I've had braces for just about four months now. I got braces due to raised canines (they were overlapping other teeth and they came out way too high due to lack of space) and big time crowding. I had four teeth pulled and am wearing full metal braces for an estimated 2-2 1/2 years. I keep hoping that'll be shortened as a reward for good behavior though.
After each adjustment, I post pics and explain what happened at the apointment in my livejournal. It's located at:
Despite my short time in braces, the improvement is AMAZING! Feel free to check it out. I apologize in advance for my patheti-sad pictures taken with my cell phone!
Last edited by alexa on Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:14 pm, edited 24 times in total.
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
It's good to know I'm not alone because my top teeth are similar to yours. Your procedure started earlier than mine so I'll be keeping an eye on your progress...to see what I can look forward to!
I had always felt slightly freakish because of the fangs, but what I've found out from friends and co-workers is that it's not that uncommon. Several of them told me that they had them too....but had braces when they were younger!
I'll be watching your blog too...I love checking out other people's progress!
Alexa
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
I think I was sort of bummed out this month. I kept getting carded at the movies and everywhere I went, which I found annoying. I'm 23 darn it! I guess I was having one of those months where I just want to be a grown up and not have people stare at me like I'm a little bracefaced twelve year old! I know, I know, I'm whiny, but aren't I entitled once in awhile...or more than once in awhile....
Anyway, feel free to take a looksie....
Alexa
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
Had an adjustment today, so there are new pictures.
Kinda feeling down about the whole braces thing lately. I hate when I get whiny!
Oh well! Next month will be better!
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
Had an adjustment a few hours ago. Things're looking good and I'm feeling a lot better about things this month.
Pictures are on my livejournal as usual. Link is in the first post of the thread and in my www link.
Enjoy!
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
I think they're coming along pretty well...so well that I keep thinking about how nice it would be if I were to say...get them off at 18 mo instead of 24-30....no, the ortho hasn't said that they will be done early per se....but I'm keepin' my elastics crossed!
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
I have mixed feelings about the adjustment as it turned out that my lower #5's had become disloged from the archwire sometime since my last adjustment and made the teeth a little wonky.
How I could've looked at me teeth so much without noticing is beyond me!
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
your teeth are looking really good!! i hope your ortho gets back from vacation fresh and will be nicer to you!! i can't believe they are treating you the way they do...my ortho is SOO nice...and he's the one that does everything and answers all my questions and tells me things even when I don't ask...
~~~~~~
Ceramic top braces: January 9th, 2006
Metal bottom braces: May 1st, 2006
My regular ortho is really nice. The problem is that my ortho is part of a chain. The doctors at the chain are usually pretty nice, but some of the other staff often aren't. They're also known for being real jerks when it comes to payments. I would've loved to go to a private practice for my treatment, however it would've cost too much. The chain allows 0% financing and $100/mo payments. As a recent college grad with mucho debt, it was my only choice.
If I ever have children, they're going to get this stuff done when they are kids, whether they want it or not, so they don't have to worry about financing it all themselves!
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
Alexa, your progress is amazing! I saw really quick movement with my teeth too so it's pretty cool seeing it in others as well
I know what you mean about making future kids get braces young! There was no way Id be able to afford my own but my grandmother actually paid for them (thanks Nanny!), so my kids will definitely get them young if needed (and I'm sure they will since it seems to run in the family!)
