My In-Ovation C braces treatment

The one and only post-braces photo I have so far

Yes, I'm finally free. No more brackets, wires and elastics, and no more carrying around a toothbrush in my clutch. Can I hear a hallelujah!? 

After exactly 14 months, I finally have perfect pearly whites. I couldn't be happier with the results and I still find myself licking my, now, smooth teeth and smiling weirdly at myself in the mirror.

Even though my orthodontic treatment was relatively short compared to the usual 2 to 3-year treatment, it felt like a really long time. It was totally worth it though, in spite of all the bad experiences that came along with it.

I lost 7 kilograms (about 15 pounds) throughout the course of my treatment, which I'm sure many girls would love, but I can do without the "you've-lost-so-much-weight-you-look-so-skinny" comments. Yes, thank you, I know I lost weight, because I can't freakin' eat properly, that's why.

I know everyone's treatments are different, but I thought it would be a good idea to share mine, for those of you that are interested, or are thinking about getting braces as well.

My In-Ovation C Braces Treatment Timeline: 

Before treatment (July 2010)

June 2011 - I told my dentist here in Taiwan that I was interested in getting braces. He introduced me to a wonderful orthodontist and before I knew it, I had an appointment to get x-rays, molds and impressions done.

I did a lot of research on different types of braces, and even checked out Invisalign. After having a consultation with my orthodontist and discussing my options, we decided on the clear In-Ovation C braces. Even though she could have put on the braces that next week, I was heading to the States for summer vacation and thought it would be best to get it when I got back.

September 2011 - My orthodontist fitted me with bottom braces and said that my teeth needed to move a little before she could put the upper ones on. It didn't really hurt, it was just uncomfortable. Read more about my experience with braces during the first two weeks.

November 2011 - I finally got the upper braces, which was extremely painful for the first few days. I was the biggest baby! Read all about my upper-braces fiasco.

February 2012 - The orthodontist put white elastic bands (not sure of the actual name) around all my teeth, which was really tight and hurt a lot. Throughout the rest of my treatment, she took it out and put new ones around my teeth every time I had to go for an adjustment.

March 2012 - I hit the 6-month mark and wrote a detailed post about my first 6 months' experience with braces.

April 2012 - I had to get dental skin graft surgery because of receding gums on one of my bottom teeth. This was the most pain I was ever in throughout my entire treatment. The surgery wasn't successful, unfortunately, and I wrote a post about this painful experience.

June 2012 - I had dental skin graft surgery for the second time, and again, the surgery wasn't successful. This surgery wasn't as painful as the first one, but it still hurt a lot and I couldn't talk, smile or eat properly for two weeks.

During treatment (August 2012)

September 2012 - After a year with braces, the orthodontist started doing the finishing touches and filing my teeth to align them. Here is the post I wrote about hitting the 1-year mark.

November 2012 - At the beginning of the month, she put permanent (fixed) retainers behind a few of my upper teeth and behind some of my lower teeth. This is to ensure that my teeth won't move back after the removal of the braces. They were taken off on November 19th, and it was the weirdest feeling. It actually sounded like each tooth was cracked into hundreds of pieces as she was taking off the brackets. She also filed my teeth to get rid of the glue and then cleaned it. After that, they took photos and impressions again.

After treatment (November 2012)

Even though my treatment is finished, I still have to go and pick up my retainers, which I've promised myself to wear religiously to avoid having to get braces again in the future, and I have an appointment to get a wisdom tooth extracted this weekend. I'll also have to have another skin graft surgery in January. But after that, I'll be finished! Forever! I hope...

Thanks to everyone for your kind, supportive and encouraging words throughout my orthodontic treatment this past year. I'm really glad I made the decision to finally get braces, and I'm extremely relieved that it's all over now, and that my teeth look even better than what I could have imagined. If you've been thinking about getting braces, just do it, you won't regret it. Now is the time, what are you waiting for?!

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me in the comments below, or you can email me at liesl@pretty-random-things.com