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.

Week 2-3

It's not going badly this week!  I have started the second tray, and in anticipation of the discomfort I felt with the first tray, I requested permission to start the night before so that I could sleep through the worst and have extra time to remove the new aligners for the first time the next morning.  I also took Tylenol and ibuprofen just in case.  No problem.  I wish I could see some progress, though.  I know it is early, and the changes are gradual.  Still....

Next Wednesday is the IPR, or interproximal reduction.  My research so far does not hint at any pain or complications.  It sounds gross, though.  "Filing" up to a half millimeter from the sides of my lower teeth...well, give me shudders.

Onward, though.  I have never settled for "good enough."  Improving is always possible, and improving my smile feels like an investment in something about which I often get comments and compliments.

First Day and Week

It is only, what, 6 days since I started my Invisalign journey.  (As I have learned in my work, I will count Day 1 as the day the braces were put on my teeth.)

Observations:

• More achiness/discomfort than I expected.
• Sore spot resulting in a canker-like sore on the inside left lower lip where an attachment rubs
• Back molar, #31, sensitive when I bite down.  Did NOT expect those back teeth to be affected.  Better today.
• Lower teeth much achier than I expected.  My upper front teeth are the ones most noticeably crooked.  However, those lower teeth will have to be "shaved" through IPR (InterProximal Reduction) to make room to straighten.  Now that I know that, I guess I understand the achiness.
• 22 hours is somewhat hard to manage.  I am getting close, but I cannot say with certainty that I am hitting it.  With eating, drinking, medicating, and brushing/cleaning, it may be in the 21+ hour range.  Oh, well.  Gotta live.