I can now officially be known as...

Sarah Braceface Gourley
Metal Mouth
Rarah Braceface

Yes, it is true - I now officially have a full mouth of braces. This morning I went for my 8:15 am appointment and didn't leave there until after 11:00. It was an interesting experience. The braces themselves weren't so bad, but the apparatus they used to hold my mouth open was brutal. It makes it where you can't really swallow and when you do, it rubs against the insides of your mouth - not comfortable. The worst part was the sounds. Everything sounds so much worse than it is, but you can't help but tense up at the sounds of the machines, and the look of pliers going in and out of your mouth. Oh, and the light gun that dries the glue - that is a freaky thing to see coming at you. The worst part was the little rounded saw that he uses to shave off little bits of my enamel to allow for room for my teeth to shift. The good thing is that this alleviates the need to have any teeth pulled; the bad news is it sounds and feels like a blade going between my teeth and into my gums. And when it's all done, I have a mouth full of blood to show for it all! It was gross and very freaky and he'll be doing that for at least the next few appointments - oh boy!

Thank goodness for April, who woke up early to go with me. She sat through the whole appointment with me, telling me how great I was doing. It might sound silly, but when it comes to this kind of thing, I feel like a little kid that needs the comforting, and it was so great that she was there. Plus, then it meant we got pictures - because even though this is really not something I need a visual of, I know I'll be glad to have the pics.

I am sore, and excited, and broke! And as much as it stinks right now, I am very happy to finally be getting this done.

Here are few pics of the morning...


This is the mold of my teeth, and my smile BEFORE!


Dr. Jeff using the light gun that dries the glue - that thing is weird!


This thing is the WORST! It holds your mouth open for the entire time so they can do get into your mouth without problems, but you can't swallow and it hurts!


All done!!! Can you see how crooked the wire is? That is how crooked my teeth are. But not for long!!!!!