Braces Again - 10 ( 56 weeks) De banding

12-15-2008

A couple of days after my business trip to Tokyo, I am finally done and have my teeth back. I wanted to have it removed before my trip but my doctor recommended to wait a few more weeks to get my teeth more centered in front.

I got a permanent retainer at my lower front teeth to prevent them from shifting again.

Braces Again - 9 ( 50 weeks) Rubber Band continue...

Result from my last visit on 11/5/08.

My upper front and my lower front teeth still not aligned as it is expected. I do feel some changes lately but not significantly on the lower front. I am scheduled to deband my braces on Dec 15 but my doctor said that I might need to extend it due to the lower front teeth are not centered. I was told to change the direction of the center rubber band but I think the technician did not put a hook on the lower right side. I just use the right side bottom triangle hook (or I am supposed to use that hook???) for about a week and it hurts my upper left tooth. I went back to the previous direction and I see some major improvement. I think I will keep the previous direction and wear the rubber band more than just at night. I hope it works this time.

Braces Again - 8 ( 53 weeks) More Rubber Bands

A couple of months to get things done. The rubber band that I have been putting on my front teeth are not working well. To get my center align, two more rubber bands are added on my sides and the direction of the front band is reversed this time. I need to wear the side rubber bands the whole day and the front is required only at night.

I am hoping the next check-up in November will be the last one and I shall be free from the metal in my mouth in Dec.

New School Year

Evonne started second grade yesterday. She was so excited for the new school day and woke up at 5 am. She is happy with the new teacher and has made a few new friends in class.

We did not get to go anywhere during summer. She understood that we were so busy and she was fine with the ideas of having a "stay at home" summer.

I was trying my best to arrange some activities for her. One of the activities was that I taught her needle point. She was very interested and was able to finish her first project with some help from me. I hope she will enjoy craft like I do.

Braces Again - 7 ( 45 weeks) Rubber Band

This morning's visit was very short. The technician and the doctor just checked how the new wire goes and everything looks fine.
I have rubber band added on my front teeth to make my teeth align better in the center. I only have to put the rubber band on at night after dinner.

Braces Again - 6 ( 37 weeks) Last Archwire

I had my last wire put up on Wednesday morning. My doctor bended the wire on a few specific areas to help moving a couple of teeth to the right position. He told me that I may be through with my braces by the end of November. I am keeping my finger crossed. It hurts a little these days but I can see significant improvement on my front teeth already.

Sewing Machine Cozy

I made this over the Memorial day weekend for my QE440.
The pocket was not in my original plan but I thought it might be useful to have a front packet. I did not think thoroughly about the pocket size...that is why it is a little too big.

Braces Again - 5 ( 29 weeks) Laces

The power chain was removed this morning. The gaps were gone and I am given the laces on my front teeth to prevent the gaps appearing again. The Doctor said that I will be wearing the same arch wire for 8 more weeks before getting a new one on my next visit.

Braces Again - 4 ( 21 weeks) Power Chain

My regular visit on Feb 11, 2008. X-ray was done to check roots. No new arch wire but power chain was added to the upper front to close gaps.

Braces again - 3 (11 weeks)

Almost 3 months after I have my braces on.
I got new arch wire today on my regular 10 weeks check up. This is my third wire and it is obviously thicker than the previous ones. I got the 2nd wire one week after the initial treatment when I got my molar rings. I guess I am moving a little faster than the plan.

Except from one of the brackets got loosen and I had to visit the clinic and got it glued back on my tooth, things are looking well and has been progressing for the past months.

I will have another arch wire in Feb and from then, my Doctor will decide if that would be my last wire for the upper teeth.
I am expecting some discomforts these days. I need to go with soft diet again until my teeth get used to the new movements. Keeping my fingers crossed here.

Brace again - 2 (3rd week)

It has been more than a week since I have my molar rings on. I am glad that the spacers are gone. I was given a stronger arch wire. It is doing its job and I can see my bottom front tooth are progrssing dramatically. The gums under my right bottom molar was a bit sore last night. I rinsed my mouth with salty water and it worked.
My upper front teeth look really fine and I feel I can have my brackets removed. I am hoping that I can get the results ahead of the original plan.

Age 41 - Braces again

It was more than twenty years ago I had my first braces done. I was so thrilled to see the new smile. But with all the changes in my life, NO, I did not wear my retainer the way I was supposed to. Now, few days before my 41 years old birthday, again, the metals are all back to my mouth.
My teeth line up well and my bite is fine. My bottom teeth keep shifting and the roots are showing. In other words, my teeth are getting taller. This has to be fixed.

This time, with a newer technology - Self - ligating Damon Braces. It is a lot more comfortable than the one I used to had 20+ years ago. The visit was shorter than I thought.

Today is the second day and I am trying to get use to all these foreign metals inside my mouth and learning how to eat with them. Brushing and flossing my teeth takes 10 times longer than usual. No any pain release needed but I find the silicone ortho-sil on the braces release some discomfort on my inner cheeks.

My 6 years old daughter who has yet has any of her baby teeth fell out is trying to comfort me. I think I am giving her a preview of what she will be experiencing some years later. Her pediatric dentist told us that she would probably need braces too since her tooth are so beautifully and closely staying next to each other now. But it means "crowded" spaces for adult teeth.

The treatment time is estimated to be 14 - 16 months. I see some changes on my teeth already. I will have to go back after two weeks for metal rings around my molars. I now have separators between molars to create spaces. I hope I will not end up with cavity problem like last time because of the metal rings.

It is just the beginning. I wonder how my students react to my braces. Many of them have braces too. I will find out tomorrow.

La Cartonnage - another version

I love boxes. I made this out of a round tin. The tin is wrapped by batting and fabric. The cover and the bottom are made of cardboard wrapped by fabric and batting. Hand-sewed all parts together.

Crochet hooks storage case

I made this to store my small size hooks. I add a fabric lining to keep the hooks in place.

How do we celebrate Valentine's day?

Evonne has been having fever these few days. Besides that, she is still playful and happy all the time. Before knowing what battle she was fighting inside her body, we kept her home from spreading the germs to other kids. The doctor found nothing and said many kids get the same thing lately. She was worried that she might have to miss the Valentine's party at school. The doctor told us to give her Tylenol and send her to school. So... that's how we celebrate our Valentine's day... worrying.

P.S. She is fine today, the fever is gone.

Yoga

My first Yoga this morning was quite intense. I was glad to get to know all these new gestures. I was able to do the tree. The dog or crocodile were hard for me. One interesting was that I found out that the left side of my body is not as flexible as my right side.

My mobile phone case

It has been a long time since my last crochet project. I made this out of a baby quilt pattern. I just found some yarns left from my daughter's baby sweater. I am glad that it turns out nicely.

A New Beginning

My first post here. Just want to test how it goes. Hmm.. what shall I say about today??
My first day to the Gym. I did the Steps. It was quite a work out but I really enjoyed it.