They're Finally On!!

I realize that no one but my sister really wants to see pictures of my teeth, but it's exciting stuff for me so I'm going to write about it! I have HATED my teeth for as long as I can remember... so after several years of looking at and considering orthodontics, I finally got braces!

The BEFORE Picture

~ I never had a permanent right lateral (the tooth between your front and canine) so my mid-line is off, plus the fact that it just looks silly with that tooth missing.

~ The lateral on the left side will be removed because it is deformed and my canines will be pulled around in place of the laterals. When they are in place, I will see a cosmetic dentist who will reshape them to look like laterals.

~ It turns out I have slight TMJ, which may explain my occassional migranes. Correcting my bite will hopefully get rid of those. So, it's not just vanity for which I am doing this!

At the mercy of Dr. Karlin... who is wonderful, by the way!

If you live in the south Denver area and need braces:

Karlin Orthodontics

Highlands Ranch Town Center

303.470.9488

(I said I'd give free advertising for letting me take pictures!)

His assistant, Erin is equally as wonderful. Every appointment has been on time and I always feel like they have been waiting all day for me and are excited to see me. It's good going to a place I like since I will be seeing them every four weeks for the next two years.

After getting my wisdom teeth removed and a crown replaced, the first thing Dr. Karlin did was put "spacers" in my molars. These are thick, rubber chunks that go between the teeth in order to create space for metal bands to go around them. I had to wear them for a week and they were terrible!! Everyone says that is the worst part. So far, that's true because my braces went on last Wednesday and it hasn't been too bad. The only thing is that because they are changing my bite, I can't bring my back molars together making it impossible to grind stuff. I'm eating a lot of yogurt and drinking smoothies! But they said that should go away in a week and I'll learn how to chew again.

All I can say about it so far is that braces are PAINFUL, ANNOYING and EXPENSIVE, but I'm happy to have it started. I better look like Christie Brinkley when this is all over with!