1 Month Away From My 1 Year Anniversary In Braces

  What a journey it has been. One month away from having my braces on for 12 months. It flew by! I remember, getting them on, the day after my daughter's birthday, last year. I was just going in for a consult. I had been there, before, and just wanted to see what the plan way. Also, they had a special for Mothers Day ( moms only) to get free X-rays and molds. So, I did them, that day. I checked out the plan, and told them I was going to pay everything up front. I was so excited, to finally be getting my braces put back on! My ortho had me sit in the waiting room, for a few minutes. He then came out and said, " do you want your braces, today...now?!" I was so excited, I wanted to cry!

  So, they put them on, that day! That is exactly who I am, too! I hate waiting...they could tell I was excited, so, they wanted to make me happy. They are really amazing. The whole staff is awesome!

  I haven't really had any issues with my braces. No brackets popped off, no wires broke. But, since the spaces have closed, my bottom left pointy tooth, has been causing me pain. It started the night before Christmas Eve. The pain was sharp and unbearable. I can tolerate pain very well, but this particular tooth was like no other pain, ever! Worse than pushing out a baby on unmedicated. I went and got X-rays, the tooth was fine. I got pain meds. The pain went away, but no answer. I got more X-rays, the other day (since it still hurts) and MY dentist says my tooth is on an angle and it is being stubborn. The root, gums surrounding and bone is perfect. So, just wait.

   I have been wearing a power chain on top and bottom, to close spaces, for many months. My top teeth are pretty much closed. My bottoms still have maybe 2 half spaces that need closing. The bottoms are being more stubborn, than top. They look really great, now!

   When I began treatment, I had my top right pointy tooth, that was basically twisted. It is straight, now! That was due to an ortho, who was clueless. He also removed a middle incisor, on the bottom, when I was 15, to make more room. He was stupid, IMO! If anyone in the N. central MA area wants his name, I will be happy to give it to you.

   My smile still has months to go. I still have an overbite. Not as much, but it needs more tweeting. Also, retainers.... I'm getting a pic of Velvet on it. She is my horse, I sold, but love to death! I will be wearing my retainers, all the time! For now, that's it!

So Happy To SMILE!!! 11 Months

I am so excited to have chosen my braces!!! For anyone who is thinking about then, and is an adult, I haven't been self conscious, yet! I am going to be 33, and really care about my appearance. I work with students and parents, everyday. Since getting braces, my confidence level has gone from a 30 to a 100! And, still, I have a ways to go.

I am on my 11th week. I got them on, at the beginning of May 2013. Through the whole process, I have lost 30 lbs. Before, I would look down, when talking to someone. But, now I look them in the eyes and don't mind talking to people. even though I still have braces, they have given me lots of confidence. I smile a lot; I can't stop looking in the mirror ( my teeth are now straight); I eat healthier and I make sure to care for my teeth, the way I am suppose to.

All my good pics, of my teeth are on my ipad, so, I don't have any close ups. But, I will put together a compilation video, when my treatment is finished. I feel like I have a new lease on life! I got a new job. I am going back to college, to become a photographer. My second dream job. 

Power BABY!

Got my braces tightened, yesterday. Since my kids are out of school, for the Summer, I had to take them.

 First I went to the orthodontist to get my wire off. Then, I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. The trip was 40 minutes. Dentist told me, I was an hour late. I got the time mixed up. She gave me a huge attitude.  It was all my fault, and I admitted that. Anyway...I drove back to my Ortho, to get my wires put back on ( another 40 minute trip).

It was my check up day, the assistant told me. Ortho checked my progress. My right top fang tooth still needs to rotate. But, my bottom teeth, just need the spaces closed, now. And, a new top wire, until that tooth rotates.

I got a thicker top wire. A wire ligature, on my top right fang. They put soooo much pressure on it, it felt like it was going to come out! On the bottom, a thinker wire and a power chain!!! Yay green power chain. Pink elastics. 

 

These babies hurt so bad, today!!!!

Braces Update ~ 3rd Adjustment~ July 2013

My smile is looking good! I am definitely noticing a huge difference! 

First, let me talk about that twisted tooth, on the right side of my mouth. This adjustment, they want it ti turn- and soon, so, they added another metal lig. This time, they REALLY made sure to twist the wire lig., good! So that it untwists the tooth, and makes it straight. It was extremely painful, getting that done. After, for two days. But, I liked the pain! I know, my teeth will be amazing, after!

They kept my archwire, on the top. Gave me a thicker one, on the bottom. They are really crooked, down there,lol. So many spaces. The next day,after getting this adj., my bite was off. Before, the top teeth were going pretty good, with the bottom. But now, my bite is so awkward. I have to put a wad of wax in, at night, so I don't bite my cheek.

My two front teeth have no more space! The last time that happened, I was in braces, as a teen! They look so amazing, now. This is really bad, but, I will be driving down the road, looking at my teeth, most of the time! I can't stop looking. I live in the country, so there isn't traffic. My longtime boyfriend thinks I'm being self absorbed, because, I'm looking in the mirror, so much. He doesn't understand that I am going through a transformation. On that I have wanted,forever! Not many people will get that. I am very far from self absorbed and selfish..

My daughters wanted me to get rainbow bands- so, I did! I like them! And I have been taking good care of my teeth! I brush in the a.m., after eating. I get out the particles, with a food pic, first. After lunch, food pic, brush, then mouthwash. After dinner, food pic, floss, brush, mouthwash. I brush with this Oral-B electric toothbrush, with orthodontic head. My ortho gave it to me. It comes with this smart timer, that reads how long you are brushing for. The toothbrush sends a signal to the timer. But, I usual brush between 2-3 minutes,3 times a day. Floss, once a day. My teeth look amazing! This is the healthiest they have been! So, especially with braces, you have to be diligent, about caring for your teeth.

Twist And Shout

I went to get my braces tightened, today. This is my second time getting them tightened. As you can see, I have rainbow bands. :) My daughter wanted me to get them. Not my style, but, I wanted to make her happy.

 So, on my upper, right side ( your left) I have a tooth that grew in twisted. It was like someone took my tooth, with their fingers, and literally turned it 45 degrees. So, last month and today, I got what is called a, "cuspet." It is a thin wire, twisted around the bracket, then, twisted, more, to make my tooth face it's normal direction. Last month, it worked, and the tooth, gradually moved. But, not enough. This time, after the ortho looking at the twisted tooth, he wanted the cuspet on,again, and more extensive.

 So, the assistant, got moving, and first did the cuspet. She pushed down on my tooth so much, I wanted to shout, so loud! It hurt so much!!!!! And, the pressure and pain, lasted for minutes. OUCH!!!! After, she twisted the small wire towards the back of my teeth,to straighten it out. But, it hurts, even, now!

Then,  she put the wire in the top. A new wire in bottom. A thicker wire. Right now, my twisted tooth is in a lot of pain. All my teeth feel a lot straighter, because of the adjustment. I expect it will hurt, in the coming days and weeks.

2 Months With Braces- The Good, The Bad and The Ouchie!

     I am actually almost into my 2nd month with my braces. I got them on at the beginning of May. This, is what, June 20th?? Yeah, so, about 2 months.

     I already had them tightened, once, a few weeks ago. But, before I got them tightened, I was eating pizza, for dinner, one night. I bit into it, the way I used to ( putting the pizza in my mouth, between my top and bottom inscisors.) then, I bit down. I felt my two middle, bottom inscisors move! I freaked out! 

  

     My teeth were in pain, so I called my ortho, first thing in the morning. He had me come in, that day, and checked the tooth that moved. They assured me teeth are constantly moving (which I knew), and careful what I eat. Cut up the pizza, next time. I should have known better. Lesson learned.

So, while I was there, I got my wires tightened. I was very excited about that! Nothing special, except this fang tooth, I have, grew in twisted. Instead of an elastic ligature, they put on a wire one, and twisted the wire, a bunch, to pull my tooth to it's normal position.

Then, I got silver elastic ligatures. I like silver, because it blends in well with the braces. This time I will get some color.

A few days went by, and my 3-year-old knocked her head into my tooth! Now, I have a huge fear of loosing my teeth, from a freak accident. When she did that, my tooth felt like it was going to come out. I felt like I needed X-rays! It didn't feel like the tooth adjacent to it. So, I called my ortho. Mary ( the secretary) is a sweetheart. She must have thought I was nuts! My second call, in a matter of days.

She said it was probably my teeth moving. But, My tooth felt weird, even when breathing. So, after having the ortho call me back, I decided to wait it out, then, if it didn't get better, I would call. They were going to open their office, after hours, for me, so I could have some X-rays. I didn't want them to go through all that. Guess what... It's all better.

Now, I've been seeing my teeth rounding out, nicely! My bite is getting much better. It feels strange, to bite down, and your bite is moving on you. I have jagged edges poking where they weren't, before. My molars are lining up, but biting down, it's a strange feeling. Like jelly. From the constant movement.

I like to look at my teeth in the mirror. The change that's happening is really cool! My smile already looks better! Having the braces gives me confidence, actually! I do not feel awkward with them on. I still talk to people the way I used to, with them, off. ( I hear a lot of people saying they feel socially awkward with their braces on.)

I have lost 20 pounds, in 2 months, with braces! I am eating much healthier foods. I am also wanting to look great, when I get my braces off. I only eat soft foods and the portion sizes are small. No sodas, wines, no smoking, no artificial foods. I am feeling great!

Keep you updated on next month!

Bands On

Yesterday I got my separators removed and my bands put on. Oh, that hurt!

First, they took out the blue separators, in my back molors. They were there, to make space for the bands. I was glad to have them out. My lower right molar was really achy, from moving around.

   I then had to get measured for my bands. This process was painful. Taking a metal band, to fit around your molar, then shoving it way down, onto the gums. The band, is so the arch wire locks into place. 

They found the right sized one. Then placed it on my already painful, moving teeth. I used what they call a, "bite stick," to bite the band way down onto my molar. Ouch!!! But, it didn't hurt throughout the day, like or I really didn't have to get used to them, over the next couple days. Except, for the foreign feeling on my tounge, from the inside of the band.

Other than that- they put the same arch wire back in, and I got aqua elastic color bands, because I was going to Florida.