Asabea's story

[asabea]

Hi all,
I thought I should start a blog given how helpful I have found everyone else’s stories, so here goes. I am a 29 year old female living in the UK and have always hated my teeth. For the following reasons

- Huge gaps (caused by my jaws being bigger than standard and my frenum)
- Teeth protrude
- Open bite

I decided to get braces to finally sort things out. Over the years I have perfected my smile that hides my top teeth...



And the reason I hide my top teeth...




Now given my gaps you might be wondering why I have opted for linguals, hopefully my x-rays will shed some light...



As you can see my teeth stick out so far that they have totally altered my profile, you should just be able to make out my full lips. Although I love my lips I didn’t think I could cope with regular braces pushing them out even further!

I had my stb brackets fitted on Tuesday and the procedure itself was not too bad, took about an hour in total. This is what they look like...



I am really glad I took the plunge and am glad that they are not as noticeable as I thought however the past 48 hours have been a nightmare for the following reasons

- Execs saliva, where did it come from?
- Aching teeth, they feel like they are going to fall out
- Lack of food, I am unable to eat ANYTHING, including soft food, and am surviving on yogurt and drinks
- Speech difficulties I developed a lisp, but am hoping that practice will make it better

I have taken two weeks off work to recover and am hoping that things get better over the next few days. I will keep you all updated on my progress.

[Ladybird]

Hey congratulations!

You're 4 days nearer to your beautiful smile!

I wasn't in nearly as much discomfort as you are because they started me off on a light wire, but when I'm not loving my braces so much I stare at my 'before' pictures and it gets me through.

I hope your discomfort eases soon.

It will be worth it in the end, and once you're used to them and you're getting on with life as normal time will fly by.

I've had mine a couple of weeks now but it feels like months! I wish...

Try eating icecream, I've been told it helps soothe the pain, but that may just have been an excuse to eat icecream.

Take care and keep us posted

x

[PrincessPeach]

Congrats on choosing to get braces, you wont regret this decision!

In a few days your pain will ease, just stick with soft foods for a while

[asabea]

Well it is day 6 and I can honestly say that things are getting better. I have figured out a way to eat by using my two back teeth (2nd and 3rd molars) that are not braced.

I still have the lisp but will work on getting rid of this. My actual teeth are OK, having stocked up on wax pre brace day I haven’t actually used any of it! The most encouraging thing is that I can actually see movement already.

Ladybird and PrincessPeach, thanks for the words of encouragement, knowing that others are in a similar position certainly help... as does the ice cream!

[asabea]

I return to work on Monday after a two week break and am still struggling to speak without the lisp. Oh well, looks like it is here to stay.

Eating is still a chore and to top things off I broke my first bracket last night. I am convinced that the hunger pains made me attempt to eat it in my sleep!

On the plus side my teeth are not in any pain, I can see movement and I have my first adjustment in two weeks to look forward to.

[amandajane]

to top things off I broke my first bracket last night. I am convinced that the hunger pains made me attempt to eat it in my sleep!

Did you really swallow it? I hope you didn't. I don't think you want a bracket somewhere floating around your body.

I have intense hunger pains, maybe you should try foods with more carbs. Carbs make me gain weight though.

My story: to top things off I broke my first bracket last night. I am convinced that the hunger pains made me attempt to eat it in my sleep!

[amandajane]

Quote:
to top things off I broke my first bracket last night. I am convinced that the hunger pains made me attempt to eat it in my sleep!



Did you really swallow it? I hope you didn't. I don't think you want a bracket somewhere floating around your body.

I have intense hunger pains, maybe you should try foods with more carbs. Carbs make me gain weight though.

My story: viewtopic.php?t=31380

[asabea]

Quote:
to top things off I broke my first bracket last night. I am convinced that the hunger pains made me attempt to eat it in my sleep!



Did you really swallow it? I hope you didn't. I don't think you want a bracket somewhere floating around your body.

I have intense hunger pains, maybe you should try foods with more carbs. Carbs make me gain weight though.

My story: viewtopic.php?t=31380

No I didn't swallow it, the sound of it breaking woke me up so I was able to save it

[asabea]

So today was my first adjustment and it was not as bad as I was expecting. The brackets were removed and my two broken brackets were re bonded. Due to the broken brackets on the upper arch, the same size wire went back in to realign a wondering tooth.

On the lower arch the wire was changed to a thicker one and my next adjustment is in six weeks.

Odd as it might sound I cannot wait to get my elastics, however I was a little disappointed to hear that I will not get them until six months into treatment. Can it really take six months to level and align teeth?

[Ladybird]

Hi asabea,

I'm glad to hear your 1st adjustment was ok

My 1st adjustment isn't until 30th September.. 9 weeks after my brace day and it seems to be taking forever!

I have noticed a little bit of movement in my teeth though so at least it's doing something now.

I am interested to know if the thicker wire feels different or if it hurts more, maybe at first I guess?

Take care and keep us posted

x

[asabea]

Hang in there your time will come!

The wire itself doesn't really feel that much different, although the actual fitting of it left my teeth feeling much tighter for a few hours.

After the initial brace day pain, this was nothing in comparison, I am now quite keen to progress through the various sizes as quick as possible as I’m sure I can take it!

[asabea]

Hi all,

It has been ages since I last updated my story and the reason for this is that are that my braces have new become part of my everyday life. My lisp has gone and my speech has returned to normal, I have mastered the art of eating with linguals, and my regular dentist has noted that my dental hygiene has actually improved since being braced!

I now feel that 4 months down the line, the remaining 20 months will fly by.

As for my teeth, I have noticed movement although nothing dramatic. My centre gap has reduced by 2mm, although that still leaves another 5mm to close!

I had my third adjustment on Wednesday and to my surprise and delight I was given my first power chain. I only got it on the bottom as I have a couple of wandering teeth on top. Boy did it hurt getting it on, I thought my ortho was going to rip my teeth out, however 4 days down the line I feel fine. I also have mushroom wires on both my top and bottom arch to reposition all four of my wondering first premolars.

My next adjustment is in six weeks and I expect I will start to see some big changes here on in. I will take some updated pictures after my next adjustment to show my 5 month progress.

[asabea]

Hi all,

I haven't posted in ages as my laptop is broken. When I get it back I will upload some progress photos. My teeth have moved so much, most of my gaps have now closed however my bite is all over the place. I'm eight months into treatment and time has flown by.

I should have new photos up soon.

[asabea]

11 months in, progress photo below



I can't believe that my middle gap has all but gone. My ortho is currently working on my bite as it is all over the place.

[asabea]

OK, so whilst I am incredibly happy with my progress to date, I feel like for the past two months the progress has been very VERY slow.

I am yet to start my treatment with elastics, and just want to get them in so that I can reach the end of my treatment.