At the consultation I was told that the wisdom teeth would all have to come out. Two had erupted and two were still in the gum. They didn't hurt anymore (they did at first) and I couldn't see them, but they still had to be removed. This involved going to a surgery center, being put out and days of pain and recuperation and complications with dry socket.
Also there I asked if I could just get braces on the bottom ones, the ones that were crooked. Was told for it to be effective I would have to have braces on EVERY. SINGLE. TOOTH! This was because the crooked teeth relied on the wires and brackets of the other teeth to work together to be in proper alignment. And to make such drastic changes in direction, there needed to be much reinforcement and a lot of bracing, brackets, metal and ugh, rubberbands.
The straightening process also required monthly check ins with my orthodontist to make sure my teeth were on the right track. At these appointments adjustments were made and at times more stretching via smaller rubberbands were incorporated. Often times at the end of these appointments the new adjustments would bring the pain back again.
It didn't take long and they straightened up. So of course I asked if I could have the braces removed now as they were now visibly straight and not the estimated two years they were saying to leave them on. In response to that the orthodontist showed me my x-rays. He showed me how while my teeth outwardly looked straight, the roots to the teeth were still crooked, as being an adult they had had lots of years to establish strong roots in the wrong location.
When I was finally done with this long process and had the brackets and braces removed, was told that I would still have to have a retainer. I ended up choosing a permanent retainer that was cemented to the back of my teeth. This way if any changes happened, if the teeth retained any of the "memory" and tried to go back to their former positions, they would always be shored up and stay aligned.
What's my point with all of this? I can see correlations to each step of the process to making changes in our lives.
First off its easy to think, well I've lived my life this way this long, what's the point of changing now? Don't give up hope. Don't think it is too late. Until your last breath, it is never to late for change!
I have some family members that have committed to long term (9-12mths) rehab type settings and while that sounds forever, in the grand scheme of things, it will be great and lasting changes for the rest of their lives. Much like the two years I thought were forever, looking back it was so short and so worthwhile. There are often things in our life that the process seems to long, but positive changes, whether made in a moment, a day or even over the course of a year or more, are so worth it.
The removal of the molars, even the ones I can't see remind me of hidden things in our lives, maybe no one else has a clue that they are there, but they are hindering growth and change and until we go through the cutting and removal of these obstacles, nothing else we do will be lasting. Even if we don't think they are hurting us now, and we know the removal will definitely be painful, this is the basis for all the rest.
As far as just having braces on the bottom, all the teeth have to have braces on them to work together to reach the proper alignment. In life, with major changes you need every aspect shored up. Let people come along side you and help shore up these changes. Most changes require other unexpected changes in conjunction to provide the full, lasting change. Be willing to be stretched.
Like the monthly orthodontist appointments, if needed, go to professionals, whether that be doctors or counselors, or both. Be willing to made adjustments. Even if they feel like they are temporarily increasing the pain more than they are helping.
It's so easy, at least for me, to make temporary changes and then feel like everything is now fine. Without realizing that possibly neural pathways in the brain have developed grooves and deep seated behaviors have formed even more deeply established roots. So while the outside may be looking nice and neat, don't let down your guard or your shoring up in this stage, as the root causes still need time to be removed or reset in the proper locations. Leave the braces on until your roots are strong and aligned with the new position of the external (the teeth in this case).
And finally, when the obstacles have been removed, you have stayed the course for the duration of bracing and stretching, you showed up for each appointment, you followed the advice given and it's time to be free of all the metal and brackets and rubberbands, there is still one last thing. The permanent retainer. What guidelines have you established as the truth in your life? The non-negotiables? This is cementing your retainer in place. So that no matter what the other teeth, or people, do around you, no matter what outside obstacles come at you, you will stand firm, stay aligned and straight. Removable retainers allow you, after time, to slowly no longer feel the need for them, and eventually never use it again. Take the time, money and effort to make your retainer permanent. Don't give yourself the option to let time allow you to progressively use it less and less until you no longer feel the need for it. I can't say it enough, cement it in place. I've taken all the above steps before; the pain, the time and the effort, and years down the road found myself right back in the same place. This is incredibly frustrating and discouraging.
To recap -
- remove the deep hidden obstacles
- shore up and bracket all the support areas to the changes you want to make
- ask for help
- use professionals if needed
- don't rush the process
- establish permanent boundaries to ensure long lasting changes.
Then SMILE!! Use your new smile to bring joy to those around you. And if someone asks how you got such a beautiful smile, be willing to share with them how they too can make these changes in their life.
Hannah this is absolutely beautiful!! It is life changing wisdom!! Thank you for your obedience to write may our Lord overflow His Blessings upon you,for Blessings always follows obedience, love Karlene (Kate)
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