If you want to share the detailed saga of your braces story, this is the place to do it. You can use this forum as a braces journal, editing and updating your posts as your treatment goes on. Remember to also visit the main ArchWired.com site for additional stories from other readers!
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I got braced today!! It went very well. I've had a cross bite since I was quite young. My 2 front top teeth are bonded because I broke them out when I was about 8 or 9 when I fell on my face roller skating. I also have a crown in my mouth and some fillings. I'm 34 years old and have always disliked my smile. I'd gotten an ortho consult originally about 4 years ago but had a hard time justifying to myself making that huge of an expenditure on something that is for all intents and purposes a purely cosmetic choice for me. So I didn't do it. Now, 4 years later, my husband and I are in a much nicer, very secure place financially so I decided to go for it.
I have metal on top and bottom. I opted for the silver ligs this first time...might throw some real colors in there later. Here is a pic of my new grill
Last edited by becks on Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Thanks you guys. Boy was flossing last night a HUGE production. It's not hard just time con - sum - ing!!! Is using a water pik considered flossing and eliminate the need for flossing with the threader???
My muth is sore this morning from rubbing against the metal all day yesterday and last night. The warm salt water rinse this morning did help though. Off to find the wax and figure out how to apply that stuff. What an adventure!
Edited to add: Nevermind on the question above. I saw the flossing topic being discussed on another thread.
Wow, can't beleive a month has already gone by. Just when things seem to have settled down in my mouth I have to go for my first adjustment on Friday. Hopefully it won't cause too much discomfort...during and after. I've learned and experienced alot throughout the month. I got to experience having not one but two brackets coming off. I think I've mastered the art of threading floss but the OTC as Karen calls it still takes longer than I'd like. Eating has gotten almost back to normal. So because of all that I no longer feel like I'm at the bottom of the learning curve anymore. Though I'm sure just becauase I said that something new and quirky will happen.
I've taken one month pics but really do not see any visible changes. I'll post pics for comparison on Friday after my adjustment.
Looking good, Becks!
They do make vibrating flossers-- trouble is you can't use them with braces! Something to look forward to. Even with all of the rinsing, flossing, brushing, and water-piking, I have found stray left-overs the next day! Yuk. And as th bite changes, spaces open and then may get tighter-- it is always a new experience just when you think you have it figured out. Just be diligent and do the best you can. Wishing you a happy experience.
Looks great! I was really bad at flossing at first too it took me forever but I actually am pretty good at it now I can do it at basically the same speed I nomally would. What works for me is the little blue threader things and I make sure it has a nice curve to it... makes it really easy to get it through even the very back teeth.
I also had a crossbite (on the right side) when I started treatment! They had to put a Palatal Expander in to widen my upper arch to fix mine. At times it does seem like it takes forever to see movement - but you will for sure!
I had my first adjustment on Tuesday, April 24th, if you really want to call it an adjustment. It had been exactly 6 weeks since my brace day. I didn't really know what to expect but I did expect they were going to do more than they did. As soon as I sat in the chair the asst asked what lig colors I wanted then she proceeded to change out my ligs. She said the ligs lose their strength over time so they need to replace them. I asked her about my wire and she said it was called a response wire. Basically it is the beginner's wire that gets the teeth loosened up for initial movement. I thought they were going to take the spring out of my lower left and band the molar. The ortho said he was going to leave the spring until my bottom teeth "unraveled" some more and that they would band the molar at my next appointment. And that was it. I was in the chair for all of about 10 minutes.
I got brave this time and switched from silver ligs to pink ones. To me it initially looked a bit like I had bubble gum stuck to my teeth but I've gotten used to them now and I kinda like the color Below are some pics of my progress....slow as it may be, I do see some changes/movement.
Becks,
you sure did have movement. Look at how much straighter your top wire is, and even the bottom one at the back left! Good show! And there seems to be alittle more space between the teeth on the bottom. You are moving into the fast lane.
Thank you all so much for your replies and congrats. I didn't realize that my upper arch had moved at all until I took these pics and compared them to the pics from 6 weeks ago. And here I was complaining that my movement was non-existent! So glad I started this picture diary. If anyone hasn't done so, you should!! It is so encouraging to see progress being made.
Thanks linda and denise. I am stoked about the movement. I was a little undecided about going with colored ligs, but I really do like them. My son has been having a great time suggesting a color scheme for next time!!
You know, I just had to come back and post how great this place is. Actually, it's not just the place itself but all the members here who are so supportive and encouraging. I don't live near family but I emailed them my progress pics the same day I posted them here. I have had more response and encouragement from people here than from my own family! Not one of them has said anything. My husband is the only one who was as excited as I was. So I just wanted to thank all of you again for your support.
Wishing you a happy experience.
And there seems to be alittle more space between the teeth on the bottom. You are moving into the fast lane.
