Underbite & crossbite correct w/Damon, IPR, Acceledent etc

[Liblib2]

I hope you are happy with your bite!

[newbite]

I had another adjustment last week and have been holding off posting in hopes of some progress... I had a very large black triangle on the bottom front that was visible when I smiled and it looked like it could be closed somewhat since the two teeth were still a little crooked. To try to fix this the ortho did more ipr on those bottom front teeth and increased the bends in the wire. As the tech was prying it into the brackets I could feel it down to my chin! Not pain, per se, but definitely not comfortable.

The problem is that he actually shaved a pretty big gap between my teeth. It's closed somewhat the past few days, but I don't see how it can close all the way even if those two teeth move perfectly straight. They also didn't put any powerchain or anything on the teeth-- just the wire.

Since I'm still scheduled to have my braces off the end of October this is disconcerting. Obviously I'm not having them off if I have a giant gap between my bottom teeth. The black triangle IS smaller, but this gap looks just as bad! It looks even worse because I have black triangles between all of my bottom front teeth because of my bone level, so adding a gap makes it look like my teeth are about to fall out.

Oh well. i wouldn't be so worried if the ortho hadn't stopped the ipr with some frustration saying "I can't get this tooth the shape I want". Walked away. Then I look in the mirror and see this big gap! ...

I do trust them, though, so... Trying to think positive thoughts.

[TheProfessor]

I'm surprised that they didn't put a power chain on to close up the IPR gap. Maybe the ortho forgot to tell the assistant to do it? Do you have another adjustment before your debrace date? If not and the gap doesn't close in the next week, you should probably call and see what the deal is.

I'm sending positive vibes that you get your braces off at the end of October (even though I'll be very jealous...)

[metalliKa]

I would call back regarding the IPR with no power chain. It could be that they forgot. And since your debracing date is so near, there could be a chance that the gap could only get wider.

[newbite]

I do have another appt on the 13th to see where my bottom teeth are at. Calling them is an idea, I might do that. They did say maybe I'd get my top braces off first, so maybe that's what will happen.

They also took the powerchain off my front teeth (even though I asked them to keep it on) and my overjet has opened back up to where it was before.

Even if they give me a powerchain on the bottom to close the gap, that will just retract the bottom teeth even more and increase the overjet, right? How do I even have an overjet when I started with an underbite? So weird.

I'm definitely NOT letting him IPR my bottom teeth anymore! I'm surprised he did it again since last time I was in he said he couldn't do anymore with them or they'd be too narrow. I hope he didn't go too far!

[metalliKa]

If it comes down to that the gap can't be closed, I read a few post back that you were looking forward to getting your upper centrals bonded? Perhaps that could be done to the bottoms to rid off those black triangles as well?

[TheProfessor]

It does look like your ortho might have gotten carried away with the ipr! Hopefully it will close up in the next couple of weeks. I've had a a gap about that size between my upper right central and lateral since I moved up to the finishing wire in June. It hasn't budged since the bends were put into the wire at my last adjustment 3 weeks ago. I'm pretty sure that it isn't going to close up without a power chain...

[newbite]

They fit me in today to check on my teeth and things look much better! They put a powerchain on the bottom and now the gap is closed and my black triangles are all reasonably sized now. And, bonus, my bottom teeth are really straight and my midline is back in line.

The ortho decided to extrude my top front teeth a little bit to try to close the gap. He's leaving my overjet the way it is so my profile doesn't become flatter. It would be awesome if he could extrude my teeth enough to then just shave them straight so I don't need bonding, but that's probably asking for too much!

So, I have a final adjustment on 10/28 when they will take molds and then deband of the top on 11/6 & place permanent retainer on top; then deband of bottom and place permanent retainer on bottom on 11/11 along with receiving top essix retainer; and then back on 11/12 for a rush order on the bottom essix.

It seems like my braces are almost definitely coming off soon, unless something major changes the next few weeks!

[newbite]

I just had the most ridiculously wonderful dental experience. I had my final ortho adjustment today (!) and then went to get lunch. While I was eating my (excellent) california black bean burger I felt a sharp pain and a crack and... lo and behold... my problem molar finally gave out and part had cracked off. I had been avoiding getting a crown for two or three years now and was pretty much waiting for something like this to happen to force me to get it done. It still freaked me out a LOT though (but it didn't really hurt). I went right back to my ortho and, amazingly, they were able to help me right away. They took the back two brackets off, cut my wire, and sent me across the parking lot (literally) to a dentist who just happened to have a cancellation.

The first thing I saw walking into the dentist office were two huge Charley Harper posters. And then Charley Harper posters everywhere else. The receptionist said "Yes, the doctor loves Charley Harper!". HOW AMAZING, immediately a good sign. I love Charley Harper, too. If you don't know Charley Harper's work you should google him.

They took me right in and sat me down in this room which had one wall that was made of glass and looked out onto a fenced-in courtyard with a bird feeder and TONS of birds, chipmunks, squirrels... It was ridiculous. They were all fat and happy and oblivious of me staring at them.

Then I got nitrous (woohoo!) and novicaine (which barely hurt at all, he was really good at it), they drilled my tooth down, fit a temporary crown, and that was it! They think they should have my permanent crown in time for when I get my bottom braces off on the 11th so it won't even mess up my debanding most likely.

I couldn't possibly have planned this any better. Oh, and they are ONE THIRD less expensive than my regular dentist (who I will NOT be going to anymore)! ~$1,000 vs. ~$3,000 for a gold crown. INSANE.

So I'm set for top deband on the 6th and then bottom deband on the 11th.

Today started off pretty terrible (the past few days haven't been good) but-- amazingly-- breaking my tooth led me to having a really wonderful experience! I am very grateful for having such an unexpectedly excellent experience.

[Uptown Girl]

Some days are like that, Newbite. Totally, unexpectedly good. Glad you enjoyed the experience. It's hard to imagine when you get braces that the end will ever come but you seem to be well on the way to the finish.

[TheProfessor]

Awesome story! It sounds like your tooth picked the perfect time to give up! Im glad this incident won't affect your debracing

[newbite]

I had to go back in to the dentist today because the lab called them and said my tooth impression wasn't good enough. So the dentist had to take off the temporary crown and take another impression, then put the temporary back on.

Sounds simple, right? At first I asked them if they could try to do it without novicaine so I didn't have to deal with drooly mouth all day. Bad idea. They tried to gently pry off the crown and it wouldn't budge but hurt like HECK when they'd move it a certain way. It felt like they were pulling the filling and the tooth out! They ended up giving me novicaine and CUTTING it off, then they had to pry the pieces off. They had to shave a little more off the tooth, too. Fortunately I couldn't feel anything at this point.

When they made the impression this time they covered my bottom brackets with wax so they wouldn't stick and ruin the impression. I wish they had put wax on the top, too, since they had to pry it off and it felt like it was taking brackets with it but fortunately it didn't.

I had the most incredible pain when the novicaine wore off, it felt like they were still pulling on my tooth. I had to take two Tylenol 3 and it was such a relief when it kicked in. It feels ok now (about 8hr later) but is still sore.

Not fun! It would have been an easy experience if not for having to get another impression made. Fortunately the lab should still have it ready for Wed so I can still get my bottom braces off. DEFINITELY getting novicaine for when they place my crown! Added bonus-- that side of my mouth will be numb for when they take my brackets off. Woohoo!

[TheProfessor]

That doesn't sound fun-but at least you have debracing to look forward to!

[newbite]

Top braces are gone!! Omg omg omg omg omg

My front teeth look way better than I thought they would, but I'm still going to get them bonded so they're even. I've lived 25+ years with messed up front teeth, I want nice loooong, big front teeth now! They'll probably be the length of the bottom left corner of my left tooth.

And my teeth aren't too yellow! They had a whole bunch of stains, especially along the gum line, but my tech is amazing and she got them all off. It didn't even hurt too badly although I am SO glad I only got one arch off at a time. It took two hours just for the top.

They put on the top permanent retainer too and it's way less noticeable than I thought it would be. It does catch food (urgh!!) but should be pretty easy to keep clean afterwards.

I'm still scheduled to get the bottom off Wed right after I have my crown placed. BUT a few spaces opened up after they removed the tiebacks so they put a powerchain on all teeth today in hopes the spaces will close in time. Also, my crown needs to fit without space or else I will need to bracket those back teeth again and keep the braces on a few more weeks.

The top braces are gone!!! Those stupid gigantic hooks on my canines that I never even needed are finally gone!! Clear brackets are really nice cosmetically but they are definitely bulky and I'm so glad to have them gone. My mouth feels normal now. I was worried it would feel empty and floppy but nope, it's perfect!

!!!! and I have until Wed to enjoy life without the Essix. Woohoo!

[ItsFreyja]

Beautiful! Congratulations!!