Looking back through pictures, I can see the major changes in her teeth over the past three years.
First she had oral surgery in March 2010 to remove an extra tooth that was growing up into her palate.
I didn't realize it at the time but that was what was causing the space between her front two teeth while all the rest were over crowded. Once it was removed, Carley's front teeth pushed together and began overlapping.
Carley got upper and lower palate expanders in November 2011.
The upper palate isn't fully formed until about 12 years old so the orthodontist was able to create more space in Carley's mouth to reduce crowding of her teeth. We had to turn the expander every night for a while and then it stayed in place just to make sure nothing moved back.
Braces on the top front teeth and a permanent retainer on the lower teeth was the next step.
Carley was so excited to have braces. She loved picking new rubber band colors at checkups.
Finally after nearly a year with braces, Carley got them taken off. She now has a new top retainer that she has to wear 24 hours a day for six months. After that, she'll only need to wear it while sleeping.
The orthodontic visits don't stop yet. She has a followup appointment in February and will need braces again when she has more permanent teeth, probably around 12 years old. For now she's sporting a beautiful new smile.
1 comment:
This is great that you have a progression of pictures to see actually what she is going through. She will appreciate that to show the pain and suffering she had to go though to get perfect teeth. Now to show your payments to see Walt and your pain and suffering you get to go through!
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