Monday, July 28, 2008
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. 
Saturday, July 26, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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. 
Monday, July 14, 2008
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.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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 fo
r 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 m
olds 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
· Insuff
icient 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 consulta
tion.
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/.
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 fo
r 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
· Insuff
icient 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 consulta
tion.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/.
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