Once upon a time Taylor had two troublesome teeth. The troublesome teeth are adult teeth that have yet to breakthrough, their sweet baby predecessors are still in place even. The angle that they are coming in at is just as scary as can be, one big yikes. There is a definite possibility that those teeth could push out an adult tooth. Or two.
See those top two adult teeth with the lines drawn through them? Those are the troublesome two-fers.
Taylor had her first appointment with an Orthodontist today. She got her first set of spacers. She goes back next week for her impressions so that they can make her "appliances". I hate that word, "appliances". Sounds like she's getting a damn dishwasher in her mouth.
She will be getting a nice new shiny set of expanders in about a month, they make them in New York and I guess it takes a while. She will be getting top and bottom, lucky girl.
Oh, they no longer have to be expanded with a key. They are spring loaded. Doesn't that sound like loads of fun??
Unfortunately, Taylor was given quite a shock in the form of a No-No list. A list of foods she can no longer eat. She was also instructed to try to avoid soccer balls to the mouth.
Check out the last item on the list, with the WASL coming up we got a huge laugh over that one but I am sure it is an anxiety thing for some kids. (Click on the pics to make bigger.)
A lot has changed since I had my braces on in, um, well, hmmm... a long time ago*. They now do multiple phases with orthodontic treatment. She started Phase I today with the spaces and will get the expander in about a month. She will wear that for about 6 months then go into braces for about 12 months. Then retainers at night for the duration. Then at about 14, or whenever she has all of her permanent teeth and the wisdom teeth out (all 4**, sorry babe) they will start Phase II. Phase II is another set of braces for 12 to 15 months and another set of retainers. The second phase is to fine tune any changes in her teeth and to compensate for any growth that has taken place since phase I.
Bottom line, her mouth is too small for her teeth. Who would have thought that a child of mine would end up with a small mouth? I know, I am as shocked as you are.
Want to take a guess as to the cost of Phase I??
$3835.00
Oh yeah, that's just Phase I. Our dental insurance covers $1500 lifetime for orthodontics, so she can kiss her coverage goodbye. Phase II runs about as much as Phase I.
There went my Disneyworld fund. Wait, I didn't have one. Crap.
It's Bailey's turn next, as soon as her 6-year molars finish popping through. She has a cross bite. And crowding. And a small jaw. Someone pinch me, doesn't that sound expensive and way over $1500?
I hate teeth.
*Holy shit, I think I got mine off in 1991 or 1992.
**Wisdom teeth, when they did my braces way back when, I was told I didn't have have wisdom teeth. My mom had none, ever. When I was 24-ish we discovered I did have wisdom teeth, but just the top two. I still have the top left. There's your useless knowledge for the day.
