Adult Braces Update 8 | Month 11, Expanders + Elastics
OH MAN! It’s been a LONG time since I gave you an update on the adult braces, people. I know, I know. I had a few of you even Snapchat me where my update was. I apologize it’s coming later in the day, but hey, better late than never. I had a crazy day. Today’s update hits 11 months of wearing these heinous metal braces, but I have to say, I’m really happy with my photos for this post. My teeth are finally starting to look like I’ve actually worn braces for 11 months. My smile line looks fuller, my teeth seem more aligned and BREAKING NEWS: I FINALLY HAVE RUBBER BANDS!!! …among other things. Let’s get to this fabulous adult braces month 11 update…
Expanders
So, as we talked about last time, I have this crossbite issue. It’s affecting my top back two molars on the left side of my face. They’re basically off by 2MM, which seems super insignificant, but it affects the way my teeth align and therefore, throws off my whole bite. For those of you who don’t have a crossbite, it feels as though my teeth don’t “fit” into the grooves when I close my jaw together, so if I bit down REALLY hard, I have this weird sensation that I could crack a tooth (I’m sure I wouldn’t but it feels that way because just the tops of my teeth are touching, sort of). Back in late August, my new orthodontist tried using something called a ‘Goshgarian Wire’ to put pressure on those two molars to push them out. He warned me this may not be enough pressure since I’m an adult and the bone/palate is already fused solid, but it was a lot more comfortable an option.
This is the Goshgarian Wire after I had it ‘installed’ a few weeks ago.
After a month of wearing the wire, we decided the movement wasn’t happening nearly fast enough. I’ll be honest, as awkward as it looks, I had 0 pain from it whatsoever. So about two weeks ago at my most recent appointment, we took full impressions of my mouth and sent it off to the lab to discuss possible options for me. Right now, I have no idea what sort of contraption is going to be put in my mouth at my follow-up appointment next week. The ortho talked about a possible full-palate expander with a turn-key (like a lot of people have when they’re ~5 years old), but the issue with those is because I’m “so old,” the bone is solid and it is very hard to move things once it’s solidified. Palate expanders work very well on kids because their palettes are still very soft. The lab technician said he may have some other ideas once he received my impressions and would work something out with the ortho ASAP. I am totally excited for my surprise appliance appointment. CAN’T WAIT. …jk.
Elastics (rubber bands)
I have been talking about rubber bands for effing months here. I’ve been wearing medium-strength “Gorilla” rubber bands for approximately six weeks now and they don’t bother me at all. I kind of love them because they’ve been helping create the smile I was hoping to see by wearing braces. They’ve been pulling my top teeth back in, and pushing my bottom teeth out (therefore closing up the gap and slight overbite created when straightening out my crowding).
The elastics also seem to be widening my smile. For awhile, I felt like I was looking like a rat with inward facing teeth from my incisors-back. But the elastics seem to be spreading them out. It’s hard to explain. Hopefully, you can see a difference and understand what I’m saying.
I wear them all day and all night, except for when I’m eating. I keep a bag in my purse and a bag in my bathroom at home. I can even put them on without a mirror. It’s quite fun.
What’s happened since the last update
Minus the appliances to fix the crossbite and the rubber bands, I haven’t had much change. I have the same strength stainless steel wires on both top and bottom and it hasn’t changed since last time I posted. The only thing that HAS changed is that there are wire ties on both top and bottom instead of a power chain, which are helping ensure my teeth are moving as one, as the rubber bands do their ‘thing.’ For instance, if I didn’t have the wire ties on behind the brackets, the teeth on the bottom would be moving forward and getting REALLY tight because they’d be squishing together, ya know? With the wire ties, it makes them move forward *as one* and leaves enough room between them so I don’t have my original tightness/crowding problem when flossing.
Where we started 11 months ago:
Where we are today:
…BTW, flossing is REALLY hard with wire ties on top and bottom. You really need the threaders I mentioned back in this post. Even with those, it’s a pain. I can see why some people choose a Waterpik. But, with a little patience, it’s doable.
This is where you can see more so where and what a cross bite is. See the back two molars on (your) right (AKA: the right side of this image)? Those teeth need to be pushed outward 2MM. That’s what is holding up my entire LIFE in braces.
Oh, yea, we also drilled off those bite blocks/turbos (blue things) on my back molars which were put on to prevent me from biting down on the brackets. I no longer bite down on the brackets, so I wanted them off that way my mouth can better bite down evenly.
Estimated Timeframe Update
As far as timeframe goes, it’s hard to say. My goal is still to switch to Invisalign by February (the latest; hopefully sooner), but it’s really contingent on how fast my crossbite can fix itself. I’ll update this post next week (by 10/25) once I see the ortho and have a better idea of things. UPDATE 10/25: Appliance was not ready yet. They added blue spacers between my back molars to ensure an easy application once the appliance is ready. Hoping to have it ‘installed’ next week. I’ll update again by 11/4.
How are your braces going? I love all of the support I’m getting and it really helps make me feel better about going through this and sharing my story with you all. Let me know in the comments how things have been and/or if you’re bashful, shoot me an email at brighterdarling@gmail.com. 🙂
I feel like I’m hitting the home stretch SOOOON, everyone (home stretch, as in, switching to Invisalign, haha)! I’m feeling way better about my braces lately. I hope you are, too. And if you’re not, know it gets better.
*CHECK BACK DEC. 19th FOR THE NEXT UPDATE*
Here’s to my 1st official year (shortly),
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-Steffanie
Congrats on all of your progress! I’ve had my braces approximately 9 weeks now. I can already tell a difference in my bottom teeth, as they were very overcrowded. I had the 4 teeth pulled before the braces were put on, so I’m looking forward to those “holes” filling in!!
Thank you! That’s amazing! You definitely will see so much change the first 6 months – it’s very exciting 🙂 Those holes will close up very quickly and it will make it a lot easier for the other teeth to straighten out fast. Don’t get discouraged… the worst part is over (teeth pulling and the first month). 🙂 Stay in touch and keep me updated on how things go for you!
Wow, they’re looking great! That spacer looks really uncomfortable so I’m glad to hear it wasn’t as bad as it looks. I’m 6 months in and my gap has completely closed, I’m on my finishing wire on my bottom teeth but some of my top teeth need to rotate a bit more so I’ve got some extra wires going on up there. I’m hopeful to get my finishing wire on the top at my next appointment… I’ve got everything crossed! I hope your progress goes great and that you can switch to Invisalign asap.
Thank you! Yes… it totally wasn’t as bad as it looked. Honestly, nothing has been as uncomfortable as the first month’s first 3-4 days. I was literally taking Tylenol round the clock for 3-4 days straight. Since then, I haven’t had that desire at all. Yes, there’s been some uncomfortable moments, but it’s fleeting and my mouth has adjusted well I guess. So excited you’re very close to being all done! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and for stopping by the blog 🙂 XO!
haha oh you are not alone at all – my aunt had hers around the same age as you (maybe even a couple years older) and I feel like the time was so fleeting. I forgot she even had them until she reminded me! My friend is using Acceledent with her Invisalign. She said she really likes it. The office I go to does not have that tool but ironically, it’s made and the corporate offices are here in Houston, TX (where I am)! I should just email them, haha! Don’t be panicky. I tell everyone.. the first month is by far the hardest. You start to see changes very quickly, then things start to plateau a bit around 6 months… but you are way more adjusted to things by then 🙂 Keep me posted on how it all goes. You’re NOT ALONE. I get dozens of emails from people of all ages around the world (Australia, China, Germany.. etc) telling me they appreciate me sharing my adult braces story.
Thanks so much for the encouragement! Tomorrow marks one month with braces. You were NOT kidding about it being the hardest! I had no idea how difficult eating would be.
I miss the days of just sitting and eating and not thinking about how to chew, what to chew and how quickly I can go brush after! I’m still happy I finally did this for myself and hoping it goes by quickly! Thanks again for the support!
hahaha yep… you definitely have to slow down a little bit. but overall, the limitations of foods I can/can’t eat haven’t been bad as long as I chew slowly. My main no-nos are tacky/taffy candies, jerky and popcorn. Everything else, I’ve done alright if I take it slow 😉 The first 6 months will fly! You’re past the hardest month.
I love that I found you! Also a blogging thirty something and girl I feel your pain with those braces, just got mine off 2 years ago. looks like your past all the real bad stuff though your teeth look great. Tweaking was a painful process!!!!
http://www.amberunraveled.com
Glad you found me, too! Lots of us with adult braces here 🙂 Yes, I hope I’m past the ‘big stuff.’ Just got to fix this cross bite and hopefully switch to Invisalign ASAP because I just cannot deal with these anymore, lol. Thank you for stopping by <3
Day #2 for me / a full set of ceramic; and, I just turned 48 about a week ago. I’ve enjoyed reading all the stories. Sounds like we are all in the same boat. My pain has been surprisingly minimal, my only struggle is being able to chew. I just feel like my teeth don’t line up so I can properly eat. I’ve already had alot of shakes and need a make a trip to the store and get “creative”. I know, it’ll get better, its encouraging to see “your” pictures. Your teeth look amazing.
Yes, that is normal. You’ll be a pro in about two weeks. Just bite down slower and avoid chewy/taffy foods. I actually just switched to Invisalign since this latest update (more details to come on that soon), but I never once knocked a bracket off the entire year I had traditional braces on. Thanks for stopping by and good luck on your braces journey – it goes fast, I promise!