVE the progress that I've seen so far - especially since the bottom teeth have joined in the fun!
I'd also like to report that I've gotten several favorable comments lately on my braces. Some people think it's so cool encountering a guy my age sporting a metal mouth. They seen to get the biggest kick out of it...and that only makes me smile wider. One lady said to me yesterday 'You're never too old to get braces!"
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
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LARRYBOY56
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:20 pm
- Location: Oregon
Sorry Mike to hear about your mishap. Hope things are healing back up.
I also wonder why they didn't use the bite turbos with you. I have them to keep me from busting off the lower brackets. Makes it so I can't chew anything until my bite starts to move together again, but I don't have the problem of crashing on the lower brackets.
I also understand why my teeth hurt so bad. You mentioned starting out at a .014 wire and graduating to an .018 in the 3rd adjustment. I think I started at a .016 wire on both upper and lower. Does that mean ortho is being agressive on me from the start?
Anyway, sounds like you are back on track. Have a good one.
I also wonder why they didn't use the bite turbos with you. I have them to keep me from busting off the lower brackets. Makes it so I can't chew anything until my bite starts to move together again, but I don't have the problem of crashing on the lower brackets.
I also understand why my teeth hurt so bad. You mentioned starting out at a .014 wire and graduating to an .018 in the 3rd adjustment. I think I started at a .016 wire on both upper and lower. Does that mean ortho is being agressive on me from the start?
Anyway, sounds like you are back on track. Have a good one.
Larry,
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BracketRacket
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:51 pm
- Location: East Coast, USA
- Contact:
Greetings
Thanks Larry, for your concern. I really wish my ortho would use bite turbos, but he must have his reasons. Meanwhile, I'm hoping I don't shear any of my lower brackets off. About the wire...I notice most orthos start treatment off with a .014 wire and start moving/leveling slowly. It may be that your ortho feels you can tolerate a thicker starting wire...
BracketRacket...We'll both have to learn to block better! Thanks for the compliment on the ligs...I know I'll choose that color again - got plenty of adjustments to go!
Well, today happens to be my 6 MONTH BRACE-VERSARY!
I just can't believe it's been this long already... Not bad at all! So what - a little pain, inconvenience and social awkwardness now and then. It's worth it when you can see your progress!
Believe me folks...I'm getting lots of movement this month.
Time for a few new photos...
BELOW: Clenching Smile at 2 Month Mark (2nd Adjustment)
BELOW: Clenching Smile at 6 Month Mark (6th Adjustment Tops / 2nd Adjustment Bottoms)
BELOW: Showing Bottom Teeth Newly Braced
BELOW: Showing Bottom Teeth At 7 Weeks
The bottoms are really being cooperative. My ortho says they've been hammered down there so long that they're happy to be moving. My bottoms are doing a lot of leveling right now and my tops are steadily advancing forward as they should be,
,but no discussion of elastics or power chains yet...
Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Thanks Larry, for your concern. I really wish my ortho would use bite turbos, but he must have his reasons. Meanwhile, I'm hoping I don't shear any of my lower brackets off.
About the wire...I notice most orthos start treatment off with a .014 wire and start moving/leveling slowly. It may be that your ortho feels you can tolerate a thicker starting wire...BracketRacket...We'll both have to learn to block better!
Thanks for the compliment on the ligs...I know I'll choose that color again - got plenty of adjustments to go!Well, today happens to be my 6 MONTH BRACE-VERSARY!
I just can't believe it's been this long already... Not bad at all! So what - a little pain, inconvenience and social awkwardness now and then. It's worth it when you can see your progress! Believe me folks...I'm getting lots of movement this month.
Time for a few new photos...BELOW: Clenching Smile at 2 Month Mark (2nd Adjustment)
BELOW: Clenching Smile at 6 Month Mark (6th Adjustment Tops / 2nd Adjustment Bottoms)
BELOW: Showing Bottom Teeth Newly Braced
BELOW: Showing Bottom Teeth At 7 Weeks
The bottoms are really being cooperative. My ortho says they've been hammered down there so long that they're happy to be moving. My bottoms are doing a lot of leveling right now and my tops are steadily advancing forward as they should be,
,but no discussion of elastics or power chains yet...Second Time In Braces - Estimate 12-14 Months
Hi Mike I just read through your whole story. It's impressive how much movement you've had and I love the colors too. When I had my braces, I never went with any colors even though I had SO many opportunities lol. I like seeing how much your little one seems to be enjoying your braces journey too!
The second timer thing is familiar to me, I'm just glad I don't have to be fully braced for 2 years again.
I just read through your whole story. It's impressive how much movement you've had and I love the colors too. When I had my braces, I never went with any colors even though I had SO many opportunities lol. I like seeing how much your little one seems to be enjoying your braces journey too!The second timer thing is familiar to me, I'm just glad I don't have to be fully braced for 2 years again.
Happy Anniversary, Mike!!!
Your teeth are really on the move, aren't they? Your wire is so straight on top now. I bet you've never been so happy to see gaps, huh? You can bet as soon as I see a gap in between my two front teeth, I'll be posting a big ole' pic right here! They've overlapped my whole life, so a gap will be nice.
I'm also giving you "big ups" (props) for getting such bright-colored ligs. I know I was all talk before about "When I get ceramics, I'm getting lig-happy", as I sit here with my clear ones, trying to make sure they don't stain. I have a couple of weeks off work in December during the kids' winter break, so I may try them at that time. I should have a nice little gap by then. haha
I sure hope you don't end up with bite turbos. Since we have similar teeth (though mine stick out more right now), I have a feeling when they get pushed back, I may be subjected to them. My diet shall begin at that time...
I was reading one of your older posts about your being hesitant to question your ortho about the bite turbos for fear of undermining his professional methods. I think that a lot of us feel like that, but for some reason, I have an overwhelming urge to ask every question I have about my teeth. I never feel the urge to do that with my regular doctor, but for some reason with my teeth, I do. And in my heart, I'm not questioning his abilities (after all, he's making the buck$$ and I'm not). I'm just naturally curious. I guess I have to find a way of asking without him feeling like I don't trust him.
Sorry this is so long... I get in those "talky" moods now and then.
-Cathy
Your teeth are really on the move, aren't they? Your wire is so straight on top now.
I bet you've never been so happy to see gaps, huh? You can bet as soon as I see a gap in between my two front teeth, I'll be posting a big ole' pic right here! They've overlapped my whole life, so a gap will be nice.I'm also giving you "big ups" (props) for getting such bright-colored ligs. I know I was all talk before about "When I get ceramics, I'm getting lig-happy", as I sit here with my clear ones, trying to make sure they don't stain. I have a couple of weeks off work in December during the kids' winter break, so I may try them at that time. I should have a nice little gap by then. haha
I sure hope you don't end up with bite turbos. Since we have similar teeth (though mine stick out more right now), I have a feeling when they get pushed back, I may be subjected to them. My diet shall begin at that time...
I was reading one of your older posts about your being hesitant to question your ortho about the bite turbos for fear of undermining his professional methods. I think that a lot of us feel like that, but for some reason, I have an overwhelming urge to ask every question I have about my teeth. I never feel the urge to do that with my regular doctor, but for some reason with my teeth, I do. And in my heart, I'm not questioning his abilities (after all, he's making the buck$$ and I'm not). I'm just naturally curious. I guess I have to find a way of asking without him feeling like I don't trust him.
Sorry this is so long... I get in those "talky" moods now and then.
-Cathy