Has it really been over a year???

OK, so I must apologize...I have dropped the ball on the blogging thing lately!  Badly... however...I have an update!!  Our beautiful Maddie has gotten her braces off!! Yay!!  June 24th was debond day for her at our new Clarence office :-)

(On a side note, we are very excited about our beautiful new Clarence office, located at 9520 Main Street, corner of Goodrich, at Willow Square)

Debond Day with Mom & Dr. Dad

Madison does not have a straightforward orthodontic case.  She has a rather substantial overbite which we have decided as a family, with Dad's educational expertise and insight, to address later on with surgery.  Right now though, her teeth are beautifully aligned  and look very pretty.  Madison is 13 years old now and is still growing, so this surgery, known as corrective jaw surgery, or orthognathic surgery, will be performed a few years down the road after her bone growth is complete (probably around age 16). There are several indications for this type of surgery that you can read about by clicking on the link below.

http://myoms.org/procedures/corrective-jaw-surgery

Madison's issue is a receding lower jaw/chin.  This is something that is genetic for her, yep, thank the parents for that!  She's got it from both sides, unfortunately.  The effects of this surgery can be dramatic for a person's facial profile and overall appearance.  This surgery is performed by a specialist known as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (see 2nd link below for more about these specialists).

http://myoms.org/#home_anchor3

So, for now, we are very happy with her smile and she has taken many selfies since the braces came off!  Shannon (one of our awesome team members) took her impressions and had her clear Essix retainers made.  She was instructed to wear them constantly for a few days (except when she's eating) and then to put them on after dinner and wear them through the night.  She had a little bit of discomfort at first, but with Dad's constant encouragement to continue wearing them, they became more comfortable as she adjusted to them.  (He kind of knows what he's talking about...)

Here's some photos of our beautiful braces-free young lady!

Debond Selfie!

Oh, how she's changed!

(First photo before her Phase I treatment with an expander- Age 8)