Sdgal23sixmonthbraces-story

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#1 Post by **sdgal23** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:36 am

Hello ALL!!

I've always wanted braces but the parents couldn't afford it. So I had to go through highschool with misaligned teeth and half way into my twenties. Now at 25, I finally decided that it was time to do something about it. I do not have an overbite or overjet; my problem is moderate crowding of both uppers and lowers. Both of my upper canines are not fully down, my right one is higher than the left one due to the narrow arch. 6 of my front lower teeth are crowded as well. I decided to go for the six month braces option since I had no major problems except crowding. I have ceramic braces on both uppers and lowers and no extractions were necessary (Thank God). After the six months, the brackets will come off and I will be wearing essix retainers for one year 24/7. My ortho recommended the essix as they will help keep my arch in their new wider position. After the year, I will be wearing the retainer for a couple of more years but only at night. After that probably just a couple of times a week. It sounds like a pain but like the saying says "beauty is pain" lol.

I've been braced for 6 days now and it has been pretty exhausting having to get used this feeling. My teeth were very sore and lots of pressure during the first 2 or 3 days, and could not eat anything but soup or protein shakes. I forced myself and began chewing on the third day (soft foods of course). The pain with chewing minimizes as you chew more and more (funny how that works!). I can eat chicken! However, I can not bite into anything yet since my front teeth are loose and feel as if they are going to fall off!

Wire popped out of the bracket on the 4th day, I will be going to the ortho today, to get it fixed.

#2 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:10 pm

Lucky you! I already had a wide smile with crowding so I had to lose some teeth

6 months, you lucky thing!!!

#3 Post by **Lil Sunshine** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:08 pm

6 months that is it. I am so jealous. I have crowding and I am on the 3 year plan.

Hope that you continue to get better with eating as the time goes by.

#4 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:16 pm

Congrats on getting started, hey where abouts in San Diego you live?

~Tim~

#5 Post by **Laurie** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:54 am

Weldome! I hope your six months go by quickly!

#6 Post by **sashamax** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:41 am

looking forward to following your story sdgal23. There seem to be very few 6month braces people on this forum so it will be good to hear the progress of someone undergoing the treatment.

#7 Post by **sdgal23** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:55 am

So its been 11 days since I've been braced. These last couple of days have been very painful due to my raw cheeks and lips; I kept biting myself as well which was not cool. Orajel has saved me from any more pain though. It numbs my mouth so its easier to actually work or do other things rather than having to be constantly reminded of the pain! I can see progress on my lowers already. The wire is straightening out...yeah! I can't see any progress on my uppers though. It's probably cause there is more work to be done. alright toodles!