Here’s a pretty recent picture so you can see the glamorous, hook studded smile I’m sporting. They aren’t too noticeable in most pictures (but in some lighting, the flash ricochets off them enough that I’m worried about the photographer’s eyes) In person, they look pretty funny. I’ll post a close up picture sometime, but now on to the story.Yesterday, for the second time in as many months, I broke the same bracket on the top right side. Was I chewing gum, or hard candy, or any of the things they suspected at the orthodontist? Nope, just talking. One minute I’m having a carefree conversation, the next I’m chomping on free floating wire, hooks, and bracket grit. Apparently the ICE brackets have much less give, and I keep catching my lip on the surgical hook next to that bracket. All of that has been weakening the bracket to the point that it just pretty much explodes!
It was an interesting trip to get it fixed today, because I didn’t see my normal ortho or her staff. A new ortho was there (like, brand new) who I had met briefly before but who hadn’t seen any of my records. A lot of confusion ensued, as it does anytime I see someone new for my mouth, be it there or at the dentist. I’m sure you all can relate! Take this conversation:
“Bite together… bite together please… could you bite together? Meredith?”
“Umm… I am.”
“You are? Oh, wow, you are. We’re going to fix that, right?”
Then the assistant, who didn’t believe the wires were segmented and was sure I had cut it for some reason, really wanted to unband and redo the whole top with one wire. Thus I learned to PAY ATTENTION when someone is working on your mouth! They probably haven’t dealt with mouths as complicated before! Fortunately, I whipped out all my orthodontic knowledge to explain the reasoning behind the three separate wires, and she put it back the way it was.
In the end, it all got straightened out. Everyone was very nice, but it’s such a hassle for everyone involved that I try to avoid seeing other orthodontists as much as possible. I got a steel bracket to replace the one that’s been falling apart and was sent home, hopefully for the last time before surgery. (Even though it's still 2 months off, getting started on my 'lasts' is kind of exciting!)
