Pretty. Random. Braces. Update

Sorry for the bad picture, but it is one of the only close-ups I have of me with braces. This photo was taken in December 2011, 3 months after I started my treatment.

I’m excited to announce that I’ve hit the 6-month mark! So, according to what my orthodontist said, I'm either a third of the way, or halfway! I really really hope it's the latter...
 

I'm extremely happy with the progress so far, as I saw my teeth change dramatically already within the first month. It was almost unbelievable how fast they changed! And, of course, extremely exciting for me. My teeth already look perfectly straight now. 

On September 10th, 2011 I was fitted with the bottom braces. I opted for clear In-Ovation C braces, which are easier to adjust (they just clip open) which means I'm in and out of the orthodontist's office in less than 10 minutes. So convenient! And it's a little less noticeable.

When I got bottom braces put on it didn’t hurt, although naturally it was very uncomfortable. Eating was difficult, and I lost about 5kg in the first 3 months. Slowly it became easier to eat, and I can now basically eat anything I want by just cutting it up into small pieces.

On November 5th, 2011 I got the upper braces. I was feeling optimistic because the lower ones didn’t hurt, but damn, the upper ones hurt like a biatch. Even after taking pain killers, the pain did not go away. For two nights I couldn’t sleep well and would wake up crying from the pain. It sounds so dramatic, I know, but it was truly an unpleasant experience.

I now go for an adjustment every three weeks, which is okay because my orthodontist’s office is a 10 minute walk from my house. Understandably, my teeth always feel sensitive and “tight” after an adjustment, which usually lasts a maximum of three days.

On February 4th, 2012 she put clear rubber bands around my braces. That also hurt like a mother! I think, if it's even possible, that it was worse than when they fitted the upper braces. I thought my teeth were going to fall out, it was so tight.

During the course of my treatment, two of the brackets have come loose from my teeth after eating, and she had to glue them on again. Also, the arch wire came out of one of the brackets one day after eating pizza, but they popped that back in within seconds. Next week, they'll be taking photos of my progress and probably make adjustments again.

If you are considering adult braces, please feel free to ask me about my experience so far. Obviously, I'm eager for this process to be over, although I don't regret doing it for a second. I can guarantee you'll feel the same way. It's not so bad being a 26-year old "brace face", there are worse things in the world.