Haven't posted in a while...

Well I figured I would write a blog post since it has been quite a while. Not a whole lot has changed over the past few months. I did get a new bottom wire. .018 I believe with these little hooky things. Yeah, really technical I know. =] I am not entirely sure of their purpose yet. Any ideas?? Picture below.

Anyway, I am at 1yr 1 month 2 days in braces.
Next appointment is March 2nd

Still keeping my fingers crossed for no extractions. I wish he could just make up his mind already!

10 Month Update

Since becoming fully braced with all of my top brackets, my uppers have really changed! My ortho is still being conservative about upper extractions. No final word yet. He wants to see how the archwire moves the teeth on it's own.

Next appointment: 12/23

Upper Arch Comparison Photos

Upper Arch - 1.9.09




Upper Arch - Post Expansion - 6.24.09



Upper Arch @ 6months



Upper Arch @ 9months

Finally, all top brackets!

I had an appointment yesterday. They removed the lovely "Deli Slicer" coil springs and put brackets (finally) onto my upper laterals. You can tell from the shape of the wire in the picture below, how wonky my teeth still are. My ortho said I should be seeing some changes in alignment there soon! I can't wait!!! =]

We talked briefly about upper extractions ={ that may still be in the future. We're going to discuss all possible outcomes before committing to that route. I'd like to keep all of the teeth I can, if I can. I've had too many extractions in my life. =[ I will hopefully know more at my next appointment.

New Hardware

I had an adjustment today and got these lovely coil springs. If they save me from having to get more extractions, then that is great but they sure aren't pretty. =[ I may still end up having to get more extractions anyway. Bummer.

I also got a heavier wire on the bottom with purple ligs. Also my upper ligs are Smoke colored. They said the smoke color would stain even less than Peal, so hopefully that's the case.

Some subtle changes

I am at the point now where I am more actively looking for subtle changes. I think things are coming along, just slowly. Unfortunately my ortho doesn't usually say much at my appointments so nothing exciting has happened lately. I did get a heavier upper wire this last time. I've been feeling the soreness ever since! Things better be happening in there! =P

Here are a couple of pictures of my upper right and upper left jaw. It is so hard to get the same angle twice! ugh. Hopefully you can see the changes that I can see, albeit subtle.

Leave comments, let me know what you think! =D

WOW - it has been 6 MONTHS already?!

I can't believe that it has been 6 months already since my braces were put on! Time has really begun to fly by. I guess it helps to try not to focus too much on what is going on inside my mouth and just live day by day. It was a little hard to do at first but I am so used to my braces, orthodontist appointments, tenderness/soreness that it all just feels normal.

Below is a picture of my upper arch at the current mark of 6 months.

Below is my upper arch when I first got my expander (2/4/09)

Oh wow, I see loads of difference!!!!!!!! =] =]