Ortho amazement....
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| Fri, 07-13-2007 - 12:24am |
As many of you already know, Aly got braces 6 weeks ago. She has Phase I...only on the 6 front teeth (and brackets, not bands, on the back just to hold the wires).
The top teeth--really the only reason she has those braces is to close in the gap in the middle--not a bad gap, but a gap that didn't fill in like we thought they would. They put a power chain on her today--her appt was at 4pm. The gap is already closed in!
On the bottom, they've already had to remove a bracket on a canine tooth that we thought she wasn't going to lose before they take them off next summer, but is VERY loose. I think the impact from her displaced tooth (the whole reason she has braces) caused it to go loose.
Another bottom wire snapped in her mouth a few days ago, so they put a thicker wire in this time. Due to the displaced tooth and the out of place canine that was being pushed by the displaced tooth, the wire doesn't fit snugly around her teeth, leaving a large gap that gets food stuck in it.
Next time, they will be putting a bracket on the displaced tooth (it is so far removed from her line of teeth that they didn't bother putting it on yet).
Alysha












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It's amazing isn't it? Alex's top front teeth
Linda
mom to
Alex (16), Rachel (14), Matthew (12)
I got my braces at about the same time! I see a big difference already, too.
I have a story to share about my older DD. She had phase 1 of braces. When they started talking about phase 2 I asked if we could just use retainers to keep her teeth in line...because even though I'm not the Dr., I could tell her teeth looked great. The Dr. said "Ok, sure." So, she now has retainers without doing phase 2! I really don't understand this phase 1 and 2 thing, each phase costs about the same...so I paid $700 for retainers instead of 1000's more! Look at her teeth after the first phase and decide for yourself if she needs more braces, you could save a lot of $!! Sometimes I think this 2 phase process is a way tp make more $...it all depends on the age of the kid when they start w/ braces.
I agree with you, and I really think this will be the case with Aly.
But as an ortho patient myself (I just had the full set, though), I see how some patients need both phases.
My teeth were in BAD shape. I sucked my thumb until I was 9 and only quit with a mouthpiece. So I damaged my teeth BAD. If they had done it in Phases, all of my teeth (all the way to the back) were messed up, so I would've needed it.
However, with Aly--she only has brackets on the front 6 and the 2 back (top & bottom). The problems are: small gap on top, small overbite (not bad), displaced tooth on bottom (her most left incisor is BEHIND her left canine--it emerged before its baby tooth fell out), her canine tooth is pushed forward (due to the impaction), and her bottom center is misaligned.
ALL that, and all of her back teeth are in line with a good jaw size for her incoming teeth--according to x-rays. We saw very early (age 3) that she was going to need bottom braces with x-rays. But I REALLY think she won't need Phase 2.
I will remember your advice and push for just retainer use when/if (more likely when--they want the money..lol) they push for Phase 2 if this is the still the case.
She wasn't in any pain last night--and refused to take pain meds, but she's in pain now and can't even eat cereal--she gladly took some Motrin (even over Tylenol--she hates Motrin).
Alysha
Oh that stinks!
When I got my braces off my top front teeth stayed TIGHT until I started flossing regularly (braces off at 14, probably started flossing on a regular basis around 24--I know, I was pathetic). There's a slight gap now, but it's not really noticeable...except to me when flossing (it used to tear up the floss) and to a dentist.
Alysha
So, they went too far with the movement? Or was that the plan? I hope it doesn't cause a permanent problem for him.
Alysha
Oh I hear ya! My son had bottom teeth that were practically sideways and by the second to third month they were straight! I'm looking in his mouth like "Can we take em off now?" but they keep tweaking and taking my check every month! LOL!
Denise
Alysha I tried posting earlier this AM but the board wouldn't let me, got some weird funky error message. Anyway sounds like Aly has similar treatment plan to Rachel. She has brackets on the front since those permanent teeth have come in (but not her molars). Also she has an appliance on the bottom but in a wk is going to get brackets/wires on the bottom 6 teeth.
It was cheaper to get all the braces earlier before according to the ortho (got another opinion that concurred too). But now it looks like ydd may need braces as her front teeth are coming in crooked too ;-)
-- Ang
mom to Alex(13),Rachel(11),Matthew(9)
Linda
mom to
Alex (16), Rachel (14), Matthew (12)
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