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lileepers

Week 38 - PHASE THREE

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8 Comments
by
lileepers
, 05-26-2011 at 11:13 PM (915 Views)
So this post is a week late, but my post from this week won't make any sense without it. Sorry about that!

Anyway ... I am super happy to announce that I am officially into Phase 3 of my treatment! This is the last phase, and involves torquing. Basically, the positioning of my teeth is pretty much done, but we now need to move the roots to match.

I went in last week for a long appointment to get the extra torquing wires etc on, but my ortho had some bad news - he was out of torquing springs so instead, we had to do it the "old fashioned" way haha! This involved some not-so-nice bent wire that he bent by hand! It was pretty pokey and stabby, and I had to immediately globb on the wax. I was very relieved when the assistant told me that she would order new ones that same day, and I could come back in a week to have them swapped out.

So here they are in all their glory. Thank GOD I only had to wear them for a week. They had me re-thinking my decision to get braces in the first place! (haha jk ... but I came pretty close!)


Today I went in to get the "normal" torquing wires put on. I took pictures as soon as I got home, and I'm going to do my best to get a second post up asap!

Updated 05-27-2011 at 02:03 PM by lileepers

Categories
Adjustments , Pictures , Progress , Consultations

Comments

  1. catgyrl's Avatar
    WOW!! I've been sitting here staring at your picture in amazement. I think I need to go put wax on MY teeth now! Those wires are a trip. I need to stop complaining about my elastics...

    I'm still not sure I understand the whole "torquing" concept. I thought if your teeth were in proper position, then your roots were, too. Ah, nevermind. I know nothing... Your teeth look fantastic, and I'm excited to follow you thru this new phase.

    Cathy
  2. lileepers's Avatar
    haha i know, it's enough to make your mouth hurt through the computer!

    i think your assumption is usually correct. but for someone like me, who started with wonky positioned tooth roots, and whos teeth have moved A LOT, torquing is necessary.

    re: day-one:

  3. abbaker's Avatar
    Holy crap! Such a difference from Day 1 to now. You must be so excited
  4. lileepers's Avatar
    I was about to say "you have no idea" but you're a member of this forum, so you probably do
  5. lightskinnnn38's Avatar
    WOW. I'm with you Cathy, I have NO idea how torquing works!! I just figured if your teeth move then your roots will move with it. I mean HOW do you move roots without moving teeth?? That's just madness!! lol But lileepers your teeth are looking quite amazing How much longer do you need to have braces?
  6. lileepers's Avatar
    I have no idea how it works either. The concept is so hard to wrap my head around haha

    Thank you! My orhto says that I should be done in 6 months, but I'm thinking it's going to be about 8 because they always undershoot those estimates.
  7. lightskinnnn38's Avatar
    It's funny how your teeth can look done but they are no where near. I'd like to see pictures of your new torquing wires! I wonder if I will have to get that done eventually. It seems more and more people are talking about that lately.
  8. Sunny's Avatar
    Those old ones look crazy but they do a great job of moving the part below your gum in the desired way.

    Lightskinnnn everyone should have x-rays done prior to finishing treatment. This is to check where the roots of the teeth are, plus it's a check for any root reabsorption that is happening. In many cases the roots have moved to where they need to be and the usual 'tweaking' needs to be done, but for a few, it's a bit more work ... but the end result and stability is worth it.