astw22's Story - first adjustment pics July 8th

Message

#46 Post by **catfish** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:13 pm

Hi Shannon, I just read your story. Wow - you had a rough start! I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better now, and were able to shed some of the hardware. Hopefully after your next adjustment, you will be coil-free!

#47 Post by **callmeswtmisery** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:07 am

Shannon,

I was thinking about you all night!!! Your new pic's are awesome!!!!! No coils on the top anymore!!!!

You can see your arches rounding better!!!!

I hope that your teeth are treating you good today...If you can please update me and let me know how everything is working out for you!!!!

P.S. That last coil will come off on your next adjustment!!!!! Oh I forgot YES PAIN IS GOOD!!! LOL

#48 Post by **braces4astw22** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:00 pm

Hi Everyone

Thanks

im really happy that others can see the movement as well.. today my teeth are pretty sore and achy although I expected it so im dealing with it okay... I figure give it another few days and I wont even notice the pain and pressure on my front teeth anymore..

keeping optimistic about things considering I have seen so much changes in my teeth in the last 8 weeks... im really excited and looking forward to my 2nd adjustment and seeing how much more progress has been made..

#49 Post by **jenny101101** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:52 pm

Hi Shannon,

Yes, your teeth are really making progress and your arches are rounding out nicely!

Glad to hear you got rid of all those coils. Hope your teeth aren't bothering you too much

.

#50 Post by **ShineUpMyBoots** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:04 am

Sorry to hear that your teeth are hurting you, Shannon.

I've heard that ibuprofen is usually the best bet, as it not only takes away the pain, but causes the inflamation of the gums to go down so your teeth can move with more ease.

In other news: for your first adjustment, that's a crazy-lot of movement!! Your upper arch [on the left] has rounded out very well, as Jenny said, and it looks like your insciors are aligned in your lower arch, although they're just not in place. Keep up the good work!

#51 Post by **callmeswtmisery** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:23 am

Hey Shannon,

I have my 2nd adjustment tomorrow, and for some reason I don't feel as good about this appt!?! As You already know he is working trying to get that bottom tooth on the AW. I just hoping that he tells me that I can get those 4 teeth extracted soon!

#52 Post by **insinu8** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:06 pm

Shannon, that's some impressive movement! Those first couple of days, post-adjustment, are the tough ones. How are the expanders doing? Are you seeing any significant gaps forming?

#53 Post by **braces4astw22** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:17 pm

Hey chris just posted on your thread but yeah im definitely seeing some huge gaps between some of my teeth I couldnt really get clear pics of them but im real happy to see the space and hopefully these expanders can come out soon!

I think post adjustment it probably took me a week lol which was yesterday to feel a bit better about things, I had some trouble with my expanders and they cut me up but its much better now, salt water rinses work great for that.. I feel like I am getting back in that comfort zone where I can talk and eat normally (as normal as you can in braces)

#54 Post by **insinu8** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:08 am

Shannon, I should try to take a picture of the gap that's been growing on my lower arch (but only on one side, DOH!). I'm not sure what the hold-up is on the other side, but they're not moving at all

Are you getting pretty good symmetry in your gaps?

Yah, those darn expanders are a total pain. Several days of discomfort after each adjustment. I'm sorry that you're tongue keeps taking a beating. Thats no fun

You know you're getting past the adjustment when you forget you have braces for several hours. Are you to that point after the last one yet?

#55 Post by **braces4astw22** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:44 am

Chris: sorry to hear your teeth just dont want to budge one side.. sucks when teeth are being stubborn, you should try to take a pic so I can take a looksie... as for my gaps I wouldnt say they are symmetrical.. on one side of the tooth the gap is huge and on the other side its smaller but its still a gap lol and its where I had teeth overlapping so its nice to see the room there so my teeth can get out of each others way..
The gap I have on the bottom its actually starting to close a bit because I can see the tooth moving into the spot and the last 2 days or so that tooth has been throbbing so im happy for that...

Overall 2 months in I think im pleased with how my teeth are lining up so far I mean of course I would love them to be straight tomorrow but I know theres a process to it lol.. I actually love my top teeth now that the crowding is minimizing and the teeth look straighter cant help but smile when I look in the mirror now..

and the expanders... I think they are a work of the devil

seriously I cannot wait to have these things removed.. as soon as I get comfortable with them in my mouth like after my last adjustment then my tongue gets cut up and I have sores all over... my poor tongue seems to be always cut and it makes eating hard..have gone through so much salt as I do it a couple times a day trying to heal it but it doesnt seem to ever do it completely and then im cut again ... im trying to be patient with the expanders but damn they are wearing me thin.. my next adjustment I am going to ask my ortho about when he thinks those can go bye bye.. I will be so happy when those little torture devices are gone.. compared to everyone elses stories I have been reading they have really been making this braces process so much harder for me.. im trying to be a big girl and suck it up but some days are just so hard..

and yes right now I am definitely at the point where I dont really notice the braces too much im pretty comfortable that way now since my adjustment.. but as I said that lower tooth (which I really need to learn the name for lol) is throbbing so its making things a bit uncomfortable.. but no pain no gain right

Well thats it for an update for me! My second adjustment is August 19 so I still have a while to go yet.. I wont be posting more pics until then either..

#56 Post by **shan*rock** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:37 am

Hey Shannon,
Just wanted to say hi. I'm another Shannon in braces. I just got them on today and have been reading stories on here for the past hour to try to remind myself why I am doing this and get over the shock of seeing myself in braces. Congrats on your first adjustment, definitely moving!

~Shannon

#57 Post by **callmeswtmisery** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:01 am

Shannon,

How are your braces treating you???? I have not talked to you in a while! I hope that they are treating you well!! When is your next adjustment?

#58 Post by **braces4astw22** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:10 pm

Hey Misery

Long time no chat.. my braces have been okay actually once I got past the first two weeks after my first adjustment it was smooth sailing.. I got lots of nice gaps all over my mouth so I am almost hoping its time to say good bye to the expanders..

My next adjustment is this coming tuesday in the afternoon so I will let you know how it goes. Im hoping to get rid of the last two coils and the expanders ! will see what they say but so far I am happy with what I see going on in my mouth.. How have you been?

#59 Post by **callmeswtmisery** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:56 am

Hey Shannon!!

I want them to take those expanders off of your mouth as well. I know that you hate it!!! As soon as you get used to it, they adjust it and then you are stuck with the sores in your mouth all over again!!!!

The pain we are putting our self through to have nice teeth!! Trust me it will all be worth it in the end!

I can't believe that it's almost 3 months since we got braced!!!! Let's just hope that the time keeps going by this fast!!!

I can't wait to see your updated pic's...I'm so ready to see your gaps!!