I can't believe I need to do this again.
Sigh... I really didn't want to ever, ever wear braces again.
As a kid, I had a Class 3 malocclusion. I got the following from the AI Overview.
"Class 3 malocclusion, also known as prognathism or underbite, is a type of dental malocclusion where the lower jaw and teeth protrude forward, overlapping the upper jaw and teeth. It's the rarest type of malocclusion."
I guess it was rare and unusual enough that the orthodontist who worked on me through the years from grade school until my senior year in high school did it for free. He did put me in some dental journal though.
Also... can I mention that my brother did not have this condition. No one in the family does, just me. He has straight, beautiful teeth and NEVER needed braces.
Anyway... this is to explain why I didn't want to go through braces again.
Art, however, lost a front bottom tooth a couple of years ago and had to wear something called Invisalign. Actually my daughter had braces as a child but her teeth began to move a few years ago so she began using Invisalign also.
So then... sigh... last month I broke my front tooth. It just snapped. I know it's because it was banging on the bottom tooth constantly.
Sigh...
On the plus side, it's better than the metal braces.
On the negative side, I have to keep it on 22 hours a day! It's such a bother to take off, brush my teeth and put it back on again that it prevents me from snacking.
I'm losing weight. And I really shouldn't lose more weight. Doggone it.
I have to change these trays once a week and be vigilant about keeping my teeth brushed and clean after each meal.
We're planning to travel next year and I'm wondering how I'm going to handle this.😬
Art is reminding me that he did it 2 years ago.
Well... we'll see.
But I'm not going to like it.
And yes, it's true. I'm a whimp. (And I like to snack... only healthy stuff mind you... most of the time.)
Dental procedures are never fun. You'll be fine, Kay, you know you will. 😀
ReplyDeleteWhat a pain in the neck, or at least close to the neck, 🤓
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I have a broken crown and an appointment to tend to it.
My wife went through the Invisalign treatment and was happy with the results. It seemed so much easier than going to the orthodontist and having wires cut, tightened and rewrapped, all the while poking painfully at the inside of your mouth until they got them tucked out of the way. My eldest child wasn't a candidate for the Invisalign so did the old fashioned way. My youngest's teeth are quite a mess so I'm guessing she will be going the old fashioned way too. I had to go the old fashioned way myself for about six years when I was young. I always joke that I own part of my orthodontist's large mansion which is currently up for sale in our town.
ReplyDeleteI had braces as an adult. The invisalign was my retainer once the metal braces came off.
ReplyDeleteI also had front tooth problems. It started in grade school with decay and was filled. Years later when eating a frozen cookie it broke off - had a cap put on. After that the post fatigued and I had a new one with a bigger post - that cap came off a few years later when I was flossing. So I needed a tooth implant. But first I needed some new bone to grow and then my husband was laid off and I had to wait a few years so by then I needed more surgery before I could have a new tooth. During that time I had a "flipper" that would look good but I couldn't bite anything with it. I could look goofy for Halloween though. Eventually I got the tooth implant and hopefully that will be the only thing left whole when I die and decay!
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Ouuuuuuch!!!! Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry for all your had to go through. That sounds awful. OK… I’ll stop complaining. 🫣
DeleteI've known several adults who have successfully used Invisalign. I have no doubt that you can also.
ReplyDeleteInvisalign sounds great
ReplyDeleteI wear a retainer on the top which looks very much like that; I had braces for 8 months in my 40s to straighten out a jutting out tooth. It was purely cosmetic and I'm glad I did it. It sounds like your braces were mostly not cosmetic and were needed to correct a bite issue. I should note that I only wear my retainer at night and can easily skip a couple days if needed.
ReplyDeleteEven though I really enjoy my dental hygenist, I always dread going to the dentist because there is always some tooth that needs work. Even though I use Dr. Ellie's dental protocol, my old teeth need fixing and crowns redone. On my next visit I will be fitted for a mouthguard that looks like your invisalign because I grind my teeth at night and during the day. However, according to Dr. Ellie, it is our alkaline saliva that mineralizes teeth and I am thinking this mouthguard will not be good for my teeth. Sigh, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI have not had braces or invisalign and I have a question: how does invisalign relate to fixing your broken tooth?
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: The Invisalign is to prevent any of my other front teeth from breaking. The dentist put a temporary cap on my broken front tooth. She said when I’m done with the procedure in a year, I need to go back to her to put in a permanent cap before they make the retainer/mouth guard for me.
DeleteI had this condition and had surgery in 1972. The condition was "fixed." I would never go through that surgery again. The surgery is not being done anymore.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this! But my teeth seem to be weakening.
ReplyDeleteWe don't want bumps in the road now do we? But I know this will become routine very quickly and it won't be as annoying as you fear. Enjoy the holiday season sweetie. They're lighting the tree at Honolulu hale tonight. Aloha from townside!
ReplyDeleteOh, me too. Broken top teeth because of bottom tooth placement. My dentist said nothing could be done. Hmm. I guess I look for a dentist like yours.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope this goes quickly, and remember how lucky you are to get to eat as much as you want before sticking those things back in your mouth. Now I understand why that front tooth broke like that.
ReplyDeleteI had a malocclusion at 12. Did not get braces until I was a senior in high-school and a freshman in college. Can't imagine wearing braces again. Did just have two dental implants and no dental insurance. $7,000.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well.
ReplyDeleteYou'll cope, I know you will :)
All the best Jan
My daughter-in-law just had these put in as she was getting some issues which caused her pain. I hope it all goes well for you.
ReplyDeleteOur teeth are so important.
ReplyDelete