Moonlit Narratives Blog

Dr. B said he didn’t know what more he could do with the braces and so he reminded me to not eat a few hours before the next appointment (hour+ of retainer impressions etc) just because he’s seen enough people a bit sensitive/reacting negatively to the process.  I have mixed feelings about this announcement even though I’ve waited so long to finally hear that I’m ready for the braces to be removed and have my retainers made.  I still feel disappointed about the cross-bite, but I understand this to be a petty preoccupation in the grand scheme of things since my teeth have never been this straight.  After the retainer impressions, the following visit I will have the braces permanently removed.  I hope my mouth will be abrasion or closed-sore free.  That has been one of the worst “side-effects” of having braces. As you can tell, my pain tolerance is pretty low.  I am looking forward to getting my teeth whitened, eating corn on the cob, eating a Red Delicious apple without having to chop it up first, chewing gum haha j/k sort of, and flossing my teeth like normal again =)!

I left a message for the dental office on Friday afternoon to schedule a special visit as soon as possible (darn- I must have just missed them and the after-hours service was activated).  This is the second time that the end elastics both broke off causing my lower archwire to lose tension and even worse this time, the left side of the archwire was freed and occasionally poked me on the inside of my mouth (I had the horrible image of a fish on a hook in mind).  Ouch!  I temporarily secured it with a thick layer of ortho. wax but as you may guess, this can be of only limited help.  The receptionist returned my call early Monday morning and I was finally able to convince them that my situation warranted a visit that day.  At first they hesitated to oblige my request. Upon arriving at 10:30 am, I noticed they were a little short staffed and was very surprised that who I thought was only a receptionist was also the one to replace the elastic ligatures for me.  She did a good job.  I happily trotted out the door to meet my husband for breakfast…  I love a happy ending =).

I was the only one in the waiting room this time.  Usually it’s packed.  Dr. B even saw me a few minutes earlier; I say this because it’s a rarity.  Usually he’s 15 to 30 minutes late and I have to bear the screaming of little kids in the office with their equally frustrated parents.  Today he had just shuffled in and I was his first appointment.  I asked for purple elastic ligatures.  Dr. B quickly rummaged through his cart and finds them for me.  I figure that deciding on what color to wear is the only small control I have in this process.  I’m always delighted when he has pinks and purples left.  He confirmed again that I could finally have my braces removed in a few months and was pleased with my progress.  Yes, FREEDOM =)!  I wasn’t the best patient today since I wanted to catch every glimpse of Animal Planet on t.v; sometimes it’s re-runs of NCIS.  Before leaving, he customarily asks if the braces are hurting, scratching, irritating me in any way and 10 to 1 everything’s okay at the time.  Like clock-work, a few days later, something definitely starts troubling me.  This time it’s my lower left brackets which are rubbing against the inside of my mouth.  I’m rinsing with Colgate’s Peroxyl and will place some ortho wax over the brackets for pain relief.  Honestly, I’m still really unhappy with the slight cross-bite after all the sacrifices I have made up to this point.  I’m hoping that once my teeth are whitened that it will barely be that noticeable…  I know, wishful thinking…  Until next time…

Yup, nothing like a lil’ Rincinol, Canker-X, and ortho wax can’t fix =)

I was steaming mad today.  Showed up at the dental office with the staff looking at me nearly cross-eyed.  “I think you’re here on the wrong day…”  Apparently they switched my ortho appointment without notifying me.  At first they tried placing blame on me even though it was clearly their fault.  The receptionist said, “Oh Dr. B is always switching his days around”…  blah blah blah  “maybe next time, call the day before to make sure.”  What a waste of time!  I could have been spending my time doing something useful and it’s an effort for me to get to this office.  Just terrible!  Sorry for all the griping =(.

I arrived at the office a few minutes late from running a couple of small errands.  I asked Dr. B if he knew whether or not my extended braces maintenance would result in more dental fees.  To my relief he said no.  I also asked how much longer it would take before I was ready for retainers.  I had guessed maybe another 3-4 months.  He agreed that was a pretty accurate guess.  It’s a waiting game with the slow progression of my lowers; gaps appear, disappear, re-appear arghhhh.  Pink and light grey elastic ligatures this time and the white elastic thread is back on the lowers =(.  I’m planning to start brushing with Sensodyne toothpaste at least two weeks before my teeth whitening session(s) to alleviate the sensitivity caused by the whitening procedure.  Of course my plans to whiten my teeth can’t begin until the braces are removed… One can dream…  I’ve also been thinking about at home whitening treatments.  I have a feeling that e.g. Crest Whitestrips, Crest Whitening toothpaste and the like are much more effective after you have received a professional/in-office whitening beforehand and are possibly a good way to maintain those new pearly whites.

*Photocredit: Various Sources

Dr. L assured me the dental x-rays from last visit showed no cavities and everything seemed fine.  Dr. B tightened the braces as usual but added a dusty blue spacer in between two of my right lowers since a tooth was a bit down-turned and needed correcting (center picture).  Pink and grey elastic ligatures.  Nothing new to report.  I wonder when I will finally be ready for retainers?  The lowers keep needing an adjustment here and there (annoying).  The spacer has caused a little pain since last night and most of today (Dr. B warned me this would be the case).  Nothing that warm rinses and soft foods can’t fix.  It’s bearable for now.  I’m sure by tomorrow, it will be even better.

I had X-rays, a deep cleaning, a fluoride treatment, and lastly braces tightened today.  The hygienist determined my braces would not hinder the X-rays from being done- oh joy =(.  At least they were unremarkable.  The hygienist said I was doing well with my at-home cleanings, which made me feel good because she normally criticizes most people; my husband always tries to avoid her.  I did have a small issue with one of my right lower molars and left gum abrasion due to my braces so she recommended Colgate Peroxyl Antiseptic Oral Cleanser (non-prescription rinse, mint flavored peroxide with equal parts water).  I bought a bottle from my local CVS.  Blue and grey ligatures this time since he was running out of the blues and didn’t have any pinks like I wanted.  I also found out that Dr. B cannot correct my cross-bite without causing further bone loss which I’m extremely unhappy about.  I can’t say I’ve totally wasted money getting braces, but I think more should be done to correct my bite.  I guess I had a very bad over-bite and over-crowded lowers to begin with, which limits the total progress of this experience.  I don’t know; I’m still upset obviously.  A lot of effort went into this whole thing.  Dr. L suggested they might have to push two left lower molars back to make room for a dental implant, but Dr. B didn’t agree that it was necessary so I will end up with a small gap on my lower left.   The dental implant is very expensive too (almost half the cost of braces) so maybe not the greatest idea?  I keep trying to remind myself that I’ve come a long way and that no one can really see the gap unless I voluntarily open my mouth.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!  Another unremarkable visit to write about.  Pink elastic ligatures and yes, finally the white elastic on the bottom front lowers is gone!  I don’t like when Dr. B has to put that on because it gets kinda gross by the next visit despite my diligent cleaning habits.  Hard to maintain the white color so it turns neon yellow and I’m not giving up curried foods.

Nothing really remarkable to write about.  I asked for pink elastic ligatures and I was pumped to finally visit Aruba after numerous times of begging my husband.   As an aside you should definitely visit Aruba!  Get the all-inclusive  package- so worth it!  We had a blast but I wish we had stayed for a week.  I want to go tubing someday even though I’m afraid of it.  Oh, and stay at the Tamarijn Resort because the beach will be your backyard.  If you have any questions about Aruba, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to give a detailed response.  Now I know why my friend has a time-share there-  it’s GORGEOUS with great weather!

I’m beginning to get more antsy than usual regarding when these braces will finally be taken off.  Feels like I’ve had them on forever.  Pink elastic ligatures this time.  Dr. B placed an elastic band on my bottom lower front teeth to close a gap that was forming.  My gums were sore for almost two days, which thankfully I haven’t experienced in quite a while.  I’m also tired of the brackets pushing against the inside of my mouth (causes closed sores); a problem which is unrelieved even with the use of ortho. wax- a problem which you’ve already heard me whine about way too many times.  Oh, I really need some moral support.   My family keeps asking me when the braces will finally come off and the truth is, I haven’t a clue since Dr. B doesn’t feel comfortable in giving me a definitive response.  I keep telling myself, THINK swan, swan, swan…..