BlondeAddiction's Braces Addiction:

So tonight I was taking my normal 3 week progression photos when I realized three things.

1) The time is FLYING by so fast that I feel like I'm taking pics every week even though I'm not.
2) My bite has changed a LOT in just the last 3.5 weeks.
and 3) I've really come to love (and appreciate) my Elastics! lol!

Being that I never really had a 'bite' per-say, it is so wonderfully awkward biting down without teeth hitting and poking the roof of my mouth. I can't describe the feeling- it's just... amazing. I'm constantly running my tongue across the inside of my straight (er) teeth, and realize that I've never been able to do that before without feeling sharp edges. I feel almost as though my teeth are one solid piece, instead of numerous jagged speed bumps that I've known my whole life. Eating is so much easier now and I'm thinking these Elastics are really kickin major ninja butt!

I believe I got my Elastics at my Jan 30th appt, which is putting me just shy of 2 months total with them. 23/7. Religiously. I still remember the first day I attempted to attach them myself. I told my Husband that I wish I had recorded it because it was *totally* youtube worthy. I would stretch the band and SNAP!, leaving a purple welp on the corner of my lip. I would try again, SNAP! Right in the SAME SPOT! I started feeling like I was in an episode of the 3 Stooges because I was literally kicking my own @$$. LOL! I was breaking out into a cold sweat because I was so determined to get this!! I even got the bright idea of using Tweezers and that failed as well. I thought I would never get passed it. The pain was pretty intense after those first few days- and I can say that thus far they've caused the most discomfort to-date, but they're workin their magic and that is worth every ache. I now can pop 'em in and out within 2 seconds without a mirror - so for those of you that are about to get them, or recently got them- hang in there! I remember reading an old blog here and the woman had mentioned how she loved her Elastics because they felt like they were "seat belting" her teeth in- and that's probably the most accurate analogy I can think of to describe my love for my Elastics. When I don't have them in, I miss them. When they lose elasticity, I feel like my jaw is like... 'roaming loose' and I switch them out to feel the tension again. I don't know- maybe I'm weird but I like em. :)

Anywho- as I stated above, I'm about 7.5 weeks into my Elastic wear and here is a side-by-side comparison. I think they've changed considerably on my Left side. My Right seems to be moving more slowly to me. I know I still have a ways to go until my bite is on Target- but tracking the progress is awesome to have! What do you think? Enjoy!

2 month bite progress.jpg

Oh, and of course, let's go back 8 months... *speechless*

bracesslideshow1.jpg