Two Events Today
Teagan's braces came off today! She has had them on since April 2006 and it is amazing to see the difference in her teeth. She got her retainer, and has to wear it except when eating. She was so excited to get them removed. Of course she is not done yet - this was just Phase 1 of what will likely be a staple in her life for the next few years. She will have to start Phase 2 in about 12-18 months (once all her baby teeth fall out).
The other event was the swim banquet that heralded the end of the official swim season for the team. It was a good season for our team - as mentioned earlier in the blog, we won Divisionals - first time in 20 years. Then several of the kids went on to swim at All Stars where our team shone. Here are the girls displaying their trophies. Teagan is also displaying brace-free teeth!
And just so that the boys don't get forgotten I pulled this photo of the 4 kids from our time spent at Disney World in May. From left to right it is Hayley, Carson, Garrick and Teagan.
Labels: braces, swim, Teagan
They're Paid For!!!
On Monday morning I wrote the last check for Teagan's braces! That check cleared our account yesterday, so I can officially say that Teagan's teeth belong to us again.
Of course this is only stage one in a treatment series that will take several more years, and who knows how much more money. But when I look at the difference that a year makes I am amazed and absolutely sure that every penny we spent on these braces, the monthy visits, the daily battle to keep the headgear on, is worth it. Last April Teagan could not even close her mouth over her top teeth, and in fact the orthodontist was concerned that her top lip was shortening because it could not stretch the way it was meant to. Her teeth were affecting even her breathing patterns as a result. Today she can close her lips over her beautiful straight teeth.
In May or June her braces will be removed for approximately a year while her adult teeth grow in, and then we will move onto stage two.
Of course, just when we think we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we have Garrick following in her footsteps and I am sure we'll be going through the same saga with him!!
Here is a BEFORE Photo:
And here is a DURING Photo:
Labels: braces, Teagan
"Brace Face"
Teagan is now officially 'brace face'! Yesterday she visited the orthodontist (nervously clutching two stuffed animals for moral support) and bravely opened her mouth for him to place bands in the back and caps in the front.
She was allowed to choose the colour of the rubber bands they use to go over the caps on the front of the teeth and this month she chose purple. Each month when she returns they will remove those bands and she can choose a different colour. She is extremely proud of these braces, and spent a good long time tonight cleaning her teeth (wonder how long that will last? Before long I am sure I will have to prod and poke her to brush them!)
So for the next 12 months we have to watch what Teagan eats and we know that when those braces come off her teeth will look marvellous!
Labels: braces, Teagan
