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.