Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi Guys,

I just thought I would post some pictures of my progress so far! I didn't have to get any extractions, since my ortho is using a procedure called 'Controlled Arch' (I'm not totally sure how this procedure works, but it seems to be doing something!):

Bottom Teeth Before:



Bottom Teeth After 7 Months:



Top Teeth Before:



Top Teeth After 7 Months:



I'm happy with my progress so far!

Wow - amazing.
You should be pleased with your progress.
You have good teeth - they obviously do what they're told to do.

Wow those are some beautiful teeth coming along there! So you should be proud of them too!!! And all in 7 months!! Good on you jaws!

I am impressed! Very nice. I am sure you are very pleased with the progress!

Thanks Guys!

Meryaten--My upper back molars actually aren't bracketed, which is kind of strange, because I have also been wondering how those teeth have managed to stay in line! Perhaps it has something to do with this 'Controlled Arch' procedure that my ortho is using? I have no clue! Although I have heard him and the assistant talking about putting bands on my lower back molars at some point, so maybe they will do the same thing to the top someday as well!

Great great progress!!! You SHOULD be very proud!!! Congrats!!!!

That is great progress!

Do you feel it has changed how your face looks with your mouth closed? Does you mouth look less narrow/fuller? Or can you not really tell because of the braces?

Just curious.

Lookin' good!!

Wow, I've had mine for about 9 months. I've had some pretty dramatic improvement, but nothing as "jaw-dropping" (sorry) as yours. Congrats! P.S. Are those top and bottom expanders?

Thanks again everyone!

ThatsMrsGeek2U--The one change that I have noticed is that my smile looks more broad in general, and I like it (i.e. you can see more of my teeth when I smile). I used to have a really 'small' smile because of my narrow arches. Here are some pics to show the comparison:

Before Braces:



After 5 Months in Braces:



It's a little hard to tell from these pics, but it's something that I've noticed!

KK--I think it might just be the angle/cropping of the picture that makes my chin look different in the second picture, as I haven't really noticed that it looks very different. Perhaps it doesn't 'divot' in as much on the sides, but you can't really tell if you just look at me straight on.

tokidoki--Yes, I have top and bottom 'expanders' (I have been told by orthos on this site that they are not true expanders, they are just molar positioners, but they seem to be expanding my arches!). My ortho calls them lingual arches, but he does say that they are expanding things. The 'Controlled Arch' procedure that my ortho is using involves expanding the arches from the 'inside' (using expanders) and the 'outside' (using the braces/wires), so he can control how wide he wants my arches to become.

Wow, I can only hope for those kind of results at 7 months. Congrats!