Stargirl's Story & Pics - Braces OFF!

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#31 Post by **stargirl** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:47 pm

Thanks, everyone!

Hannah, good luck with your ortho and your treatment. My orthodontist doesn't communicate very well either, I get surprises often... and I wish that she could explain what was going on in my mouth to me.

We're lucky to have this board to figure out all the crazy stuff about braces.

#32 Post by **stargirl** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:15 pm

Yay! Adjustment #... (Wow, I can't even keep track now!)...
I got a powerchain across my uppers and the right side of my lower arch.
As of now, all springs are gone... no more crazy braces add-ons! I feel so... normal.
And the pictures:

Eh... still doesn't look that great.

Left side. Getting better somewhat.

Right side... that lower canine should come into place real soon. It's wire-tied and powerchained.

I had stripping done between my upper fron 4 teeth to make space. I'll have this done again next adjustment.

Bottoms. I'm really pleased with the progress on the left canine, it's now nicely in the arch. I hope the right one does so soon. (Look at that gigantic space the spring made!)

Next appointment I'll be getting 0.18 NiTi wires, more stripping, and my upper right lateral will be re-bracketed.

#33 Post by **hannah164** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:37 pm

Stargirl,
Thats some awesome progress you're having! Lookin' much better! I'm just curious but what is stripping?

Good luck with the rest of treatment!

-Hannah

#34 Post by **stargirl** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:42 pm

Stripping is like taking a metal nail file - but it's flexible - and shaving between two teeth to create space.
Sounds scary, but it doesn't feel too bad at all. The gunk that comes off is pretty nasty, though.

#35 Post by **Caroline** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:11 pm

Hey Stargirl,

Funny, a while back you mentioned that we were "twins" of sorts, and now here's the weird thing: I'm having stripping done at my next appointment as well. Crazy or what? I'm glad to see that you're making good progress. My coil finally came out at my last adjustment. BTW, what's the gunk you were referring to? Should I be worried?

#36 Post by **stargirl** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:56 pm

Thanks, KK - it feels really great having less metal in my mouth. But there's still a lot left!

Caroline, I suppose the gunk that comes off of your teeth during stripping is your enamel... when it came off it was all brown and gross-looking! Surprisingly, it did not feel gritty or anything. After a rinse, all was well, don't be worried!

#37 Post by **CelestialVoices** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:05 pm

I'm glad to see you're making such great progress!
P.S. your avatar is cute

#38 Post by **stargirl** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:22 pm

Thanks, CelestialVoices!

I am feeling good about my progress... I definitely smile a lot more now, but once you've seen a small amount of change you want to see more!
I am very anxious to see new movement! Hurry up!

#39 Post by **Onyx8** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:16 pm

I loved reading your story and looking at your progress, thanks so much for the knowledge. I'm going in for my first adjustment in 2 days and I have a spring that I'm anxious to see progress.

Anyway, thanks again.

#40 Post by **stargirl** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:17 pm

No problem! It's so nice to hear that I've helped someone!

Good luck at your adjustment!

#41 Post by **stargirl** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:41 pm

Ahh.. I finally had time to post about my latest adjustment... almost 2 weeks ago!

Not much different, didn't get the NiTi wires, but I'll get them on both top AND bottom next adjusment. More stripping was done too. It was really cool to have the bracket on my lateral repositioned cause I got to see what it looked like without one! That one tooth looked huge! I'm excited to see what my teeth look like when it's all done.

Ugh... sorry, my nice silver ligs have turned a little... green?

#42 Post by **caryca** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:59 pm

a nice progress!! as comper to the last pictures!

#43 Post by **stargirl** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:00 pm

Ahh! My last adjustment was.... 3 weeks ago! Just posting now!

Note my "semi-festive" ligatures.

My next appointment is Jan. 4th, I'll be having an x-ray done to check out my roots and some brackets repositioned again. Not sure which ones, though.

#44 Post by **hannah164** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:36 pm

Your teeth are looking very nice Stargirl! I really like your ligs, very pretty!

Congrats!

Just curious but Why do they reposition brackets?

Good luck on the rest of your treatment and keep us posted!

-Hannah

Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05

#45 Post by **stargirl** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:15 am

Thanks!

The ortho repositions the brackets because originally, they were not in the best position due to the crowding of my teeth. So having them redone is a good thing that means my teeth are straightening out, and the brackets can be placed in the correct position!

I'm guessing that I'll have the brackets on both my lower canines replaced... perhaps some on the lower incisors.... not sure though.