Summary: Additional elastics only at night
I went to the orthodontist this morning and it all seems to be going very well. I was complimented that I was very good in wearing my elastics and that it is paying off. He said I should only wear them at night from now on.
Overall, he didn't do much today and it was another one of those quick visits. The ortho took out my wires and trimmed on of them. For the lower wires he kind of did a step on the wire to even out my teeth. For the upper wire he pretty much just made it wider. He said my right side is perfect, but the left side is still crowded even though we closed up the gap so that is what he is working on now. I didn't ask for an estimate completion date but I think it should be within the next 3 months.
My next appointment will be in 6 weeks and hopefully by then my teeth will look much better. As of now, I feel a little sore but not as bad as other times. It might change as the day goes by.
Showing posts with label appointment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appointment. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 82 Ortho Visit
Summary: Upper left fixed elastic was pulled back to the last molar
I spent at total of 15 minutes at the ortho office. That includes 2 minutes wait time prior to the appointment and 3 minutes waiting for the receptionist to make my new appointment.
Nothing really happened. I got in and got my fixed rubber bands replaced by the assistant. These are the ones that go from the hooks to the molars. The orthodontist took a look and said the gap was closing really well but asked me to keep putting on my cross rubber bands. He then told the assistant to change the upper fixed rubber band to go to the last molar to close the gap that was being created. And now, it hurts! It might be a day for soup again.
I also chatted a little bit with him afterward and asked when does he think I'd have my braces off. He said it was probably going to be towards the end of summer. He said the gaps will be closed by the next 1 or 2 appointment (6-12 weeks) but after that we'd have to work on aligning the upper teeth with the lower ones since they need to be pushed out.
sigh... I guess I still have 6 more months left :(
I spent at total of 15 minutes at the ortho office. That includes 2 minutes wait time prior to the appointment and 3 minutes waiting for the receptionist to make my new appointment.
Nothing really happened. I got in and got my fixed rubber bands replaced by the assistant. These are the ones that go from the hooks to the molars. The orthodontist took a look and said the gap was closing really well but asked me to keep putting on my cross rubber bands. He then told the assistant to change the upper fixed rubber band to go to the last molar to close the gap that was being created. And now, it hurts! It might be a day for soup again.
I also chatted a little bit with him afterward and asked when does he think I'd have my braces off. He said it was probably going to be towards the end of summer. He said the gaps will be closed by the next 1 or 2 appointment (6-12 weeks) but after that we'd have to work on aligning the upper teeth with the lower ones since they need to be pushed out.
sigh... I guess I still have 6 more months left :(
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Week 64 - My Ortho Appointment
Summary: Itchy teeth
I kind of lost track of how many ortho appointments I've had so far. It would be kind of cool to compare my treatment period to that stated on the Damon Braces website.
My 30 minute visit, which usually only lasts for 15 minutes turned out to be a 40 minute visit this time around. After I got in my wires were taken off and I was asked if I wanted to brush my teeth. At that point in time, I really did. I am sure there were a lot of left over food particles stuck inside the brackets as I smelled a bad smell when the wires were taken out. Here are the things that were done afterward:
1) Wires taken out: Pretty standard at this point to make adjustments although in my last appointment the ortho said these were my last set of wires which probably means these are the strongest ones they have or use.
2) Upper left incisor had the bracket readjusted: Yup, I knew the bracket was not positioned right. I actually think it could still use more adjusting but we will see where it stands after 6 weeks.
3) Lower incisors were filed: I was frankly scared when he was filing in between my teeth. I was afraid he would it my gums and I'd be bleeding to death. But apparently this was to help bring my front teeth back a little so that there would be a less of an overbite with the upper teeth. This seems to have worked as my lower front teeth moved back immediately with the rubber bands
4) Stepped back and go a new archwire on the top: As my incisor bracket was readjusted, I got an older wire. This wire is probably not as stiff as the last wire. It also doesn't have the little hooks.
5) Lower archwire was manually re-adjusted: It it is pretty interesting how the orthodontist will reuse the same wire but will bend it however they want so that the teeth move accordingly. In my case, my ortho bent both sides of the lower wire in a "steps" shape. This will probably help level out my molars (as I mentioned before one of them seemed to be higher than the others).
6) No change with rubberbands: I was asked to continue to use the rubber bands
My next appointment is going to be in 6 weeks. As you might have noticed, the time between appointments is shortening. I think I started off with 10 weeks, then 8 weeks, then 7 weeks and now it is down to 6 weeks.
I kind of lost track of how many ortho appointments I've had so far. It would be kind of cool to compare my treatment period to that stated on the Damon Braces website.
My 30 minute visit, which usually only lasts for 15 minutes turned out to be a 40 minute visit this time around. After I got in my wires were taken off and I was asked if I wanted to brush my teeth. At that point in time, I really did. I am sure there were a lot of left over food particles stuck inside the brackets as I smelled a bad smell when the wires were taken out. Here are the things that were done afterward:
1) Wires taken out: Pretty standard at this point to make adjustments although in my last appointment the ortho said these were my last set of wires which probably means these are the strongest ones they have or use.
2) Upper left incisor had the bracket readjusted: Yup, I knew the bracket was not positioned right. I actually think it could still use more adjusting but we will see where it stands after 6 weeks.
3) Lower incisors were filed: I was frankly scared when he was filing in between my teeth. I was afraid he would it my gums and I'd be bleeding to death. But apparently this was to help bring my front teeth back a little so that there would be a less of an overbite with the upper teeth. This seems to have worked as my lower front teeth moved back immediately with the rubber bands
4) Stepped back and go a new archwire on the top: As my incisor bracket was readjusted, I got an older wire. This wire is probably not as stiff as the last wire. It also doesn't have the little hooks.
5) Lower archwire was manually re-adjusted: It it is pretty interesting how the orthodontist will reuse the same wire but will bend it however they want so that the teeth move accordingly. In my case, my ortho bent both sides of the lower wire in a "steps" shape. This will probably help level out my molars (as I mentioned before one of them seemed to be higher than the others).
6) No change with rubberbands: I was asked to continue to use the rubber bands
My next appointment is going to be in 6 weeks. As you might have noticed, the time between appointments is shortening. I think I started off with 10 weeks, then 8 weeks, then 7 weeks and now it is down to 6 weeks.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Week 50 with the Damon Braces - Another Visit
Summary: New funky archwires and more pain :D
I went to the ortho this morning for my appointment. It lasted 15 minutes as usual. I got in, got a chair and I immediately got the ortho to take a look at it. First thing he said was "is it done yet?" Which is exactly what I wanted to ask. hahaha.
Afterward he said we will be changing both the wires and hopefully on my next appointment I will be getting rubber bands. Currently, I can't get the bands yet because my upper teeth needs to overlap the lower. I can't wait!!!
Once I got the new archwires on, I felt a tightness on my teeth (the best feeling in the world). I also noticed there were 2 wires poking out which was kind of weird - see the pictures below.
So far, I haven't had too much pain as compared to my other ortho visits. Usually, by lunch time my teeth would be really sore, but today there were slightly sore. I still had a hard time biting but not as bad as in the past.
At the end of the visit I asked, "How much more do I have?" and unfortunately I heard the words "11 months". I was not happy at all. At this point, I thought I had about 8 months left because he said we were half way through. So I guess my treatment is going to be about 22 months long. darn.
Next appointment will be in 7 weeks (not the usual 8 weeks).
I went to the ortho this morning for my appointment. It lasted 15 minutes as usual. I got in, got a chair and I immediately got the ortho to take a look at it. First thing he said was "is it done yet?" Which is exactly what I wanted to ask. hahaha.
Afterward he said we will be changing both the wires and hopefully on my next appointment I will be getting rubber bands. Currently, I can't get the bands yet because my upper teeth needs to overlap the lower. I can't wait!!!
Once I got the new archwires on, I felt a tightness on my teeth (the best feeling in the world). I also noticed there were 2 wires poking out which was kind of weird - see the pictures below.
So far, I haven't had too much pain as compared to my other ortho visits. Usually, by lunch time my teeth would be really sore, but today there were slightly sore. I still had a hard time biting but not as bad as in the past.
At the end of the visit I asked, "How much more do I have?" and unfortunately I heard the words "11 months". I was not happy at all. At this point, I thought I had about 8 months left because he said we were half way through. So I guess my treatment is going to be about 22 months long. darn.
Next appointment will be in 7 weeks (not the usual 8 weeks).
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Week 15 with the Damon Braces and my 2nd follow-up
Status Summary: In pain after my 2nd follow-up
I had my 2nd follow-up today with the orthodontist and I got many, many things done.
Here is the list:
1) New Brackets. I got 4 new brackets on all of my 2nd molars. They seem to be more of a low profile bracket - actually slim and sexy but not shiny. Most probably because it it doesn't really have doors on them, just a hole and a hook.
2) New Wires. I think I got stronger wires on both my upper and lower. Hopefully, these won't break :P.
3) No More Gum. Yes! Those white gum composites have been removed! I didn't expect it it, and once it was removed, I realized how sharp my teeth really are.
After all of these changes I am feeling like the first day again. First of all, one of the wires is a little too long and it is poking my cheek. It stinks every time I have to open my mouth specially to eat! Secondly, my teeth, especially my lower teeth and my molars, are feeling itchy and are also in pain. Pain, you know what that means right? Yes, it means I can't bite down properly. I managed to eat some rice with my wire and my toothache but it is definitely not fun. Hopefully, the ortho can squeeze me in and trim off that wire tomorrow.
At the end of my appointment today, my orthodontist said everything was looking great and I "have made great progress." Now that the gum composites are gone, my teeth will align more and I will see a bigger difference by the time my next appointment is up. And I must say I agree... especially will this pain I feel now :P
Here are my pictures. I actually noticed my teeth have moved and the gap between my incisor and front tooth has almost closed (but there is a bigger gap on the other side of the incisor) - you'll see this in the pic.
I had my 2nd follow-up today with the orthodontist and I got many, many things done.
Here is the list:
1) New Brackets. I got 4 new brackets on all of my 2nd molars. They seem to be more of a low profile bracket - actually slim and sexy but not shiny. Most probably because it it doesn't really have doors on them, just a hole and a hook.
2) New Wires. I think I got stronger wires on both my upper and lower. Hopefully, these won't break :P.
3) No More Gum. Yes! Those white gum composites have been removed! I didn't expect it it, and once it was removed, I realized how sharp my teeth really are.
After all of these changes I am feeling like the first day again. First of all, one of the wires is a little too long and it is poking my cheek. It stinks every time I have to open my mouth specially to eat! Secondly, my teeth, especially my lower teeth and my molars, are feeling itchy and are also in pain. Pain, you know what that means right? Yes, it means I can't bite down properly. I managed to eat some rice with my wire and my toothache but it is definitely not fun. Hopefully, the ortho can squeeze me in and trim off that wire tomorrow.
At the end of my appointment today, my orthodontist said everything was looking great and I "have made great progress." Now that the gum composites are gone, my teeth will align more and I will see a bigger difference by the time my next appointment is up. And I must say I agree... especially will this pain I feel now :P
Here are my pictures. I actually noticed my teeth have moved and the gap between my incisor and front tooth has almost closed (but there is a bigger gap on the other side of the incisor) - you'll see this in the pic.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Day 42 with the Damon Braces and My First Follow-up Appointment
Status Summary: I got a new archwire!
Today was my first checkup / follow-up appointment since I got my braces on. I got there at exactly 3:00pm and was out by 3:20pm. What did they do? Not much actually.
I spoke to one of the orthodontist as this practice (they have 2) and he said this appointment is to basically check how I was doing with the braces. He asked if I had any major uncomfortableness in the past few weeks and how long it lasted. As far as I remember, the first week was probably the worst but very bearable.
He also asked if the composites were bothering and I said no. Unfortunately, these did not get removed and I don't think they will be taken out any time soon. The ortho said they will be grinding them down until they are completely gone to avoid my teeth hitting the lower brackets.
The next step was the change of the upper archwire. It took about 1 or 2 minutes. The assistant snapped the doors open with the tool, took the old wire out, put the new wire in, shut the bracket doors and that was it. She had minor problems with 1 bracket, but it seemed like it was because she did not place the tool properly. Other than that, it was a pleasant experience.
The ortho said the lower ones will stay as they are still bent - which means they are still working.
The new archwire are definitely stiffer than the old ones. I don't feel any real pain, just a very minor, almost unnoticeable pressure on the teeth. I am sure tomorrow I will feel it more just like the 2nd day with my braces.
My next appointment is in 8 weeks! Now, that is torture...
Today was my first checkup / follow-up appointment since I got my braces on. I got there at exactly 3:00pm and was out by 3:20pm. What did they do? Not much actually.
I spoke to one of the orthodontist as this practice (they have 2) and he said this appointment is to basically check how I was doing with the braces. He asked if I had any major uncomfortableness in the past few weeks and how long it lasted. As far as I remember, the first week was probably the worst but very bearable.
He also asked if the composites were bothering and I said no. Unfortunately, these did not get removed and I don't think they will be taken out any time soon. The ortho said they will be grinding them down until they are completely gone to avoid my teeth hitting the lower brackets.
The next step was the change of the upper archwire. It took about 1 or 2 minutes. The assistant snapped the doors open with the tool, took the old wire out, put the new wire in, shut the bracket doors and that was it. She had minor problems with 1 bracket, but it seemed like it was because she did not place the tool properly. Other than that, it was a pleasant experience.
The ortho said the lower ones will stay as they are still bent - which means they are still working.
The new archwire are definitely stiffer than the old ones. I don't feel any real pain, just a very minor, almost unnoticeable pressure on the teeth. I am sure tomorrow I will feel it more just like the 2nd day with my braces.
My next appointment is in 8 weeks! Now, that is torture...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
