Braces

Well, remember my August, 2010 post? That my adorable little (then) 7 year old would need braces? That day has come. Our dentist decided to not bond (or glue) expandables onto Carlie's teeth, but instead use the appliance (i.e. retainer) expander. She leaves them in 24/7 with exceptions of immediately after eating (she rinses them off) and if she swims in a lake (I thought this one was weird, but didn't ask...). She did better than I expected. No tears, and only a few gags as the dentist shoved these GIGANTIC pieces of plastic and wire into my daughter's petite mouth. We will be wearing these expanders for 6-8 months....think Christmas....New Years. I pain with her. Often I feel as if it is unfair that parents feel the physical pain on their children. I would gladly wear these braces for her...but that's just not the way it works. Hopefully next year at this time....I'll have an update and a picture .... with straighter teeth :) Oh, and I much emptier wallet.

This picture doesn't clearly show the top retainer, which is twice the size of the bottom one. With three different screws to slowly mid-evilly stretch her upper palate. Ugh...sound gross, doesn't it?