Today I went to the orthodontist. It’s Day 84 since I got brackets and wires. It’s 8 weeks since my last visit. I have felt and seen the difference. There are many things going on in my mouth. There’s a gap growing between my right front tooth and the lateral incisor next to it. That’s the spot for a missing tooth to be implanted one day. I only have brackets on my upper palate but next time that will change. My teeth have been moved to make space for brackets on the lower palate, so in 8 weeks time, I’ll have a mouthful of metal. It’s been a gentle introduction to the world of braces. I’ve only had on my front teeth and the back upper molar on each side is not braced. I don’t have elastics either. I don’t know if I get those eventually…they do seem particularly ‘teenagerish’. In 8 weeks time, on 2nd April, Day 140, I get the bottoms braced and the back molars as well. I will enjoy the simplicity of flossing right now. It’s going to get a whole lot more difficult!
Today, the orthodontist was thrilled. He actually became quite animated. Enthusiastically explaining what had happened and what it meant. At the start of the appointment I asked him what the timeline was for bottom braces. He was non-committal, but after he examined me, he said, ‘This is great. I am so happy with this progress!’ I think because I’m older, he does expect slower movement and he was pleasantly surprised quickly saying I must come back in 7 weeks time and get the bottom palate braced. Seven weeks from now, he is away, so I made it 8 weeks. I’ll enjoy that final week I tell you. No time like the present for a quick selfie update….I think my phone has an automatic ‘beautify’ filter – my skin is not quite so flawless!
You can see the gap appearing. The orthodontist said when the gap is big enough, he will put a temporary tooth in its place so I don’t walk around with a massive gap until I get the permanent implant. The proper implant could be middle of next year – I’m guessing.
I told someone today that time crawls by often-times when going forward but seems to fly by in hindsight. That’s how it will be with getting my dental work done. One day I’ll look back and say ‘wow, that was 5 years ago’. The orthodontist says it will all be worth it for a beautiful smile and great oral function. When I go to the gym and slave away at getting fit, no one says it will all be worth it for a beautiful body and great mobility! The braces work while I sleep. Getting fit works in very slow increments with tiny little millimeters of change over weeks of hard work, but it definitely all adds up. When I hop out of bed on one leg and feel how easy it is, I know I’m getting stronger. Training for old age!
Today I’ve worked just over 7 hours and once I’ve finished here, I’ll go do some more. I’m still trying to catch up.
Isaiah 14:24
The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.”
I trust the Lord.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- 18 minutes on the treadmill
- 55 minutes Pilates – that’s an amazing activity.
Braces:
Yip – Day 84