Braces off.

Braces off, and in retainers.  I thought I'd be able to keep up with my treatment, but i was wrong. Anyway..  They came off Sept 4.  So relieved to be braces free.

Things I've learned about my retainers?  Retainer Brite is a godsend.  Get some if you can.

It's been a long journey, but I will no longer update this blog.

I don't regret it for a minute, and best to all of you brace faces out there.  If you're thinking about orthodontic treatment, do it.  It's the best thing you can do for your smile, your confidence, and your health.

Squeaker Beak....Out.

Unexplained Hiatus....Explained.

I've been away. Without planning it, really.

I had 3 archwire breaks in January. I saw both Orthodontists at the practice about it. Neither of them could offer an explanation. After the third break, they decided that the type of wire they were attempting to use just wasn't cutting it. Dr. K opted to use a heat activated wire instead, which proved to be sturdier for my shifting teeth. My February adjustment was moved to March at that point, and basically nothing else has changed since January.

This brings me to my third adjustment appointment. Yesterday.

Dr. P decided to keep my lower wire the same, because they want those teeth to "level out" before they really get to work on the top. My fab snaggle tooth is quickly falling into place, but the mid-line is still a bit off.

I also experienced a "slenderizing" on my lower teeth. If you're not familiar with this sadistic procedure, they basically take a dental style emery board and file the teeth. Apparently my lower incisors needed a few millimeters of space to move into their places like little enamel soldiers.

I got a new wire on top, and it's painful. You'd think my shaved teeth would be the ones screaming bloody terror. Nah, it's the top. They're being forced to move, and they're complaining like mad. It hurts to chew even the softest foods, so for lunch today, I had a Smoothie and some quiche. Neither of which require a lot of mastication. (Love that word).

I also got a new camera, so once I get accustomed to its settings, I'll post another progress photo, even though the changes are barely visible, except for a brand new gap between a couple of teeth on the top.

More fun with Archwires....

Again, tonight, the lower archwire popped and broke. This time, I know how it happened, and I don't know if there's anything that can be done about it.

I was clenching my jaw, and grinding my teeth, and I didn't realize that's what I was doing until I heard the pop, and then I felt around. Yes, I broke ANOTHER archwire.

This makes me feel like an irresponsible teenager, and I feel like crap about it.

New Update!

I realize that it's been a while since I've updated. The holidays and work have kept me fairly busy. I accidentally ate a piece of chocolate that had caramel in it... you never know what's in those assorted chocolates....Ugh the holidays! Fortunately, nothing happened!

I have had an adjustment and a cleaning since my last entry, and everything looked good.....

That is until today! I broke an archwire... How? I have NO idea.

This morning I noticed that my lower lip was starting to get rubbed, and I assumed that it was just my brackets rubbing in a new way, so I didn't check. Tonight, it started getting really bad, so I put wax on it. When brushing my teeth before bed, I noticed that the wire was in fact cleanly broken.

My lower teeth have a lot of moving, and it broke between 2 teeth that have been extremely loose for the last month or so. I'm hoping it was just a pressure issue....


Hooray for minor repairs.....Calling the Orthodontist in the morning, and hoping that I can get an appointment ASAP.

Ouch!

All I have to say today is....OUCH.

I cut my tongue on my brackets, and new irritation causing me to need wax.

In the end...these minor irritations will make it all worth it!

First Adjustment...or A Tale of Twin Archwires

My first adjustment appointment was today. It went fairly well. Aside from the fact that they had to readjust my plan when they saw what my teeth had done. I was supposed to have a coil placed on top, but for some reason I wasn't able to. I believe that my upper canine moved more than they had anticipated. I ended up instead with a double archwire on top. No changes yet to the lower teeth at this time. Apparently the lower canines need some more rotation before I can have a new wire, otherwise I'll be popping brackets.

So, here's my new brace face. No white ligatures, only wire ties right now. I'm guessing that those tiny rubber bands, which were a heinous shade of yellow when they came off weren't tight enough to hold the twin wire in place.


I also got a pat on the back for my Oral care. I showed off my "Wonder Woman Dental Care Kit" that I carry with me all the time. I'll give you the details on my ultra personalized home grown version of the over priced Denta-Kit later in the week.

Adjustment on Monday!

My first adjustment appointment is Monday. Finally! I've been looking forward to this since I got my braces! It's crazy, right?

Looking back at my first photos, I can see visible progress. The changes are small, but I expected that. My teeth have a lot of moving to do.