Getting my teeth into it

About 3.5 years ago I decided to get my teeth straightened. This was an unusual decision since my teeth were perceived to be straight by my friends and family. I took a trip to the orthodontist and after several hundred dollars of X-rays and moulds I was shown a reconstruction of my mouth. My teeth were slightly crooked and i was biting "crown to crown." On went the braces and 36 months, actually 35 months, 3 weeks and 4 days, and $5500 later off they came to reveal straight and slightly yellow teeth. Why yellow? Braces prevent proper cleaning, but after a couple of weeks of hard scrubbing my dazzling smile returned.

Then, on a visit to the dentist to have some older fillings taken care of, the orthodontist, whose office is around the corner, was called to give his opinion. I was given the bad news. Some of my teeth had moved and stabilized in new positions. To correct for this natural adjustment I would need new braces for 6-12 months. This would allow all my other teeth to be adjusted in such a manner as to "fit" with the movers. I agreed to this proceedure and the new metalwork goes on next Wednesday. So, if anybody reading this should have the pleasure of meeting me before October of '05, be prepared to meet Mr. Metalmouth.

Fair warning