Amanda Ryan's Website

Well, I have been braced up for very nearly 4 months and so far, so good.

After what can only be described as a rocky start I am now completely happy with my braces. Sure there are foods I can't eat, and the wire can poke my cheeks a little, but all in all it's not too bad.

I have become a little obsessed with flossing and cleaning, but this isn't a bad thing, plus I read somewhere that clean teeth move faster! I don't know if that is true or just wishful thinking but it's certainly worth a try.

At my 2nd adjustment (week 12) the ortho said that it was unlikely that I would be braced up for the full 18 months as initially discussed and that my top teeth were basically finished! He has put a thick square wire in the top which is apparently the second to last wire he'll use on the top. I think they are looking lovely and straight and I do seem to be smiling more :)

My bottom teeth, however, still need some work. There are two teeth (lateral incisors) which are twisted by about 45 degrees and these still don't have brackets on them. Initially the ortho considered putting some springs on the bottom archwire to create a little extra space but he changed his mind and has decided to fit some more of the dreaded blue spacers a week before my next adjustment to create the extra space needed to turn the teeth into their final position.

I currently have pale pink ligatures on my braces for the second time. I like these, they are fun and girly and less obvious from a distance PLUS they are a hit with the kids at the school.

I broke a molar band earlier in the week. My crossbite has caused my bottom molars on my right to hit the tubes on the top right molar band since day one, and I guess over time it had weakened the band.  The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead has a brilliant Ortho department, and I was given an emergency appointment for the following day, was in and out within in 10 mins! Amazing :)

No other problems really, I use less wax these days and suffer from ulcers much less, plus my lips seem a little fuller so I have a bit of a pout going on :D

Next appointment: 14th April 2010