Photos from 12/02/08

Here are the photos from the last adjustment on 12/02/08 (Notice the blue power chains):

Third Adjustment

My third adjustment was on 12/01/2008 at 8:20 AM. I had my top wire reshaped. I received a new wire on the bottom. It is supposed to help close the extraction gap. The wire is not a bioforce wire like the top wire. I am not sure of the size of the wire. I do know the wire is not the normal silver color. The wire is black. I also got new power chains. I chose the color blue. I haven't taken pictures, but I will soon and post them. My next adjustment is in four weeks (12/30/2008 at 2:10 PM).

SOS Visit

I went in today at 8:20 AM to have the bottom wire clipped. It was poking the inside of my cheeks. They also cut the top wire too. 

SOS Visit

I went in today at 8:20 AM to make sure all the doors/brackets were closed. They stated that the three that are kind of open are okay due to the chain being on. They clipped the back of the top wire as it was poking me. I will go back on 12/01/2008 at 8:20 for my third adjustment.

Comparison Of Progress

07/14/2008

07/15/2008

07/18/2008

08/09/2008

10/06/2008

12/02/2008
01/04/2009
02/16/2009
04/11/2009
08/09/2009

Second Adjustment

Today I had my second adjustment. There was a bit of a "slip up." They started the appointment by reshaping my existing wires. Then, I informed my Orthodontist that these were the original wires and the he was shocked. He told his assistance to change both wires and chain the top and bottom. I have top and bottom wires that are 18x22 and 18x18. I had 16's before. I went with the silver/gray chains. The braces seem more visible now with the silver chains. I am going in on Wednesday at 8:20 AM because they forgot to close three of the doors all the way on the brackets. My third adjustment will be on 12/01/2008 at 8:20 AM. I am not sure what I am in for that day.

Dental Cleaning

Today I went in for my first cleaning with braces. It went well and my teeth feel very clean. Nothing different happened from a normal cleaning and I go back in 6 months on 04/11/2009 at 8:50 AM.

Sutures Removed

I forgot to add this event to the blog, but on 08/11/2008 they removed the Sutures. It didn't hurt too badly. The Dentist stated I didn't need to see him until my cleaning on 10/04/2008. I will also have my next orthodontic adjustment 2 days later on 10/06/2008.

New Pictures After The Extraction w/ Bottom Wire

First Adjustment/Bottom Wire Installed

I had the bottom wire installed. My Orthodontist wasn't there today so I saw another Orthodontist at the practice. He stated that next time I will get a stronger wire on the top arch and chain elastics on the bottom to close the extraction gap. That appointment is on 10/06/2008. I do feel a little pressure from the new wire and the extraction gap area is very tender still. Overall, I feel fine. The new wire is also a bio force wire and I will need to activate daily by swishing cold water first, then warm water.

Extraction Completed

Tooth #24 (a lower central incisor) was extracted today. The appointment was at 3:20 PM. It took a little under an hour because the tooth broke off at the crown and the rest had to be surgically removed. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt much. Thank God for anesthesia and pain medication. The extraction site was sutured and I have to go back on Monday (08/11/2008 at 6:10 PM) to have the sutures removed. I was given some pain medication, mouth rinse, and an antibiotic. It took about 3 hours to stop the bleeding. The Dentist spoke with my Orthodontist and he still wants to see me on Thursday (08/07/2008) to install the bottom wire. It seems weird without the tooth and I hope that this gap closes soon. I will post pictures on Thursday 08/07/2008 after the wire is installed. The gap is approximately 4.5 - 5 mm. 

Update/Photos

I made an appointment for the extraction, with anticipation of receiving clearance from my Doctor. The extraction will take place on 08/05/2008 at 3:20 PM and the lower wire will be installed on 08/07/2008 at 8:50 AM. My Dentist will perform the extraction and my Orthodontist will install the wire.

Repair/SOS Visit/Update

Repair
On 07/24/2008 I had to go into the Orthodontist to have a minor repair. The wire popped out of the second molar tube in the back. They fixed the issue in less than a minute.

Update
I spoke with my doctor and he said that after I see him on 08/05/2008 he will give me a letter to clear me for the Orthodontic extraction.

Treatment Interruption

I spent the last three days in the hospital. I will not be able to get the extraction on 07/26/2008 due issues from my hospitalization. Clearance for my doctor will be required to get the extraction. I will update the blog when I receive more information.

Braces Are On

I went to the Orthodontist today and had my braces put on. The top brackets were placed with the archwire. The bottom brackets were placed on every tooth, except for tooth #24. That tooth will be extracted. An archwire was not placed on the bottom brackets. Tooth #24 will be extracted on 7/26/2008 at 9:00 AM. The archwire will be placed on the bottom arch a little over a week later (8/4/2008 at 8:50 AM). I have included some photos. At this time my teeth are okay, I do feel some pressure. The wire is a bio force wire and I will have to swish around ice water first and then warm water every day to activate the wire. 

Day Before Braces Photos

I decided today to take pictures of my teeth before braces. Tomorrow my appointment is at 9:40 AM and I will take pictures after the braces are on.

Introduction/Past Events

Introduction/July 1, 2008
Today, I have decided to document my Orthodontic Treatment I am about to go through. My “banding” date is Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 9:40 AM. I will make an entry into this journal after every visit to the Orthodontist. In order to begin this journal, I will chronicle the past events that led up to this important decision.

November 27, 2007
I went for an orthodontic consultation per recommendation from my regular dentist. My dentist was concerned about my “edge to edge” bite. This Orthodontist was recommended by my dentist. At the consultation, I met with the Orthodontist and the Treatment Coordinator. Pictures of my teeth were taken for records purposes (see photos in this post). X-rays were taken and a study molds were created of the top and bottom arches. The Orthodontist also preformed an oral examination of my teeth and bite. The findings were:
· The upper jaw profile is too far back
· The lower jaw profile is normal
· The upper and lower front teeth meet “edge to edge”
· Space available for upper teeth is adequate
· Insufficient space for the lower teeth has resulted in crowding
· The jaw joints (TMJ) do not present with any evident problems
· A preliminary exam of the gum tissue revealed no evident problems
The treatment options were:
1. 18-24 months in braces top and bottom arches. This wouldalso require jawsurgery to move the upper jaw forward. No extractions are indicated. I would need to have a surgery consultation with an oral surgeon.
2. 15-18 months in braces top and bottom and an extraction of a lower central incisor. This is a compromised approach. An additional appointment with an oral surgeon would need to be made to extract the lower incisor. The extraction will cause the mid-line to be “off.”
3. Do nothing. This is an obvious choice, but was not mentioned during the consultation.
I really wasn’t thrilled with any of these options. I was kindof in "shock" due to the recommendations and the price. I felt comfortable with the staff and the Orthodontist, but I wasn't ready to hear what I didn't want to hear. I decided to seek another consultation.

December 3, 2007
The second consultation wasn’t as comprehensive. This was held at a dental school. The reason the consultation wasn't as comprehensive is because they didn't create any records. They only performed an oral examination. Two Orthodontist examined my teeth and came up with a few options:
1. I could go with jaw surgery and braces top/bottom. No time frame given.
2. Extract one tooth and braces top/bottom. No treatment time frame given.
3. Extract two teeth and braces top/bottom. No treatment time frame given.
4. Do nothing.
Overall, the two Orthodontists didn’t think that it was necessary to do anything. He thought my teeth would be okay the way they are. I also believe I gave him the impression that I really wasn’t interested in braces. I was kind of relieved, but at the same time I wasn’t sure if I should be.

February 2008 (I don’t remember the exact date)
I decided to go for a third consultation because, I was still unsure of what to do. The orthodontist performed an oral examination. Like the second consultation records weren't created. I was given two options:
1. Jaw surgery and braces top/bottom. He wanted me to speak with an oral surgeon if I am to take any action. No treatment time frame given.
2. Do nothing. He wouldn’t go with any compromises. He didn’t think I would see any benefits from a compromise.

May 7, 2008
I decided to speak with the first Orthodontist again, because they sent me a letter asking me to notify them if I was going to go through with treatment. I was still thinking about treatment, but was unsure. I met with the Orthodontist (again) and we discussed the options given in November. I know I didn’t want to go the surgery route. He suggested that I come back in a day or so and have them create a study mold so he can show me how the compromised approach would look. I agreed to give this a shot.

May 14, 2008
The Orthodontist had his staff created the study molds. The molds were made of plaster. They took two molds for the lower arch and one for the upper arch. They sent the molds to the lab to remove a lower central incisor from the bottom arch.

June 3, 2008
They showed me the final result. I could see that the "slight" overbite. The removal of the tooth made a difference. However, the back teeth would not touch the way they should. The bite for the back teeth would basically remain how I’m currently biting. The Orthodontist stated he would try some “expansion” perhaps to improve the bite of the back teeth. Nothing is guaranteed. The bite would definitely change in the front. This approach would take the front teeth out of “trauma.” The study mold only showed the new bite, it did not include tooth alignment. He will align the teeth, also. I felt a lot better about the procedure now. I went home to think about my options.

June 4, 2008
I called the Orthodontist office the next day to inform them that I decided to go through with the compromised approach with the extraction. I made appointments for my OrthoCAD molds on June 3, 2008 8:40 AM and my “banding” date on July 15, 2008 at 9:40 AM. I decided to go with ceramic braces instead of the “full metal jacket.” I am getting In-Ovation C brackets. I am still not sure what tooth will be extracted. I know it will be a lower central incisor.

For more information on In-Ovation C braces visit the website: http://www.gacintl.com/.

June 17, 2008
The OrthoCAD molds were created. It took four or five tries per arch. We only need one mold per arch. It seemed they were having several issues with the molds. Another patient experienced the same issues. These molds will be scanned into a computer and this will allow my Orthodontist to straighten my teeth and adjust my bite on the computer. This will also allow them to apply the brackets all at once, instead of one at a time. The brackets will also be exactly where they belong. Which hopefully will mean less re-positioning of the brackets. Hopefully, this will also speed up my treatment time.

For more information on OrthoCAD please visit the website: http://www.orthocad.com/.