Memran's story... [its not so bad, I guess..]

Message

#16 Post by **Memran** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:14 pm

Thanks jt2lang! It was pretty scarey, especially the extraction part!

I've just taken your advice and taken a quick pic of my teeth again. I've been looking in the mirror everyday, and to be honest, I saw no difference

BUT!! Take a look at this:

This is 6 days in braces

Now there might be some variation with camera angle etc, but I think the movement in undeniable

#17 Post by **angel84** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:33 pm

Yep. I see it, too! Wahooo! Way to go teeth! Lol.

That is awesome for only 6 days.

#18 Post by ***melissa*** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:26 pm

I see some movement for sure! hooray!

I called my ortho office and they said they schedule appts every 9-10 weeks...hmm, seems like a long time though

Some people on here go every 4 weeks, makes me kinda jealous hehe..

#19 Post by **BracedVeryLate** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:20 pm

Hi Merman,
You're teeth are actually pretty nice already, and when they're lined up, they will be perfect.

I just got the same bottom incisor yanked, so let's see how the gaps close.

Great movement in your teeth so far. I have not really had any movement, but I guess it's hard to tell. I need to learn how to take better photos, right now I just smile into my mac photobooth camera on my computer.

It will be great to see your progress! good luck!!

#20 Post by **Memran** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:41 am

Thanks guys!

I've been continuing to try to play my trumpet, and I am now able to do some very limited playing in the lower registers, but tome quality is totally gone. Still, its progress

Yesterday was my first day back at work since being braced. I have to say, I'm really surprised because it seems like nobody noticed, even when talking face to face. I also didn't notice anyone's eyes flicking down to my mouth, so I don't think its just them being polite, I think they really didn't notice!

BracedVeryLate, hope your gap closes real fast!
All my pictures are taken with a phone camera. I just face a mirror, so when I point the camera at my teeth I can see the screen in the mirror. Makes it quite easy.

I also found the reason for the 9 week adjustment time. My ortho is getting married and so is away for a couple of weeks

#21 Post by **Miranbrady20** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:38 am

NICE MOVEMENT!!

#22 Post by **catfish** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:56 pm

Wow! Definite movement, and in such a short time! Isn't that amazing to see?

#23 Post by **Memran** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:30 am

Thanks guys

After one full week in work, nobody noticed my brace.

Friday we all went out for lunch as usual, and that was the first time I'd eaten out, and the first time I'd eaten with other people. It was completely normal!

The only thing was that after I finished, I just excused myself, and went to swish out my mouth. My colleagues were totally unaware of my brace.

They knew I had some teeth pulled while I was away, and even when that topic came up later, they were still unaware of the brace. It was only when they asked if I was getting something to fill the gaps, that I told them that my brace would move my teeth to close them. They were all like "You have a brace??"

At that point I gave them the Big Cheese

hehe.

I'm still unable to play my trumpet properly, but I had a go on a Euphonium (think: mini tuba) and I could play it as if I'd always played it

only problem is it hurt like hell...

All in all, a good week

#24 Post by **iBorg** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:19 pm

Just caught your story. I appreciate your writing style. It will get better. I belive your extraction story is one of the worse I've heard. I truly hope its the worst thing that happens on this journey.

As for the nine weeks between appointments, my ortho normally works on an eight week rotation but moves that around based upon what she sees the need for. I've been as long as ten weeks during the summer when you have holidays to work around. Good idea of the pictures, you most definetly are having movement.

Try to enjoy and have fun with this experience.

Mike

#25 Post by **catfish** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:29 pm

Hi Rob, I was looking at your pictures again and I'm really curious about the type of braces you have. I've seen clear brackets before, but your wire seems to be tooth-colored. What kind of wire is that?

I can't wait to see more pics as you progress along your journey. It's amazing how fast you notice changes, isn't it? I wish I'd taken pictures of my lower teeth when I first got braces, because the wire made quite the zigzag pattern. I was amazed when one day the zigzags were just gone!

#26 Post by **Memran** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:43 am

Thanks guys!

catfish, I'm not really too knowledgeable about types of braces so I'm not sure I can really answer your question. I asked for Radiance brackets from American Orthodontics, but I don't think thats what I got. Mine are similar but not identical as far as I can see.

The wire is indeed tooth coloured, but other than that, I don't know what else to tell you about it.

Not sure how much I helped. We could do with pointing this post to one of our resident brace gurus. (Maryaten?)

Rob

#27 Post by **Lisa65** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:50 am

Just caught up with your story Rob. Is the trumpet playing getting any easier, or are you sticking with euph for now? I play the trombone a bit and I didn't notice my playing being any worse after braces, but then I am terrible anyway

I would think the small mouthpiece on the trumpet would make the braces cut into your lips too much. At least a bigger mouthpiece spreads the pressure out!

I'm sorry you had such a negative experience with your ex girlfriend. People can be very unkind.

I think your teeth are a nice shape though, and you will have a great smile when you're finished. I look forward to seeing more progress pics. I expect that wire has straightened out even more since you posted those other pics.

BTW the tooth coloured wires are just regular wires with a white coating. Not all orthos use them because the coating can chip off, and they are not usually available in the thicker gauges.

#28 Post by **jenny101101** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:02 am

Hi Rob,

Sorry I just got a chance now to reply to you pics of 6 days in(had family home for 2 weeks); they look great! It's so exciting to see movement, isn't it? It amazed me the first time I noticed a gap

...hehe! Glad to hear it's going well.

#29 Post by **Memran** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:26 pm

Hey guys! Thanks

I would think the small mouthpiece on the trumpet would make the braces cut into your lips too much.

Sadly the trumpet playing is not improving. I can play ok for about 20-30 minutes then it really starts cutting into my lip, and then I have to wax up to prevent further shredding. I have tried wax before playing, but it just kind of gets pushed/squashed out of place. I'll just have to stay with a larger instrument for a while.

I also made the mistake of having a curry a couple of days ago. Until I did my ligs were nice and clear. Now they seem to glow yellow

Oh well, only 6 weeks till my first adjustment..

Rob

#30 Post by **Memran** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:01 pm

Well yesterday was my 1 month anniversary!

This month jusy seemed to fly by.

So I thought I'd take a couple of snapshots and post again here...

Day 1:

1 Month in:

Pre-brace:

1 Month in:

I see movement!!!

And surprisingly the yellowish ligs don't really look all that badly stained