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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
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...
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.
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.
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