A Real Dream Come True - My Forever Dream

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#1 Post by **Dreams** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:39 am

My forever dream is in the process of coming true, thanks to an amazing kind dentist and a whole team of specialists.

My teeth have never been straight. Also, I've been in desperate need of getting resorative work done.

I started the process of getting the restorative work done, back in June. I've been to many endo and oral surgery appointments, as well asn MANY appointments to my general dentist - usually spending no less then 2 1/2 hours in the chair at one time. Now, we are finally ready to talk braces!!!!

My dentist took my case to Dr. K's (my ortho) office. He agreed to be part of this whole journey and offer his services to me for FREE!!!!

I really didn't think I'd get so lucky twice! It's been an incredible experience that has left me in tears, from feeling so beyond blessed.

I have been into the Ortho's office twice. The first time Dr. K just generally looked at my teeth and discussed my case. The second time was for impressions and a ton of x-rays.

I go in on the 18th of this month for the actual consultation and for him to explain the plan for treatment!!!! I am SO excited!

He did tell me that the top braces would have to be put on first, and some build up work done on my back teeth, before he could have room to put the bottom braces on (since I have a massive overbite, with no room inbetween my top and bottom teeth right now).

This site has been a great inspiration. I've been reading here longingly over the months, to learn what to expect and impatiently waiting to be able to post MY own braces journey!!!!

So, here goes... My Forever Dream coming true!!!!...

I'll be sure to post pics along the way. I love looking at everyone's pics here, and it is exciting to see the progress of the movement! It's really motivating!

#2 Post by **brika** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:47 pm

What an amazing opportunity! I wish you the best of luck as you begin your journey. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds!

#3 Post by **martinboyce** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:15 am

Wowee, nice one dreams,

welcome finally to the gang of metal mouthed posters.

Id love to see some pics, so i can really start to pry and poke ya

takes lots of piccies, document everything, looking back id wish i had taken more and i took loads!! lol

nice one, congrats, and welcome, i will keep an eye on your story

M

#4 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:34 am

Thanks Brica and Martin!!!

The whole team is (and has been) taking an amazing amount of pictures throughout my treatments. I'm hoping to get my hands on those, eventually. I've also taken pics of my own along the way.

I had my consult appointment the other day AND:

I get banded on the 5th of this next month, and TOP BRACES ON THE 10th!!! I am so excited. I would have never imagined that at 30 years old, I'd finally be getting these. I'm so happy too, because I was hoping I'd have them on before my birthday (in April).

A friend of mine is going to come with me, when I get the top braces on, and take some pics! I'll have here take some pics before we leave for the appointment too.

I can't believe this is finally happening!

I've heard the spacers are painful, though after the pain I've been through with my mouth before getting any treatment, this will be nothing.

I am curious though about eating with the spacers. Some people seem to have no problems eating anything, while others seem to...

#5 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:37 am

I'll look for and get some pics posted soon!

#6 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:46 am

Here's one pic. This is after months of treatments. It's not the best picture to *really* see how things are in there. I'll have to post more. I have severe overcrowding on the bottom.

The plan is to get everything lined up via braces, then implant where needed. Still discussing two different plans for movement... That'll really determine what I need in the way of implants. One way I would only need one... We'll see what happens!

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#7 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:06 am

Here's a couple *before* pics - from before any treatments.

Warning - NOT for the squeamish!! Though to truly appreciate the progress, its important to see these. (I think.

)

One angry mouth (pics taken June 4th, 2008, right before beginning treatments)...

As you can see, all the rot has been taken out - lots of appointments at my dentist's office, the endo's, and the oral surgeons. The restorative work that's been done so far has been AMAZING.

#8 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:14 am

I am in a teaching program right now, and plan on teaching somewhere in K-2 after I graduate.

I was working in a 1st grade classroom last Friday, and the kids were all excited and amazed that I was missing teeth...lol They were wondering when the Tooth Fairy was coming to visit me. hahaha!!! They wanted to know how many I was missing (and I think with them being so crooked it makes it look like I am missing more then I reallly am).

Then of course the table exploded in conversation of how many teeth each of them were missing...lol

It's painful when I work in classrooms with older children - that's why I can't wait till the braces are put on - so everyone can SEE that I'm in the process of getting them all fixed.

#9 Post by **Dreams** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:16 am

The Ortho mentioned being able to put temp teeth in as the teeth started to straighten out, to make it easier to eat and a side benefit of looking nicer, until treatment's done and I can get the implants. I was relieved and excited to hear this.

Though also curious. A friend said that her daughter had one of these fake teeth and that it was called a flipper. Anyone ever had one of these before?

#10 Post by **Rachel B** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:09 am

Blimey Dreams,

You're going to be sooo pleased with the results after all this treatment.
I'm a teacher and so I know what it's like to work with children. I think it's actually a great place to work if you're having teeth treatment because you just end up matching them and all their gappy smiles.

#11 Post by **Dreams** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:46 am

Rachel B wrote:Blimey Dreams,

You're going to be sooo pleased with the results after all this treatment.
I'm a teacher and so I know what it's like to work with children. I think it's actually a great place to work if you're having teeth treatment because you just end up matching them and all their gappy smiles.

Very true! They are adorable... Seems missing teeth announces the social status of first grade. Buhahaha!!!

Thanks for stopping in here!

Six more days!!!!...

... Until I'm braced!

I go into Ortho tomorrow and get banded. They said it'll feel like when you have something stuck in your teeth and you can't get it out. Well, sounds logical since technically that's exactly what it is...lol
Top braces will go on next Tuesday! Yaaaaiiiieeeee!!!!!!

Right after being braced, I'm off for classes - and as soon as I get to class I have a presentation!... THAT should be interesting...lol *IhopeI'mnotlispy...* buhahaha!!!

#12 Post by **Dreams** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:53 am

Oh and I forgot to mention:

I went in and had a cleaning and a check up the other day - so everything's as clean as can be before I'm braced. I'm not due for a cleaning until late April - so I am really happy to have went in.

#13 Post by **Dreams** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:04 am

Rachel, what grade do you teach?

#14 Post by **brika** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:57 am

Yay, brace day is almost here! It sounds like you're more than ready to get started.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress! You have some big changes ahead of you!
Good luck with your banding tomorrow!

#15 Post by **Dreams** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:09 pm

brika wrote:Yay, brace day is almost here! It sounds like you're more than ready to get started.
I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress! You have some big changes ahead of you!
Good luck with your banding tomorrow!

Thanks Brika, for sharing my excitement! It's exciting to share it on this forum with others that "get it" and are just as excited as YOU are!!!

I got my spacers put in earlier today! Three of them!

Bottom right side - in between the back two teeth and also the top left side, clear in the back. So far, they feel just fine!

I'll be braced on Tuesday - I still can't believe it! : cartwheels!!! :

The assistant sent me home with a bag full of things... Wax, instructions on what I can/can't eat with the braces, threaded floss, etc...

School is really insanely busy, and I have a teaching conference for all of Saturday - so I'm hoping (and thinking!!!) that the time will FLY by, so Tuesday will hurry up and get here!