A Surprise (with a correction)

(Important- Note the correction I added four paragraphs down)

Let me preface this by explaining that there are two dentists at the dental practice I attend. Only one has her name on the shingle, but when I come in for an appointment I may get one or the other.  Both are knowledgeable about the DNA Appliance, and both have been involved in my case since the beginning.

Today I went in for a routine appointment. I expected to be checked for irritations, and to have the appliance adjusted (abraded/polished) accordingly. I didn't expect anything more than that.

The dentist who saw me  was one I had not seen the past couple of appointments. She asked to examine my bite (sans appliance) and exclaimed surprise. Her surprise was that I am "there" (her word). I don't mean she was surprised I was physically present. I mean my upper arch has expanded adequately (see previous blog entry) and we do not need to adjust the appliance width any farther. Apparently, the 2 mm gained that I mentioned in the previous post is about right for my mouth. She was surprised it happened as quickly as it did.

However the front teeth are still not where we want them to be. (See photo in April 9, 2011 blog entry)

(NOTE: I am adding a correction here 4/25/11. A sharp-eyed and seemingly knowledgeable reader has informed me that Dr. Singh recommends a 38mm gap at C5 (for Caucasians), whereas I measured myself at 34mm in the previous blog post. It now occurs to me there is a very good chance I simply misinterpreted my dentist's comment that I am "there". The same sharp-eyed reader comments it may just be time to advance the anterior (front) section of the appliance while temporarily halting advancing the width so the front can 'catch up'. Perhaps that is all that was meant when she said I was 'there'. I will try to get more clarity next visit. Meanwhile, keep in mind this blog entry may have been based on a faulty assumption on my part.)

She adjusted the appliance in the relevant axis 1/4 turn more (leaving the width alone), and made adjustments to the springs and wire arch in the front using pliers. In previous appointments these had been left alone. She stated that we now need to "activate" the front teeth to move into position.

My job will be to continue to adjust only the front triangular section once a week, while leaving the width as it is with the 2mm gap.  

She also made mention of a lower appliance to come later. Previously, it seemed a possibility, but by no means a certainty, that I would need a lower appliance.  Now I get the impression it's a lot more likely I will need it.

But all in all, I feel like a milestone has been achieved. And judging from the dentist's reaction, in a surprisingly short period of time.

Well, SOMETHING is happening

In my December 19, 2010 post I reported that the gap between the molars at the C5 position was recorded by my dentist as 32mm.

I just made a homemade probe to measure that gap now. It is 34mm.

I also measure the midline gap in my appliance as it is now. 2mm.

Nothing ambiguous there.

Progress at Nine Weeks

First of all, let me mention that if you are new to this blog, or are just skimming, there were a couple questions relating to the expense and comfort of the treatment that can be found in the "Comments" section of the previous blog entry. I will suggest reading them there rather than my repeating my replies here.

I have by now been back to see the dentist for brief appointments several times, sometimes at one week intervals, other times two week intervals. No problems have occurred, but she likes to check and recheck the appliance for comfortable and proper fit. She had slightly ground or polished areas of the appliance several times now, trying to perfect the fit and bite alignment according to her goals. Other than that things have gone uneventfully.

When the appliance was first given to me, it was two weeks before she made the next mechanical adjustment to start spreading the appliance. Later this was stepped up to weekly intervals. Then she allowed me to make the adjustments myself, after tutoring me what to do. How often the adjustments are made depends to an extent on how many hours a day one wears the appliance. I strive for a minimum of 12 hours a day, and usually end up achieving 14 hours or even a little more. The more I can wear it, the earlier the treatment can end.

As you can see by comparing to the picture in the previous blog entry, the appliance has clearly expanded, an indication of the bone growth that is occurring.


I don't have a proper way to gauge the gaps in the appliance, but it looks to me like they have increased in the 1-2 mm range. You can clearly see through the gaps now, whereas you could not when the appliance was new.

As to changes in my teeth, I believe I am seeing subtle changes. I do feel the overall arch of the uppers has widened a bit, as gauged by the way my tongue fits between the teeth. I also believe that my front teeth are coming forward- but just slightly. Almost impossible to see in a photo. I feel like my face is filling out just a bit. One might guess I have gained weight, though I haven't.  But again, it is very subtle, and difficult to see in a photo, especially with the poor photo quality of this webcam. But I will post the photos for readers to view and compare with the previous entries.

As to the lower teeth, I see no change at all as of yet- however this is supposed to be normal.

Changes in the relative alignment of the upper teeth are still quite subtle at this point. Can you see a difference compared to the "Fugly Truth" pictures?

I tried to make this photo as similar as possible to my blog profile photo which was taken November 2010. I think my face has slightly more filled out appearance now, though again, it is quite subtle. I wonder if it is detectable to readers?