Years ago at the dentist's office Rachael started a journey and we are now on the rough path we knew was coming. A long time ago our dentist discovered that Rachael is missing 3 of her adult teeth on the top, this sent us to the orthodontist who told us to protect the baby teeth as long as we could. Now that most of her other adult teeth are in it is time to start the orthodontics. Rae still has the 2 baby teeth on either side of her top front teeth and they will stay there as long as they hold on. They are saving the space in her month and preventing the bone from receding.
Rachael is medical intervention averse and got very anxious when the orthodontist started talking about options for her mouth. The options include: implants (screws into the jaw with special crowns), bridges (1 on each side, this is not advisable since it would involve the front teeth), dentures, or large spaces in her smile. We backed up the conversation and calmed her down, focusing on the fact that we were just getting her teeth ready now so that her options are open. We have years before the decision needs to be made.
In the mean time, the teeth she has are being put into the ideal location. Rachael has braces along all of her adult teeth top and bottom. Getting them on went really well but the first week was pretty tough. Rachael's mouth hurt and eating was arduous. Two weeks have gone by now and Rachael has found ways to eat the foods she is allowed. She is maintaining them well and seems over the initial discomfort. Getting braces was a bump in the road, but for a girl who leans toward the road less traveled, it hasn't slowed her down.
