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 orthodontist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orthodontist. 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 :(
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Week 76 my Ortho visit
Summary: The least exciting orthodontist visit
I showed up on a Monday at 9am - the new usual time for my appointment. After checking in with the front desk I went ahead and sat on the chair. The orthodontist made a quick check and saw progress - which was pretty obvious as you can see from my pictures.
He said everything looked really good and asked me, "How often are your wearing your rubber bands?" So I said, "All the time. I change them after lunch and after dinner." Although in reality I also change them before bed and after getting up in the morning because I take them off when I brush my teeth. Anyways, he said I have been wearing it really well and I will only have to wear it on the left side (the one with the gap in the upper left side).
The assistant then took off the wires and let me brush my teeth. I was really glad I did. My breath stank!!!!! It felt great to be able to brush my teeth although I knew it wouldn't take long for there to be residues in my brackets again.
I got back from brushing my teeth and the orthodontist adjusted one of my wires. I think they were the lower one but I am not 100% sure. However, I then realized, they actually keep reusing the wire. I guess when he said a while back that these are the last wires I will use, he really meant it. LOL.
My wires were put back on and 4 non-changeable elastics were put in place (same as last time). Also, my power chain was taken out as it already closed the gap with the front teeth.
That was it! In summary, I my lower wire was slightly adjusted, my power chain was taken off and I was asked to wear only one rubber band.
There was almost no pain later in the day. My molars were a bit sore but that lasted one night. I think the gap is closing though and I didn't really bring my concern about my front teeth being too far out. Next appointment will be on March 7th.
I showed up on a Monday at 9am - the new usual time for my appointment. After checking in with the front desk I went ahead and sat on the chair. The orthodontist made a quick check and saw progress - which was pretty obvious as you can see from my pictures.
He said everything looked really good and asked me, "How often are your wearing your rubber bands?" So I said, "All the time. I change them after lunch and after dinner." Although in reality I also change them before bed and after getting up in the morning because I take them off when I brush my teeth. Anyways, he said I have been wearing it really well and I will only have to wear it on the left side (the one with the gap in the upper left side).
The assistant then took off the wires and let me brush my teeth. I was really glad I did. My breath stank!!!!! It felt great to be able to brush my teeth although I knew it wouldn't take long for there to be residues in my brackets again.
I got back from brushing my teeth and the orthodontist adjusted one of my wires. I think they were the lower one but I am not 100% sure. However, I then realized, they actually keep reusing the wire. I guess when he said a while back that these are the last wires I will use, he really meant it. LOL.
My wires were put back on and 4 non-changeable elastics were put in place (same as last time). Also, my power chain was taken out as it already closed the gap with the front teeth.
That was it! In summary, I my lower wire was slightly adjusted, my power chain was taken off and I was asked to wear only one rubber band.
There was almost no pain later in the day. My molars were a bit sore but that lasted one night. I think the gap is closing though and I didn't really bring my concern about my front teeth being too far out. Next appointment will be on March 7th.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Choosing an Orthodontist
I finally decided to get braces put on after my cleaning with my dentist. She pointed out some thinning of my front tooth and brought up the recent crack I had on a premolar. I figured I should get it done soon while I was still relatively young (mid 20s). At the same time I was feeling some minor pain on one of my molars while biting down (another sign of a cracked tooth). So that was it, I was getting braces.
That is when my search for an orthodontists started. I started calling and setting up appointments with several orthodontists and used online rating sites to help. Here they are:
Ortho #1: At my current dental clinic
- Out of pocket expense: $5100
- Type of braces: clear traditional, regular traditional
- Treatment time: 18 months to 24 months
- This ortho told me that I do not have to take out my wisdom teeth. He also said I cannot use Invisalign because my teeth are too severe for that type of treatment.
Ortho #2: My friends current ortho
- Out of pocket expense: $4610 (clear regular) or $4985 Invisalign - this included a limited time $1000 off promotion
- Type of braces: clear traditional, Invisalign
- Treatment time: 18 months to 24 months
- The price provided is with a $1000 discount if I get it done by tomorrow. They said the promotion ended the next day but I didn't really beleive them. I also didnt like the orthodontist because he tried to "bond" with me talking about my country and I dont think he was professional. I told the assistant I wanted to use invisalign and then later when the doctor came to see me he directly said.. "I hear you are interested in Invisalign. You can do it but you have to be a good boy and wear it all the time". I was like, you are not even giving me the options? So I asked about the regular ones then he said I could use them too. Then he said invisalign will fix the teeth 90%, but regular will fix it 100%.
Ortho #3: Found good reviews online
- Out of pocket expense: $5687
- Type of braces: damon braces 3 and 3 MX
- Treatment time: 20 months to 24 months
- All wisdom teeth need to be removed
Ortho #4: Found another good review online
- Out of pocket expense: $6000
- Type of braces: damon braces 3 and 3 MX
- Treatment time: 20 months to 24 months
- All wisdom teeth need to be removed
After 4 consultations and 1.5 months of thinking I went for orthodontist number 3. It was a tossup between Number 3 and Number 4 as they were both really good in terms of the orthodontists education, the number of years in service, treatment towards customers (not pushy and not like a salesperson).
When choosing your orthodontist I would suggest looking at where they graduated from, trying to see if are they money oriented or they really care about you, listen to what they have to say compared to other orthodontists, and see what others have to say.
Good luck choosing your orthodontist! I hope I made the right choice.
That is when my search for an orthodontists started. I started calling and setting up appointments with several orthodontists and used online rating sites to help. Here they are:
Ortho #1: At my current dental clinic
- Out of pocket expense: $5100
- Type of braces: clear traditional, regular traditional
- Treatment time: 18 months to 24 months
- This ortho told me that I do not have to take out my wisdom teeth. He also said I cannot use Invisalign because my teeth are too severe for that type of treatment.
Ortho #2: My friends current ortho
- Out of pocket expense: $4610 (clear regular) or $4985 Invisalign - this included a limited time $1000 off promotion
- Type of braces: clear traditional, Invisalign
- Treatment time: 18 months to 24 months
- The price provided is with a $1000 discount if I get it done by tomorrow. They said the promotion ended the next day but I didn't really beleive them. I also didnt like the orthodontist because he tried to "bond" with me talking about my country and I dont think he was professional. I told the assistant I wanted to use invisalign and then later when the doctor came to see me he directly said.. "I hear you are interested in Invisalign. You can do it but you have to be a good boy and wear it all the time". I was like, you are not even giving me the options? So I asked about the regular ones then he said I could use them too. Then he said invisalign will fix the teeth 90%, but regular will fix it 100%.
Ortho #3: Found good reviews online
- Out of pocket expense: $5687
- Type of braces: damon braces 3 and 3 MX
- Treatment time: 20 months to 24 months
- All wisdom teeth need to be removed
Ortho #4: Found another good review online
- Out of pocket expense: $6000
- Type of braces: damon braces 3 and 3 MX
- Treatment time: 20 months to 24 months
- All wisdom teeth need to be removed
After 4 consultations and 1.5 months of thinking I went for orthodontist number 3. It was a tossup between Number 3 and Number 4 as they were both really good in terms of the orthodontists education, the number of years in service, treatment towards customers (not pushy and not like a salesperson).
When choosing your orthodontist I would suggest looking at where they graduated from, trying to see if are they money oriented or they really care about you, listen to what they have to say compared to other orthodontists, and see what others have to say.
Good luck choosing your orthodontist! I hope I made the right choice.
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