kellyb's story (belatedly)

jem · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:12 am

Thank you Kellyb!

And I can now eat as much curry as I want as I no longer have any powerchain ( see my new posting re my adjustment yesterday). I am actually not that much of a curry fan, so avoiding them has not been too much of a hardship, but I do particularly like coronation chicken. That also contains curry powder and did stain some elastic ligatures which my ortho put on my canines at my first adjustment ( and which she had forgotten to take off until yesterday even though they served no purpose after my second adjustment)

Hope you managed to get your replacement powerchains.

Jem

kellyb · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:59 am

Hi Jem,

I did get my powechains changed on Monday so they are all white again

. My ortho also gave me a new upper wire in the process. I won't have anymore curry until probably the night before my next adjustment.

Angel269 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:59 pm

I dread the powerchains and thought of staining, as they are so much more visible than just the ligs-Fortunately my clear ligs haven't caused any issues and I think the only thing I have refrained from eating is curry. I have had pizza and lasagne and things seemed ok after those things.

Dee17 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:28 am

Hi Kellyb,
I just finished reading your story. Wow! I had a similar experience. I'm about 54 years old and have always had very straight, beautiful teeth. Well, about two months ago I had to have to extractions done (one on each side of my mouth) and within a few days I started to notice a gap forming between my two front teeth. Within about two weeks time, it was extremely wide. Fast forward another week and I'm out at the store and run into a friend I hadn't seen for a while and after talking for a bit, she says, "Dee, what happened to your teeth?!!" Imagine my sense of embarrassment. I started to explain it to her but instead just said I had to go and left. Since then I've felt extremely reluctant to go out in public, or talk and especially to smile. So, I've been hiding in my house trying to avoid people.
This is why I've pretty much decided to take the plunge and get braces. My dentist said that the only way to close the diastema permanently is with braces. I'm very nervous about doing it but I think it will be the right decision for me.
Thank you for sharing your story. I guess that sometimes hearing something from a stranger (or a distant acquaintance) is really the only thing that can motivate us to make a change.
Your teeth look great, by the way. I'm sure you'll be thrilled with the end result.

kellyb · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:35 am

Angel, I am sure you will be fine with the powerchains as long as you choose your foods wisely. I have had powerchains at least on my lower arch since my first adjustment 6 weeks after the braces were fitted. This is the 2nd time I have gone in to see the ortho between adjustments just to get them changed because I was so self conscious. The previous time I didn't have any curry but I noticed things like baked beans and tomato soup does discolour them abit if you have them quite often. I have not had a drop of coffee since I had my braces fitted because of fear it will only make matters worse. When will you be getting your powerchains?

Dee, thanks for your comments. I can so relate to what you said. I would love to read your story in more detail if you are willing to share and I look forward to hearing about your journey once you get started. I guess I needed that wake up call indeed. Maybe if my nearest and dearest were honest with me all these years I would have been through this journey long time ago. What my "friend" said hurt at the time but I will forever be grateful those comments were made as I would not have taken these steps otherwise. We have not spoken since as it appears he has either deleted me from his facebook friends list or he has disabled his account.

Now just over 7 months since I started this journey I have no regrets. I am ever so pleased with the progress so far which has already exceeded my expectations and the thought that I might be finishing earlier than first thought is just awesome!

Angel269 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:04 pm

Hi KellyB

I got my first powerchains on yesterday! He was going to leave it until my 2nd adjustment in 2 weeks but was very pleased with the way things have lined up so far so put a powerchain across my two front teeth-they are very tender today. I have seen some movement overnight though :-)

Have an updated photo with my powerchain on my story :-)

Dee17 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2012 5:15 pm

Hi Kellyb,
I am not sure how to post my story. Haven't really made my way through all the pages of instructions on the site. Also, since I am not actually wearing braces as of yet, I thought I should hold off on it. The reason I came on this site is because I know I *need* braces and wanted more information. I am so glad I did because it has been so helpful for me. Much of the information I have received has really put my mind at ease. It has also helped me make the decision to finally take the next step and actually get my braces. I know I will feel so much better once I do because I will be taking a positive step to remedy a problem that has been very upsetting for me.

kellyb · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:31 am

Angel, you are going to be amazed at how quickly your gap close with that powerchain. Don't worry about the tenderness, it will be gone in a few days. Your teeth look absolutely amazing :-*

Dee, you can start your story now if you wish or you can wait until you start your treatment. All you need to do is start a new topic in the "our braces stories" section. I didn't discover this site until about a week after I had my braces fitted and it took me another few weeks to build up the courage to post my story and pics. Upto this day I have not been brave enough to share the story with any of my friends or family. I just told them I was getting braces with no explanation whatsoever. When will be your brace day?

Dee17 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:52 am

Hi Kellyb,
Thanks for that information. I'll probably hold off until I actually have my braces put on. I don't think anyone would want to read my sad tale about the two extractions that caused this problem to begin with!
I don't know when I will actually get my braces. It is still very early days for me. I haven't even gone for a consultation with an orthodontis yet. I am going back to see my regular dentist on August 20th and I'm sure he will make a referral to an orthodontist. He is going to be very surprised by the state that my teeth are in since he last saw me.

kellyb · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:13 am

Hi Dee,

I understand and I will wait patiently for your story

I would suggest you get started soonest possible after you have seen your dentist on 20th August. Hope you will be able an ortho appointment not long after.

Dee17 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:20 am

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I am hoping to get this journey on the go in relatively short order. Now all I have to do is figure out how I'm going to pay for it!

oimysizex · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:17 am

Omg Kelly, Look at how much your teeth has improved!
Your teeth look really nice, jealous. hahaha!

:-*

kellyb · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:39 am

Dee, I know what you mean where the cost is concerned. I am paying for mine monthly over a 12 month period. Total cost is £3,700. I have made my mind up that I will be broke for the duration of this treatment and have to make sacrifices. It is not easy at all but I am managing. I am sure you will be just fine too

Oimy, thanks yours. Your comments do mean alot. It's amazing when I look at these pics and see how much my teeth have changed since I got braces. I am so happy I decided to do this and I can't wait to see the end result!

Dee17 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:57 am

Hi Kellyb,
Well, I think that it's a matter of not being able to afford NOT to look after this. I can't see myself going through the rest of my life lisping when I talk and being afraid to venture out of my house. This is really no way to live! I'm sure I'll figure out a way to pay for it all. I can always get a line of credit and put it against my house, if worst comes to worst, though I'd sure hate to have to go that route.

kellyb · **Posted:** Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:54 am

Don't worry about it as i am sure it will all sort itself out. Once you get going you will be happy you have made that decision.

kellyb's story (belatedly)

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