Thirty Months!

On December 15, 2015 a miracle happened... my braces were removed!


It took much longer than expected, but I am 90% happy.  My best pieces of advice to anyone would be:


1. Do your research and find a good orthodontist.
2. Anticipate that it could take a year longer than they state. 
3. Buy a Waterpik and be diligent about caring for your teeth.  Everyone comments on how white mine are, and I think it is because I was very careful.
4. Choose the essix retainer!  I have the Hawley and hate it and will have to pay extra to get an essix.

Twenty-Four Months (Two Years in Braces)

...or what the rest of the world calls two years.  I can't believe I have had my braces on for two full years.  In case you missed it, this a full year longer than my initial estimate.  The top photo is my teeth today.  The central photo is the starting point.  The bottom photo is a couple of months in. 

My teeth are not whiter, but for some reason it was hard for me to get a "normal" looking picture.  I'd say my teeth are not as white as the top photo, but not as yellow as the others.  

Anyhow, at my adjustment yesterday she tied some wires around the brackets on my lateral incisors in order to help them move more quickly into their desired positions.  She then re-applied my power chain to the top.  Her computer even says, "ready for debracing".  There is a chance she will take off my braces at my next appointment, but I'm gonna go with August is still more likely.  

Twenty-Two Months

I got a power chain today.  I'd be almost excited about this except that I had a power chain seven months ago.  I no longer even ask her when the braces will come off, but I would guess August.  I know--it's crazy.  My next appointment is June 1st.  She'll probably make her last tweaks during that visit.  Then she'll probably find something else wrong in July.  So, my money is on August.

The bottom photos are my 1st and 2nd months in braces.  The top photo is me today.

Twenty-One Months (Gingivectomy)

I know these pictures look hella creepy.

I had the second gingivectomy done yesterday and I'm happy with the results.  Dr. Campbell is super nice and very good. The whole office is friendly.  I'm happy to have found an African American periodontist, and I will continue to use him as my primary dentist. 

The bad news is that my ortho extended my treatment time by two months. I'm truly going to die in braces. 

Looks like a horror movie scene.

Smile!

Ready for my gory closeup.