Stargirl's Story & Pics - Braces OFF!

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#16 Post by **stargirl** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:00 am

You might get springs, they seem to work alright. All in all they're not that bad, sometimes the ends are a bit sharp and they catch on my lip. That goes away after a week or so.
I still have a feeling that I'm going to have a lower incisor extracted... my ortho said it was a possibility. I think the springs are a sort of test to see if enough room can be created without extractions.
If the space needed for a tooth is fairly small, I suppose springs would work very well - but I'm going to need a LOT of space for my canines.

#17 Post by **jennielee81** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:46 am

Very interesting, Stargirl.

I love following people's progress!

As far as your pictures being dark, have you tried taking them outdoors? Or by a bright window or door? If you're using a mirror to see what you're taking a picture of, take a hand mirror outside.

You'll be amazed at how clear and bright the pictures will be. And the neighbors will eventually stop asking questions

Keep us posted!!

#18 Post by **stargirl** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 2:33 pm

Thanks jennielee... maybe I'll try doing the pictures in the backyard... that way less people will see me... hehe.

#19 Post by **stargirl** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:09 pm

3rd adjustment!!

Finally, the spring across the upper right lateral is gone, and it is attached to the wire!

And best of all, at my next appointment, August 3rd, the expander comes out, no more headgear, and the rest of my upper arch is braced! I am looking forward to that!

#20 Post by **jennielee81** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:13 pm

FANTASTIC news! That tooth will move out to where it belongs before you know it! My laterals moved so fast and I hear that others do too.

Your bottom arch is gorgeous!!!

The pictures you took outside are so nice and bright! Good work!

#21 Post by **stargirl** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:57 am

Thanks, jennielee!

Ray asked me to post a picture of the type of headgear I have:

It's reverse-pull (or protraction) facemask. The one in the picture is exactly the same as mine, but mine's purple!

There's also this type, which looks way scarier to me!

#22 Post by **stargirl** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:43 pm

I'm getting excited... 4 more days 'till my next appointment, and that means expander removal!

I was wondering... to those who've had their expander removed, is there any difficulty adjusting to it not being there? I feel like my mouth will seem huge and empty! Hopefully I'll be able to talk and eat normally.

P.S. Any lig colour suggestions? hehe...

#23 Post by **stargirl** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:17 pm

Well, I just got back from my 45 minute appoinment this afternoon. It was the most eventful adjustment yet!

First of all, after the old ligs and wires were removed, it was time to take out the expander! It didn't really hurt at all, just a little pressure - and then it was out. It was a really weird feeling, it felt like the roof of my mouth was numb. It still feels that way. I guess that's because I haven't felt the roof of my mouth in 6 months!
The worst part of it was was definitely the thing they use to grind off the cement. When they ground off the stuff from my molars, it made me dizzy.

Next it was time for everyone's favourite part - putting on new molar bands! Biting down on that stick is no fun at all. But at least that's the last time I'll have to ever do it. Then I had 4 more brackets put on my upper premolars, which were previously obstructed by the 'arms' of my expander.

I got a new wire on the top arch, and to my surprise, the left spring across my canine on my lower arch was removed, and it's now wire-tied to the archwire! So now I've only got one spring left, across my lower right canine. Also, I got some powerchains on my lowers, and they really hurt right now.

Pictures will come soon, my mother is away for 2 days and she borrowed my camera.

#24 Post by **stargirl** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:04 am

Here are the pictures after my most recent adjustment:

Powerchain!

No more expander, woo hoo!

Left side. Lower canine is now attached to the archwire!

Right side. The spring is still there.

#25 Post by **stargirl** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:26 pm

Well, this morning I had my 5th adjustment. This one was quite different, because the orthodontist herself did the entire thing! There weren't very many assistants in the office - because of vacations. This was great because the orthodontist added some little 'extras', which were not written down for this adjustment.
Today was the first time that my teeth started to hurt during the adjustment... so now, they're really killing me. And now onto the pictures:

The canine on the right still has the spring... but there's a HUGE gap, and now it's wire-tied! The left one is wire-tied and attached to the powerchain. They're finally going to start rotating!

My next appointment is in 5 weeks, so hopefully I'll have seen lots of movement by that time.

#26 Post by **stargirl** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:03 pm

Thanks, KK! I love my new ligs... I just hope they won't stain too badly!

*sighs* I am sooo jealous of everyone who is seeing really great movement - and so fast! I'm going into my 5th month with braces and I haven't seen any huge/visible changes. I'm really anxious for things to get moving!

Come on, teeth! You can do it!

#27 Post by **LisaH** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:12 pm

Hey Stargirl,

I already see a difference in your teeth. It's very exciting to have them on already and not be the one waiting to finally get them! We are well on our way and I look forward to more of your pics! Take care.
Lisa

#28 Post by **stargirl** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:35 am

Hey, Lisa!

Thanks for your comment. I agree, it is pretty exciting to have the braces actually on... it's a great feeling knowing that someday soon we'll have awesome smiles!

#29 Post by **invisagirl** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:40 am

Hey stargirl!
I definetly see changes going on!!! Congrats!!

#30 Post by **hannah164** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:30 pm

Hey Stargirl! You had a lot of gear installed but an awesome attitude! I actually see quite a bit of movement and improvement. It might be because you see your teeth all the time but we see it less often so to us the changes are more visible. You're actually really lucky. I've had my braces on for almost a year and a half, and not half as much movement as you! My ortho really doesn't communicate well and I don't even know when I'll get bottom braces yet! I guess he's going to deal with the impacted upper canines first.
Well Congratulations!

-Hannah