dianaschnuth

I almost titled this entry “Operation Braceface: Day Who-The-Hell-Cares-Anymore,” because that’s how I feel right now.

My last adjustment involved — as promised — a 2-to-2 chain under the archwire and a 6-to-6 chain in the normal position over the archwire. We’re trying to get that stubborn gap to close.

I asked the assistant about the twisty-ties she installed with my chains, and she explained that it was to keep the incisors from rotating as they change position. She actually explained it quite well, and reminded me that molars don’t generally rotate like that because they have three roots, hence why the 6-to-6 chains didn’t need anchored like that. Makes sense.

The other notable thing about my visit (apart from it being lightning-fast) was that I learned that Dr. M. will no longer be at my preferred location — the company has multiple offices in the area, and two orthodontists to cover all of them. So, when I go back in a few weeks, I’ll see the other orthodontist in the practice. That makes four different orthodontists in about three years of treatment.

When I first started treatment, one of the bright points I would focus on was the promise of healthy, straight teeth by the time I turned 40.

I wish I could say I’m still confident in that time frame.

Officially sick of the braces.

Last week’s adjustment was quick and painless — just switching out the chains on the bottom, and instructing me to wear medium triangle elastics again.

But, surprise of surprises (note sarcasm), Dr. M. exclaimed, “Why aren’t these gaps closing? Did they close at all?” I assured her that, yes, my teeth had definitely moved. (The sharp archwire that had been poking me in the cheek was evidence of that, as was my sore mouth after the last adjustment.)

She said that next time, in addition to them checking my bite, I’ll get a 2-to-2 chain under the archwire, and a 6-to-6 over the wire (which is where I’ve been chained exclusively up until now). Apparently, putting chains under the wire is supposed to have a more pronounced effect on moving the teeth.

So, that next adjustment is going to hurt like a bitch.

I’m fine with that, though, if it means that we’ll start to get things wrapping up already. Tying in my molars so near the end really threw everything for a loop.

Still worth it, though. Definitely worth it.

But I’m ready for it to be done.

Two years and eight months.Will it ever end?

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One and a half months past the initial treatment estimate of two and a half years.

Today, as scheduled, I moved up to a Ni-Ti 16-22 rectangular archwire with chains across my front four teeth (two-to-two) on top and bottom. I’m still supposed to wear my triangle elastics (so I suppose I should do that more regularly).

The reason for the chains in front is the epic gap that opened up between my bottom two front teeth after my molars got tied in.

This particular visit took F-O-R-E-V-E-R. I sat in the waiting room for a half hour, then spent almost another hour total in the exam room. The tech who was replacing my wires and o-rings (and chains) is relatively new, and takes her time with each one. She also had some trouble with the bottom chain and the twisty wire that keeps my teeth from adjusting the wrong way — that took a Very Long Time to get right, and she apologized several times (but didn’t ask another tech for assistance).

Next time, we’ll be moving to 18-25 Ni-Ti wires and six-to-six chains. I really hope we’re almost done. I’d like to have these things off by the time I’m 40.

If I hadn’t asked to tie in my molars, I’d be much closer to done right now. As it is, we’re moving back up the ranks of wire strength from square one — well, round 14, really.

Me: So, what wires are we moving to today?
New Ortho Assistant: Oh, just one size up.
Me: So, we were at…?
Assistant: …a 14, and we’re moving up to a 16.
Me: Still the round ones, then?
Assistant: Yep, round Ni-Ti*. –Did you go to dental school?

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