Expander...now a bite plate too!

Okay, so I went back to the Ortho Monday to get brackets put on my bottom back molars. They put them on, re-wired and everything was great. Then, they decided to grind off and move the "built"up bite plates that were on the second molars, because they weren't of much use where they were. After the attempt to "build up" new ones...twice, they filed them back off and decided that a "built up" bite plate on my teeth just wouldn't work with my bite and I needed a removable bite plate to keep from knocking off brackets!

I already of an expander, how in the world do they expect to fit a bite plate in there too!!! I go back Monday, guess I'll find out then...wish me luck!

Hopefully it won't be as bad as I'm imagining...

I'm just now getting around to putting some pictures on here since my last appointment. I'm so excited to see the changes! Can't believe it is happening so fast.

I go back just after Christmas to get brackets put on the back teeth on bottom. Hopefully during the visit after that they'll take out my expander.

First adjustment...

Well, so, I went back to the ortho today and all they did was change my bottom wire from a 12 to a 14. I go back in six weeks and they are going to put a bracket on the very back bottom molars to help form my bottom arch better. I'll post pictures of my progress soon.

Turn no more!!!

Well, I had a visit with the Ortho today...I DON'T HAVE TO TURN MY EXPANDER ANYMORE!!!

They were supposed to change my wires but decided to wait another four weeks because of sensitivity on my lower ones. Possibly in three months or so they'll take out the expander. All in all a good visit!

They're moving!!!

Here's a picture of my lowers after 6 weeks. Considerable change on front teeth when you compare it to the "3 week" pictures.

Movement!!!!

It really amazes me at what can happen in just 6 weeks with braces! I haven't paid much attention to teeth movement since I took the last pictures 3 weeks ago.

I can't believe it but the front bottom teeth have finally started forming an arch!!! They said I would start to notice and arch forming but acted like it would take much longer. I've been really paranoid about having braces at my age but seeing improvement like this really helps make me more confident in having them for another 29 months!!!

2nd molar build-up to break!

So...I had to go back to the ortho today for an "emergency" appointment so they could make another molar build-up/bite plane (whatever you want to call it). This is the second one I've broke in the middle of the night! Told them from the beginning this wouldn't work because I grind my teeth at night so bad...and yes they both broke in the middle of the night...go figure. So frustrating!

Atleast they made this one smaller though so that's a plus! If all goes well next appointment October 15th.

The journey begins...

Okay, so here I am, 26 years old and have decided to take the scary leap of getting braces. I know I've needed them since I was a kid but never had the opportunity. Parents were broke, didn’t have insurance, and so on…I was pretty leery of the entire process being my age, the job I'm in and being self conscious of my appearance already, especially my smile. Oh, and the money! I never realized how much this process cost!

July 22, 2009 – Initial consultation
- had xrays, molds/impression, wax bite, etc…

Here’s what the ortho said was going on:
- Lower arch is constricted.
- Upper teeth and lower teeth overlap excessively.
- Bilateral crossbite present.
- History of TMD with bilateral crepitus at the exam and bilateral condylar changes.
- Lower arch: Space available for lower teeth is insufficient. Crowding with over eruption of mandible incisors.
- Upper arch: Space available for upper teeth is insufficient. Crowding in the maxillary first molar area.

Blah, blah, blah...
I know what some of this means but other parts...
well...I'm not really sure.

Main problem: Severe mandibular crowding creating crossbites.


Photos from initial consult (ignore markings, the treatment coordinator was just trying to show me what would be going on with the spacers and RPE).




Recommended treatment:
- Place maxillary palatal expander to upper first molars.
- Bands on 19 & 30 with .045 nano tubes with .045 archwires.

I'LL ADD MORE DETAILS HERE LATER...


Treatment begins...

August 17, 2009 - Upper spacers. Not too bad. A little discomfort at first but it went away within a couple of days.

August 24, 2009 - Lower spacers and fitting for non-surgical RPE. Not any worse than upper spacers. Fitting the brackets for the RPE was very uncomfortable, felt like the metal was cutting into my gums. At this point I was really starting to wonder what in the hell I had gotten myself in to.

August 31, 2009 – Full braces. Ceramic upper and metal lower braces plus non-surgical RPE (which they turned once while I was in the office). Plus, molar build-ups on bottom. At this point I couldn't believe I had went through with it. By the time I walked out of the ortho's office, made it to my car and got off the phone with my husband, I was almost in tears and ready to go back in to tell them to take everything off. My mouth was pretty sore this day and the next. On the third day I had to turn the RPE. Never felt such pain and discomfort...luckily all the turns after that haven't been so bad. I’ve been turned once every other day.

Photos after 3 weeks (no noticeable change in pictures, although I can tell some difference in spacing when flossing).



September 17th, 2009 - Follow up. They removed some additional wires that were on my RPE, reattached archwire on bottom (it had popped loose from the bracket on one side) and turned RPE. Next appointment October 15th.