Another month done, another month to go

I'm approaching month 15!! If all goes well, I have 5 more months to go. Not much to report really but this phase of braces takes patience. Wait, wait, wait. I found a photo from the day I got braces- talk about progress.

Month 15

Day 1

I want my mouth back!

14 months in, 6ish more months to go! I had my braces adjusted today. Today was the first  time orthodontist says, " I'd take Advil tonight if I were you". He wasn't kidding, feels like a golf ball hit my bottom teeth. And, something about braces, my lips stay swollen for a week after adjustments. Why? 

 My bottom wire was reshaped today to help the spaces close. I knew I'd feel it when i watched my orthodontist make indents to my wire. The mouth is moving! 

Advice for anyone getting braces, get teeth pulled before braces go on! I feel like I'm watching paint dry. 

Month 10

Month 14

A Year in the making

I'm so happy a year has passed quickly and I'm on the downward hill to a great smile!

Over the 3 to 4 months my braces are more maintenance- adjustments are easier, eating is not such a hassle, and I can see progress (feels good)!

Today I graduated to full chains! Milestone! I really think braces are coming off on time. ETA is February (8 more months). Stay tuned.

    My bottom teeth are moving!!! Teeth a few months ago.

Month 6 & 7- watching paint dry?

 In December (month 6) I reached a milestone - expander came out! My orthodontist asked , "Ready for a Christmas present?"  It feels amazing to not have an expander. Eating is MUCH easier, less places to dig food out, and my speech isn't slurred anymore.  Hands down the best Christmas present.


Moving to month 7, talk about PAINFUL. I got new wires on top and bottom with power chains on the top. Month 7 hurts more than when I got my braces on. The first few days after my adjustment, I could only drink- eating eggs were off limit.  But pain means progress. My mouth is shifting the close the spaces from getting 4 teeth removed. I'm getting use to wires at new places in my mouth.

Looking forward to leaving month 7 to 8. Come on January 2014......Quickly. I feel like I'm watching paint dry!

Month 7

 

Teeth Removal- moving to month 6

Last week I had four teeth removed to make more space for teeth to move. I must say getting teeth out is easier than putting on braces. I was pleasantly surprised!

I read blog after blog of people saying teeth removal is much easier and is mind over matter. I recommend to have wires back in while numb from novicane. If I waited the next day, I would have felt more pain. I got teeth out at 11am and wires back in at 1pm.

Now I have power chains at the top. I'm looking forward to finally getting my second wire for bottom teeth now some teeth are missing to allow room to grow.

Picture is a week post removal! Don't be afraid to remove teeth, speaking from a dentist phobic. =)

Moving to month 4

I finished month 3 and moving into month four.  I had my third adjustment yesterday and was pretty painless. I ate dinner that night vs yogurt and eggs.

So far, top teeth are pretty straight but bottom teeth aren't moving.   As a result, 4 teeth are coming out by a oral surgeon. Yikes!!  Time to shell more money out but it's well worth it!!

I am looking forward to the day my expander comes out!  As an adult, the expander gets in the way of speaking at times.  Having people say, what did you just say is getting a little old.

Braces 14 weeks later!! I'm amazed at 4 months, can't image 20 months. =)

The work begins

Now- Month 4

Separators- before braces

May 24, 2012

I walk into my orthodontist appointment with the thought- little tiny separators going on four of my teeth. Easy breezy right? I realized within 5 minutes, not easy breezy.

I woke up the next morning feeling like a tennis ball hit my mouth. My orthodontist says, "separators are the worst part".  As many people know me, let's get the hard part over first.

Hurt to open my mouth this wide!