Braces Progress

Thought I should do a post to recapture my braces milestones.

At the back of my mind, I know for a fact that someday I will have to put on braces to correct my protruding teeth. The only thing that is stopping me is the fear of looking "fugly" at my prime i.e. 26-28 years old. But then, as I grow older, the protrusion got worse and since Hb (then bf) and I are already planning to get married, I had no choice but to get on with it. The single biggest motivation was to be a pretty bride with a beautiful smile! And so at 29 years old, I went to get my 1st set of braces done!

 

30-03-2008 till 07-09-2009 (526 days)

16-03-2008: $1,100 [Deposit, X-Rays, Photos & Moulding]
30-03-2008: $ 870 [Deposit & Upper Braces Fitting]
20-04-2008: $ 423 [Extraction & Medication]
18-05-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change]
17-08-2008: $ 325 [Bottom Braces Fitting]
14-09-2008: $ 764 [Extraction, Frenectomy & Medication]
25-10-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Scaling]
23-11-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change & Scaling]
24-12-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
24-01-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
21-02-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
28-02-2009: $ 714 [Loose Bracket, 2 Screws, 4 Springs and 4 Crisscrossed Wires]
21-03-2009: $ 325 [Springs & Crisscrossed Wires Adjustment]
30-04-2009: $ 325 [Loose Bracket, Wires Change]
30-05-2009: $ 325 [Loose Bracket, Mini Wires Removal, Thicker Crisscrossed Wires]
04-07-2009: $ 325 [Loose Bracket, Springs Adjustment, 8-Ring Rubber Loops]
01-08-2009: $ 275 [Springs Adjustment, Additional Crisscross Wires, Rubber Loops]
22-08-2009: F.O.C [Springs Adjustment, Additional Crisscross Wires, Rubber Loops]
07-09-2009: $ 510 [X-Ray, Braces Removal, Scaling]
08-09-2009: $ 70 [Solubles for Retainer x 4 boxes + Plastic Case for Retainer]
Total Spent: $8,421

The entire process was supposed to take 1 1/2 years. However, it was no where near completion at the point where we had to get our pre-wedding photography done. We didn't get to choose any of the overseas packages that I super like cos' they all had ultra long leadtime. So we had to get one locally; Bridal Concept which allowed us to delayed the shoot to the latest possible date while in time for albums and DVD to be ready for the reception in November. We took our pre-wedding photography on 15-09-2009 and the removal of the braces was meant to be temporary. However, after the wedding, there wasn't really any motivation to continue with it. In the end I did it considering the 8K plus I've already spent on it.

26-05-2010 till 24-04-2011 (333 days)

26-05-2010: F.O.C [Upper & Lower Braces Fitting + 2 x Bite Blocks]
23-06-2010: F.O.C [Loose Bracket + Wire Change for Lower Teeth]
03-08-2010: F.O.C [Removed Bite Blocks + Wire Change & Rubber Loops] 
14-12-2010: F.O.C [Top & Bottom Wire Change + Rubber Loops + New Clay Clump]
27-01-2011: F.O.C [Top & Bottom Wire Change + Removal of Rubber Loops]

09-03-2011: F.O.C [Top & Bottom Wire Change]

24-04-2011: F.O.C [Braces Removal]

Total Spent: F.O.C

I first read about Invisalign on X.i.a.x.u.e's blog and so happened, when I went back during one of my visits, the nurse showed me a set. Upon checking, the nurse said it cost RM16K! I nearly fainted. But I went ahead and asked my dentist about it anyway to just try my luck for discounts considering I've already spent so much with him. He was reluctant at first cos' the cost itself is expensive. But then upon further inspection, he did say that I am a suitable candidate for Invisalign to correct deep bite, to align my jaws etc. In the end, he said he'll write to US to recommend me as a test patient with the condition that I provide them my testimonials on Invisalign upon completion. Told me he'd get me the cost price. Net net it came back as USD1,995 x 3 = RM5,985 which I immediately paid for since it was over 60% in discount!!! Only downside was that, I had to remove 2 of my top wisdom tooth. I hate extractions, they always leave me bleeding overnight!

31-05-2011 onwards

25-04-2011: $   140 [Temporary retainer, Polident x 2 & casing]
31-05-2011: $   272 [Top wisdom tooth extraction x 2]
31-05-2011: $5,985 [Invisalign Aligner No. 1 to 3]

14-07-2011: F.O.C [Invisalign Aligner No. 4 to 9]

Total Spent: $6,397

So ya, if you ask me now, I will totally recommend Invisalign for the sheer fact that it is invisible (i.e. not noticeable at all) and that it's less painful (easier to eat)! Am so excited!