Pre-Debracing Issues

Hi! Thanks for the recommendations, guys! I tried to post on the comments but blogger still hates me . . . or at least hates my computer. Anyhow, just thought I'd update on a few issues. My debracing may get delayed. I noticed one of my front teeth was turning and going behind the one next to it so I made an unscheduled appointment with the ortho. I saw him on Wednesday and he said it was an easy fix. The only problem is that it actually got worse. I decided to wait it out, mainly because: (1) I thought it might just be a temporary problem that was necessary to get to the right point; (2) I (stupidly) don't want to be a pain (I paid a lot for these babies, I should not feel so guilty about being a pain); and (3) my ortho is in a different office on Thursdays and doesn't work on Fridays so I'd have to wait until next week anyhow. Well, I've decided I can't wait anymore so I just left a voice message trying to get an appointment for Monday. There are now 3 problems. First, the "fix" made it so that the tooth to the right of that one now its my lower teeth and now it's the ONLY point of contact (which is making eating difficult again). Not good. It's actually making that tooth move back and forth. I can see it move (along with the archwire) every time I bite down. Second, the front tooth that was the problem in the beginning is now worse -- it's now moving in front of the one to the left of it. Third, it's causing jaw spasms, I think because of strain created in my muscles by only being able to touch in one spot and trying to overcompensate. I haven't had jaw spasms since before my surgery!!! Needless to say, with just over a week before my scheduled debracing, I'm not pleased with what is happening. Go figure. They were doing fine for the past several months and all of a sudden NOW decide to cause problems. I'm not going to let it get me down. He should be able to fix it. It might just take more time. In the end, if I have to make a choice between keeping it how it was before I went in on Wednesday or having it as it is now, I'd go with how it was before Wednesday -- way less painful on the jaw muscles!

I'll keep you updated.

Hope all is well. Have a good weekend!!!

Retainers!

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA. It's crazy how quickly time has flown by since the surgery. It's already been over 6 months!!! I've tried to post on different people's blogs (Brent, Makay, Dani, Tina, etc.) but blogger won't let me do it for some reason -- I'll type in the authentication words over and over again and it won't post. Annoying. Anyhow, I'm super excited for all of your progress. I can't believe Makay's braces are off (yay!!!), Dani and Tina are well past surgery, and Brent is on his way there any day!!!

In other news, I have my debracing date!!! I was so excited when they told me. The only thing is that I've noticed that one of my teeth is turning in so I have to go back this week to make sure they can fix it before the debracing date. After all of this, I want to make sure it's done right. But, if all goes as planned, my braces will be off before I start teaching again later next month (I feel like I lose just a little credibility with braces . . . but, they do make you look younger ;))!!! I'll have to wear a retainer 24/7 for a year and then only at night after that. As much as it would be awesome to not have to wear the retainer all the time, it's way better than braces AND I want to do what they tell me to do!

Here's my question, though. What type of retainer to get?! There are so many options. Traditional? Clear (like Invisalign -- can only wear those during the day and have to have traditional at night, so it's more money but less visible)? Or, do I go with a permanent one on the bottom? Has anyone had a permanent one? What are the pros/cons?

Would love to hear your thoughts re retainers!