The Final Countdown

I have started my final phase of Clear Correct. I have 4 aligners left and I can definitely see a difference. In fact, when I put my latest aligner in, I asked Dr. Husband if I could just stop here. I told him I am quite happy and I don't think I need the unnecessary 2-days of discomfort to get my teeth closer together. ;) Alas, I keep getting food stuck in that new, awkward space and therefore I am back to looking forward to having them exactly as we have them planned to be!

 DAY 1, without the aligner

Day ???, (today) without the aligner

09/30/14 Update--- I was wrong. I have 6 aligners left. That's the only real new news... I can't keep my aligners straight, no pun intended. 

Summer

Nothing To See Here...

No, really... there really isn't anything to see or talk about regarding my Clear Correct. I started my second stage with my buttons and although it wasn't fun for the first few days, things are back to normal. It seemed to take maybe one extra day before it felt "comfortable" again in comparison to the other stages, but I also think we are officially moving my two front teeth now (my main goal), so it makes sense.

Everything else is pretty much the same. I truly thought these 9 months would be just plain awful. I couldn't believe that I was actually CHOOSING to do this at my age and I thought it would be such a gigantic PAIN to deal with. Honestly (and I really, really, really mean honestly), I hardly know they are there and it has become such a routine and habit that I have wondered why exercising everyday can't be such an easy habit to form.

The only problem so far is that I thought I lost my aligner one night. As I got home sort-of late from a spontaneous dinner with friends, I went to brush my teeth and panicked because I didn't have my aligner in my pocket where I put it. It was pouring rain when we started dinner so I didn't want to go to my car for my case to put the aligner in. Naturally (and against doctor's orders), I wrapped it in tissue and put it in my pocket. I looked everywhere, in all of my garbage cans and eventually fell asleep knowing I would have to have it replaced. Having a lost aligner replaced means a) going back and wearing the aligner from your last stage, which depending on where you are in the stage, could be uncomfortable, b) added time to the original timeframe (which isn't awful, but let's be real... no one wants that). Luckily, and embarrassingly, it was in my car where I took the tissue out of my pocket so it wouldn't fall out and I would lose it. Of course. After I breathed a huge sigh of relief, I washed it off and put it in. Going a full night without it caused a little bit of discomfort but by the time I had my morning coffee, it felt normal again!

So, that is it for now and maybe for a while! Perhaps the next time you hear from me it will be with some pictures showing a little bit of change?? Maybe!

Summer

Clear Correct - 'Buttons'

Yes, I said 'buttons.' I have what Clear Correct calls buttons on 2 of my upper teeth that My Dear Husband/Dr. Webb placed before trying in my next aligner. These buttons are simply a bit of composite placed on the canines and are the color of my teeth. Once we are done with the buttons, Dr. Webb will remove them and polish my teeth and they will look just as good as new and exactly the way they were before the buttons were put on.

The previous step was an aligner that came home with me and I did not require an appointment at the office. I was given the second aligner to bring home with me and I simply put a notice in my calendar to switch. The same will be for my next step with the buttons. Dr. Webb had to adjust the buttons a little bit in order for the aligners to fit properly, I did not need to get numb and the process took about 15 minutes. For about 3 days, the new aligner with the buttons was a little different. It was tighter but still did not cause me much discomfort at all. However, it was more difficult to get in and out. This is where it became good for the dieting process! Taking them in and out was not worth doing for a snack. Alas, that only lasted a few days so I was back to normal after that.

Below are pictures with my buttons. Just remember, these are close up. Only my kids have said anything to me about them and that was after a couple of weeks! When I talk about the Clear Correct process with others, I have to really point out the buttons to them.

Summer

Summer's Clear Correct Journey, Step 1 - Step 2

Step 1 (my first 3 weeks) is over and I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The first few days, as I mentioned, were a little iffy but looking back, I think it was mostly because of how new it all was. I am supposed to wear the aligner for 22 hours a day and I do worry about that on a regular basis. Sometimes while I'm drinking my coffee, I may accidentally let an hour slip by without even thinking about it being out (I'm a sipper, not a gulper). Then, I also feel like I have to brush and floss my teeth after I snack or eat a meal, so that adds more time away from my aligner. I even accidentally left it at work one day when I left for the afternoon! Oops! Because of that I added an extra day to my 3 week time period.

So all and all, it went well. It is different having to think about where and when you take them out (think middle school retainer, wrapping it in a napkin and having to tell your parents you accidentally threw it away with your lunch tray!). Luckily they come with 2 cases and I keep one at work and one in my car. I keep one in my car for lunch dates, meetings etc where I may be eating and don't want to put my aligner in a napkin in my pocket! 

I started Step 2 about a week ago and I will say, I was scared again. Like, really worried. It was so much tighter! A few hours later, I was much better and I quickly remembered that Step 1 felt exactly the same. I remember thinking I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat anything that wasn't pureed. Alas, all is well. It was tighter for about 24 hours then started to feel "normal" again. 9 months seems like a really long time, but I keep reminding myself that I only have 8 months left and this is way better than middle school when I wore braces for YEARS! 

Summer

Summer's Clear Correct Journey, Days 1-4

When I was 12, I had braces for 2 years. Like every other tween and teen with braces, I hated every minute of it. As the years passed, the original gap between my front teeth began to show again and eventually got what I would call, fairly large. People that know me, of course, claim to never notice. When my husband was in dental school, he worked for an orthodontist and made me a retainer. I think I maybe wore it for a week and the first time I tried to bite into a hamburger, I cried real tears, right there in the restaurant and never wore that stupid thing again. Here we are, many years later. I was thrilled to learn that Chip would be offering Clear Correct tooth aligners at the office. I was excited that I could "finally" get that gap in my teeth closed and do it without the 'typical' braces look. We took impressions and a series of "before" photographs. I think I even encouraged my husband to speed the initial process along. Then they finally came and I got cold feet. 

Several weeks after my initial Clear Correct aligners arrived, here I am. They are a thin clear plastic shell that fit over the arch of teeth and each aligner gradually moves the teeth toward the final tooth position.  On day 5. I can't say I'm madly in love with my Clear Correct, but it's way better than hours 1-4. Last Thursday morning, it was clear I couldn't avoid my husband anymore.I had already finished my 2nd cup of coffee and had run out of excuses... and he cornered me in Op 3. I will admit, I wasn't pleased the first day. Like anything new, it was really different and just felt strange. It was a little uncomfortable getting them in and out for lunch (and for my Facebook photos, below) and later that night I tried to eat a granola bar that was not as easy as it was the day before. I meant to take an Aleve before bed,but I forgot. I woke up a little early with my teeth bothering me a little on Friday, but I honestly can't tell you if it was from actual pain or just the unfamiliar feeling of having the Clear Correct in. 

So here's the deal, as it's told to me: I have to wear these 22 hours a day and should only take them out to eat. For me, this process should take around 9 months. I can drink with them in but anything like coffee or tea is not recommended because it could cause staining (which is true all of the time, as you probably know). I will wear this one for about 3 weeks and move on to the next stage in my Clear Correct treatment plan. They will most likely be a little snug the first couple of days with each stage and then get better.

I am still speaking to my husband, I have not shed any tears yet, and I think I may actually lose a few pounds from having to rearrange my meals/snack routine. I spoke to a handful of people over the weekend who claim they never noticed I had them in. I think I'm talking a little funny but so far, no one has mentioned it. 

DAY 1 WITHOUT

DAY 1 WITH

 We had a little fun making our new No Cavity Club photo booth props. And then of course we took a with/without Clear Correct Photo (WITH is on the right). 

Till next time in the Clear Correct Diaries... 

Summer Webb

Office Manager

Chip E. Webb, DDS

Maryville, TN 

www.ChipWebbDDS.com 

Kalli Gets Married!

We are going to start introducing you to our staff over the next couple of months and starting with Kalli seemed pretty logical. Recently, Kalli married her high school sweetheart, Jordan, in Knoxville. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather... all sunshine and big, fluffy white clouds. Kalli and Jordan had been dating for 9 years, which probably helped Kalli be extremely laid back about her big day! It was a beautiful day all around for Kalli and she deserved to bask in every bit of it!

Kalli is from East Tennessee and started working with us in 2012. She is a registered dental assistant, but can be found doing a little bit of everything around the office. She wears many hats! If you get a chance to talk to Kalli, you'll most likely be talking about going to the movies, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, and cooking! Oh, and owls. And Tervis Tumblers. Her Tervis collection is impressive!

Here's a glimpse at Kalli and Jordan's BIG DAY!

Flossing TOO Frequently?

We received an email from a concerned patient today. He was confused because he had heard somewhere that you should only be flossing one time per day, not after every meal which was his usual routine. Here was Dr. Webb's response...

Greetings,

I recommend you floss at least once per day.  As long as you are flossing correctly you will not do any damage by flossing more than once per day.  You should avoid a sawing, back and forth, motion which can cause enamel wear.  An up and down motion is preferred and will not cause damage.  If you have areas where food gets trapped easily, you may need to floss more than once per day.  If your teeth contact very tightly then once per day is probably fine.  Here are some instructions on correct flossing from the American Dental Association's website:

 How do I floss my teeth?

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. 
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.  
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.  

Hope this helps! 

Sincerely,