Jude63

Good grief!!! It's been FOUR-AND-A-HALF-MONTHS since I last wrote here. It's pretty much been a no news is good news sort of situation. Lots of subtle changes, no big woes.

As of today I've been in braces for 1 year 3 months 3 weeks and 5 days. Gotta love counters. If a civilian <ha ha> asks how long I've been wearing braces I've been rounding up to 1.5 years.

We've got some catching up to do so please get comfy.

* My bottom teeth look great. I wish the back teeth would move a bit quicker, but that's life. Considering my bottom teeth were the main reason I started treatment in the first place I'm a happy lady.

* My top teeth. Lots of great news to report. My "hillbilly" tooth has improved drastically. A+ most improved player. Still a work in progress but happiness abounds.

* My "shy" tooth has moved out much more, very pleased with that. However, the shy tooth is next to my canine and it is leaving a gap between the two. I hope this will come together. It is making my canine look extremely "fangy" (and don't get me wrong, Jude63 digs the fangy look, but perhaps too much of a good thing.)

* My two front teeth. Well. Hmmm. Whoa. It's like this...my top teeth were quite tipped in when I began treatment and, well, they sure aren't anymore. I feel my front teeth are kind of "bucky" and I'm hopeful that when everything is done they won't appear to be so. Everyone says they look fine, and maybe they aren't too bad, but I really see it. I've discussed with Ortho so we he's aware.

* Jan 31st was my 12th adjustment. I also had my teeth cleaned that day without the wires. I'm going every 4 months for a cleaning which I think will pay off in the end.

* It has now been 7.5 months of using the Forsus. Each six week visit the Ortho has added a wee expander which puts more pressure on the jaw to move over & out.

I only have the Forsus on my right side. Usually with the expander it's a bit painful for a day or so, but each time has been easier to handle. It's truly astounding how painless the process has been, I've had more pain from, say, a certain tooth shifting.

I think the days of my Forsus use are coming to an end. Ortho seems happy with how things are progressing, and also says the unit is pretty much at it's limit for expansion.

* As soon as I'm out of the Forsus it's directly onto elastics and I'm a bit apprehensive. Oh well we shall see. There is definitely lots more work to do on my bite.

* I stopped using the Comfort Bumpers in early November. It was so great to have them, but thankfully it turned out to be much less of an issue for me.

* I have to say many people really don't seem to notice the Forsus. I've shown it to some folks -- cue up the "wanna see something really scary scene from The Twilight Zone movie -- and they've been suitably "freaked out" mostly from the fact they didn't realize I was wearing it.

* The biggest excitement in recent times came about the first week of January when I had an "emergency" visit to Ortho as I was getting very concerned over two things:

1) the fact my bottom tooth has been noticeably rotating (this is the tooth at the base of where the Forsus is) and I had read this is a concern for Forsus wearers.

2) My bite on the right side felt pretty much nonexistent.

The Ortho confirmed that yes indeed, my tooth had rotated and that within three weeks (down the road) it will come back to place. He assured me the bite will come and everything will be worked out in time.

Since I was there he gave me the once over. He was very pleased and reminded me our original intent was to move the right side up 2.5 teeth and that we only have .5 (half) a tooth width left. I see definite changes for sure. My jawline has changed for the better. My midline is pretty much even. My bite is better on my left (good) side and my smile seems more even, but yeah the bite is just going to take more time.

That's about it for now. I realize it's total BS not to put up pictures, and I've slacked too long lately but bear with me, I've got some new ones lined up. Should be resolved any day now. In the meanwhile look to Judepix in albums for earlier views.