My road to straight teeth - updated 03-Dec-08 *PICS on p.7*

[danish]

hi Miss Smiley,

Just curious. For how long have you been closing the gaps? I know that the teeth only 1mm a month (that would be 0.039 inches), so I guess that it will not happen overnight.
Closing the gaps is definitely one of the more nice steps in the treatment as one's teeth finally start looking OK for once. Hehe

Danish

[*melissa*]

oopsies, double post.

[*melissa*]

Danish- Your teeth are moving so fast!! WOW, you must be really happy Looking great!!

[Pyrose]

Thanks so much for posting your story, Danish. I was feeling kinda bummed out and now feel so encouraged after reading how your treatment is going. Your teeth look so wonderful! Gotta admit I'm envious over here.

I should start taking pictures like what you've done. I think actually seeing the progress will help me feel great.

Man, your teeth look awesome!

[Kara]

Hi Danish! I just read through your story. You've had quite a journey. Your teeth look great! Oh and dont worry on those gaps... they'll close up quick! Did your ortho say how he plans to close them? I have springs on currently going from my canines to my molar bands. We had the same extractions on top it seems. They've been doing a great job at closing my gaps and I've only had them on for a month or so I think.

I look forward to following your story. You have a great smile already!!! Cant wait to see updates!

Kara

[Eva]

Hi Danish

Nice to "see" you again, and thank you for link to this great forum!

[young67]

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Your teeth look fabulous for 6 months. What a transformation. Come on you must have some special tricks to make them move so fast? Please share. haha

I hope mine continue to move as fast as yours.

[danish]

6th adjustment on 25 April 2008.

What I sort of knew turned out to be true. My gaps have only closed 0,5 mm (= 0.02 inches) since the last adjustment a month ago. I was hoping that it would go faster, though I know that I shouldn't expect more than 1mm (= 0.04 inches) movement per month according to my ortho. I use double H3 elastics i.e. 3mm (1/8") and heavy 4 oz. elastics for closing the gaps.

My midline which is about 2 mm (= 0.08 inches) of center has not moved a lot either. For moving the midline I use H4 elastics i.e. 4 mm (3/16") and heavy 4 oz.

I guess that I have to get used to not expecting visible results between adjustments from now on unlike the initial phase where there is a lot of movement...

Here comes the usual pics. Enjoy

front:


upper:


lower:


sides:




Next adjustment on 21 may 2008. See yaa then

Danish

[*melissa*]

Danish- Sorry to hear about the slow movement...your teeth look awesomely straight though, so just keep hangin in there

[Kara]

Hi Danish! Your teeth look awesome! Those gaps are closing... slowly but surely!

I wish I could use elastics rather than these metal springs. I've cut my tongue a million times on them I swear.

Hang in there! It wil happen.

[danish]

7th adjustment on 21 May 2008.

Hi there.

This adjustment went smooth. My ortho measured the distance in gaps of tooth extraction sites. Apparantly gaps are closing but it goes sooooooooooooooo slow. A real downer to be honest. I do not see anything but then I see my teeth every day and woudn't notice!?

Elastics were replaced by coil springs between 2nd premolars and canines in upper and lower jaw. The coil springs I don't have to change which is a good thing

Highlight of this adjustment was that my midline is almost aligned Won't be long before that's fixed!

I was suspecting a cavity in upper jaw right side where the molarband is due to a slight soreness/pain when a floss in the area. My ortho took x-rays and there are no problems with cavities. I'm praying that I will not have any cavities during the treatment as it may prolong treatment time. I'm insanely thorough with my dental hygiene by brushing after every meal, flossing daily, using a small toothbrush for interdental cleaning and avoiding sweets (to the extent it's possible. hehe ).

Some people may get the idea that I'm negative about being braced when reading my posts. I realize that I tend to focus on the metal in my mouth and don't see what's happening beneath the metal. My bad The aesthetics of my teeth have improved. One only has to take a quick look at my bottoms. So I just want to say thanks for all the encouraging comments and supportive remarks so far when I vent my frustrations on the forum

Here are pics:

front


upper


lower


sides



Next appointment is scheduled on 25 June 2008. My ortho might remove the TPA as it apparantly is not needed anymore. Yes... getting closer to the finishing line!!

I will keep you posted. See ya on the forum

Danish

[victor36]

My ortho measured the distance in gaps of tooth extraction sites. Apparantly gaps are closing but it goes sooooooooooooooo slow. A real downer to be honest. I do not see anything but then I see my teeth every day and woudn't notice!?

hi danish,

wow, your teeth are making awesome progress! All you have to do is look at the old pictures from page 1 and see how far you have come. Great job!

~Victor

[Miss Smiley]

I can tell just by looking that your extraction gaps have gotten smaller! Your teeth look great!!!!!

[jojo]

hey danish!!

I have a very similar upper arch and in two weeks I will be having my first upper biscupids extractacted...I am NOT looking forward to it...I am terrified because I had two lower molar extracted two weeks ago and I was in so much pain...I just hope that it is not as bad. I am glad to see your progress..it amazing! and that gives me courage to go and get it over with. Look forward to seeing more pics!

Take care,

Jojo

[Katt]

Wow your teeth are looking great, I'm having some brace envy right now.