11th Braces Adjustment * 14 1/2 Months in Braces

It's been a few months since I last updated.  Nothing exciting had happened.  I continued to get my coil readjusted to open up the space for the bottom tooth and continued to work on closing my top gaps during the last few months.

I just had my 11th adjustment yesterday 6-2-15.  Finally my bottom teeth have separated enough to remove the coil and put a wire on that bracket to move my bottom tooth forward.  My gaps are also almost completely closed.  At my adjustment the assistant removed my power chain and wires.  At that time she made the comment that she thought I should be able to get the wire on my tooth because it has opened up enough.  My Ortho told her to go ahead and do it.  So the assistant removed the coil and put the new wire on my bottom teeth.  My Ortho then came in to see the progress that has been made.  She said I was ready to start wearing elastics.  I had over heard her telling the person next to me that when you wear elastics you have to wear them at all times and only can take them off while you eat and brush your teeth.    Other than that you have to wear them while you sleep and all day long.  So when my Ortho started to tell me, I recited what she had told the other person lol.  Of course I will make sure to do so, I don't want to do anything that will delay my progress.  The assistant had to add a hook to my bottom tooth and added twisted wires to my canines to make sure they don't turn while wearing the elastics.  The elastics are to correct my overbite.  She then added my top wire and powerchain.  I chose light pink again.  So far its been my favorite color choice, so for right now I'm sticking with it. She went over how to put the elastics on.  She said to make sure to keep my mouth shut while putting them on because of how tight the elastics are, if I try to put them on with my mouth opened they may snap and break.  Its not too hard to put them on, but when I do change them, I can immediately feel the pressure from them. 

Once I got to the car I couldn't believe how my tooth had already moved some.  This morning I ran my tongue across the back of my teeth and they felt a lot straighter.  I asked my husband if he could tell and he was amazed at how much my teeth had already moved in less than a day.  As you can see in the photo below, I just took about an hour ago, my tooth has already moved next to the rest of them.  Crazy how fast braces work!!  My teeth were really sore last night and today.  I stuck with mashed potatoes and ice cream.  I haven't taken any medicine for the pain, its sore but tolerable.  My next appointment is set for July 14th.  I will update again if there are drastic changes or anything new happening.

Elastic size I have to wear

1 Year in Braces!!! Woot Woot!!! & 9th adjustment

So sorry I have been horrible the last few months posting..... 

I cant believe I am already at the 1 year mark!!!  March 18th was my full year in braces.  Boy have they really come far.  Just to think where I was a year ago with my teeth and how they look now is unbelievable.  Crazy how braces work!  Even though I wish I would have gotten them years ago, I couldn't have made a better decision to finally get them now!  In the last year I have smiled more than I ever have in my 42 years.  My confidence level is higher and I feel happier being able to smile, laugh or even cry without hiding my mouth.  I think I finally broke the habit of immediately putting my hand to my face when I smile or laugh.  I don't care if braces look silly to some people, after years of having crooked teeth, I show these babies off! :)

I had my 9th adjustment appointment on March 10th.  Before my Ortho appointment, I had my yearly dental exam and cleaning all in the same day.
1st the dental assistant took my new x-rays.  Then the dentist came in to look over my teeth.  He asked if I recently chipped my front tooth.  He hadn't seen me since right before I got braces, so he didnt see that my front tooth that was turned sideways actually wore down over the years.  He said we can take care of that once the braces are off.  He also said no fillings this time and he will see me when my braces come off!  Yahh!!  Below is a photo showing how my front tooth looks now due to the wear and tear of all those years it was turned sideways.  It does look like I chipped it!

Next the Hygienist asst came in and started to polish my teeth.  She made a comment about how great I am doing keeping my teeth clean and obviously flossing.  Then the hygienist came in and started doing the scaling and poking....all the things I hate because my teeth are so sensitive.  She also told me that I am doing great keeping my teeth so clean with having braces.  I was very happy to hear this.  I always cringe thinking the worst before my appointments, but I got good results from both my dentist and hygienist!! 

Next was time for my ortho appointment.  The asst I had this time hadn't seen me in awhile and she was excited to see how far along my teeth have come.  My ortho came in and she said she was going to be using a rectangular wire this time that was more flexible because my back molar was starting to kick back.  They had to recoil my bottom teeth, hopefully for the last time, to push the teeth apart.  Hopefully by my next appointment they will be apart enough to finally put the wire on that one tooth and bring it forward.  She also said that more than likely I will be starting on rubber-bands at my next appointment.  I wanted a pastel blue, but they didn't have any powerchains left in that color so I chose purple.  Not my favorite.  I think I may just stick to light pink, because so far its been my favorite.  Below are updated photos and showing how far my teeth have come from the very 1st day to now at 1 year!  It really has gone by fast!!  My next adjustment is scheduled on April 21st.

 Oooops I didnt take a front close up view 10 mths.....

Left photo 6 week progress gaps, middle photo 6 month gaps, right photo 1 year gaps

6th Month mark for my bottom braces!!

10th Month In Braces & 7th Adjustment

Sunday, January 18th, was my 10 month mark in braces.  Tuesday, January 20th was my 7th braces adjustment. 

At my adjustment, 1st they took an x-ray of my teeth.  Then the assistant took off my power chain and elastics.  She then put a wedge into my coil to reactivate it, because it still has a ways to open up before they can bring the tooth forward.  My Ortho came in to check everything.  She said that everything was going perfect.  She said this is due to me following all the rules, not eating the things I am not supposed to and keeping my braces clean.  So make sure you do all that, so your progress goes great as well!! ;)  Trust me it is very hard!! My husband and I went to the movies over the weekend and I wanted popcorn soooo bad!  But I got a soft pretzel and cheese instead.  Always keep in mind, as much as you crave and want those hard, crunchy or gummy foods they just aren’t worth jeopardizing the progress of your teeth! ;)  Once those braces are off you can go back to eating whatever you like.  Keep thinking that big beautiful smile in the end is so worth not eating your favorite foods for a year or 2 ;).

Because it’s going so great, she said that she doesn’t see me having to wear braces for another year, that I may be able to get them off by the end of this year.  Yahh!!!   She said that my roots look great, that they are really long and haven’t been affected by all the movement.  She also said that once we are able to bring the bottom tooth forward that I will start wearing the bands to finish fixing my bite and bring my back molar straight up since it is leaning due to a missing molar beside it.  That way if I decide to have a tooth implant it will fit in there or my retainer will keep it upright.   She also explained to me that I will have to wear my retainer for the rest of my life due to my arch was so narrow and of course my teeth were turned so much, that if I don’t wear a retainer my arch will start going back to its original shape, which I do not want that to happen!  So I can handle a retainer for a beautiful straight smile!!

They kept the same wires on and just clipped the ends where the wires were poking my cheeks.   I chose a light pale pink this time since Valentine’s Day is next month.  The assistant put on my new powerchain and elastics.  They gave me more wax and I scheduled my appointment the same day my exam and cleaning is, March 10th.   My teeth aren’t as sensitive as they usually are after my adjustments.  Just my back molars are a little tender because they are moving to continue to close those gaps.  The gaps are getting smaller and smaller by the day.  I am still eating soft foods for the next few days just to ease the discomfort I may have when trying to chew.   Below are the updated photos.

9th Month In Braces

December 18th was my 9th month mark in top braces.  I took photos on that day, but never got around to posting them.  Sorry, with the holidays and all, I just got too busy.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

My top teeth are continuing to move and close the gaps.  There is still a ways to go, but they are definitely closing.

In the photos below, they show my top teeth at 9 months and bottom teeth at 3 months.  My bottom teeth are getting straighter.  I cant really tell much difference on the space where the coil is though.  I  think they may need to put another coil there on my next appointment on Jan. 20th, because it doesn't seem to have opened up enough to bring that tooth forward.  But then again that's what happened with my top teeth too.

Not too many other changes than that.  Below are the updated photos taken on 12/18/2014.

6th Braces Adjustment

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 -  Today I had my 6th adjustment appointment. The assistant took off my elastic bands and powerchain.  She readjusted my top wire and clipped the excess wire sticking out.  Then she put a new powerchain on.  I chose a bright pink this time.  I felt a lot of pressure and it was a bit uncomfortable, but tolerable. 

Apparently I had a bracket that was loose on one of my bottom teeth that I didn't even notice.  She removed it and put a new bracket on.  She then gathered the materials she would need to put the coil on my bottom teeth to separate them and make room for my tooth that sits far back now.  She asked if I was ready for the pain.  I told her yes and to keep doing what she has to do and ignore my cringes.  My Ortho came in to set the bracket and the assistant finished it off.  She then put the wire and coil on which was quite uncomfortable and a lot of pressure.  She also put on new elastics.  Once she was done she asked if there were any wires poking, which at that time it didn't feel like it.  Of course it always happens to me, once I got home I realized the wire on my bottom right side is poking.  I'm going to try to deal with it as long as I can without having to go in and get it trimmed right away.

My mouth is sore already, mainly my bottom teeth.  But that's OK, no pain no gain in the world of braces, ;) but really its not that painful just a bit sore.  Below is a photo showing what was done at my adjustment.  My next appointment is January 20th.  She said it will be close enough to my halfway point so they are going to do my x-rays then.  Crazy to think I am already heading towards my halfway point!!  Definitely am very thrilled and amazed with all the progress my teeth have made so far!

8th Month In Top Braces - 2nd Month in Bottom Braces

Sunday, November 23, 2014 - November 18th was my 8th month mark in top braces.   My top teeth have really moved quite a bit and are really starting to finally look straight and are aligning. My bottoms have moved as well.  It has now been 2 months for my bottom braces.  You can see in the photo below how far back the one tooth is, that doesn't have a wire on it, it looks far back away from the others.  My next appointment is Tues. Dec. 2nd.  I should be getting a coil between the two teeth in front of that one tooth, so it will make more room and they can bring that one forward.
My teeth are feeling pretty good right now, but during the month I've had my sore moments.  Last week for 2-3 days my 2 front teeth were very sensitive to anything I drank whether it was cold or room temperature.  Even when I rinsed with my mouth wash my teeth pounded.  They finally eased up and arent feeling as sensitive.  Must have been going through movements and the nerves got tender....not sure.  But glad its not doing that anymore.
My teeth have moved so much that I had to go in a few weeks ago to get my wire trimmed, because it was poking the inside of my cheek so much.  Now its poking me again, but I am just keeping wax on it since I will be going for my next adjustment in about a week and a half.
The extraction gaps are starting to close.  My left side has closed a lot more than my right.  I still have a long ways to go.  But I am feeling more and more confident with my smile each day.  I think I am finally not putting my hand up to my mouth every time I smile or laugh.  Which is a great feeling!  I cannot wait until my next adjustment to change the color of my powerchain/elastics.  I did not like the light green...I think I may stick with pink, since its my favorite color ;).  I will post again in a few weeks to give an update on how my adjustment goes on Dec. 2nd.

Smile in Braces Really Improving!!! :)

Sunday, November 2, 2014  - Braces are really working now.  I can finally smile feeling confident and not hide my mouth.  Really starting to have the straight teeth smile I have always wanted.  Still have a ways to go, but as you see in the photo below, lots of improvement has been made.  I am a happy camper! :)

7th Months with Braces & 5th Adjustment!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 -October 18th was my 7th month mark in braces.  Today I had my 5th adjustment appointment. The assistant took off my elastic bands and then my Ortho came in to take a look.  She was very pleased at how much my snaggle tooth came down.  Which I am too!!  She also was pleased at the movement my bottom teeth have made.  She decided on a thicker wire for my top teeth and a full powerchain to start working on my arch and close the gaps.  She kept the same wire on my bottom braces.  She wants my bottom teeth to straighten out more before she puts a coil between the two teeth to move the back one forward.  She said we should be able to do that on my next appointment.  She said with this powerchain going all the way across, my top teeth are probably going to get pretty sore and that I should take Advil if needed.  So far I have done pretty good after my appointments to not take anything.  I'm not big on taking medicine, so I have to be in a lot of discomfort for me to actually take something for pain.  The assistant put on the new wire on my top braces and then put on the powerchain.  She then put on the elastic bands on my lower braces.  It was a little uncomfortable, but tolerable when she did all this.  I chose a bright lime green for the top and purple for the bottom.  Not too sure if I really like the green, but I have to wear the color for 6 weeks, so I better get used to seeing it.  I am so happy with all my progress so far.  I still cant believe how much my snaggle tooth came down.  I cannot wait until the gaps are closed and I have a full straight smile!!  But for now I am very pleased at how far my teeth have come.  I definitely smile a lot more now without using my hand to hide.  In my photos below I tried to show how much progress was made just from my last adjustment.  You can see the difference of how the wire had to angle up on my snaggle tooth then down and now it is straight across.  Crazy!!  I cannot wait to see how much it changes next time.  My next adjustment is in 6 weeks, December 2nd.

6th Month Mark for Top Braces!

Saturday, September 20, 2014 - As of September 18th it has now been 6 months since I've had my top braces on!!  Those 6 months have gone by pretty fast!!

On Tuesday 9-16-14, I had to stop by the dental office to get my wire trimmed.  It was poking my cheek so bad I would have to wear wax on it at all times even while I ate.  Which I would end up eating the wax off in the process... yuck.  When I went back to get the wire cut one of the assistants came up to me asking me what the name of my blog was.  I was surprised she remembered I was the one with the blog.  I told her and she looked it up and found it.  She said the other day she was trying to find it to show someone.  That made me feel great that someone was using my blog to help someone else.  Makes it even more worth doing this blog! :)  Once they clipped my wire I felt like a new person!  Crazy how something so small like clipping a wire makes you feel sooooo much better.  No more eating wax for awhile ;).

The updated changes I have made in my 6 months of having braces:

Eating
I still cut everything up with a fork and knife that I eat.  Because of so much movement and the on and off soreness of my front teeth, I don't ever try to bite through food using my front teeth.  Since I got the bottom braces on it seems to be a little more difficult to chew.  I tend to bite the inside of my cheeks as I am trying to eat my food.  Not sure if its just my mouth trying to get used to all the braces on the top and bottom now or the teeth moving and placing my bite in weird ways.  I still stay away from hard and sticky foods.  Now that I have bottom braces, food gets trapped all in my braces.  Still thankful for my water pik!!  I use that immediately after eating to get all the food out.  If I'm at work then I make sure to swish water around as much as possible to get all the food particles out.  Brushing alone does not do the trick.


Brushing & Flossing

Since my bottom braces were put on last month it takes even longer now to floss.  I have to use the floss threader for all my bottom teeth because they are so crooked and tight.   On my top teeth I have new gaps in places that used to be tight and I still have really tight places on the bottom teeth that make it difficult to floss.  But, I still manage to get the floss through!  I still do my same routine of brushing with my electric toothbrush, then using the small spiral brush to brush under the wires, then flossing using my threaders to help get under the wires and then using the water pik.  I also, still rinse my mouth in the mornings with ACT for braces and then Listerine at night.


Sleeping
I still tend to clench my teeth at night while sleeping.  When I wake up my teeth will feel a little sore.  Also, since I got the bottom braces, I end of clenching my teeth on the inside of my cheeks and wake up with those sore as well. 

Movement of teeth

My top teeth are moving along.  I have a long ways to go, but so far there has been drastic changes!  For one, my front tooth that was turned almost sideways has completely turned in the right direction.  My "snaggle tooth" is already working it's way down which that tooth has only been in a wire for a week and a half.  I have gaps going on right now because of all the movement going on, but I am so happy to be seeing progress.  I haven't noticed much change in my bottom teeth.  But they are very tight and crooked and it's only been a little over a week.  I'm sure on my next appointment they will do adjustments to help separate my teeth, so more movement can take place.

Peoples reactions of me having braces

I still get positive reactions from people.  I haven't had any negative comments or looks from anyone.  I have great support from friends and family.  Since I started this blog I've had people tell me how much its helped them.  I love seeing how many people have viewed the blog, because it shows me that I may be helping others through their journey or the decision on getting adult braces.

Below are photos showing the changes in the last 6 months:

left photo (6 weeks) right photo (6 months) Upper arch comparison

4th Braces Adjustment and bottom braces put on!!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 - What a day!!  Work at 6am and then left early for my 11:00am cleaning appointment.  This was my first cleaning since I got braces put on.  I purposely scheduled my cleaning appointment on a Tuesday because I knew that my Ortho would be there that day. Just in case they needed to remove the wire for the cleaning.  She also had made my 4th adjustment appointment for 1:00pm today as well.

An assistant came in and took off my wire and coil.  As she was taking it off she said that it looked like I may have enough room to start on lowering that tooth (my snaggle tooth).  I said I sure hope so ;).   Then the dental asst started to polish my teeth.  She used a smaller brush for my top teeth since the brackets were on those.  Then a bigger rubber brush for the bottoms.  The Hygenist then continued with the rest of the cleaning which overall wasnt too painful.  I have a few teeth that are sensitive, but they were careful around the ones I pointed out.  I let the hygienist know not to do the fluoride because they were bonding my lower teeth today.  So she said she will give it to my Ortho so they can put it on after that appointment.  Once I was done which was about an hour later, I went back to the waiting room to wait for my Ortho appointment.

Surprisingly I was called back 30 minutes early which was great!  The assistant asked me what color bands I wanted which I chose a pale pink.  The Ortho came in to take a look.  She said that it looked like I have enough room to put the wire on my tooth and start bringing it down.  I was soooo ecstatic inside.  I cannot wait until this tooth is aligned with the rest and is no longer sticking out!  I asked about the tooth she had mentioned about getting extracted.  She said they are going to go ahead and hold off on that and see how well my teeth do and hopefully we wont have to extract it.  But there is still a chance later I might.  She said that they would be using a thinner flexible wire so my teeth will be moving around a lot while my tooth is coming down.  She said during this period some teeth may move forward and look off but it is normal.  She also said that my tooth will be pretty sore.  Which its now been 3 hours since I left my appointment and my front teeth are starting to feel the tenderness.  She also said that we can still put the bottom braces on which I was very happy about as well.  The assistant put a mouth expander in my mouth to help keep my lips away from my teeth.  She then blew air on my teeth to dry them.  She then put a conditioner on my lower teeth and started the gluing and placing of the brackets.  My Ortho then came in to take a look and make any adjustments needed for the bracket placements.  Once she was done the assistant put a light on each tooth to set the glue and brackets.  Once she was done she put the wire on my lower teeth.  They didn't put it on my back molar because they are going to wait until my teeth start straightening out.  She also left the wire off one of my front lower teeth because it was too far back.  My Ortho said that later they would put a coil on it to widen the space and bring that tooth forward.  After she put the bottom wire on she started with the top.  They did figure eights on both sides of my back teeth.  I felt the usual slight discomfort pressure while the wire and elastics were put on but not too bad.  My Ortho came back in to see how everything looked.  She decided to put a wire tie on to make sure the wire stayed on my tooth that has turned in.  She also had me make sure none of the wires were poking and fixed one that was.  The assistant then put the fluoride on my teeth and my appointment was done, leaving at 2:00pm.  Wooo what a day!  But it's going to be worth it! :)

I scheduled my next appointment which is in 6 weeks.  Once I got home I realized that one of my wires on my bottom braces is now poking me.  I put wax on it, which helped.  If it doesn't get better then I will go next Tues,. when they are at my dental office and have them clip it.  Below are the progress photos.

Bottom Braces Day 1

5th Month Update with Braces

Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - As of August 18th it has now been 5 months since I've had my top braces on.  I think my teeth are definitely getting used to them, because after each appointment the soreness doesn't last as long and my teeth aren't as tender.

The extraction gaps seem to be getting smaller.  I really can't tell if the gap needed to open has widened any more since they put the clamp on my last adjustment.  I think it has some, but then at times it looks no different.  But, from the photos below you can really see a big difference in both my extraction gaps and the gap behind my snaggle tooth since May.  WOW!  That makes me happy ;).   Maybe my next appointment when I get my bottom brackets on she will be able to tell and see if I need another clamp or if I can finally get the wire on that snaggle tooth.  Fingers crossed it will be opened enough ;).

I still brush my teeth the same.  My front teeth have gotten a lot tighter again to floss and sometimes the floss gets stuck.  It also has gotten a lot easier flossing my back molars.  I think they aren't as tight as they used to be.  The floss hasn't been getting caught or snagged lately.  I still use my water pick all the time.  That thing is a definite must for anyone with braces!! 

Below are updated photos showing the progress from month 1 to 5.  I also included the side by side photos showing the upper arch gaps taken in May and today.  Again, not the prettiest photos and sorry for the scary teeth.  But, if my photos and experience helps someone else going through braces, that's all that matters.  Plus I like looking back at my own experience and seeing how far my teeth have come since day one.

Just 2 and 1/2 weeks to go for my bottom brackets to be put on and that journey begins to straighten those teeth.  I will update and post photos of that day as well, 9-9-14.

Right Side View - 5 Months

Left Side View - 5 Months

Front View - 5 Months

Progress photos Month 1 to 5 Months

3rd Braces Adjustment

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - Today was my 3rd adjustment appointment.   The assistant took off my powerchains and looked at the progress of my movement.  She was hoping to see a bigger gap and was surprised there wasn't......me too.  She thought for sure the space would have opened up more.  But that's one of the bummers of being an adult in braces versus a child, your teeth don't move as fast.  Of course mine wants to move like a turtle crossing the street on a busy day. Go figure :/.   My ortho came in to take a look.  She was still pleased at the movement even though I'm impatient and wished it was enough to finally start on this snaggle tooth.  But, since it wasn't enough movement she decided to have a crimp put on the coil to reactivate it and leave the same wire on.  She also said to not leave a loop on the powerchain between my left side extraction area.  The assistant suggested to leave one loop on the right side since it was a bigger gap and last time I had 2 loops between the teeth.  My ortho agreed and the assistant put on the crimp and the new powerchians.  Which I chose purple this time.  It was a little uncomfortable but not bad at all.  My teeth aren't too sore right now.  Funny how I really want them to be sore tomorrow so I know they are moving again....hopefully much more this time.  ;)

I also asked about getting my bottom braces started at my next cleaning appointment which is scheduled September 9th since it will be my 6th month mark of having braces.  She said that we could, which I'm very excited about!  Now hopefully the next 4 weeks go by fast!  One thing I am nervous about, is that my back molar is very sensitive where I have a filling on the front side of my tooth..... Right where the bracket will go.   I'm hoping it wont be unbearable when they put braces on that tooth.  I know it hurts when I get my cleaning....ugghhh fingers crossed it wont be that bad. 

Below is a photo showing the progress made so far at each adjustment.  You can see the gap did get a little bigger behind my snaggle tooth, because you can see more space beside my front tooth.  But it's not quite enough yet.....  My next update will be on the 18th, my 5 month progress.  Can't believe next month it will already be 6 months since I got braces!!!  Crazy!

4th Month Update with Braces

Sunday, July 20, 2014

As of July 18th it has now been 4 months since I got braces. This month they are working on making space for my snaggle tooth that sticks out so it can come down into place.  I have seen some difference in that area.  I just hope at my next appointment it will be enough for them to finally put a wire on that tooth and work on it to go into place.  My teeth aren't too sore now.  Some days my molars are a little tender and other days my front teeth are from the movements.  But not bad at all.  I have been able to eat pretty much what I want without it hurting.  Of course I still stay away from the hard crunchy and gummy foods I'm not supposed to eat.  I also still cut up everything with a knife and fork.  Sometimes my teeth feel a little loose and it freaks me out to try to take a bite with my front teeth, so I stick to cutting up my food into smaller pieces.  My next appointment is set on Aug. 12th.  I am hoping I get the answer I want when I ask if she will put my bottom brackets on the next appointment in Sept since it will then be 6 months that I've had braces.  Hopefully she will say yes! So ready to get started on those bottom teeth!!  Below is an updated photo showing the changes from day one to 4 months.  I can see a difference between the 2 teeth surrounding my "snaggle" tooth from last months photo.  There is even a small gap there.  Crossing fingers its making enough room for my next appointment! ;)

Front View - 4 Months

Right Side View - 4 Months

Left Side View - 4 Months

Progress photos Day 1 to 4 Months

2nd Braces Adjustment

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - Today was my 2nd adjustment appointment.   The assistant took off my elastics and my Ortho came in to take a look.  She was very pleased at how much my front tooth had straightened out.  She decided to stick with the same wire I had on.  She explained to me that I will be getting a coil put on between my front tooth and canine tooth and a power chain going from my far front tooth back to my molar and on the other side a power chain on my canine tooth back to the other side molar. (see pictures below, they clearly can show you better than I can explain ;)).   She said this will help open the gap between my front tooth and canine tooth so we can finally start working on bringing that one (snaggle) tooth down.  The assistant took off my wire and started to work on the coil...ouch!!  The pressure actually made me cringe.  She asked if I was hurting and I said yes but its ok for her to do what she had to do.  She realized it was a lot of pressure and relieved some.  As she continued working on the coil and placing the wire back in it was uncomfortable but tolerable.  She then put on the powerchains which this time I chose a pretty blue color.  She told me she couldn't wait to see me on my next appointment to see how much difference it will be, which I said me too!!  She gave me some more wax just in case I needed it.  I had asked for some because the wax I bought from CVS just didn't seem to stick as well as the one they provide. 

I made my next appointment for Tuesday, August 12th and it cant get here soon enough.  As I was making my appointment, the assistant who was there at my consultation was setting up my appointment and couldn't believe how much my front tooth straightened out.  She said she was so happy for me, because she knew how much I wanted braces.  I have to say being someone who has always been terrified of the dentist office, this is the first dentist office I actually enjoy going to, because everyone is so friendly and welcoming.  They actually remember who you are personally.  Even though my hands still clam up before each appointment they always make me feel at ease. 

My front tooth is a little throbby, but I don't mind, because when my teeth are sore I know there is movement happening.  I'm sure I will be more sore tomorrow and of course I have a pot luck at work on Thursday and probably wont be able to chew that well.  That's ok it will all be worth it in the end!  Below are the pictures to show you exactly the difference of what was done at this appointment from my last.  As always, the pictures are not the prettiest, but I want people to be able to see exactly what is happening and the progress being made.

3rd Month Update with Braces

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

It has now been 3 months since I got braces.  I'm getting pretty used to them and sometimes I forget I even have them.  Since my last adjustment I really can't tell much of a difference.  Probably because they are focusing on trying to close my extraction gaps.  Which seems like its going to be a very long & slow process.  Only way I do know that my teeth have been moving is that the wires are now poking the back of my cheeks.  I had to buy more wax, because I constantly put it on those last brackets with the wire poking on each side daily.  My Ortho told me at my last adjustment that in about 3 weeks I may want to come in to get them cut. This is now my forth week, but I think I can handle it with the wax for now.  If it gets worse before my next appointment on July 1st then I think I might make a trip there to get them cut.
I still eat everything with a fork and knife. I went to the movies this past weekend and was soooo tempted to eat popcorn.  But I envisioned the pieces getting stuck in between my bands and I knew it would not be worth it, so I did without.  Good thing because when we got home my husband was complaining he had a piece stuck in between his teeth having a hard time getting it out, reminding me I made the right choice.
I finally got a technique down to floss in between my bands on my back molars without the floss shredding.  I also found ACT mouth rinse for braces!!  Awesome!   I usually use Listerine at night and the ACT in the mornings.  I like to still use Listerine because it fights gingivitis and that is definitely something I want to avoid with braces or ever.
I am posting updated photos below.  Like I said there isn't much of a difference that I can really see but it's hard to tell in the extraction gap areas.
My next adjustment is July 1st, I will update again then.

Front view - 3 Months

Left side view - 3 Months

Left side view - 3 Months

Progress photos Day 1 to 3 Months

Extraction Gap 1 month progress photos

Braces Update - The Adjusting Week of Agony With Molar Bands, Thicker Wire & Power Chains

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 -

Eating - Today I am finally able to chew without being in total agony!!  All the way up until Sunday my molars were so sore that I couldn't even chew really soft bread without being in pain.  I mainly ate, soup, ice cream, mashed potatoes & very soft mac n cheese.  The first few days even my front teeth were sore to touch.  But today I was able to eat normal without being in total discomfort.  I am also able to touch my bottom and top teeth together without getting a jolt of pain. 

Inside Cheeks - The first few days, the back of the inside of my cheeks were getting torn up by the molar bands and brackets, so I had to keep putting wax on the far back brackets, which helped a lot!  It is still a little sore on my left side cheek, but now I try not to put wax on it as long as I can, so my cheeks can toughen up and get used to it. 

Tongue - I am obsessed with feeling my teeth with my tongue, but I now get my tongue snagged between my wire and power chains when I do....ouchh!  Of course I still do it without thinking.  But, I like doing it to see if I feel a difference in gaps or straightening in my teeth.  But yea -ouch-, it does not feel good when the tongue gets cut up from doing so...maybe I will learn not too.... ;)

Flossing - Flossing my teeth has been quite a challenge.  My mouth is small and trying to get the threader with the floss in between the wire and power chains in my far back molars drives me crazy.  Once I do get it through and ready to floss it somehow snags on the brackets or stuck and I have to pull it back out and start all over again.  I'm sure the more I do it, the more I will get used to it or come up with a technique....just haven't mastered it quite yet.  But, I do have to say I LOVE my water pick. Not sure how I would survive getting all the junk out that gets stuck in the braces without it.  Brushing and flossing alone just does not do the trick!

Gaps - I haven't seen much of a difference in my extraction gaps.  I'm sure this is going to be a long process to close them.  I will wait until my 3 months on 6/18/14 to post a before and after pic so we can see if there really has been any movement towards closing them at that time.

1st Adjustment Con't. - Power Chains, Bands & Thicker Wire!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - Today was my continuation of my1st adjustment appointment.   As you read before, at my original 1st adjustment appointment they realized I needed bands so I had to get spacers put in and come back in 2 weeks.  So today was the day to get my full 1st adjustment made.  The assistant took off my elastics and wire, which like last time was a little pressure but not painful.  She also took out my spacers which didn't bother me at all either.  She then started to put the bands around my molars that needed them.  The first one went in fine but the one around my crown wasn't fitting properly so she had to try 2 other bands until she found the right one that fit.  The band on my opposite side molar went on easy as well.  The orthodontist came in to take out the bands, cement them and place them back in.  It wasn't too bad, just a little pressure when they pushed on them and I had to bite down to secure the bands around my molars.  The assistant then put a blue light on each band to seal the bands to the cement.  Once she was done she let me rinse my mouth...the cement taste wasn't too pleasant.  She then started to put on the thicker wire.  This part is always a lot of pressure but this time my front teeth actually hurt as she was tightening and putting the wire on.  She then put on the elastics and power chains on which were a lot of pressure as well and somewhat uncomfortable.  I chose a dark pink for the elastics and power chains.  Once she was done I made my appointment to come back in 6 weeks. My next appointment is set for July 1, 2014.  When I got to the car and looked in the mirror I couldn't believe I already have a gap straight down between my 2 front teeth.  WOW!!!  That's probably where all the discomfort was coming from, it's already pulling them!  Makes it even more worth it seeing that it's already working.  My husband couldn't believe it either!  I am posting photos below.  The before pics are ones I took right before my appointment and the after ones are of course showing what I just got done today.  You can see the difference in the photos already of the gap that has been made.  :)

2nd Month Update With Braces

Monday, April 19, 2014

It's now been 2 months since I got braces.  I am getting a lot more used to eating and my brushing/flossing routine than before, although after tomorrow it is going to change some.  During these 1st 2 months Ive only had the wire going across the front six teeth due to getting extractions and spacers.  So brushing and flossing my teeth have only been a challenge on those teeth.  After tomorrow I will not only have the brackets and a thicker wire going across all my top teeth, I will also have bands put in and power chains to close the extraction areas.  I am sure this is going to be painful and make it more difficult to eat and brush/floss my teeth than before.  But I am sure I will get used to it and I have to keep remembering it will all be worth it in the end.  I am posting my 2 month photos below.  Sorry for the not so pretty teeth pics, but they are a work in progress.  I can really see that my one front tooth that was turned almost sideways has straightened out quite a bit. You can also see a small space between my front two teeth.   I cant wait until my "snaggle" tooth finally gets a wire on it and can start coming down into place.  Not sure when that will take place though.  My appointment is tomorrow at 2:00pm.  I will post pics showing the difference before my appointment to after.  This way I can show you exactly what they did differently.

Front View - 2 Months

Left Side View - 2 Months

Right Side View - 2 Months

Progress photos Day 1 to 2 Months