Progress

So for the past two weeks I've been experiencing jaw pain. I've notice more and more the past few days that the pain is getting worse. Now, is this normal? I don't know. My next appointment with my Orthodontist is later this month, so I guess I have to wait until then. But, in the mean time I've been doing some jaw stretches in hopes it will relieve some of the pain.

Now, my question, is anyone else having or has had this problem? And, what did you do about it?

Thanks! ...

It's really funny and embarrassing when you get caught "tonguing" your braces in public after a meal.

Look at that - I got my braces exactly one year ago today!

Its honestly been the best investment I've ever made. I love my braces and give the biggest smiles. My confidence and aversion of shredded meat have both skyrocketted.

I've learned
- that bottom braces are the worst things in the world.
- just how small rice grains can be.
- that other people can totally see you tounging braces after a meal
- to appreciate flossing
...

I've been highly MIA from...everything! Back in September I took advantage of JetBlue's All You Can Jet promotion where you could fly anywhere in the country for a month for only $599. I went to Seattle, Portland, LA, Chicago and New Orleans. Then I came home (a girl needs to do laundry) and left two days later to visit my parents in Dominican Republic for roughly a month.

Yes, I'm unemployed

Also, because of my travelling I missed two ortho appointments in a row ...

Well today has been much better then yesterday. First off, I didn't wake up feeling like someone had hit me in the teeth with a sledge hammer! I have only had to take one Advil today, and that was after brushing my teeth this morning. My teeth are still quite sensitive to pressure, so still sticking to the soft foods. It is very painful to floss, but I suck it up and do it anyway. I am really looking forward to being able to go back to eating like normal again and chewing! I really miss chewing, ...

Hi All,

I know that I haven't been very active on here but quite honestly my time in braces thus far has been pretty boring. Even though I have had braces before, I forgot just how easy it is, especially these days.

As you may know I started in January of 09 and I just got word yesterday that I'll be de-banded mid December 09. Sweet!

So here are some pics of my current configuration. They aren't the clearest, but you get the idea. Yesterday they did some ...

Sadly the two teeth didn't rotate as much I'd hoped. My chain was swapped for yet another extreme one today. I'm not sure if that's the real name or if my ortho nick-named it but its a pretty heavy gauge and enjoys filching portions of my meals for mini-snacks later.

I forget what he called what they installed on my bottom braces (vague enough for ya?). Instead of each bracket getting an individual band I got one big one that looped over about 6 of my bottom teeth. It looks like a ...

here are a few pictures of my teeth now.
im wearing my invisalign im on tray 1 upp and lwr

sorry they are a bit blurred!!

Saw my orthodontist on Thursday to get aligner 4 and have some IPR and attachments put on. He said he was really happy with how my teeth are moving, and said he thought I don't need the attachments at all!!! I'm so happy! Aligner 4 is going well, was a bit tighter than the others, but my teeth are really starting to take shape! I also asked him to show me my final aligner, and it looks so good that its motivated me alot to carry on!!!

Two and a half weeks in and I'm getting used to my braces. Fortunately the guy I've been dating thinks they look cute so looks like he's a keeper! I'm still getting used to what I feel is a drastic change in appearance but they haven't been a complete blow to my confidence and I'm learning to smile again without being really self-conscious. I've been eating out and have been ordering most of the things I'd normally eat. The first time I went out with the braces to a restaurant I only ordered dessert ...

My appointment today was pleasantly dull. The ortho and his vice ortho were both very pleased with movement. I got buttons and chains behind two teeth last month in order to rotate them into correct position. He said it would take a while to get them into perfect alignment so sadly the chains are still there.

I really hate the chains. I'm always fraying my tongue on them or trying to fish food out from between them. They're a necessary evil though and I can feel what a different they've ...

21 May 09
Attachment 62

25 May 09
Attachment 63

*sorry about the discoloration, I just ate sliced oranges*

So my tongue has noticed that a tooth has moved slightly.

If you take a look at Tooth 2 and Tooth 3 on the left of the picture they are a lot closer together. #2 doesn't stick inwards as much as it used to and it certainly feels different against my tongue.

This is brilliant! It's only been ...

I mentioned earlier this week that two of my teeth are rotated so I got buttons and chains attached. They are the two right behind the canine on the left side of my mouth and I can't stop biting down on them!

If I'm having real food its too painful to bite but if my mouth is empty or I'm snacking around I keep biting down on that side to feel that weird pressure that signifies movement.

I really hope the buttons and wire come off next month though. I keep ...

I went in for my (lost count) adjustment today. Since I haven't posted here in a month (life has been hectic squared) let me do a little catching up first.

My tooth that was almost on its side is successfully vertical now! I forget what its called but instead of a regular rubber band the ortho wrapped arch wire around it to force faster movement last month. Well it worked and now I can't even pick out what tooth it was! For today's adjustment he used a regular band again.
...

Today is the third full day since having my arch wire put in. The pain was so great yesterday that I had to take 800mg of ibuprofen. I don't normally like taking drugs for pain but I had to, it was almost unbearable. The sensitivity finally got me, and it was the first time in two full weeks it hurt to chew solids. Today doesn't feel any better. I'm going to have to take some meds again soon. I'm starting to get severe headaches because of the pain. The orthodontist said the pain should only ...