Smilehope's story

[jem]

Hang on in there, Smilehope, you WILL start to see progress in time. It was nearly 3 months before I noticed any progress and I am supposed to be finished in 6-9 months.

Take care,

Jem

[smilehope]

Hey - I have a gap - Yippee!!!!

There I was looking for signs of movement on the lowers where I have braces, and I find it on the uppers where I "only" have a bite plate. A definite gap between my left upper incisors. Ok, only a hair-thin black line, but that's good for me! Can only see it from the side, so I won't do photos yet, but I'll try to after my first adjustment on Friday.

[BetsyBug]

Yay for Movement!!!

I have a few gaps forming, but they are really hard to see, mostly I find them when I floss and encounter no resistance!!!

[smilehope]

7 weeks down and first adjustment today! Wasn't looking forward to it, somehow had it fixed in my mind that he'd say that my teeth weren't moving properly and it wasn't going to work out etc etc.

However:
He didn't balk when I said I had a list of questions.
He only wants me to do a keyturn once a week, and that probably won't be for the whole duration of having my removable plate.
He reassured me re shaping / whitening issues at the end of it all.
He is happy things are moving as he hoped, more than I had thought.
I kept the same archwire but new ligatures, which seem to be double ones on each bracket and already feel tighter.

It did hurt quite a bit especially on my right lowers which have been achy all along, but only while he was working on them, and for a second or so each. Perfectly manageable (well I had had ibuprofen and paracetamol before going!)

Generally I am one happy bunny. New photos I think show a few changes on lowers, especially lining up of premolars and those pesky incisors starting to even up. Early days. Feeling really positive about the whole thing - so glad I started this when I did.

[jem]

Hi Smilehope

Glad your first adjustment went well. I had the same fear as you that there had been on progress at all and that, for some reason, the brace would not work on my teeth.

I can see definite progress in your lowers from the new photos. Have you looked to see whether the bite plate has improved your deep bite at all? I think it is supposed to achieve that by keeping your molars apart thus allowing them to grow down/up spontaneously.

Regards,

Jem

[smilehope]

So, the painful teeth of the day prize goes to ... the two left lower premolars - ouch!

[smilehope]

Today's most painful tooth prize goes to right lower 2nd premolar - ouch ouch. Also a lovely ulcer under tongue

LOTS of movement since 1st adjustment nearly 2 weeks ago so I guess the pain is ok. Exciting, in fact!

[smilehope]

Another keyturn due today,but this is really strange - I'm looking forward to it!! Since cutting down to once a week, the plate is starting to feel a bit loose if anything & I constantly fiddle with it with my tongue. Needs a bit of tightening up!
Also I'm not spitting on people as much as I was, which is probably a good thing.
My lowers are definitely moving forward, to start with I couldn't feel the brackets much with my mouth, apart from the side ones, and now I'm more aware of them. Not sore, but just aware.

[smilehope]

Ok, so I was going to wait until after my 2nd adjustment in 3 weeks time to do more photos, but I'm so pleased with how things are progressing I had to do some today.

7weeks:

11 weeks:

Funny thing is, I was only ever self-conscious about my uppers - I don't think I was even aware how bad my lowers were. Now I love how they're straightening up. I can't wait to get the fixed brace on my uppers though!

[jem]

Hi Smilehope,

That is terrific progress on your bottom teeth in only 4 weeks; no wonder you felt inspired to post pictures. How are your top teeth doing?

Jem

[smilehope]

Top teeth must be moving as plate is expanding, but look the same so far. I really really really want to get the fixed brace so my uppers can straighten up. The roof of my mouth is now very sore from the plate.

The exciting thing is now that when my plate is out my molars touch!!! Not my incisors which I've had all my life. Not my brackets which it's been since I was braced. No- now what touches is a corner of a molar on my right at the back! Ok, only a corner, but this means that at some point I can get the uppers braced without biting off my lower brackets. Yippee. I was originally told it would take 6 months with the plate, but there was a "or maybe less". My appointments are only every 6-8 weeks, so I'm getting my hopes up that I'll get my uppers braced end of July. If it has to be the one after in September so be it. I'll ask ortho in 2 weeks when I go what he thinks.

[smilehope]

Second adjustment today - rather nervous as incisors all very wiggly at the moment. Will it. E confusing if I say to the ortho "careful because they hurt - but tighten them up all you like so I can get this plate over with"!

[smilehope]

2nd adjustment not bad at all! I got a new wire, thicker rectangular one. He reckons I'm making good progress. The good news is now I know when I'm going to lose the plate. Not next time but the one after. Already got that booked for early September, longer appointment for having my fixed upper row done. He thinks my uppers will move really quickly once they get the fixed brace on. I hope so!

[gapsbegone]

That's good news

[jem]

Hi Smilehope,

You must have continued to make very good progress if they have got you into a rectangular wire.

And good to hear you have a countdown on the bite plate. I bet you'll miss it when it's gone (not).

All the best

Jem