Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi,

Well I went in for adjustment #13 last Thursday, and as planned, I had more IPR on the uppers between the 1's and 2's on both sides. Still trying to make better contact in between those teeth and trying to close the embrasure spaces. I have an upper powerchain as well as additional zing string from 3-3. My lowers just got a new powerchain to keep everything in place. As far as my bite, totally jacked up, I hope that it gets worked on at my next appointment.

I promised myself that I wouldn't ask the dreaded how much longer, but I did... The assistant said to me, didn't you as that at your last visit, and I told her no, I asked 2 months ago and she says, what were you told.... 3 more months, so am I getting them off next month???? She just laughed! I guess for the next visit, I'll just drop it, unless it's brought up by my ortho.

Pics to follow.

B

When you say she laughed, did you mean like a sarcastic "no way" type laugh? If so, I would consider that so rude! It's their job to answer your questions and it's quite common for people to want to know when they'll get them off. Sheesh, especially if you were told 3 more months and its been 2, it would be normal to want to know if you're still on track or if there is a new estimate and what that estimate is. Haha sorry I don't know why that makes me so angry

I'm supposed to be close to the end as well and so I am kind of obsessing over the same question. I had an adjustment last week and he said that they should be ready to tell me my debanding date at my next appt. in March, so I think it will be in April if things go well... *cross your fingers*

Anyway I wouldn't be afraid to ask your ortho for a new estimate next time - he'll know better than that assistant anyway and hopefully will be more professional with your question.

Hi Andromeda,

I didn't take it personally at all. It was the end of the day and I was the last patient and it was 5:45. It was the total "witching hour"! I have a really good relationship with the staff.

Unfortunately, we have no control on how teeth are going to move, it is what it is. I'd rather have perfection than go through this a third time. I shouldn't said anything, I'm already over my 12 month estimate. My guess is that they'll hopefully be off around July.

B

Oh that's really good that you have a good relationship with the staff. You sound like a good patient

I know you are right, we have no control over what is happing in our mouths really, but I still like to know what the current estimate is, keeping in mind that it could change. But of course if it changes, then I want to know that too, heh.

I agree that getting it done right is much more preferable to getting it done fast, but sometimes I just want to have my cake and eat it too, lol.

I've got to hand it to you for staying cool and being so practical in your thinking. I have a tendency to overexaggerate things in my mind and analyze things to death. I am well aware of this fact but have had little luck in changing it... Anywho, I hope things progress speedily along for you and that they get everything all tightened up and they start on your bite soon

I better have a good relationship, I have three kids to go through the practice. I have to say that I really like the doctor and his staff, they're great!!!

It's not worth getting crazy over something we can't control. It is what it is and when I'm ready to be debanded, that day will come.

We all want our cake and eat it too, but I have to tell you that I don't want to go through this journey again, twice is enough!!!!

B

Well, I went in for adjustment #14 last week. Not to much to report on, on the uppers, a little more IPR in between my 1-2 on the right side and a little more on my left central(it was manicured as my ortho called it)got the usual powerchain and the zing string from 3-3. My lowers are staying closed so it was just another powerchain from 6-6.

I was a good girl and didn't ask when they were coming off. My ortho did make a notation on my chart that he's going to decide on removal at my next appointment (which is in 3 weeks), I did ask the assistant what that meant and she told me that I'm probably looking at another 3-4 months, which is what I was figuring - July 2009.

Going to try an get updated pics up soon.

B

Hey B, I remember you had mentioned last month that your bite was still not right and you were hoping they'd start working on it more at the next adjustment. Just curious, did they do anything or say anything in respect to those issues? I finally got elastics last week and they gave me another 3 months or so til I'm done.

Hi Andromeda,

My bite is still off, but he's still closing up spaces and making sure my upper incisors are in position. I didn't even ask what the dr's plans for my next visit are... I'm going in next week to get my upper powerchain changed so if my chart is nearby, I'll have to ask.

B

I see. That's interesting bc it seems like my ortho is doing things in the opposite order for me. I've had several spaces open up between teeth as a result of him working on my bite. He said once my bite is good then he will close up any remaining spaces and then I should be done. We are both getting to the same end, just taking different routes Thanks for the update and I hope things keep going well for you!

Hooray!!!

July will be here before you know it!!! Congrats on amazing progress; can't wait to see some updated pics!

The spaces that he's closing up are spaces that he made (IPR) plus some that were created by widening my upper arch. I'm sure that other issues can happen once I start elastics. We shall see...

B

Katie,

I'm only guessing July, which will be 18 months and my estimate was 12 months, but that's only an estimate. I'm going to try and get pics up tonight.

B

Hi Ken,

That's for the visit! I know that there is not exact date... I ran over the first time around so this doesn't surprise me, I'd rather have perfection than have to do this again.

I hope to free this summer...

Good luck on Monday.

B

Well today was adjustment #15 (and my final adjustment - except for my p/c change in two weeks). They're coming off in 5 weeks, I can't believe it, it was a total suprise, I figured that I was getting elastics today to finish things up, and I was told no and that my bite is in place. The uppers had a little manicuring on the centrals and laterals. Have a powerchain from 3-3 and another one 6-6. My lowers are all set, but my lower right #3 is bothering me, I just have a wire and ties, no powerchain and I've had one for a year already so it's weird without one. I came home tonight and the orthos office called to ask me what kind of retainer that I wanted, wow, I have no idea, but I figure while I'm on the phone with them tomorrow, I need to ask about my lower right #3 if it's still bothering me in the am.

I must get pics up, I'm so excited!!!

B

Wow that's crazy (in a very, very good way ) that you are gonna be done in just 5 more weeks when they kept saying july. And so awesome that you don't have to deal with elastics! Congrats and hope your last few remaining weeks as a metal mouth are great for you.