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!!
