I am Iron Maiden: Laura's Journey

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:57 pm

It's here. My first 24-hours in braces.

My short story: I am 48-years old and have been needing braces for over the past 5-10 years. My dentist and I got into a conversation about a mouth guard, but I should have an orthodontist review my teeth alignment before we made a mouth guard. My dentist actually made the appointment for me. That original appointment was January 2nd with the brace date of February 29th.

So - February 29th finally arrived! I went to the office at 10am for my 10:15am appointment. I was a bit nervous but also a bit excited.

My doctor sat with me to review my charts, what was going to be needed - full top and bottom, with brackets - and showed how the teeth will line up after 2-years. He gave me some beautiful cards about what foods to avoid, how to brush, etc. He took me to the back where the assistant prepped my teeth with that awful tasting grit stuff to remove any plaque. And then, the fun started. And it was fun - for me, it wasn't bad. For anyone that doesn't know - breathe through your mouth, not your nose! I was taught that ages ago when I was in the Marine Corps.

I will try and post the before and after pictures shortly.

I still need to return on March 14th to get the brackets placed on the back teeth. I get those springs to pull my top teeth in and my bottom teeth up. If that even makes sense!

I should add that I couldn't have done with the support of this forum! If I hadn't read others experience I would not have had the courage to go through with this appointment. Thank you all!

Laura (elseegee64)

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:34 pm

Here are a before and after pic.

Bec There · **Joined:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 12:01 am **Posts:** 75

Congrats on getting braced up!

it's great that you're journey has finally begun! How are you getting on with eating, talking etc?

Did you get your moulds and stuff done the same day or did you already have that done? I'm going in on Tuesday to be braced up, but I keep thinking that I'd hate it if I went in and that's all they did (moulds) and I'll have to wait another month! Oh, I think I would cry! I am SOOOO ready for this now!

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:51 am

Hi Bec! I had my molds and Xrays done in January along with a consultation on how the braces will realign my teeth.

My February 29th appointment I had both upper and lower braces put on.

My first meal was the KofC Ultimate Chicken Bowl (chicken, mashed potatoes and corn). The chicken was really tender so I just used my tongue to smash it smaller if needed. I barely had to chew anything. I'm not chewing anything I eat - it's all just slurping what I eat - lol! I'm becoming an oatmeal fan for breakfast!

I'm eating what I can now because in another week and a half I'll go in to get the brands placed on my teeth and have the springs (? is that what they are?). I heard chewing will be a lot more difficult.

Oh - and talking - well, I try not to talk if I don't have to! I've been using a lot of wax on the bottom teeth. As you can tell by my pics, my bottom lips are pretty plump and I'm already getting cuts/sores.

Oh - and check out my top front teeth. Notice how close to the bottom of the teeth the braces are positioned? It's because that's how much my front have been ground down! I'll have to get veneers after the braces come off.

Thanks for checking in! Please - anybody - everybody - ask questions! This will help me remember my experience, too!!

BracedSurgeryStudent · **Joined:** Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:02 pm **Posts:** 1044

Hey this is awesome congratts on the both of you being braced up. It's my 6 month mark as of now. It's been tough and still is and it's a tiresome journey but super well worth it.

smilehope · **Joined:** Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:34 pm **Posts:** 169

Wow, congratulations. I'm getting braced next Friday. I'm impressed how quick you got sorted out. I first saw my ortho in Dec, then Christmas got in the way, then I had impressions done, then extractions & last week more impressions. Hate waiting!
Well done taking the plunge

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2012 4:33 pm

I'm through week one. I have flossed more in one week than I have my entire life! I bought those dental picks and feel like I've always got something stuck in my teeth. Today I remember I still have spacers in my upper back teeth. I think I knocked one out while flossing. Is there something as too much flossing?

White Fang · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 8:00 pm **Posts:** 55

Welcome to the "club" and congratulations about getting started! I like your smile already so I'm sure you'll get some great results. Interesting about your front top two; mine are ground down from hitting the bottom ones as well, but the lower edges on yours look pretty straight still. Mine look like a sine wave or something! My ortho is assuming I'll get bonding done after (she actually wanted to do it already) but I have a lot of reservations. Anyway, something to think about after the braces come off.

resort454 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:12 pm **Posts:** 12

Hey ya,

Love your story you already have such a nice smile. Hows the first couple of weeks going? I have molar bands and spacers in and Its really starting to sink in that I am going to be wearing braces for 15 months.

Gonna be so worth it.

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:41 pm

@resort - thanks for the feedback.
@WH - I hear ya! My ortho and dentist are already planning my veneers when I get the braces off.

My teeth have been so sensitive to brush! The sensitive toothpastes hasn't helped these past two weeks. My mouth is tired and sore!

I keep wanting to post more pics, but it's only been two weeks! I haven't noticed any difference.

Tomorrow is my appointment to get the molar bands put in. Not liking what I've been reading on others' posts! Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse - I'm almost regretting getting these things!

Remind me why I did this? Oh - yeah - to close the gaps in my lower teeth and without having to worrying about bridges or crowns in 10-years.

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:13 pm

The Molar Bands were added today. Dr. was amused that he guessed the right sizes for both the left and right, lol.

They also replaced the top wire: I had fourteens in and replaced them with sixteens.

I like the bands a lot better than the spacers! Next appointment in six weeks.

Only issues: my teeth were sensitive before the braces and now they are more so. The sensitive toothpastes are not working.
I'll be posting photos this weekend, although I haven't noticed any difference. I mean, really, it's only been two weeks, huh!

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:38 am

To anyone reading. These are mostly notes about how I'm feeling about these things. I'm trying to stay motivated, but I tell you there are some minutes I fel like ripping these out! So bare with me.

Yay - I got my waterpik yesterday! I Love it! My teeth feel so much cleaner! The package I bought has one base unit and another chargeable for vacations/overnighters. I'm using it at work.

I'm using an electric toothbrush also. I've spent more time polishing my teeth these past weeks than I have my entire life!

I can feel the difference the molar bands and the stronger wire are making. I'm actually enjoying biting down on the molars!

At times my mouth will feel achy, but the pain subsides quickly. I take ibuprofin in the morning and in the evening. Seems to help with any discomfort.

My pictures come out too large or too bright. I have to do some adjusting to post some pics. Or perhaps start that off site to show to view the pics.

TTFN!

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:18 pm

One Month and Two weeks.

It seems like forever already!

I don't think I've gone three days without some pain and loose teeth. That's all normal, I know, that just means the teeth are moving into place.

My next adjustment isn't for another 2 weeks. I'm thinking there's something more I should be doing, or not eating, than what I've been doing and what I've been eating:
*brush, waterpik - every morning
*Spinach, Banana, Applesauce, Soymilk Smoothie Protein Shake (yummy!)
*lunch
*brush after lunch
*dinner
*brush, floss, waterpik and mouth rinse before bed.

Food has consisted of anything mashed together: casseroles, canned corned beef hash (my fav!), tender chicken mixed in with anything (pasta or rice), mashed potatoes. Not much different than I was eating. Trying to stay away from Tri-Tip and Steaks - even if cooked tender and cut into small bite sizes, the meat's still a bit chewy.

Although I can feel movement - I haven't noticed any visual movement. I'll wait until two months before posting any pics.

TTFN!

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:58 pm

I had my first kiss since I got braces - and it feels like the first time I've ever kissed!

I met someone new about a month before I got braces. Since I got my braces I've been spending less time with my fellowship. I started going around more lately and had a few talks with Chris. Then it happened: he asked me on a date. I panicked because I thought - what if he wants to kiss me? I started feeling really awkward. He was sweet to tell me that he loved the braces on me. We had that first kiss - AWKWARD! I felt like I was kissing for the first time ever!

Fortunately - we are both adults and just getting to know each other, so it's only been light kissing - no open mouth. How embarrassing!

Anybody else have this experience?

elseegee64 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:04 pm

April 25th adjustment appointment

I took ibuprofen before my appointment. After reading several other posts, I had a feeling today would be painful later.

So - Off with the old wires - on with new. For the spaces on my bottom teeth, the dr ran a power chain to start pulling the teeth closer together.

I can feel the pressure on my lower teeth, but the pain is not unbearable.

I am Iron Maiden: Laura's Journey

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