Re: Who's that strange person in the mirror?

[Guest guest]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! So happy for you and so

jealous too! From one " old timer " to another - Congratulations on

the end of this long journey!!! Eat a lot of popcorn for me!

-Yooli

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! So happy for you and so

jealous too! From one " old timer " to another - Congratulations on

the end of this long journey!!! Eat a lot of popcorn for me!

-Yooli

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! So happy for you and so

jealous too! From one " old timer " to another - Congratulations on

the end of this long journey!!! Eat a lot of popcorn for me!

-Yooli

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, ,

It's a huge day. I'm so glad that you didn't have any discomfort.

Enjoy!!!

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, ,

It's a huge day. I'm so glad that you didn't have any discomfort.

Enjoy!!!

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, ,

It's a huge day. I'm so glad that you didn't have any discomfort.

Enjoy!!!

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

i am soooo happy for you!! you have been such a help to me (and i'm

sure everyone else here) i can't wait until the 17th of june...i'm

soooo excited! i didn't have a hard time either, when i look back on

it, it was really easy. took a long time to get to this stage but it

was 100% worth it! i've noticed that i smile all the time now too. i

love it! hahaha

anyways congrats!!!

Jen

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

i am soooo happy for you!! you have been such a help to me (and i'm

sure everyone else here) i can't wait until the 17th of june...i'm

soooo excited! i didn't have a hard time either, when i look back on

it, it was really easy. took a long time to get to this stage but it

was 100% worth it! i've noticed that i smile all the time now too. i

love it! hahaha

anyways congrats!!!

Jen

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

Take care!

*laen*

[Guest guest]

Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

Take care!

*laen*

[Guest guest]

Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

Take care!

*laen*

[Guest guest]

Woohoo!

Congratulations, . How exciting! You have been an inspiration for

all of us, and we're all so glad to see you making it through to the

end. Bravo!

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed, and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front.

......

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Woohoo!

Congratulations, . How exciting! You have been an inspiration for

all of us, and we're all so glad to see you making it through to the

end. Bravo!

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed, and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front.

......

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Woohoo!

Congratulations, . How exciting! You have been an inspiration for

all of us, and we're all so glad to see you making it through to the

end. Bravo!

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed, and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front.

......

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks guys! It's been a terrific day.

Hey, I figured you were lurking out there, Laen. Nothing to comment

on? Hmm - you sure know how to keep us in suspense. Hope all is well

with you. That brace-free, perfect, soon to be absolutely fabulous

smile is getting closer and closer for you too!

(Orthognathic Patient graduating class of 2003 - no diploma, but a

grand smile!)

[Guest guest]

Thanks guys! It's been a terrific day.

Hey, I figured you were lurking out there, Laen. Nothing to comment

on? Hmm - you sure know how to keep us in suspense. Hope all is well

with you. That brace-free, perfect, soon to be absolutely fabulous

smile is getting closer and closer for you too!

(Orthognathic Patient graduating class of 2003 - no diploma, but a

grand smile!)

[Guest guest]

Thanks guys! It's been a terrific day.

Hey, I figured you were lurking out there, Laen. Nothing to comment

on? Hmm - you sure know how to keep us in suspense. Hope all is well

with you. That brace-free, perfect, soon to be absolutely fabulous

smile is getting closer and closer for you too!

(Orthognathic Patient graduating class of 2003 - no diploma, but a

grand smile!)

[Guest guest]

Congrats, ! What a day to celebrate! I, too, have a tongue

scraper installed behind my front lower teeth. It took a little

getting used to. I remember the cement stuff felt really rough for a

few days and that bothered me, but it smoothed out eventually. As for

the upper retainer, I was thylvester, as Cammie would put it, for

quite a while! My ortho said the more I talked, the faster I would

adjust to it, so talk, talk, talk! Enjoy that popcorn and flossing

afterward!

Marsha

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, hey, hey!

Yes there is something to post about.

Pal, you're a friend, and we wanna know how things are with you!!!

Progress, frustration, whatever.... So don't go away -- ok?

Cammie

> Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

> don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

> commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

> CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

>

> Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

>

> Take care!

>

> *laen*

[Guest guest]

Hey, hey, hey!

Yes there is something to post about.

Pal, you're a friend, and we wanna know how things are with you!!!

Progress, frustration, whatever.... So don't go away -- ok?

Cammie

> Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

> don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

> commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

> CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

>

> Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

>

> Take care!

>

> *laen*

[Guest guest]

Hey, hey, hey!

Yes there is something to post about.

Pal, you're a friend, and we wanna know how things are with you!!!

Progress, frustration, whatever.... So don't go away -- ok?

Cammie

> Yes, I know, I know... I don't post as often as I should. In fact I

> don't post anymore. But that's because there isn't anything worth

> commenting down here, same old ortho adjustments. However...

> CONGRATULATIONS!! I had to lapse out of my silence to tell you that!

>

> Enjoy your brace free, perfect, soon to be whiter smile! :-)

>

> Take care!

>

> *laen*

[Guest guest]

Thats brilliant news!

Congrats

XX

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Thats brilliant news!

Congrats

XX

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>

[Guest guest]

Thats brilliant news!

Congrats

XX

> Well, I'm back from the ortho having had all my hardware removed,

and

> a wee bit put back, in the form of a wire retainer inside my lower

> teeth at the front. Evidently those little guys need a constant

> reminder to stay put. It's kind of like a little tongue-scraper

> because I keep rubbing against it - I suppose that urge will go

away

> eventually.

>

> Didn't hurt a bit. Even got my teeth " brushed " and cleaned by my

> ortho, right in the chair!

>

> I celebrated with a Happy Meal on the way back. It felt funny, but

in

> a good way. Perfect arch bites in the burger. No crap to clean out

of

> my teeth. Woohoo! They don't call it a Happy Meal for nothing!

>

> I couldn't see much in the mirror the ortho gave me at his office,

> nor in the mirror in the car. It wasn't until I got to that big

> mirror in the washroom until I could see the change. HOLY MOLY!

here

> we go again, everything looks different to me.

>

> I have an ALF-style retainer to be worn at home (ie not at work,

but

> for the rest of the time). Major lisp when installed, worse than

last

> time. I guess I'll get used to that. In a few months, the ortho may

> let me go down to just wearing it when I sleep. It's just to

maintain

> the shape, unlike the original ALF I had, which definitely moved

> things.

>

> They gave me my after molds, they're pretty cool. In about five

weeks

> I go back, and they'll let me take a picture of my before molds,

I'll

> post that here when I do. They also took my picture and are going

to

> send me a copy. I asked to borrow the before pictures, and I'll

scan

> them and post as well.

>

> My coworkers tell me that I've looked so happy and content since I

> had the surgery (that's when I was able to smile). That was nice of

> them, and I didn't even pay them to say it. My ortho said the same

> sort of thing, that there's a new confidence in most people after

> they've had it done.

>

> That's all. It's kind of an emotional day to get this stuff off.

> Makes you want to thank all the people who helped you through it,

my

> ortho, my surgeon, my dentist (who referred me to the ortho). Most

> especially everyone here, especially the old-heimers who I've known

> for awhile - I'm not going to name anybody because I fear leaving

> somebody out - you know who you are!

>

> For you pre-oppers or people considering this, it is worth it. I

had

> an easy go of it, with ALF treatment, even the braces were not

> painful, the surgery and recovery were easy for me. Even if I'd had

a

> rougher go of it, it would be worth it. I learned the fine art of

> patience. I even found some alternative therapies that will help me

> in future. It's all worth it, every bit.

>

> Now, I have a very important date with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Next

to

> come, cleaning, whitening, crown/bridge/crown combo replacement.

>

> Cheers, everyone!

>