Introduction:

I've needed braces for my teeth since I was very young, but my Mom never could afford it. Over the years I guess I've learned to deal with it. Recently I came across youtube videos that showed people closing the gaps in their teeth using small rubber bands. That eventually led to me watching countless videos showing the process of installing real braces and understanding how each component works. So naturally, after finding out that I could order the brackets, cement, arch wire, etc online, I couldn't resist the chance to finally begin straightening my teeth. What makes me most self-conscious are my top teeth since they are the most prominent when I smile. So I decided to put braces on my top teeth first.

Closing Simple Gaps Is Easy To Do:

My ceramic brackets, orthodontic cement & rubber bands arrived first, so I began the process of bonding the brackets to my freshly etched teeth and light curing the cement with a cheap led pen style flashlight.



I decided to install rubber bands on the brackets to close some gaps while waiting for my arch wire to arrive. This is the progress after only five days! 

Arch Wire Finally Installed:

So my arch wire finally came in the mail and I was very excited to say the least. I used stainless steel wire that is .010" thick as ligatures to tie the arch wire into the ceramic bracket. As the ligatures are twisted or tightened, I began to feel the pressure especially from the most crooked teeth. So far the pain hasn't been much at all except for when I eat. I had far more pain using the rubber bands to close my gaps for the five previous days. At this point I'm just trying to allow the arch wire to correct the crowding on the right side of my upper row. The gaps on the left side are pretty much gone. 

I still do place rubber bands strategically connecting certain brackets to apply force on certain teeth. I'm hoping that the arch wire doesn't take forever to correct the crookedness and crowding. So far so good. After 3-4 days of having my arch wire installed my teeth fell a little tender, but no severe pain. I can tell the teeth are being pulled and moved because of the discomfort. These braces were installed on Monday November 3rd 2014.

Disclaimer:

None of the information on this site should be taken as medical or dental advice. This is for educational purposes only. Tracking the progress from beginning to end straightening my teeth at home.