Here we go!

[gapsbegone]

Mine is a story of missing teeth and gaps... I'm a bit late posting this as I've had the lower brace a month now.

When my baby upper laterals fell out as a kid my adult canines came through in their place because I didn't have any adult laterals up there to come down. So I now have both adult and baby canines. This arrangement also left me with a large gap between my front teeth which I can't wait to be rid of! The baby canines are worn away behind to a thin sheet so they have to come out soon.
I'm also missing my adult front teeth on the bottom arch & still have some very tiny and tired looking baby teeth there too. The bottom arch is generally pretty straight, but the 2 laterals next to my baby teeth have tipped outwards a bit so the braces should sort that out.

I'm getting implants to replace the baby upper canines, but I've been told my jaw bone is too thin on the bottom to do the same there without bone grafts so I'm a bit undecided there. I'd like the implants but I'm really squeamish about that sort of thing so I'm not sure if I'm up for it. Not too enamoured with the alternatives either though. I'm a musician and play a lot of wind instruments so I don't want to screw anything up there either.

I've always known that the day would come when I had to have something done about this mess, but they didn't want to do it while the baby teeth were still healthy so here I am aged 32 with braces!


No pictures from day 1, this is day 29...

[smilehope]

Wow - sounds complicated! Can't wait to see how your progress pans out. I'm curious about when you'll get your upper set braced, and also what instruments you play!

[gapsbegone]

I'm a flute player really with a bit of sax & clarinet in there too. I've been doing more singing & guitar playing than anything else lately so it's good timing with the braces. I had so much trouble producing a decent tone when I tried playing that I'm wondering if I should just leave the flute alone til I'm done with the braces. I'm going to have to retrain my embouchure anyway so it might be easier to just do that once after the braces come off. Annoyingly the sax & clarinet seem fine....

The uppers are due to go on at my next adjustment on May 30th so things will all change again then!

[gapsbegone]

Flute playing is much better today, I dunno what's changed to make that happen but I like it!

[gapsbegone]

Well I thought the flute playing went well, but then a couple of hours later ouch!

Things are definitely moving though, I can get the interdental brushes into places that have never seen the light of day, and I also have a lovely poking wire end. It's not long til my first adjustment so I guess I'll just make friends with the wax until then

I had 1 day of uber sensitivity but that seems to have passed.

[gapsbegone]

Just tried out my new Waterpik today, it's great that I can see all the bits of food disappearing down the plughole

I'm getting a bit nervous about having my upper brace put on next week. I've not had any real problems eating with just the lowers done but I can see how things might be harder with 2 sets of braces.
I can't wait to be rid of this gap though!

[gapsbegone]

2 days til I get my uppers braced! I'm starting to get a little bit nervous about it, there'll be no hiding them like I have been with the lowers

[SiNsation]

Good luck on your journey! Can't wait to see how the top braces look.

[Bec There]

Congrats on getting braced up! Don't be nervous about getting your upper arch braced, or how much it hurts! It's worth it in the end! Spaces close very quickly, ive had heaps of my own! In a few months you won't recognize yourself and you'll be sooo happy.
To see how fast my spaces closed you can read my story 'braces for my spaces' for inspiration!
Goodluck

[gapsbegone]

Thanks guys

I'm not so worried about the pain, just the fact that I won't be able to ignore them anymore, and I'll have to be much more careful biting into things. It's a good thing I like soft food!

[gapsbegone]

Well the appointment wasn't too bad & I'm not too sore yet after 2 hours. I love the purple ligs!

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[gapsbegone]

Ahhh, that's better! Teeth have been quite sore for a day or so but one by one they're loosening up & it feels great. I've never been more glad to feel my mouth go crunch! Hopefully that means I'll see some movement soon too, my front teeth still haven't given in yet but I'm sure they won't be long

[smilehope]

Loving the purple. I have to admit I'm jealous - won't get my uppers for another 3 months

[gapsbegone]

Thanks I know what you mean, part of me wished they'd just put them both on together, but just think that's 3 months when you're in control...

[NICURN85]

They look great. I really love the purple.