3 months in

Since this week i've now been in braces for 3 months, and also had my second adjustment a few days ago. I've not had as much pain from the braces as I envisaged when I first had them put on - however the one part that definitely is not pain-free is during adjustments and having a new wire put in. That said it goes away pretty quick. My orthodontist changed my wire to one I believe is made from a different material and appears slightly thicker than the last. It wasn't until I looked in the mirror in my car as I was setting off home that  I noticed four hooks on the front teeth (shown on the photo below) which I didn't have before. I'm not actually sure what these hooks are for but I assume it's to attach elastics, possibly to close the gaps in my upper teeth where I had one molar taken out each side (if it was this then i'm not sure what the lower hooks would be for?). I know they use these bracket hooks to help change your bite, but I assume I wouldn't have these as that would be the role of the surgery? I'm also wondering why they were put on this new wire if they weren't being used yet - i'm assuming that they've been put in place now until they are needed because the wire won't be changed again. He said my bottom teeth are still in the process of being brought forward and that I should start to see some gaps in between them as a result. My bite seems to feel different fairly often as things are obviously moving around. The gaps between my upper and lower incisors is certainly getting bigger, and i've noticed a small gap between the two top central incisors. The slight staining of the bracket glue is still there but I had a dental check up a few weeks ago and my dentist didn't seem to think it was a problem and that any staining could be cleared up after this whole process is over and the braces come off.

Waterpik

I'm always extra careful cleaning my teeth after an adjustment in case something pings off. I'm determined to go through this whole process without breaking anything! After reading a lot of other jaw surgery blogs I decided to buy a waterpik water flosser which I use pretty much every day. I'm not sure if it's quite as effective as flossing, which I also use, but so far it certainly seems to remove lots of bits of food from between my back teeth. The two photos here show the movement over the first three months. It doesn't look that significant but the two upper front incisors have definitely straightened out, and the lower teeth starting to move forward as it should.

3 months ago

Teeth now