Well, it's been a long time coming I suppose….I’ve been on the boards since August 2005, but I’ve finally got around to it, so here goes…My Story….Apologies in advance, as it’s very looooong & rambling though, with photo-overload. Sorry:
This is
ME!…
And this is my
house….
These are my
cats….
And this is my
mouth!....
(well, how it used to look anyway!) 
For those of you who don’t already know, my name is Lucy, I’m 27 and live in Essex, UK with my other half of 9 years & 2 elderly black cats called Reapie & Bertie!
Well, my braces story begins about 2-3 years ago, I suppose. My teeth were fine – no decay/fillings and were lovely and straight. Then, totally unexpectedly, my teeth started to erode/decay. The first teeth to decay/erode were the canines.
It was at that point it was discovered that my canines were the retained baby canines and that my adult ones were impacted in my palate. I was sent to hospital to have tests to determine what was causing the decay/erosion. It was then discovered that I had acid reflux and a weak oesophageal motility. Due to other health problems, I also had started taking diuretic meds, which made my mouth dry and accelerated the decay. In a way though, I feel this was a blessing in disguise. Had I not have got these problems, then my impacted canine issue would never have come to light.
Anyway, the decay/erosion has so far been kept under control by the meds and a rather obsessive OTT cleaning regime,
but I have fillings in virtually every tooth now!
I originally was referred to a local hospital for an assessment with the oral surgery department in 2003. I was shocked to discover that orthodontic treatment was the likely remedy – so they referred me to another local hospital’s orthodontics department. I waited a few months for the appointment, however when I went – I was told they only did children’s orthodontics!... So that wasted a few months! (it would have perhaps been helpful if they had told me that before accepting the referral!
To be honest, it is a bit frustrating having braces, both upper & lower, especially as my teeth are already almost straight! The lowers are the worst as they are pretty much perfect as they are. Nevermind. I think if I had always had dodgy teeth, I would have at least expected ortho treatment somewhere along the way. But at age 26, it was a bit of a bolt out of the blue. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will all be worth it in the end.
To cut a long story short – My treatment is being carried out at Guy’s NHS Dental Hospital in London by a post-grad ortho, under the supervision of professors. I am also very lucky that I am not having to pay for my treatment.
I was told that there were basically 3 scenarios to my treatment. Exposed canines/orthodontic treatment for 2 years, or surgical removal of the canines and implants/bridges as replacements, or removal of canines and move round adjacent teeth orthodontically to close the gaps. To qualify for NHS treatment, I was required to have braces first. If that doesn’t work, they will then fund the implants, if needed.
My original assessment was in December 2004 and I was told that I was to be put on a surgery waiting list to have my canines exposed, and to have my wisdom teeth removed at the same time. Also, Xmas ‘04 I had a bad wisdom flare and it got infected, so I needed that removed as an emergency at a local hospital.
By August 2005, I still hadn’t heard from Guy’s about my surgery date, and I was a bit peed off to be told that they had “forgottenâ€
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