Good News! Good News! Good News!

I’ve been meaning to post an update on the orthodontics journey my oldest son is undertaking, complete with before and “progressing” pictures! 

This morning we received such good news that I decided today is the day!

For those of you who may be new to my blog, his journey started out in the beginning of June with what is called a Herbst appliance.  It’s a scary looking apparatus that corrects severe cases of over bite.

This is what one kind of herbst looks like.  His is slightly different  on the bottom in that his rods simply attach to the caps on two forward bottom teeth.  I think.  Like my technical terms?

If you want, you can read more about our journey with the herbst here. 

Right before Christmas, the left front cap holding one rod came loose.  To make a long story short, they had to remove part of the herbst and take impressions for a new one, which took two weeks.

Although he enjoyed the break from the rods, we were afraid his lower jaw would slip backwards and we would be looking at another uncomfortable adjustment period.   Not to mention an extension of the total time he would need to wear it.

But his jaw didn’t retreat!  And today, as they were refitting the the rods, they actually had to take all the shims out! 

The best news?  He might get to have the rods out for good in just eight weeks! Yeahhh! 

I’m always reluctant to post anything that would embarrass him.  So we talked about this first.  But he agrees, if it helps just one other family beginning their journey, then we are happy to share.  It is always encouraging to know how much of a difference it can make.

That said, I struggled to find pictures.  I lost so many in our server crash, that these are about the best I can do.  Keep in mind that before the herbst, his lower teeth were actually hitting the roof of his mouth.

 

 

His profile and smile have changed! 

Dramatically. 

Even more than that, his personality has changed.  He is much more outgoing, self-assured and confident.  Goofy even. Now I’m bordering on embarrassing him.  (I’m a mom who likes to live on the edge.) 

But any boy who picks out pink and black rubber bands for his upper braces, can handle that.  Right? :)

We’re really thankful that things are working, and working so quickly.  Stop over at Gratituesday to see what others are thankful for.