36 years of worry

[brit]

Hi April
So pleased it is still going well for you. Please do keep posting the monthly updates as I don't think anyone has documented orthodontic treatment before on here.
Thanks

 

[NotAloneISee]

Honestly ...... my life is so much more peaceful without with constant thoughts of my teeth, I have to find other things to worry about

I know what you mean! Isn't it amazing at how much time we spend worrying about our teeth?

Crazy.

I am glad for you. Keep it up.

 

[April]

Month 3 ............

My husband being away for my 3rd cleaning and tightening meant I had to decide whether to enlist the help of a friend or go on my own. The only time I have ever been to the dentist on my own, in my entire life, was to have my stitches out after my implants - I fainted!
I thought that after all the treatment I have now had surely I could do it on my own ..... well, I did, I even wore make-up, something I never usually bother with because I cry it all off before I even sit in his chair. I did have butterflies in my stomach but wan't shaking like I always have before.
It was quite comical to see all the receptionists looking wide eyed at the woman they usually only see blubbing behind a tissue, the dental nurse didn't call me in straight away either because she thought my husband was in the bathroom.

Anyway, the good news is that my bottom teeth are now straight and shouldn't need too much tightening if any, the top overlapping tooth is aligned too. The last tooth to be sorted will be the one next to my front tooth, this one needs rotating as well as straightening so will take a little longer.

I did ask the orthodontist how much longer he thinks it will take. He told me that after the tooth that needs rotating he will put on a retainer behind my teeth, then I can have the permenent crowns put on the implants, then I can have my teeth whitened. Obviously he can't say how long in total but thinks about another 8 - 12 months. As for my head brace that will have to be for quite a while although he will slowly reduce the amount of time I have to wear it for.

Now I can actuallly see things happening it is quite exciting.

Can't believe I just thought that (let alone said it) ...... exciting, thats not a word I would have put in the same sentence as "dental treatment"!

Mind you, what I wouldn't give for a nice crispy bread roll or a packet of peanuts

 

[April]

Month 4 ........

I went on my own again this month and must say it was a little easier than last time.

Once again I tried to 'pin down' both my dentist Dr. H and the orthododontist Dr.T as to how much longer it will be until we can move onto the next phase of my treatment - they are both like trying to catch soap!
Apparently Dr.H want's to see another 2-3mm adjustment in my jaw but of course can't tell me how long that will take. Dr. T says that my crossed over front tooth is now perfect and he is now going to turn the twisted tooth next to it and - you guessed it - can't tell me how long it will take.

So another month over, another clean and tighten ......

In spite of the braces and my impatience it is still amazing not to have my life controlled by my fear.

 

[brit]

Glad it's still going well and your fear is decreasing bit by bit.

 

[April]

Month 5 ........

Going to the dentist on my own seems to have become a habit for the time being, I even forgot to tell my husband I was going - how amazing is that!
I think it is made a little easier for me because at the moment every month is the same so I know what to expect, I just hope that with the trust I am building with Dr.H things won't be too bad when the treatment changes.

A few weeks after I had my implants one of the temporary tops became loose, I sat up all night searching the internet and had convinced myself by the morning that the implants had failed ...... sheer panic set in and I was in such a state by the time I got to see the implantologist but he produced his screw driver and tightened them up. Last week the same thing happened again on the other side, needless to say that because I knew what it was and what the treatment would be I took it all in my stride and didn't get worked up about it at all - braver by the day!!

My bottom teeth are now perfectly aligned and my two front teeth uncrossed, the only one left now if the twisted tooth. Next month, hopefully, he will be able to change the wire and therefore finishing off the twisted one. I am still wearing the sexy head gear at night and by the sounds of it that will continue for quite a while.

Not having my life ruled by teeth still amazes me ............

 

[brit]

Month 5 ........

Not having my life ruled by teeth still amazes me ............

It's amazing you can say that whilst doing regular orthodontic visits but I have to admit that even I got blase about going to the orthodontist back in the day....seeing results must be very encouraging.

 

[chickenjen]

Hi, April,
I just happened upon your thread (don't know how I missed it before) Thanks so much for posting about your experiences as an adult with braces. I, too, have a overbite that needs adjusting and I (as of today) am waiting on the analysis of the impressions (I am with you on that---I absolutely HATE impressions being taken!!! I feel like I'm going to choke on that goop!!)
I know I need braces, (my dentist already told that much) I'm just waiting for the treatment particulars.
I was wondering how it would feel when they tighten the braces (in fact I am a bit scared of it)
It's amazing how (if you just look) you find someone who is going through what you will be going through in this forum!!
Thanks again for posting.
Your posts have reassured me that this will be something I will be able
to get through!!
,
Jen

 

[April]

Hi jen

The braces are fine, they don't hurt they are just inconvenient - maybe I am just too old

I don't know what your dentist and orthodontist will do but once a month I have a half an hour appointment with the dentist for cleaning (I went 30 years without having mine cleaned, now I am having them done once a month!) then I have another half an hour with the orthodontist but am always out within 15 mins and that includes chatting time.

The tightening scared me too but other than pressure/pushing on the tooth there is nothing else to it, it takes seconds.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[chickenjen]

Thanks, April!
I am close to your age (I am 45). I was shocked when my dentist first mentioned braces!! I thought that braces were only for teenagers or young adults!!
I don't relish having once a month appointments with the dentist, but I guess it's something I can get through!
I don't have any of my treatment particulars yet. My dentist's office will call me in for a consult once he's done analyzing my impressions.
Thanks,
Take care,
,
Jen

 

[April]

Month 6, 7 and 8 ..............


I have been away helping out family so haven't been able to have my usual monthly cleaning and tightening. Dr. T did tell me that I could find a dentist/orthodontist locally and use them - I don't think so

As I was away for so long I decided to put my time too good use so I learned to use a sonic tooth brush. Simple to some people but I could never put it in my mouth, all that buzzing - yuck! Decided that I would sit of an evening in front of the TV and just keep putting it onto my front teeth to get used to it, minus the toothpaste of course!
It took me a while before I progressed to really cleaning my teeth with it but I actually did it, plus it has a special attachment, a tiny, tiny brush for cleaning all around the braces and under the wires.
Dr.H had suggested several times that it may help to use one but told him I couldn't I decided not to tell him and see if he noticed the difference - and he did!

Can't believe how excited I got about a blinking tooth brush, can't believe all this dental 'stuff' is becoming so much easier.

Dr. T has told me that in 4-6 weeks he will put a continuous wire across my bottom teeth to perfect my arch, that will stay for 4-6 weeks by which time my tooth that is tilted should be completely straight apparently I could be finished before christmas - wow! what a christmas present.

Off to clean my teeth with my new sonic tooth brush now ........

 

[April]

Month 9 .............

Nothing exciting to report, just another cleaning and tightening and me trying my hardest to get a definate answer - when am I going to have the next phase of my treatment?

Dr. H did let slip that he is going to do a crown on a back tooth, either crowns or veneers on my front 4 top teeth and redo 5 old fillings plus 'paint' something on my bottom teeth to protect the teeth where the gums have receded.

I know Dr. T & Dr. H want perfection, I know I should too, but I am never going to have a total Hollywood smile and as far as I can see they are 101% better then they have ever been. I think my problem is I have had a taste of life with no pain, no constant worry and I like it and can't wait for that total freedom.

I am nervous about the treatments but am trying to look on the positive side, it can't be any worse that what I have already been through

 

[muso]

Thank you for your progression ,,your an inspiration,,My turn soon I hope..

 

[April]

Month 10 ........

I went today for my usual clean and tighten and Dr T asked me to go back next week for him to take off the bottom braces and replace them with wire retainers behind the teeth. He took some moulds (how I hate those things) so that Dr H can look at the finer details of my bite as apparently I have a couple of places on my back two molars that need filing down. He will also use the mould to make the final tops for the implants and any veneers or crowns that I need.
I do feel nervous about the next phase but finally, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

My experience so far with my braces has been very positive Muso, good luck with yours

 

[Razzle3]

April, I also want to wish you all the best.

Mona

 

[April]

I can't believe it ........ Dr. T just took off my bottom braces and put on a retainer

Didn't sleep too well of course last night, plenty of time to wind myself up !
I had been told to book an hour appointment but it only took 30 minutes and as usual I have to say it wasn't that bad. The worse bit for me is the cold air and water as my teeth are very sensitive but they let me push at the base of my teeth along the gum line and it really helps but there was definately no pain.

The retainer just feels like a small ridge behind my front teeth nothing too bad but the fronts of my teeth feel wonderful and look amazing.

I even managed to cry when I looked in the mirror, think it is a mixture of relief and the fact that I feel just a little bit normal, normal people have this done, normal people go to the dentist - and I have never felt normal when it comes to my teeth

 

[April]

Month 11 ............

Dr T has hopefully done the final tighten on my top braces, see him again in 4 weeks.

On 11th November Dr H has booked a 90 minute appointment for me to start on the work needed on my bottom teeth, now we are into something new
He tells me that he needs to 'shave off' some of my back molars in order to finish off my bite plus take the final impressions for the implant tops - if it's as simple as it sounds I will be fine

 

[April]

Today was the day to start on my bottom teeth and once again I managed to get myself into a state, by the time my appointment came my mind was working overtime.

Dr H had suggested that I take Brufen before I went as my teeth are very sensitive and he would be using cold water - I don't do cold water in any way shape or form ....... I am paying for this and I want warm water!!

Once again I had got myself all worked up for nothing. He started by looking at where my bite needed adjusting by using little pieces of plastic and telling me to tap my teeth, then he used a drill to drill of tiny amounts of enamel which took seconds. He did this over and over again each side until he was happy that my teeth were meeting and grinding properly.

Then he took a full mouth impression - how I hate those things but didn't even urge this time.

Next he took off the temporary implant tops and put on long titanium posts, took photographs and took another smaller impression before screwing the tops back on.

That was me done, I couldn't believe I had been there almost 90 minutes.

I have to go back on 19th when the permanent tops will be ready and then on 23rd for my monthly clean and tighten of the top teeth. I know that I will not be finished by christmas but I do want them all done by March, my birthday.

And the best thing of all, the cold water didn't hurt and there was no pain what so ever

 

[brit]

Congratulations April It's great to hear it's all going so well. Thanks for keeping the thread up to date to help those who follow in your footsteps.

 

[April]

Went in today to have the permanent tops put on my bottom implants, I was actually excited

Dr H took off the temporary ones and, as if my magic, replaced them with the permanent ones. He kept checking and checking that my bite was ok with the new teeth, the bottom left is perfect but apparently the bottom right needs a tiny bit of adjusting - talk about perfection!

I now have permanent teeth on the left and the temporary ones on the right and an appointment to go back on 25th when the others have been adjusted.

They feel so different to the temporaries, they are a bit bigger and straighter and feel like my real teeth, they are fantastic - roll on next Wednesday

Me, dentist, excitement, looking forward ...... what is happening to me!!