Hi staceyr2,
first thank you for being interested in my story. I read your story and yours too
is lasting way too long. Thanks for sharing ! I hope you'll get a good bite when
all will be said and done.
About what happened. I indeed saw this 4th ortho. He saw my X-rays and told
me things weren't looking great. I saw the X-ray too and all what I was seeing
was such a big open bite and overjet. It looks so bad. He said he maybe can help
me, but first he wants me to have a very thorough examination of both my jaw
joints. They don't look ok, and he thinks that this might be the cause of my open
bite. So, now I have to make an appointment with a very good jaw joint expert.
But that may take a while. It is not easy to see him. So, the plan is to see this
expert, and then go back to ortho 4 with his conclusions. Then, and depending on
the results, he would make an intrusion appliance, like it is described in this article :
http://www.angle.org/anglonline/?reques ... &page=0519
I still have those bone anchors. So, he would only need to make this appliance.
But frankly, I am not sure if I will continue. My bite is so bad, so I should do it.
But my motivation is still so low. Especially because, after having seen so many
examples of open bites, after reading a lot about this, I know that only a jaw
surgery is the right option to make things better again. Anyway, I will not decide
now and wait and hear what the jaw doc will tell me.
The never ending story of Clo's braces
Moderator: bbsadmin
WOW that is quite an appliance! I bet this is very difficult for you. You have been though so much torture already. I really do hope things can work out for you this time. Keep us posted when you find out what the jaw specialist says and how you decide.
You have definitely given me strength to continue with my treatment!
You have definitely given me strength to continue with my treatment!
staceyr2
(braced after age 30)
wearing metal self-ligating on both
(braced after age 30)
wearing metal self-ligating on both
-
luckeeesmom
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:43 am
Hi Clo,
I wrote back and forth with you earlier this spring about open bites and bone anchors. I got mine in February and they were activated in March. Up until my last adjustment I had not seen any progress, in fact my orthodontic resident mentioned that the open bite looked a bit larger than before. It seemed like they would attach the anchors and they would feel tight at first but then stop exerting the continuous force necessary for intrusion. Of course I was pretty disheartened to hear that after all the hope I had built up for this procedure to work.
My orthodontis resident and his supervising doctor made several changes during my adjustment last monday and within the week I have seen a huge decrease in my open bite!!! They changed both upper and lower wires to stainless steel which is much more rigid than the wire they were using before. He put a power chain on the upper and then reattached the upper wire to the bone anchors in a way that is exerting more force. I was definitely in some pain for the first couple days but I cannot believe the difference. My ortho mentioned that there are lots of ways that the anchors can be attached and sometimes each will work better depending on the patient. Mine are attached with wires some other patients use elastic ties.
My ortho also mentioned to me that they have been seeing great progress with the zygomatic bone anchorage in other patients so don't give up hope yet! As long as you already have the anchors it won't hurt to give it another try
I just wanted to write to give you some encouragement that, as of this week, it seems to be working for me.
I wrote back and forth with you earlier this spring about open bites and bone anchors. I got mine in February and they were activated in March. Up until my last adjustment I had not seen any progress, in fact my orthodontic resident mentioned that the open bite looked a bit larger than before. It seemed like they would attach the anchors and they would feel tight at first but then stop exerting the continuous force necessary for intrusion. Of course I was pretty disheartened to hear that after all the hope I had built up for this procedure to work.
My orthodontis resident and his supervising doctor made several changes during my adjustment last monday and within the week I have seen a huge decrease in my open bite!!! They changed both upper and lower wires to stainless steel which is much more rigid than the wire they were using before. He put a power chain on the upper and then reattached the upper wire to the bone anchors in a way that is exerting more force. I was definitely in some pain for the first couple days but I cannot believe the difference. My ortho mentioned that there are lots of ways that the anchors can be attached and sometimes each will work better depending on the patient. Mine are attached with wires some other patients use elastic ties.
My ortho also mentioned to me that they have been seeing great progress with the zygomatic bone anchorage in other patients so don't give up hope yet! As long as you already have the anchors it won't hurt to give it another try
I just wanted to write to give you some encouragement that, as of this week, it seems to be working for me.Hi Lindsay,
yes, I do remember you having those bone anchors too. It is great that you now
can see some improvement. I am not an ortho, just a pro patient. And I learned
that this method (zygomatic bone anchors to close an open bite) can work well,
IF the ortho knows how to handle it. It's all about the right force that pulls in the
right direction and continues to do so between 2 appointments. It is maybe a bit
harsh me telling this, but I'm convinced that my third ortho never got this forces
thing right. Ortho 4 finally told me I'm right about this. But silently and a bit to be
"read between the lines". It seems your ortho is doing a lot better now. That is
awesome. My motivation to go on is quite low now. But if I would try once more,
then it is exactly because I know the method is right. I only need an ortho who
knows how to work with this. Since ortho 4 knows all about this hardware, this
may be enough to try again. But first I have to get looked at my jaw joints.
Thank you very much for telling me about your experiences. I do hope you'll get
a very good result soon !
yes, I do remember you having those bone anchors too. It is great that you now
can see some improvement. I am not an ortho, just a pro patient. And I learned
that this method (zygomatic bone anchors to close an open bite) can work well,
IF the ortho knows how to handle it. It's all about the right force that pulls in the
right direction and continues to do so between 2 appointments. It is maybe a bit
harsh me telling this, but I'm convinced that my third ortho never got this forces
thing right. Ortho 4 finally told me I'm right about this. But silently and a bit to be
"read between the lines". It seems your ortho is doing a lot better now. That is
awesome. My motivation to go on is quite low now. But if I would try once more,
then it is exactly because I know the method is right. I only need an ortho who
knows how to work with this. Since ortho 4 knows all about this hardware, this
may be enough to try again. But first I have to get looked at my jaw joints.
Thank you very much for telling me about your experiences. I do hope you'll get
a very good result soon !
HI CLO ! 
Just checking in to see how my friend is doing. I haven't been on the website in a very long time. Looks like you may be contemplating the jaw surgery. I know its a tough decision to make as there is no going back. Wish you the best in whatever treatment you choose, Clo.
Its been 2 1/2 years since my braces are off. As you remember my bite was not perfect after debanding, but there has been alot of settling, not perfect, but livable. My back teeth dont meet completely. I could have the dentist do some bite adjusting but I'm too afraid since a little shave here, ends up with more shaving there, and again, you can't go back if you don't like it. I've learned that even small changes have dramatic effects on the bite. The good thing is that I have no more TMJ pain. I wear my retainers nightly along with my www.splintek.com nightguard and its relaxed my jaw completely. I do have a stubborn lower canine that has rotated slightly but I'm not as obsessed about slight changes anymore. I plan to wear the retainers nightly forever....with an occasional night off.
Anyways, just wanted to say hello, Clo and I am still hoping you have the best outcome! Keep us posted.
Chris
Just checking in to see how my friend is doing. I haven't been on the website in a very long time. Looks like you may be contemplating the jaw surgery. I know its a tough decision to make as there is no going back. Wish you the best in whatever treatment you choose, Clo.
Its been 2 1/2 years since my braces are off. As you remember my bite was not perfect after debanding, but there has been alot of settling, not perfect, but livable. My back teeth dont meet completely. I could have the dentist do some bite adjusting but I'm too afraid since a little shave here, ends up with more shaving there, and again, you can't go back if you don't like it. I've learned that even small changes have dramatic effects on the bite. The good thing is that I have no more TMJ pain. I wear my retainers nightly along with my www.splintek.com nightguard and its relaxed my jaw completely. I do have a stubborn lower canine that has rotated slightly but I'm not as obsessed about slight changes anymore. I plan to wear the retainers nightly forever....with an occasional night off.
Anyways, just wanted to say hello, Clo and I am still hoping you have the best outcome! Keep us posted.
Chris
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
-
luckeeesmom
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:43 am
Hey Clo,
I finally got some photos on. Here are my before treatment photos and my progess thus far. I hope to get some profile shots on soon but so far have not been coordinated enough to show it properly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560218@N ... 914658090/
I finally got some photos on. Here are my before treatment photos and my progess thus far. I hope to get some profile shots on soon but so far have not been coordinated enough to show it properly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560218@N ... 914658090/
-
luckeeesmom
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:43 am
Hey Clo,
I finally got some photos on. Here are my before treatment photos and my progess thus far. I hope to get some profile shots on soon but so far have not been coordinated enough to show it properly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560218@N ... 914658090/
I finally got some photos on. Here are my before treatment photos and my progess thus far. I hope to get some profile shots on soon but so far have not been coordinated enough to show it properly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39560218@N ... 914658090/
-
luckeeesmom
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:43 am
-
luckeeesmom
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:43 am
@ Chris :
Hi, it is so great to see you here again. OMG, is it already 2,5 years since you had
your debanding ? How quickly the time passes. I am glad that your teeth are still
ok. Because after all the efforts and money, it is just great that you can keep the
results. Anyway, it is lovely that you posted once more. I'll write about what will
happen. I wrote that I needed to see a jaw doc. I am now trying all this time just
to get the old X-rays. Because they are needed to see if things are changing. My
third treatment was ... not that great. Now even getting the docs is difficult
...
@ luckeeesmom :
thank you for sharing those pics. The last one is so familiar to me. I hope you still
experience progress.
Hi, it is so great to see you here again. OMG, is it already 2,5 years since you had
your debanding ? How quickly the time passes. I am glad that your teeth are still
ok. Because after all the efforts and money, it is just great that you can keep the
results. Anyway, it is lovely that you posted once more. I'll write about what will
happen. I wrote that I needed to see a jaw doc. I am now trying all this time just
to get the old X-rays. Because they are needed to see if things are changing. My
third treatment was ... not that great. Now even getting the docs is difficult
...@ luckeeesmom :
thank you for sharing those pics. The last one is so familiar to me. I hope you still
experience progress.
Wow
I have not posted here in a while. My braces are coming off on Monday, and I just wanted to check up on Clo, as s/he made such an impact on me.
The first two years of my treatment were a nightmare, but after reading about Clo's ordeal, my problems were nothing compared to his/hers.
I hope to hear good news soon from you. I think you should continue treatment to correct the overjet and open bite. It's crazy that it should be so complicated.
Good luck.
The first two years of my treatment were a nightmare, but after reading about Clo's ordeal, my problems were nothing compared to his/hers.
I hope to hear good news soon from you. I think you should continue treatment to correct the overjet and open bite. It's crazy that it should be so complicated.
Good luck.
Hi Chris,
it is so nice to see you here again. Thanks for visiting.
Ah, I have been so busy so nothing really happened concerning me seeing the
jaw doc or ortho 4. I now experience what a bite not being stable means. If I
don't wear my retainers for even only some hours, it feels like my teeth shifted
already and my retainers are more difficult to put in. So, I wear them about all
the time. I also experience this feeling like my teeth are now a lot less, how do
I tell this, rigid. Some gum recession here and there, some teeth more tender.
Especially those teeth that were extruded too much. I think I'll better not wait
any longer and indeed see the docs soon. Also because I still have those bone
anchors and after them being there for more than 2 years now, they hurt from
time to time. I think I'd better start pretty soon, so they can be used again. If
not, the bone anchors will need to be removed and then no further treatment
is possible. Arg, it is such a shame that my treatments weren't more successful.
it is so nice to see you here again. Thanks for visiting.
Ah, I have been so busy so nothing really happened concerning me seeing the
jaw doc or ortho 4. I now experience what a bite not being stable means. If I
don't wear my retainers for even only some hours, it feels like my teeth shifted
already and my retainers are more difficult to put in. So, I wear them about all
the time. I also experience this feeling like my teeth are now a lot less, how do
I tell this, rigid. Some gum recession here and there, some teeth more tender.
Especially those teeth that were extruded too much. I think I'll better not wait
any longer and indeed see the docs soon. Also because I still have those bone
anchors and after them being there for more than 2 years now, they hurt from
time to time. I think I'd better start pretty soon, so they can be used again. If
not, the bone anchors will need to be removed and then no further treatment
is possible. Arg, it is such a shame that my treatments weren't more successful.