Nov 21, 2012

"Makeup Is For Ugly People"

In attempts to raise a healthy view of beauty, my well meaning Aunt said to my female cousin that make up is for ugly people. Well in some cases that may be true...but make up is really for everyone! My obsession started when I was about 16 and finally allowed to wear eyeliner. I remember my eyeliner of choice was a glittery silver...(it was, of course the Spice Girl's era). Make up "parties" selling Mary Kay or Jafra got me into foundation...and before long I was hooked onto covering up my teenage acne with the wonderful magic liquid!

Fast forward to my late twenties and with YouTube's make up guru's my love for make up only grew! In fact I've never been better at make up application and knowing which drugstore item was great or when it was time to splurge for a department store item. I received lots more complements on my eyes and got more daring with colors and trends. I recently joined "My Glam" which is now called "Ipsy" founded by Michelle Phan. They send makeup/skincare/haircare samples monthly. Every month they send at least one full sized item, sometimes even two! I'm never ever ever gonna cancel my subscription! I'm so busy lately....and I so look forward to my random bag of goodies!

My love of make up will never end. I love using a highly pigmented shadow, or experiencing a really creamy lipstick or gloss that just feels great. Since I'm a bit older, I use glitter sparingly but still have some I can whip out on special occasions! I recently discovered BB Cream...(life changing product). Who knows what I will discover next?

Oct 26, 2012

Invisalign Refinements

Anyone out there have refinements done? How many trays were you assigned?  I'm worried now, about the tooth that won't come down.  There is a gap there.  I was told practically everyone at my office got a set of refinements and I'm just worried about how many I'm gonna get.  I googled it and I noticed some people were assigned refinements midway.  My doctor does it at the end.  I don't know which is better.  Probably his way, because then we get to just work on the teeth that weren't "moved" properly.  I'm beginning to think maybe getting a full metal mouth, wouldn't have been so bad, because a true year having them is a true year! With Invisalign, treatment can go on and on depending on how good you are with wearing them.

Just ranting!  Any comments would be helpful!

Oct 24, 2012

Picked Up Tray's 13-18 Today

So....I had an Orthodontist visit today.  I voiced my concerns about seeing a little gap between the tooth and the plastic on one of my teeth.  He said that tooth needed to come down further...so they gave me "Chewies" basically this little rubber cylinder thing you chew on to get the trays to fit better and move the teeth.  I wanted to say, WHERE THE HECK WAS THIS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF MY TREATMENT???  They work great!  At this moment I'm gnawing on it, in the hopes this tooth will come down further and catch up.  If not...no worries.  I asked when I would be "done" they said sometime in March...but then they added...there may be some "refinements" done.  I asked how many patients get those refinements?  (I did the research and the concept of additional trays used to refine is nothing new to me).  They said practically every patient.  So....I won't be exactly "done" in March.  Boo!  Just hoping I don't get too many extra trays.  I've heard people getting 6 trays which ain't bad at all but then I've heard some getting 20+ which is basically another YEAR of treatment.  Since I'm just fixing a few crowding issues, I'm hoping I don't get that many trays.

Anyway...have I been doing great with brushing and putting them in ASAP after EVERY meal?  No.  I have to get better.  So what I'll probably resort to doing, is rinse really good, then pop back in and brush later.  When I'm at work, it's really hard for me to stop once I get engrossed in something but I'm going to resolve to stop and brush so I can put them back in.  I think the better I do at keeping them in, the less extra trays I will get.  Hopefully.

Every two weeks when I switch to a new tray I noticed some trays come with more discomfort than others.  Not sure why.  And not sure if it has to do with how good I've been wearing them too, like the longer the less discomfort I will feel during the switch.  Anyway, can't wait to get this over with.  I know in the long run it will seem like a distant memory...but right now I can't wait to be done!

Aug 1, 2012

A Quarter Of My Treatment Time DONE!!!

So I'm done with the first 6 trays!  There's 17 trays to go.  I'm so happy I'm done with the first segment!!

Last week, I had a cleaning done, and the hygienist said she has never seen my gums in such great shape!  So I was right, the flossing does make a huge difference and I hope to keep up with it long after the trays are removed.  She also is at the end of her Invisalign treatment.  She admitted to me that she drinks coffee with them!  I still have my morning cup with them out.  It just feels wrong.  

Today I had an appointment with my Orthodontist.  It was a real fast visit.  They just put in tray 7 (ow), felt around to see how it fit and gave me trays 7-12.  I asked him to see my ClinCheck video and I was impressed by the animation!  More incentive to be patient and good about wearing them as much as possible!  My end result will look great...my top row didn't seem so bad off, but it really needed to be spaced better (wider) as well.  

OH!  I  also asked about IPR...when I'm having that done.  The girl said right after tray 19.  So I have that to look forward to, yay.  But from looking at the image on the computer, it looked like it only affected two teeth.  I'm not that worried about it anyway.  I asked what type of retainer I would have, and he said I would have an Invisalign-type retainer that I would only wear at nights.  I can live with that! 

So they scheduled my next visit in 12 weeks and sent me on my way.  I've been really doing good with keeping them in...and will try to be more diligent about putting them in faster after meals, etc.

Can't wait 'till I can say it's half over, and then when it's ALL OVER!

Jul 9, 2012

Invisalign - Things I've Noticed

Spacing - My teeth are spaced wider...so flossing has been a breeze - used to be really tight in certain spots but not any longer.  My bottom lower teeth are separating and moving apart (like one is going more forward and the other more backward) making it look slightly worse...but it's all about the big picture in the end.  I'm sure after IPR (where they file the teeth) and more treatment trays to bring the teeth in closer, I'll have a nice result.

IPR - Teeth filing.  I'm very afraid of it!  Not about the procedure itself, I've just read too many horror stories online where the Orthodontist took TOO MUCH tooth off and had to apply bonding material to make it look better.  I'm going to voice my concerns with him.  Thank goodness I haven't done it yet.  A lot of people say they have it done before the first tray is put on.  I'm assuming mine will be done when I come in to pick up trays 7-12.

Crooked lower teeth - I've always had a complex about my crooked lower teeth...but now that I have the braces on, and speaking to people, I've observed a lot of people have crooked lower teeth?!  I guess it's common...but I don't care, I still want straight teeth!  LOL.

ANYONE WHO'S HAD IPR, please comment and tell me if you like your result and how painful it is.  I have a high tolerance to pain but would like to know what the pain could be compared to.

I really cannot wait until this is over.  I got used to the whole regimen fairly quickly, but still cannot wait till it's over and my teeth are straight!  I still would have to wear a retainer...but at least the whole process will be over.  Every two weeks, it takes me a few days to get used to the new trays and it just feels uncomfortable!  But at least I don't have on the metal brackets.  My Ortho told me he can finish them off with the metal if I want, and I really do think, I might as well go all the way to get the results that I want, even if I am metal mouth for 2 or 3 months!

Jul 6, 2012

Invisalign - Tray 5

So I'm on tray 5 now.  Just switched trays this past Wednesday, July 4.  The top, where I have the least issues feels tight but not uncomfortable or painful.  The bottom, is a whole different story!  It hurt like crazy...like for a good minute.

I put my new trays in at night so that by morning, they will be easier to take in and out. I would say it takes a good 3-5 days where it's easy to take out.

After tray 6, I will be officially over with a fourth of my treatment!  (Given I have no setbacks/adjustments to be made).  I still haven't had the IPR done....hope that's not too bad.

May 24, 2012

Invisalign - First Time Switching to New Tray!

So just as these trays were sliding in and out of my mouth with ease, it was time to change them.  I was advised to change them at night, as you will have the whole night when you sleep to get a little used to it.  When I first "tried" it on, I was like YOWWWW that's tiiiiight!  Had a  hard time getting it off too.  When I snapped the bottoms there was even a burst of pain.  Well, I popped them in and went to bed and by morning, they were easier to pop on and off.  Oh, first thing I also noticed about the new trays, is they were cloudy. I put them through 3 minute antibacterial denture cleaner and that did the trick.  Now they advise against using denture cleaner, but I read a lot of blogs and people have used it without a problem.  So I got the 3 minute kind...maybe the people soaking for an hour or more were weakening the plastic.  Not on mine!  No cracks and they come out shiny and clean.  I soak them in the morning while I'm having my coffee, brush and pop back in.

I also read of an increase in cavities (because of lack of natural flow of saliva) which does concern me, but I've been keeping up with the brushing and flossing.  I've never brushed and flossed so much in my life!  I'm making up for lost time I guess.

I was really happy that the new tighter trays did not cause my extra salivation problem I was having at first.  Those first 5 days are hell, but once you get through them, you will realize in time you won't even think about them being in your mouth, and you will appreciate not having metal scratching your mouth!

So, I'm on tray 2 of 23.  I was studying tray 6 and although I can see a slight difference, but not big enough.  I'm impatient man!

Oh, I am definitely keeping all my trays so I can look back at the transformation.  I was looking online to see what people did with their old ones, and found something someone said that literally made me laugh out loud:

"...if I ever want to go back to how I had my teeth originally, I can wear them in reverse order."

I was actually thinking of painting them white so they look like teeth, lol. Maybe the first and the last set. Hmm...we'll see!

May 17, 2012

Invisalign - 1st Week DONE

It's pretty safe to say that by the first week, things are a WHOLE lot better.  I'm on my 9th day, and have 6 more days before I switch to tray #2 of #23.  So exciting!!  I'll probably blog after my first switch.

So just as a recap, days 1-5 are hell.  And now it's pretty much a breeze and part of my life!  I'm getting more and more used to the feeling of it in my mouth, it's less tight so of course there is less pressure and less tension at the end of the day.  When I sit down to dinner, taking them off is a welcome break.  Invisalign is great because I have no restrictions on what I can eat.  I'm brushing and flossing after EVERY meal so my gum health will be impeccable by my next cleaning visit, my hygienist will be pleased!  And I'm no longer biting my cheeks!  Woot woot!

I had to go in the Orthodontist's office the other day to get an attachment re-done on one of my bottom teeth. I read online that they can fall off from time to time.  I was in and out in a matter of 20 mins.  Was happy to have the attachment back on so that my trays will continue to work properly.

Now I am very annoyed with the location of the attachments.  I understand the tooth must rotate but since this is Invisalign, I would expect them to come up with an invisible option.  Like having the attachments on the INSIDE of the teeth.  But, as my husband states on a regular basis, what I go through is NOTHING compared to what he had with regular braces.  I just think mine would be completely unnoticeable.  I have to fight the feeling I have to share with every friend and acquaintance that I'm wearing them.  Maybe they won't notice??? But I do!

About the speech impediment...I think it's still there but greatly reduced.  And I think I notice it more on myself than anyone would.

That being said...even though I'm not finished with this process, if you are considering them, I feel comfortable enough to recommend them.  But research other's final results.  I kind of wish I could change trays each week! I feel like that would expedite the process....but they know what they are doing...so let's see how this year goes!  Someone said that this seems like forever, but once you are done it will be like a tiny speck in time.  :-)  I sure hope so!

May 12, 2012

Invisalign - Day 4

I downloaded an app that will let me publish blogs from my phone. So I'm testing this now.

Getting more used to the braces...every morning feels much better.  Still biting my cheek when they are off and don't think that will go away until my teeth have reached their final destination. My husband thinks its funny. He went through metal braces for two years and went through much worse.

May 11, 2012

Invisalign - Day 3

Woke up feeling MUCH better! And when I snapped my trays back in after brushing in the morning, I found they were a bit easier to snap on!  I'm still salivating more, but it's less than before, so I'm happy about that.  I also find myself not focusing on thinking of it being inside.

I'm still having trouble speaking....and it's making me self conscious.  I heard you have to keep practicing speaking to learn how to speak w/o lisping.  And I'm also not smiling as big because of the stupid bubbles in the Invisalign that accommodate for the attachment bumps they never tell you about!!!  Except for my teeth looking shiny, you would never know if it weren't for those darn bumps.  That's a big annoyance.  One lady at the Orthodontist office told me if I were going out for an evening, to just leave them home and don't even worry about putting them in.  Ha!  What does it matter?  I leave them home, and I have Klingon looking teeth...okay it's not that bad, but nobody's natural teeth have bumps on them.  I can imagine some rocker people might start wanting to attach spike-like things to their teeth...

Here's what they look like, and no these are NOT my teeth.  And I think these actually look MUCH nicer than mine.  The plastic just emphasizes it even more.


So yeah, if you are considering Invisalign, just know, NOTHING is invisible!  Unless you have the behind the teeth thing.  Oh well.

Invisalign - Day 2

Okay Day 2 was a bad day...the salivating was getting on my nerves, and by the end of the day, the pressure on my teeth just made me feel tired.  I didn't like the feeling of chewing so carefully....because if I didn't I would bite my cheek.  When I took them off for dinner it was a welcome break.  When I put them back on, I felt a lot better.  I think breaks for eating are very helpful during this transition.  I also looked forward to sleeping...it's easy to wear it for bed and I don't think I will have any problems using my retainer.  I read a few other blogs and checked out people's before and after pics and regained the strength to carry on.  I read that after 5-7 days you forget they are there.  Can't wait for that!  I also read some people get cavities???  I'm not drinking anything other than water when I have them in...even though you can have "clear" liquids.  And I've never flossed so much in my entire life!!!  I am assigned 23 trays.  Looking at tray #6, I can already see a SLIGHT improvement. Can't wait until I'm halfway done with this process.  I think by halfway I would see a large improvement - because they have to move all the teeth back and then I can have certain teeth filed (slimmed down) and last trays tighten everything back together.  I'm going to have to do a round of teeth whitening and some bonding on one chipped tooth.  Ah well....I'm still a long way away!

May 10, 2012

Invisalign

So I'm a bit old for braces...so I opted for Invisalign braces.  I really got them for my bottom teeth, but my top teeth could use a bit of straitening also.  Plus you need to move both top and bottom anyway so they match.  Now they have technology where they use a handheld wand to scan your mouth - better than waiting for a mold to set but still a bit time consuming and sometimes painful when holding the wand a certain way.  They sent me home with an appointment to come back 2 weeks later.

So yesterday was my first fitting...I sat in the seat and waited for them to give me my braces...when the lady was preparing something...I was like, what is that?  It's bump attachments, to give the braces something to grab onto she said.  Okay, I hope they are hidden somewhere in the back I thought to myself.  NOPE!  She glued on little "bumps" to 6 teeth (3 on each side of my face) top and bottom.  They are to help the teeth rotate. So much for invisible!  I wasn't told about any bump attachments!  If you read a bunch of forums, which I did when I got home, I found out a lot of people aren't told about them...you are fortunate if you have them in the back somewhere, but mines are on the front sides, so it's easy to see.  The Invisalign braces have bumps on them to accommodate the bump or buttons as they are sometimes called.  SIGH.

So after gluing the attachments, they sand them down so they would feel a bit more comfortable in your mouth, for when you take off the braces and actually eat.  They put in the braces...felt tight but not at all painful so I was happy with that.  Showed me how to put them in and out, gave me quick instructions about cleaning and I was on my way.  I am to change them every 2 weeks (I have 5 other replacements with me).  And I was advised it was better to change them at night this way come morning, they will be easier to take in and out.  I took out the last pack and didn't see much of a change...but I'm sure much later, like 15th pack I'll see a major difference.  I also have 2 cases, one for the previous Invisaligns and one for the current. I asked why I had to keep the previous set, they say in case the new set doesn't fit quite right, they would have me keep in the last set for a few days more.  Got it, makes sense.  So off I went!


FIRST IMPRESSIONS....

First thing I noticed, was it felt super weird.  I can't clamp down my teeth at all.  And it felt weird to drink too...which by the way, I could only drink clear liquids with them ON, if not I'll have to take them off.  Pain in the neck?  Yes, but that's the price I pay.

Second thing I noticed was the speech impediment.  Great.  Now I stalk funny.  LOL it's not that bad...but I do notice a huge difference in my pronunciation of things, but thankfully I read I will adjust within a few days or weeks.

Third and most annoying thing to me...is the increase in salivation!  My body thinks I have something in my mouth, therefore I'm constantly salivating!  Drove me crazy by nightfall...but I read your body adjusts in a matter of days or weeks.  I'm waiting!!!

Fourth thing, when you take them out to eat, you start chewing funny...your mouth was getting used to a new position, but then to chew, it starts chewing the old way or somewhere in between and then OW!!!!!!!!!  You just bit your cheek.  I did that a lot and had to make myself chew slower.

Lastly, you must brush your teeth after every meal or snack before you put them in.  If you put them back in without brushing, you will feel icky.  Plaque will build up and you will put your gums in jeopardy.  So yay fun, I have to brush my teeth EVERYWHERE I go.  At work, in restaurants, etc.  I will definitely be doing much less snacking!  Which is great....I'm trying to lose weight anyway.

So last night was my first night wearing them.  I went through a whole ritual, brushing, flossing then pop them back in and went to sleep.  Woke up with them feeling a lot more comfortable.  Needed to have my coffee so I dunked them in denture cleaner and had my coffee.  I was really told to brush them with water or mild soap but I read other people saying denture cleaner worked just fine to keep gunk off.  Gross I know.  I'm going to be OCD about keeping them super sparkly and clean.  Feels odd to have them off but I had my coffee, brushed and put them back in.  I think I will skip right to lunch today!  Such a pain to be brushing all the time.  I think it will be a good habit though.  I bought Colgate's "Optic White" and should have whiter teeth in the process.

I read a girl who blogged about her first week with Invisalign and then she didn't update her progress.  So I will probably glance at a few other blogs today.  Who knows, I might do the same thing.  Ha ha.  I'll try to update with my progress and experience with it.  It's helpful to read other's experiences.