Cleo's ortho journey :)

[CleoAZ]

Well - where to begin? Probably pretty far back actually.....

I am a 38 year old mother of 3 boys. Happily married, and relatively productive member of society Over the last several years I have thought about making some changes to my teeth, but a long seeded fear of all things dental has kept me from making the leap.

When I was pregnant with my oldest son (20 years ago), I had to have an emergency root canal done. Not a pleasant experience at the best of times, but certainly not fun when you are 8 months pregnant either. Then over the next 4 years I had two more children and had teeth problems with each of those pregnancies too. Unfortunately I didn't have the funds to have root canals each of those times, and opted to have the problem teeth extracted instead. Flash forward 16 years and I have two upper molars missing (one on each side), and the wherewithal to finally do something about it.

What really prompted me to start this whole thing is two-fold really. My oldest son is in the military, and shortly after his graduation from high school I had every intention of taking him in to have his wisdom teeth pulled before his enlistment date. The government had other ideas and moved up his enlistment date several months, and we just ran out of time. Now the military is removing his wisdom teeth for him... slowing... one ... at... a .... time .... with only local anesthesia. It is enough to make my toes curl. So my middle son is also about to graduate from high school now, and he needed all 4 wisdoms pulled too. I thought that it would be the perfect time to have my impacted wisdoms yanked too. We could do it together and be strong for each other. Well - it wasn't pleasant, but the two of us got through it. That was 6 weeks ago.

Prior to my wisdom extractions, I had a consult with the ortho that my youngest son saw a couple of years ago. I loved their office and my son’s results are amazing. I really wanted to explore all of my options when it came to closing the gaps left from my extractions so many years ago. I didn’t want to get implants (the horror stories scared me to death, and I was already not a fan of dentists in general). I also wasn’t thrilled with the idea of getting 2 bridges, and having to sacrifice 4 more teeth in the process. The ortho assured me that braces could pull everything together without needing bridges – YAY! So, off I went to the oral surgeon for wisdom removal (in more ways than one I am afraid), then a consult with a periodontist just to make sure nothing was amiss before starting orthodontics. So – as of 4/25, I am the proud owner of a whole bunch of metal in my mouth.

My sentence is 20 months, but I am hoping that it is closer to 18 so I can have these babies off in time for my 40th birthday. I know I am only 1 week in, but so far the worst has been getting my cheeks / gums used to the braces. I feel like I am constantly prying them off the inside of my lip / cheeks…. not pleasant. I go into the ortho this week for spacers and then next for a bracket on my crown. Hoping that all goes well – if nothing else, there is always ibuprofen and wine.

I will try to post pics soon too, but in the meantime I am just happy to have more "ok - this was a good decision" moments than "OMG - WHAT HAVE I DONE" moments

[lau]

CleoAZ, This was a great decision!! You will see with each movement, you'll be reassured and will be closer to your desired goal.
I wont lie, the first month for me was the hardest, i couldnt believe what i had ahead of me (i am very anxious) but you know what? I'll be 38 next month and it was the right time for me too. I will have nicer teeth the second part of my life and for sure I will not be wearing dentures because if something this process teaches you is to take good care of your teeth. Before i only brushed in the mornings. Flossing 2 per year! (right before dentist cleanings) and never used Mouthwash. NOW: I brush like 4 times, use mouthwash, floss or waterpick floss, it's unbelievable how much more aware I am.

Welcome to the club!! this board is amazing, people are incredibly supportive. And if you ever need inspiration, read the stories or reach out to any of us to give you strength. Wishing you all the best-

[CleoAZ]

Thanks Lau!!

I know what you mean about spending WAY more time on your teeth. I have always brushed once or twice a day, and always flossed too, but now I am completely obsessed with brushing. I am doing it 4 or 5 times per day now, along with waterpiking, flossing, and mouthwashing. By my calculations, I am losing an entire day per week to my toothbrush now

It will all be worth it - and thank goodness I get to telecommute from home most days of the week - how do people with 9 - 5 desk jobs manage braces??!!??

Anyhow - here is a before pic (from my ortho) and a current pic after 1 week....

[lau]

I can perfectly tell you how we manage at work, we just make it happen LOL I think the worst part is over, when people stared at first or trying to swish around so i wont have food stuck when i eat in front of coworkers. I promise it gets much easier. Now if time would fly by, I'd be even happier
But seriously going to the bathroom to brush my teeth is easy, I dont floss each time, but i've gotten very good almost 7 months in, you will too.

Your teeth are good to begin with, i am surprised they gave you a 20 month sentence when really all you need the gaps to close and fix a little crowding. You'll go fast, watch.

[CleoAZ]

Well - went back to the ortho yesterday for spacers around my crown so it can be fitted with a band next week. I had heard that the discomfort from the spacers was the worst - but so far so good. Other than feeling like I am chewing on a rubber band when I bite down, it hasn't been a big deal. Thank goodness, because I am still trying to deal with getting used to the feel of the brackets against my cheeks / lips.

Since I mainly telecommute for my job, yesterday was only the 2nd day that I have been in the office since getting braced. By my calculations, .... 52 weeks in a year, brace sentence of 18 months, carry the 2, round up to the nearest whole number,..... I should only have 76 more days of wearing these babies in the office (plus or minus - I really should take a vaca ) Thinking about it like that makes it much more tolerable. Looking forward to next week for the band so I can talk with the ortho and see what his thoughts are after just 2 weeks.

[elseegee64]

Hi Cleo! Thanks for your support on my page. It will be a roller coaster - but hang in there. I know I am. It's the journey before the destination!

I had the spacers also, it goes fast.

I work a full 8-hours per day. I felt the same way - I was always brushing, flossing and checking my teeth before talking with anyone.

Nothing really bothersome except when co-workers bring in cookies and candies to share and I can't have any!

[CleoAZ]

So yesterday was the day I got the spacers removed and the band put on. The band / bracket combo was going on a crown that I have on my lower molar. The spacers never really troubled me, so it wasn't a big deal having them removed, although I was rather nervous when the tech was sizing bands on my crown. I have had the same crown (without incident or glue fiascoes) for the last 20 years. It has never popped off or caused me trouble, but I was worried that the on / off of the band would dislodge it. The tech was too cute when I voiced my concerns - she said "don't worry, I know how to glue it back on " After that I just went with the flow.

The ortho stopped by to check out the progress - and since the lower arch wire had to be removed to put on the new band, my teeth felt so.... naked! I was at my 2 week point exactly, so he just wanted to check and see how things were going. I told him that I really haven't had any tooth "pain" - more just a slight soreness occasionally. I told him that the pain I was feeling was more the inside of my cheeks / gums from the actual brackets. I also told him I was surprised by the movement I was seeing already. He wanted me to point out places I was seeing the most movement - I did, and he was pleased with everything. He told the tech to make my next appointment for 5 weeks for my first adjustment.

She continued to seat my band and get everything strapped back in, when the ortho stopped by again. He checked everything again - touched / wiggled a few of my teeth that I had said showed the most movement - asked if I had any pain when he did so (I didn't - just a feeling of pressure). Then he changed his mind and told the tech to start my first adjustment afterall. YAY!!! I told him I was actually fine with the "marathon 2 month braces program" if he wanted to get crazy. He did laugh and say that every time he says the same thing to his trainer at the gym he regrets it the next day. Well - here it is, the next day, and my complaint it still just my gums / cheeks.

I can feel a mild soreness in my teeth, but holy moley they have moved a lot just overnight!! Getting use to the new molar / crown bracket it tough too - I have probably bit that side of my check 20+ times today There is also a built in loop on the tongue side of the band for future elastics - that is really annoying against my tongue and will take some getting used to. I was really hoping to go with the whole "use clear / translucent / invisible" ligs throughout the treatment an not open my mouth in public for the next 18 months, but after being on the forum and reading posts I decided to embrace the braces so to speak. I went with teal ligs this time, and the tech showed me some sparkley purple ligs that I think I am going to get next time! My next adjustment is in 5 weeks. Now if my ComfortBrace strips will just hurry up and get here I think I will be ok. (http://www.dentakit.com/comfortbrace.html)

[CleoAZ]

Meant to post this the last couple of days too:

On the food front.... I was getting pretty sick of soup, yogurt, smoothies, etc. Basically everything that didn't require chewing - I was tired of it. I started out slow, but decided to branch out and try different things. A breakfast burrito one day, potstickers the next, pesto chicken pasta, pot roast, english muffins, and cookies too (not all in one day mind you )

I had been told that chewing stimulates the tooth and helps things move along - which is the whole point. Unfortunately I end up chewing with a partially open mouth sometimes,... which I abhor, but can't do much about yet. I just cut things up or break them up into smallish pieces and chew slowly with my molars. I haven't encountered any pain or discomfort yet, but eating does take so much longer than before. Hopefully I will be able to build up to other things (burgers / pizza) too soon. I think the thing I miss the most is chips and salsa

[CleoAZ]

Wow - my how time flies when you are having fun...

Been almost a month since I was braced and has been 2 weeks since my first adjustment, and things are going well. Other than some minor soreness and fluctuating sensitivity, all in all the first adjustment wasn't too bad. I have experienced the same thing others have voiced, i.e. new spaces that weren't there before, varying bite, some teeth appearing taller than they were before, looseness / crackling sensations. I am glad that I knew about all of these things beforehand or I might have been calling the ortho every 10 minutes to make sure everything was ok


Pics soon.

[CleoAZ]

Well - I am still just plugging away - brushing all the time, lots of wiggling loose teeth and movement. Pretty pleased so far - just over one month down

Here are some pics so far:

[CleoAZ]

JEEEEZZZ - can everything just stop for a few minutes.....

Life has been CRAZY!! End of our fiscal year at work (oh the humanity - everyone has gone certifiable), on top of regular craziness with home life (one son is about to deploy to Afghanistan, one son got a job - but doesn't have transportation, other son is just lounging in his robe all summer) .... restoring a classic car, and finally got it to the point of final paint (it is at the body shop now), and about 1 million other little things.... The nice part is that my time in braces sure is going fast!

Went in last week for my 2nd adjustment, my ortho decided to keep me in my original wire for one more time before moving me up to something stronger (pretty sure I am in a 16 heat activated right now). Just swapped out my ligs and tighten things in a bit more. Still no major pain - just a general feeling of pressure / looseness. Got a good routine, and have my supply preferences. Was feeling like my teeth had a yellowish cast to them, which was disconcerting since I brush them all day long. Thank goodness for this site - found some posts by others that had the same complaints and figured it might be my toothpaste. Switched to a different one and things seem to be going back to normal.

My supply list (in case others are looking for info in one concise list):

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
Colgate Peroxyl mouthwash
Colgate Phos-Flur mouthwash
Glide threader floss
Oral B Sonicare toothbrush
Waterpik
Orthoguard lip protectors

I only use the Peroxyl as needed - but typically once per day. I use the Phos-Flur in the evening right before bed (since you are not supposed to eat or drink afterwards). I have been sleeping in the lip protectors - I sleep better, and my mouth is never irritated in the morning or during the day now. I haven't had to use wax in about 6 weeks - I typically forget my braces are even there

Like everyone has said - things look worse before they are better. My teeth are like crooked tombstones now - some are taller than others, some stick out more, some lean, but I can see progress and I know it is all a part of the bigger plan. Also really like the sparkly lilac ligs I got this time!!

[CleoAZ]

7/11/12 - Update

Well - had another adjustment yesterday. Got thicker wires top and bottom (now in 18 from a 16 heat activated), and new ligs (pink). It was super nice being able to do a quick brush and floss at the ortho's office yesterday before they put the new wires on too. Will post pics next week (want these new wires to have some time to work their magic), but I can already see movement in my upper left incisor (right side in the pics). That one was really starting to turn and stick out a lot, but just overnight it has settled back a bit.

The pink ligs are nice - went with the light pink, and against the brackets they are super bright. I think I have my next two colors lined up too - had a hard time deciding yesterday

My ortho did say the dreaded word yesterday "TADs" ..... not thrilled about them, but he didn't mention a date or time yet to install them, so hopefully my teeth will make satisfactory progress / movement and they won't be necessary. I have been pretty proud of myself so far for staying strong and positive in the face of my previous dental phobias. I have a great primary dentist and orthodontist as well. I know that if I have to have the TADs, then I will get through it and it won't be too bad.

Gotta keep the end results in sight - this will all be worth it!!

[anngie27]

Hi Cleo,
What is he going to achieve with TAD's in your case? I've seen that mentioned here on the boards but don't know much about them. Your teeth look amazing!
Good luck!

[CleoAZ]

Hi Cleo,
What is he going to achieve with TAD's in your case? I've seen that mentioned here on the boards but don't know much about them. Your teeth look amazing!
Good luck!

Well - I think he is expecting my upper (very old) extraction gaps to be stubborn and not close easily. I, on the other hand, am focusing all of my good cosmic energy on those suckers closing quickly! He hasn't focused on closing them yet, so hopefully once he is ready to move on to that part of my treatment, they will move smoothly - if not, then I am looking at TADs.

At least I know that if I DO have to have the TADs, it is all just part of the process - and since I have started the process I want to finish it with the best possible results.

[anngie27]

I had my second premolars pulled for ortho treatment and my ortho used the lingual buttons with powerchains and the regular front braces with powerchains to close those gaps. His goal was to close the gaps first to move the other teeth in place.
Good luck!!