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.
Showing posts with label rectangular archwire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rectangular archwire. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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, March 30, 2010
Week 33: Ortho Follow up & New wires & elastic bands / power chains
Status Summary: I got new archwires and elastic bands.
Today was such a great day and it started off with my schedule ortho appointment. This was probably appointment number 4 or 5. I can't really remember but they do run every 8 weeks. My next one is in 8 weeks. There is so much to write about so I have broken them down into sections
Pain
Both my lower and upper teeth are hurting from the new archwires. The interesting thing is that only the teeth on my left side of the mouth hurt. I had a molar taken out when I was younger and that messed up the alignment of my teeth on the left. But my right side is perfectly fine. I was still able to eat during lunch but for dinner I had soup again.
Archwires
I got new rectangular archwires and I am not sure what thickness exactly. The lower ones do look pretty thick though and they are hurting my teeth a lot. I can feel it working pushing my molars. I also got new (i guess thicker) archwires for my upper teeth. It seems like it is having some problems widening my bite on the left side :S.
Elastic Band
This was probably the most exciting part of the appointment. I got elastic bands for my front upper teeth to close the gaps I had. Yup they are now looking good and in pain. lol. The elastic band is actually very clear/white so it is hard to see. They are also placed on the brackets before the the archire so you do not remove them at all. During lunch I did feel I had a little more food stuck on them though. I think elastic bands are a good sign.
Gap
The big gap on my upper left side is going to stay. Apparently there is no real good way of moving 3 molars forward without too much risk for the front teeth coming backwards. So I have given in.
Mid Point
Today I was told by the ortho that in 2 months I would have reached my midpoint! So that means treatment should be about 20 months :(.
Also, today I had the pleasure of having the ortho actually changing the wires for me. In the past it had always been assistants. This was a great surprise. And let me tell you, there is much more quality work done. He was much nicer opening the brackets (no forceful pushing of the tool against your teeth), and the wires were not just shoved in quickly. I can really tell the difference between an ortho and an assistant level of work quality.
Damon Clear
As I was leaving I saw an ad for Ortho clear. Apparently they are not doing these at my ortho :(. 7 months too late!!!!
Today was such a great day and it started off with my schedule ortho appointment. This was probably appointment number 4 or 5. I can't really remember but they do run every 8 weeks. My next one is in 8 weeks. There is so much to write about so I have broken them down into sections
Pain
Both my lower and upper teeth are hurting from the new archwires. The interesting thing is that only the teeth on my left side of the mouth hurt. I had a molar taken out when I was younger and that messed up the alignment of my teeth on the left. But my right side is perfectly fine. I was still able to eat during lunch but for dinner I had soup again.
Archwires
I got new rectangular archwires and I am not sure what thickness exactly. The lower ones do look pretty thick though and they are hurting my teeth a lot. I can feel it working pushing my molars. I also got new (i guess thicker) archwires for my upper teeth. It seems like it is having some problems widening my bite on the left side :S.
Elastic Band
This was probably the most exciting part of the appointment. I got elastic bands for my front upper teeth to close the gaps I had. Yup they are now looking good and in pain. lol. The elastic band is actually very clear/white so it is hard to see. They are also placed on the brackets before the the archire so you do not remove them at all. During lunch I did feel I had a little more food stuck on them though. I think elastic bands are a good sign.
Gap
The big gap on my upper left side is going to stay. Apparently there is no real good way of moving 3 molars forward without too much risk for the front teeth coming backwards. So I have given in.
Mid Point
Today I was told by the ortho that in 2 months I would have reached my midpoint! So that means treatment should be about 20 months :(.
Also, today I had the pleasure of having the ortho actually changing the wires for me. In the past it had always been assistants. This was a great surprise. And let me tell you, there is much more quality work done. He was much nicer opening the brackets (no forceful pushing of the tool against your teeth), and the wires were not just shoved in quickly. I can really tell the difference between an ortho and an assistant level of work quality.
Damon Clear
As I was leaving I saw an ad for Ortho clear. Apparently they are not doing these at my ortho :(. 7 months too late!!!!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week 27: New Gaps
Status Summary: I have a gap between my two front teeth.
Ever since I got the rectangular archwires I felt some sensitivity in my upper teeth but no real pain. This morning I woke up and I didn't really feel anymore sensitivity so I took a closer look at them after brushing my teeth. And, the gap is what I found.
It feels kind of awkward but I know why they moved. They were initially angled and now they are finally straight. I noticed this for the longest time and now it is fixed!
For now, there is no more pain or anything and I am definitely looking forward for my next appointment to see what are the next steps.
Here are my pictures. Notice the new gap on the first picture.
Ever since I got the rectangular archwires I felt some sensitivity in my upper teeth but no real pain. This morning I woke up and I didn't really feel anymore sensitivity so I took a closer look at them after brushing my teeth. And, the gap is what I found.
It feels kind of awkward but I know why they moved. They were initially angled and now they are finally straight. I noticed this for the longest time and now it is fixed!
For now, there is no more pain or anything and I am definitely looking forward for my next appointment to see what are the next steps.
Here are my pictures. Notice the new gap on the first picture.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Week 26 with the Damon Braces
Status Summary: Very happy with my results.
Not much has changed since last week. The rectangular wires seem to have moved my teeth slightly but I don't really see any other movement. I know, they are moving all the time even if it doesn't hurt.
I know my orthodontist said that one of the major things that still need to happen is that widening of my upper left side. Currently they are still sitting right on top of my lower teeth.
Another concern I have, is my gap between my incisor and the teeth behind it. I really do hope they try to close it up so that it is not visible when I smile.
I do notice my teeth are a lot more aligned which is great!
Today I also had a little mishap. I was using my finger to clean out a piece of almond stuck in the last lower bracket. Somehow, I also got my lower lip (close to the side) caught on the hook of the bracket. That hurt a little :S
Not much has changed since last week. The rectangular wires seem to have moved my teeth slightly but I don't really see any other movement. I know, they are moving all the time even if it doesn't hurt.
I know my orthodontist said that one of the major things that still need to happen is that widening of my upper left side. Currently they are still sitting right on top of my lower teeth.
Another concern I have, is my gap between my incisor and the teeth behind it. I really do hope they try to close it up so that it is not visible when I smile.
I do notice my teeth are a lot more aligned which is great!
Today I also had a little mishap. I was using my finger to clean out a piece of almond stuck in the last lower bracket. Somehow, I also got my lower lip (close to the side) caught on the hook of the bracket. That hurt a little :S
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Week 25: The Retangular Archwire
Status Summary: I got new archwires today :D.
Today was my 3rd scheduled appointment, I believe, and I got new archwires on both upper and lower teeth.
On the upper teeth I got rectangular shaped ones. That is a very good sign. However, about 8 hours later, I started feeling my teeth sensitive once again. And, it is a little hard to eat. I asked my ortho what is the difference between these and the round ones. He said, the rectangular ones are supposed to work more on the rotation of the teeth while the round ones are mainly for the alignment of the teeth.
The lower teeth got thicker wires but they were still round ones. So, I have not felt any pain as of yet.
Another weird thing I noticed is that my bite is not the same. My front teeth don't touch each other anymore. My theory is that the teeth move the most after a change of wire during the first few days. Afterward, they move very slowly and are more or less adjusting and settling in to their new positions.
Here are the pics.
Today was my 3rd scheduled appointment, I believe, and I got new archwires on both upper and lower teeth.
On the upper teeth I got rectangular shaped ones. That is a very good sign. However, about 8 hours later, I started feeling my teeth sensitive once again. And, it is a little hard to eat. I asked my ortho what is the difference between these and the round ones. He said, the rectangular ones are supposed to work more on the rotation of the teeth while the round ones are mainly for the alignment of the teeth.
The lower teeth got thicker wires but they were still round ones. So, I have not felt any pain as of yet.
Another weird thing I noticed is that my bite is not the same. My front teeth don't touch each other anymore. My theory is that the teeth move the most after a change of wire during the first few days. Afterward, they move very slowly and are more or less adjusting and settling in to their new positions.
Here are the pics.
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