I Love My Teeth's Braces Journey
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
I Love My Teeth's Braces Journey
I thought since I've been posting here a bit I'd start a story as well. I will try with pics, but no guarantees, I am a bit technologically challenged!!
My story: I am 38years old, and have known I have needed braces and lower jaw advancement surgery since I was 22. But at that time no dentist ever told me my problem would get worse, and to be honest cosmetically I was living with it, and wasn't about to get all that work done. But sadly, my problem is worsening and when I compare pics now and 15years ago there is a noticable difference in my smile. So, I went in Dec 2008 for another ortho consult, and this dr. told me the problem would continue to get worse until I lost my teeth at a very early age. So, that really pushed me to do it now and do it right!!
I needed 3 areas on my lower teeth gum grafted, so that process begin March 27, and my braces went on May 14.
Just a warning, the pictures are really close up, and look really BAD, "brace" yourself
I need to try to get some inside pics, but have had some trouble doing it. These pics are with my teeth closed, not a "real smile"...........my husband says in "real life" with the rest of my face and a real smile, it doesn't look as bad as the pics do!! But when I saw them my first reaction was "oh my, do I really look this bad!!" I am hoping to find some people to watch my progress with me as I go through this 24-30month journey, I could really use the support!!
My story: I am 38years old, and have known I have needed braces and lower jaw advancement surgery since I was 22. But at that time no dentist ever told me my problem would get worse, and to be honest cosmetically I was living with it, and wasn't about to get all that work done. But sadly, my problem is worsening and when I compare pics now and 15years ago there is a noticable difference in my smile. So, I went in Dec 2008 for another ortho consult, and this dr. told me the problem would continue to get worse until I lost my teeth at a very early age. So, that really pushed me to do it now and do it right!!
I needed 3 areas on my lower teeth gum grafted, so that process begin March 27, and my braces went on May 14.
Just a warning, the pictures are really close up, and look really BAD, "brace" yourself
I need to try to get some inside pics, but have had some trouble doing it. These pics are with my teeth closed, not a "real smile"...........my husband says in "real life" with the rest of my face and a real smile, it doesn't look as bad as the pics do!! But when I saw them my first reaction was "oh my, do I really look this bad!!" I am hoping to find some people to watch my progress with me as I go through this 24-30month journey, I could really use the support!!
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
Hey guys thanks for the replies!!!! I am really hoping to see some progress soon!!!! Although I feel I have adapted to the brackets fairly well, I am a bit sad because I do need a TPA device, which should have gone in when the brackets did, but it didn't fit properly, so I will get it at some point........
Have to call the ortho tomorrow, yesterday I found a wire poking out and ripping up the inside of my mouth, back to using wax..............am I right, if I call, they can do something about the pokey wire?????
Have to call the ortho tomorrow, yesterday I found a wire poking out and ripping up the inside of my mouth, back to using wax..............am I right, if I call, they can do something about the pokey wire?????
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
Just returned from the ortho's office to snip my wire a bit!!! I felt so much more confident going in there after being on this board, anyway--I asked the tech about my tpa (nance) appliance that was supposed to go in when I got my braces, but it didn't fit right---------she said the chart said "at a later date"
I told her I didn't want my progress slowed at all by not having the device and what does she suggest?? She got the ortho, who saw me right away--he said we can wait until the 2nd adjustment..........no worries about changing the length of treatment, it won't affect it!! He just likes to give you everything at once--braces, appliances, ect........so you don't have to get used to one thing, then the next ect. So, I am glad, because that tpa is so uncomfortable, now I should be off the hook until the end of summer when all our vacations are done with, ya-hoo!!!
Cant wait to go back for my adjustment june 18
I told her I didn't want my progress slowed at all by not having the device and what does she suggest?? She got the ortho, who saw me right away--he said we can wait until the 2nd adjustment..........no worries about changing the length of treatment, it won't affect it!! He just likes to give you everything at once--braces, appliances, ect........so you don't have to get used to one thing, then the next ect. So, I am glad, because that tpa is so uncomfortable, now I should be off the hook until the end of summer when all our vacations are done with, ya-hoo!!!
Cant wait to go back for my adjustment june 18
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
I thought since it's been about a month since my braces went on, I would add some updated pics-----I can see very little if any change, would love some feedback!!
There are changes on the bottom, but I don't have any pre pics of that---the arch wire on the bottom had 2 pretty major kinks in it, the kink on the right is totally straight now, and the one on the left is halfway there--that's exciting. but not as exciting as when my tops start straightening out!!
Front View at 4 weeks--compare to the 2week post braces view in the above post--do you see any differences??
Top Arch--yuck, can't wait to see some positive changes here!!
All the teeth
Bottom arch--lots of changes here, but no pre-pics,
[/img][/code]
Thanks for looking, appreciate any comments!!
There are changes on the bottom, but I don't have any pre pics of that---the arch wire on the bottom had 2 pretty major kinks in it, the kink on the right is totally straight now, and the one on the left is halfway there--that's exciting. but not as exciting as when my tops start straightening out!!
Front View at 4 weeks--compare to the 2week post braces view in the above post--do you see any differences??
Top Arch--yuck, can't wait to see some positive changes here!!
All the teeth
Bottom arch--lots of changes here, but no pre-pics,
[/img][/code]
Thanks for looking, appreciate any comments!!
- shinyRiver
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:14 am
- Location: Dayton, Ohio
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- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
-
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
-
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
takako-
thanks for stopping by!! I am relieved to hear the bite thing is normal!! Mine is usually horrible, and painful for 3days, then improved for a few days, then something else moves, and it's painful again! I actually made it through a picnic on saturday and out to dinner sat night with almost no pain and managed to eat almost normal. so, that was a relief!! Really anxious to see some cosmetic improvement in my front teeth-but I don't actually think he's moving those a whole lot just yet--but I can't wait!!
thanks again for the support!!
thanks for stopping by!! I am relieved to hear the bite thing is normal!! Mine is usually horrible, and painful for 3days, then improved for a few days, then something else moves, and it's painful again! I actually made it through a picnic on saturday and out to dinner sat night with almost no pain and managed to eat almost normal. so, that was a relief!! Really anxious to see some cosmetic improvement in my front teeth-but I don't actually think he's moving those a whole lot just yet--but I can't wait!!
thanks again for the support!!
I'm glad you guys mentioned the differences in your bite - in the last day or so (I'm only 5 days into my braces) my bite feels way off and half the time I never know if I'm even biting down "properly" - I mean I know that my bite was off to begin with, which is half the reason I'm in braces, but sometimes I'll find myself shifting my bite side to side a bit to see if the fit is slightly better