Phase 1

I don't usually blog more than 1 time a week...although I wish I did....but our day yesterday seems blogworthy, as it marked a mile stone in my sweet boy's life.  Yesterday we had Nick's orthodontist consultation with Dr Lill in Front Royal.  Let Phase 1 begin.  Let my heartbreak begin as well.

Every 6 months when we see our beloved/crazy dentist, Dr Neumann, he jokes that Nick's teeth will end up costing me a fortune.  He has been bracing me, "We'll wait another 6 months till his next visit and see about an Orthodontist referral."  Well, that day finally arrived last month.  Dr Neumann exclaimed in his ever so happy self, "It is time!"  And so I made the appt. 

Let me fill in a bit of history on my own orthodontal work.  I had a measureable overbite with a David Letterman gap between my front teeth.  I urged and begged my parents for braces.  My brother's gap somehow grew closed in his permanent teeth...and maybe that was what my parents were waiting for with me.  Or maybe they wanted me to suffer thru my junior high and high school years because it builds character, you know.  Or maybe they feared the dollar signs that come with braces.  Or maybe they were in denial that there girl's teeth were in fact hideous.  Whatever the reason, I finally convinced them I needed braces. At the tender, insecure age of 15, I finally got them, and off they came at age 17.  Really?  No one should have braces in High School!  No one!  I will never forget David Greathouse calling me Arlene in 8th grade (and this guy was actually my friend).  I was mortified!

Arlene from Garfield

Ryan claims he didn't have braces.  BUT when I met him I remember he had a short row of braces on the inside of his bottom teeth.  I also remember he ripped them out himself, and never went to the Orthodontist.  That was all the braces he ever had.  He never had an overbite or an underbite.  Ryan always teased me that our children would have 'buck-teeth' like mine.  Not so much.

Nick has an underbite and crossbite with crowding on the top row.  My plan was to wait until January (in order to upgrade our dental insurance and get the most bang for my buck with FSA), but Dr Lill said no way.  He wouldn't wait another 3 1/2 months to correct his teeth.  He doesn't like what he sees in Nick's mouth and wants to progress aggressively and quickly.  DO WHAT?  If we do not take action now, his teeth could have permanant damage in his appearance and jaw.  As I'm swallowing the lump in my throat I hear Dr Lill explain Phase 1 of treatment.  Nick will get a pallet expander.  We will have to turn the key on the expander in his top pallet 2 times a day for 2 weeks.  (Crystal Thomas's crying comes to mind here from 20 plus years ago...I am also thinking how can I force such pain on Nick as I am breaking his top pallet?).  The pallet expander stays in place for 6 months to serve as a retainer so the pallet does not collapse back into it's previous place.  DO WHAT?  Nick will get spacers, a lib bumper, and braces on top and bottom for 15 months.  The first 5 weeks is the most aggressive and requires weekly appointments, then 6-8 week appts thereafter.  A retainer for the years between Phase 1 and Phase 2.  Timing of Phase 2 is dependent upon all his permanent teeth coming in.  Could be anywhere between 10 - 14 years of age.  The Dr's assistant tells me that after the first 6 weeks the changes in Nick's bite and apppearance will be phenomenal.  That I will want to take weekly pictures of progress (be waiting blog world!).  As I hear all this my heart is breaking.



A smile a Mama loves!

Through all the pictures, pointing, tugging and talking about Nick's messed up mouth, Nick is excited and continues to think braces are 'cool'.  When asked by the Dr what he thinks of his current teeth, Nick says 'I like them!'  He has been smiling throughout the entire appointment.

We head out to the receptionist to make the first 5 appts and the tears begin to appear in my eyes.  I tell the receptionist that "I'm sorry.  I don't know why but I feel like my heart is breaking right now."  She appears to understand and smiles.  I swallow back the tears knowing that he's reached a milestone today.  Nick remains excited.  :)

Phase 1 begins Oct 4th for my little guy.  This right of passage into the awkward phase of childhood.  Enduring pain.  Denied popcorn, gum, chewy candy.  Protruding lips over braces.  Talking funny.  Broken braces ripping into your gums.  Carrying a toothbrush in the car.  Selecting colors of bands.  Checking your teeth for food.  The joy of missing class monthly for appts.  Counting down till the day the braces come off.  Only for Phase 2 to start a few years later.