Jennielee81 got my LLBR...it's GOLD! Pic on 16

[jennielee81]

Hi Chad!

Looks like we're from the same part of the country!

My ortho made room to move my centrals out past my laterals by widening (advancing) my arch. It was "hourglass" shaped and really needed that to be done.

With Damon 3's that is done without any palletal expander or surgery. something like the pressure of my lips on the front of the teeth (center of wire) pushes the ends of the wire outward thus widening the arch. I don't understand...but it seems to work really well!

I suppose if my arch was already wide enough, they would have had to use springs on me.

There are a lot of people here with springs. I hear they hurt pretty bad at first but like all of this stuff...you get used to it.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!

[jennielee81]

THANKS everyone!!!

You are all so kind, and good!

My teeth feel fine. I had some "pain" for about 36 hours and then just discomfort for about 12 more.

My bottom teeth are moving ; I can tell because the brackets are tearing up the inside of my mouth again...Funny how this is a good thing.

Couldn't find my wax (I have 3 kids...) so I had to go and spend $5 in gas to drive to CVS to get another pack.

It's all good here!!

[jennielee81]

UPDATE 11/22
I got two new wires last night. They're rectangular and have started the torque process of my treatment.

HOLY COW!!!

It took me an HOUR to recover from brushing my teeth this morning! Even my forhead hurt!

I can't even eat a peppermint pattie.

The assistant told me that this would be the worst pain so far. The woman does not lie!

It's all for the GOOD....right?

[hannah164]

Jennielee81 That sounds horribly painful!

I really hope you feel better soon! I just got bottom braces on and a new wire on top and powerchains across lower extraction gaps and I'm still having a hard time eating! It hurt so bad to brush and floss!

I do have to keep reminding my self that YES its all for the GOOD!

Good luck!

-Hannah




Top braces: 4/28/04
Bottom braces: 11/16/05

[caryca]

my last adjustment in Oct....my orth was trying to put the rectangular...gosh.I felled it when it was just partly there without ligatures!! It must be....welllllllll a big step in the ortho treatment? right?

[jennielee81]

It must be a BIG step....

3 days later and I still can't chew...and it's THANKSGIVING!!!

I am THANKSFUL that stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy are soft. They're all my favorites

...and let's not forget that wine requires no chewing at all!

[jennielee81]

Had my 4th adjustment this evening.

At my last appointment, the assistant said that the bottom wasn't moving as they had hoped and that my January adjustment would be a "mini". They would take x-rays and MAYBE put in a lighter wire to "slow things down". Since my bottom teeth weren't responding as expected they thought maybe things were moving too fast and they would lighten the load for a bit.

TODAY: X-rays showed good root movement and the ortho ordered advancement of both arches with NEW RECTANGULAR WIRES!! Then when all was done, my assistant told me, "we're almost finished."
She said I'd be back in 6 weeks and get my final wires!!! That will be on my 1 year anniversary.

I realize that I could be in those final wires for a while, but they will be installed 6 months before my "scheduled end" let's stay tuned!!!

For anyone getting Damon 3's. The doors have been NO trouble for me or my ortho. I have not lost any brackets since my first month, and my teeth are moving quite fast. My ortho knows how to use these brackets and he uses them to their best ability!!

Will post pix after dinner...I have to brush :

[jennielee81]

I am SO frustrated!!! I took about 100 pictures and they all really stink (new camera)!!!

Everything has been off today (except my ortho appointment!) . I will work on this picture problem...new camera...and get some pix on here. If anyone cares...

Here is one that is too bright, out of focus and oh well...

[joplin]

Jennielee, that is one fabulous smile you've got!!! Not even a camera out of focus can cover that fact And you're about to graduate to your final wire! It sort of marks the final countdown, doesn't it? Hey, you're practically almost there! So happy for you!

[jennielee81]

Here's a better shot of my teeth...my lips look pretty bad, but oh well. Not sure what I need to do with this new camera to get pictures as good as my previous one!

Here's week 3:


Here's 8 months:


It's a better camera, you'd think the pix would be at least as good! I will continue to replace this picture till I get one that I like.

Thanks for your kind words, Joplin and Karin. Nice to know I have a few people interrested in my progress.

[Granola]

jennielee81: Count me in as someone who is following your progress.

I can't believe how much your teeth have moved since you got your braces on. I had read through your journal a few months ago.

Congrats on getting such good news from your ortho, especially when you weren't expecting it.

I think that last picture you posted looks fine, btw.

[Nikkiekoala]

That is great news! I had the same type of news at my adjustment. I don't have the final wire yet but my ortho thinks in about 6 months I will which will be my one year annivsary, at that point he will pin point how much longer. So I can relate to your excitement. My ortho attributes my fast progress to the Damon's....I love my Damon's if they are what is make things come together ahead of schedule!

[belmikry]

jennielee81 : your progress is inspirational! may I ask you a question on the opals? I myself have Damon 3's, but I have full metal damon's on the bottom and 6 half opal half metal on the tops:


are the opals regular ceramic braces, or are they Damon system related? seeing them makes me want to ask my ortho about getting them on mynext adjustment, being that they look 100 times better than what's in my mouth!

[Leslie022]

Your progress is awesome! You're teeth look great! Damon's are the best brackets. I haven't had any problems, either.

[jennielee81]

jennielee81 : your progress is inspirational! may I ask you a question on the opals? I myself have Damon 3's, but I have full metal damon's on the bottom and 6 half opal half metal on the tops:


are the opals regular ceramic braces, or are they Damon system related? seeing them makes me want to ask my ortho about getting them on mynext adjustment, being that they look 100 times better than what's in my mouth!

Hey Belmikry!

Opals are a different self-ligating bracket. Not made by the company that makes Damons. I think they're the only self-ligating ceramic bracket. ASK about them!!! There are very few orthos in the US who use them. In fact, when I got them (a whole year ago) the website was still entirely in GERMAN! Here it is in English: http://www.ultradent.com/products/produ ... =2&pid=186

You know the other day, I had 3 people at work (1 student and 2 adults) who asked me if I had gotten my braces off. I smiled with both top and bottoms and they were surprised. Is it them or me?? I like my opals, they are very kool but they are still "thicker" than traditional brackets...check out the website and then talk to your ortho.

The fact that they have not slowed down progress is great and worth your while to ask! Let me know how that goes! I think I'm the only Opal wearer on here and would love to have an "opal buddy".