I've recently had my braces removed (May 2009) and now have an Essix retainer for my bottom jaw (to wear at night) and an Hawley retainer for my top jaw with false tooth attached (to wear during the day).

Starting in Aug/Sept 2004 I had Damon type 2 brackets, then In-ovation brackets (replaced March and May 2006) and seven In-ovation brackets without clips (with elastic ligatures).
Total time in braces = 4 years and 8 months!

NB: All treatment is through the NHS apart from implant work done by Mr Ziff which is private.


Thursday, October 27, 2005

New tubing and spring tightening again

Today I had new tubing put on either side of my bottom spring.

This is to widen the gap quicker.

The springs for my pre-molars were also tightened.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

New tubing and spring tightening

Today I had new tubing put on either side of my top spring.

This is to widen the gap quicker.

The springs for my pre-molars were also tightened.
These new springs are causing my gums to suffer. I have to apply wax on them to relive the pain and damage to my gums.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Wire change and new springs

Today I had my top wire changed.

I'm now 22 years old. I also had two new springs attached to brackets on either side of my gaps from where my top pre-molars were removed.

These are to close the gaps up.

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Tubing

Today I had metal tubing put on either side of my two springs to make the gaps widen quicker.

I told Miss M about my operation and also about me losing my back bracket again.

I didn't bother with an emergency appointment this time as last time it came off those teeth hadn't moved.

Miss M said it's not needed for now anyway.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Day surgery (wisdom teeth removal) part 2

Day surgery (wisdom teeth removal)

Today I got up at 5am, got ready and had some water (not allowed anything to eat after midnight before surgery and can't have water after 6am on day of surgery)

Went to the hospital with Mum and Dad for 8am.

After waiting and being admitted to the room, I had numbing cream applied to the back of my hands so I didn't feel the drip go in and had all the necessary checks done.

I changed into the hospital gown and put my slippers and dressing gown on.

I walked to the bit before you go into theatre; they took my glasses, gown and slippers and put the drip in, then asked me how I was etc and put me under general anaesthetic (I had to count to ten, can't remember how far I got though).

Next thing I remember is coming back round, asking for my glasses (as I can't see very well) and having a very swollen face.

I rested for a while at the hospital, got seen again by the consultant to check everything was okay, then I got given some medication for the pain, some gauze for any bleeds and some mouthwash to help with the healing. The nurse came and removed the drip then I got changed and went home to rest.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Spring? boing, boing...

Today I got my wires changed by Miss M.

She put a new wire on my bottom teeth and replaced my missing bracket from my bottom pre-molar.

She also put a spring on the wire between my upper central incisor and where the new tooth will go. This is to create a gap for the tooth.

I was used to seeing the little gap I had all closed up and now it's going to be opened up again. Oh well...

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Day Surgery (wisdom teeth removal)

Day Surgery (wisdom teeth removal)

Today I got up at 5am, got ready and had some water (not allowed anything to eat after midnight before surgery and can't have water after 6am on day of surgery)

Went to the hospital with Mum and Dad for 8am.

After waiting and being admitted to the room, when I had my temperature taken it was found it is too high as I am just about to come down with something and so I can't have the operation as it would be under general anaesthetic.

They gave me some orange juice and then I went home and rested.

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Blood sample again

Blood sample for day surgery

Today I received a letter through the post saying I need to have another blood sample taken as the one I had done previously was not suitable for the lab to test.

I rang up and found out I can go to the hospital to have one taken there so I went along and got it over and done with.

Monday, January 17, 2005

Pre-assessment for day surgery (wisdom teeth removal)

I went down to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for my pre-assessment.

It basically involved a chat about what will happen on the day of my surgery and the nurse took my height, weight, checked my blood pressure and took a blood sample.