Hi Jillianleab

Good to hear your cleaning and adjustment both went so well.

I'm going to step up to the plate and defend elastics! I've been wearing elastics since day 1 of treatment, although I only went 24 hours after my first adjustment. Maybe having them on only at night helped me get used to them- but they've never really caused me problems. They do pop out when I eat sometimes but it's not a big deal. Now they are a normal part of my mouth and it is weird when they aren't there- so to anyone having trouble with their elastics... just keep at it!

Best of luck with your continued progress, Jillianleab!

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Banded 22 June 2006.
Debanded 24 July 2007.
Loving it!

Great that you're now in elastics Jillianleab!

I've got to be honest and admit that so far they're my least favourite part of this journey ... but I know they have a job to do and for that I'm going to be grateful!

Great you don't need the expander again! Definitely something to celebrate!

Thanks again everyone for all your encouragement. This site and the people on it really make the whole braces process so much nicer!

linda21, I guess you could say I'm excited about getting elastics, only because I know they will make a huge difference! They really aren't bothering me that much, but I can feel the tension. I'll admit I took them off last night while snacking on some french fries (I'm a junkie), and it made it much easier to eat. I figure I'll leave them on as much as I can, but I love food too much to let them get in my way! And YES - RIP Expander!

momofbrock, I'm not too sure on the technical way elastics work either, but my guess is it helps move the teeth along into their proper place with the tension and pulling. I don't think they are that annoying, but life is easier without them, and I'll be glad when I don't have to wear them anymore! Regarding the cleaning, I go to my regular dentist, and they clean around the brackets and wires, no removal necessary. It was just by chance my adjustment and cleaning were on the same day.

juf_84, glad to hear someone else doesn't totally hate their elastics! I already feel like something is missing when I take them out, and it's only been one day!

KiwiKaren, sorry to hear you don't like your elastics, hopefully you won't have to be in them too long! Oh, and welcome back!!!

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806

I've made it four months! Hooray! I don't think there have been a lot of changes since last month (nothing dramatic, anyway), but I'm posting pics anyway. I guess like most people you see the biggest changes in the first couple of months. I am noticing my bite closing and coming together now that I'm in the elastics; it's happening better on the left than the right. I really want to double up on the elastic on the right side so it catches up, but I know it would be a bad idea to take my treatment into my own hands! Anyhow, enjoy the pics! The left is last month, the right is this month.

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806

Great pics Jillianleab!

Your elastics are definitely working ... maybe mine just needed six weeks to sort themselves out ... and over the next eight weeks things will change heaps ... I'm sure hoping so!

Good luck with continued great progress!

PS ... you have really nice looking teeth!

Thanks, KiwiKaren!

I've gotten used to the elastics, even wearing them while eating. They still give me a little bit of soreness here and there, but nothing so bad I even need to take OTC painkillers. My next appointment is 9 weeks from now, so I hope to see even more movement between now and then. I hope yours start doing their job soon too!

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806

O hello, improvement I see! You've made terrific grounds on your bite compared to a mth ago - that's brilliant Jillianleab ! Your lower arch particularly is moving into alignment beautifully.

The elastics will have a major impact on your bite over the next 9 wks, so get excited. And no, definitely don't double up, tempting as it is .....

We're pretty much the same. The bite on my left side is way better than my right. My ortho actually has me doubling up elastics at nite on that side alone to bring the bite in more on my lowers. I actually had to clarify that I'd heard right about the doubling up of elastics, and I had. But don't forget I've been in elastics for about 6 mths and I'm 16 mths into treatment, so my ortho is being a bit more aggressive while still being safe - glad to report no broken brackets or wire .

All the best over the next 9 wks Jillianleab!

Wow, it's been five months, I can hardley believe it!!!

I had my third adjustment today (don't know what I was thinking when I posted last time they were 9 weeks apart, but whatever), and it went really well. I went in and the ortho came and did the bite, close, bite, close thing and praised my progress so far. Then he told the asst he wanted to change my treatment time estimate to 18 months (from banding date), not 22 as it had been. I said it would fantastic if I could get them off in August, as I have a huge family reunion to go to, and he said he can't promise anything, but he would not be surprised if I went sooner than 18 months

Moving along... I got a new wire on the top and bottom, both heavier and a powerchain on the bottom. I have a small gap on the bottom which developed as teeth shifted, so hopefully it will close up soon. I still have to wear the elastics, same kind (Japan heavy, in triangles). I'm not really in too much pain right now, but I've made sure to take ibuprofen to help ward off any soreness. My next appointment is December 11

I have to say it was really great to see my ortho so excited about my progress. He was strutting around the office talking about how great he is, how great I am, lol, then said he should charge me more since he's doing such a great job! YEAH RIGHT!!!!! He did take a moment to really praise me on my progress, keeping my appointments, and complying with his instructions. It was nice to get the pat on the back, so to speak. Actually, there was someone in the chair next to me who he scolded because she had broken her last two appointments and was complaining about how long she had been braced! That CERTAINLY won't be me!

Anyway, below are some progress pics I took yesterday. My new powerchain is grey to match my brackets (I have self-ligating, didn't want it to look weird) so I didn't bother taking a new pic of it. My arches look about the same this month as last month, so I didn't bother posting those pics. The left is last month, the right is this month. Enjoy

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806

Nice progress! Very motivating for you that you may be out 4 months sooner (or more) than originally anticipated. Well done toothies.

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Terrific adjustment Jillianleab:thumbsup:

How fantastic that you're timeframe has been revised! Kudos to you for being so compliant with every aspect of your braces treatment. It certainly has paid off, so keep it up !

What a fantastic appointment Jillian! Congrats!

Your ortho sound like a really neat person ... and I love the 'mind pic' of him strutting around and singing his and your praises!

Good luck with the new wires and powerchains. Your progress pics look great!

Take care!

Thanks everyone for your encouragement

I'm so excited my treatment time has been revised, it's really exciting. Having braces hasn't been as bad as I expected, but I will still be VERY HAPPY one they come off, and the sooner the better (as long as it's not too soon and I end up in braces a few years down the road, that is!)

I can really feel the powerchain working, it doesn't hurt, but I can feel the additional pressure on my teeth. And, I can already see that my gap has started to close! I'll post a pic once it's fully closed with a comparison shot... I'm thinking if it continues the way it has been, it will be closed by the end of the week!

Thanks again, everyone!

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806

Brilliant! Your progress is terrific.

_________________
Braced 5-27-06 - 18 months with braces
Case 1 - minor crookedness
Envision Composite Brackets
M1k3y's introduction with photos
M1k3y's journey with photos

Debranded 3-20-08

Jillian - I went back to page 1 and read your tale from its inception. Wow! What a long long way your teeth have come in such a short time! You should post a side by side of your earliest pic with your latest (or at least compare them for your own sake, if you've not done so recently!)

Thanks, Meryaten! Actually, I have a document I keep for myself with each picture I've taken. That way at a glance I can see the progress I've made. I've been thinking that since my progress isn't quite as dramatic month-to-month now, that at 6 months I'll probably post month 1 and month 6 side by side. I want to get copies of the pics my ortho took before I was braced to put up too. The first ones I posted were a month into treatment, so that's not even at the worst! I'm really pleased with my progress so far, but still get mad at myself for not doing this sooner... but, that's the whole "hindsight theory" we all experience!

_________________
~jlb~

Braced 5/19/06 - Full Metal Mouth!
Went topless 07/27/07!
Totally NAKED 08/30/07!

See my braces story with lots of pics here:
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 2806#92806