TWENTY-FIVE!

Hallelujah!  I just put in the twenty-fifth and last Invisalign tray last night.  I am almost done.  Dr. Giarusso said something about an additional couple of weeks to wrap up the treatment, but I don't recall the details about that phase.  So, by March 1st (or so...), I will be braces-free.

The strangest thing that I am experiencing is wondering what I am going to do when I don't have to "put my teeth in" or "take my teeth out."  The emphasis is on the "wondering."  The second thing that is strange is planning to use lipstick again.  This investment in me has been easier than I thought, maybe shorter than I thought it would feel, but still a good lesson in the one-day-at-a-time way of living.

(So--I am listening, halfway, to someone on the office phone right now.  I will have to come back to this another time.  I am guilty of not being fully present!)

Number 12 Already

Wow, how did I get here?  It doesn't seem possible that I am almost halfway through treatment, about 48%.  The daughters say that they notice a difference.  I have given up on timing my "not wearing" periods because I forget to restart the "wearing."  AND, I got to move ahead 4 days!  Not bad.  At this rate, I will be done by the end of February 2019.

Last week at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, a little girl perhaps 6 or 7 noticed my braces.  With no shyness or awkwardness, she asked about them--and then told me that it was her birthday!  August 11 to my August 10.  Yeah, we August girls lack finesse.  LOL!

On to the next one on Friday, 8/24!

Ninth is Nice

I was surprised to see that I had not entered any updates for 3 trays.  It's going well, at least as far as I can tell.  I am wearing Number 9 now--just started week 18 (out of 50)--and have very little discomfort, let alone pain.

I wish I knew what to expect.  About 80% of users, at least in one article (4 out of 5), think it was worth it.  I hope not to be unrealistic about my expectations; I cannot expect a miracle!  Only God performs miracles.  :)  

(Interrupted by a phone call.  Shoot!  I would love to spend a little more time in reflection.)

So, later.

Up to Six

Aligner number 6!  Moving right along....

• Hardest thing is probably not drinking enough.  I *must* get used to plain water.
• Second hardest thing is probably not using the timer as much as I would like.  It is a little inconvenient at times, particularly when all I want is a gulped-down iced coffee.
• Pain? Not much.  More pressure, I would say.
• Need to see the orthodontist in order to get the eighth and subsequent aligners.  Appointment is 6/19/18.
• 270 days remaining!

Starting Aligner #4

And all is well.  A little discomfort, surprisingly in the lower teeth.  I so expected the uppers to be the problems; they are the more noticeably crooked ones.  But I am pleased with the progress so far, and with the relatively low level of discomfort.

Next week I see the orthodontist for another IPR (interproximal reduction).

Onward!

In the Middle of Aligner 3

I am 10% through my treatment, as measured by the number of aligners.  So far, so good!  After the bump in the road with the "defective" aligners #3&4, there has been no difficulty.  I am settling into a routine of 22+ hour days, hopefully sufficient liquid intake for the kidney stones, and food at limited times--good for dieting.  :)

I remain pleased with this step.  It continues to move apace with my desire to take care of myself and this temple of the Lord for as long as I can.  To God be the glory!

Oops on Numbers 3 & 4

I was excited to move onto the third aligner last night.  I needed to restrain myself from trying it on early!  However, I waited the requisite time...and then the bottom aligner tray DID NOT FIT.

Thankfully, the problem was easily enough remedied.  The part of the tray that fits my #19 tooth, the one with the implant, was molded in such a way that it was impossible to fit over the tooth.  My hypothesis is that in scanning my teeth to make the models, that tooth was somehow treated differently.  On both trays for the third and fourth of the series, the same problem showed up.  The dental assistant was able to file or cut or shave or something in order to make the tray sit on my teeth properly.  Yay!

No pain so far, either.  So far, so good.