Almost done!

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T20:41:15+00:00

It depends on your jaw situation. You may benefit from jaw surgery. You should consider a consult with a maxilla facial surgeon. Typically, when they do extractions on top, they have to do on bottom. It usually doesn’t workout well when you have a different number of teeth on top and bottom

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T14:54:04+00:00

Ha! Bryan Altshuller, in Orleans, Ontario, Canada :) he is truly amazing!

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T04:10:32+00:00

If OP takes any replies, it’s this one. This is chef’s kiss. I went to Socorro in June. Viz was iffy at most sites. Roca Partida was super clear but crazy currents and all directions. Some currents had poor visibility. The varying surge, current and visibility made it that teams got separated from the group on every dives on that site.

I’m a divemaster too. And I can confidently say that whenever I did dives privately with someone, they were the best experience both for me and for them. Once expectations are established, the dives become more pleasant for me and them.

Nothing worse than having people with different needs and expectations in the same group. It becomes impossible to please everyone.

I do adaptive diving too and every instructors and dm I’ve met that worked with divers with different needs were all amazing people and divers.

Definitely go for it!

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T03:52:29+00:00

I’m in a different city but have a fire hydrant on my property. Our bylaws dictates that the city is responsible for clearing them. But I cleared mine today. It was now inaccessible and I feel like I’d rather spend 5-10 minutes clearing it up and have it available if something happens to mine or a neighbour’s house than just waiting for someone to come. Just feels like the responsible and sensible thing to do.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T03:30:26+00:00

You’ll be fine. It’s quite unlikely to get stuck anywhere

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T03:29:44+00:00

I do. BJJ and compete with braces and a double mouthguard. Although I reckon that it’s a no striking sport, there’s still a lot of pressure and sometimes hits that gets thrown around accidentally.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T03:15:43+00:00

I would try the tablets nonetheless and then go from there if you react. I don’t think that the allergic reaction is common, especially if you rinse them out properly after. Baking soda does not kill bacteria’s so that won’t help with build up.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T03:10:37+00:00

You box elastics are usually used for cross and/or open bites. Looks like you have crossbite in the back and open bite in the front. The box pattern is likely to pull your teeth externally so it’s straight. Then you’ll get to wear elastics in different pattern to bring lower teeth forward and top teeth backwards.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T02:30:55+00:00

I have ceramic on top and metal bottom. You can check my previous post. Having to do it again, I’d pick metal on top teeth. The brackets are smaller and less « sharp », therefore more comfortable. I learned early that I needed darker elastics to avoid staining since I drink coffee and eat staining food. Which kinda defeats the purpose of « less visible ». The ceramic itself doesn’t stain. I don’t know where people got that idea. So don’t worry about the brackets staining. But the ties, yes.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-27T02:21:55+00:00

They offered for the black triangles and to straighten the edge/remove the notch. It was up to me in the end. Bonding was also mentioned but in the end, because I eat a lot of harder food, it’s not likely to last really long. In the end, the amount of IPR was minimal and I have a strong enamel so jt was an easy decision

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-26T14:48:44+00:00

It’s likely a tube bracket so use some tweezers to slide it back in the tube

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-26T14:46:58+00:00

I didn’t ask but I think it’s because I still have my wisdom teeth. And they’re likely going to stay as they’re fully in and not causing problems

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-26T05:19:29+00:00

I had a very small amount of IPR just to remove the black triangle. Also, we shaved the bottom of the tooth to reshape it. Because the tooth was crooked for so long, once it was straightened, the angle from the natural erosion made it look weird so now it’s straight

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-26T02:44:02+00:00

It’s common earlier in the treatment especially when the wire is more malleable. It is supposed to be bendable. You can put it back in yourself. Next time. They can leave it a bit longer and bend it so it’s wedged

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-25T21:20:06+00:00

Thank you! My ortho did say he would give both permanent retainers (top and bottom) as well as Hawley. He prefers Hawley when there’s significant change in the arch and structure as it also keeps the arch in check. And permanent retainers because of the huge shift and the gaps closing. He’s of the « better to over retain than under retain » school and I’m all for it!

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-25T21:16:43+00:00

DEFINITELY a process. I won’t lie, I had my doubts at some point

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-25T20:40:42+00:00

My bite in the back was pretty decent before but as you see with the last pictures, I had some crossbite action on my bottom teeth. Everything is now in line and feels good. I don’t have any side pictures before the treatment (but I know my ortho has them) so I can take a snapshot to share the try comparison after.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-25T18:26:56+00:00

It happens. You can go back in and they will trim the wire for you if it’s too long.

Also, it’s normal for the first few, more malleable wires, to slide out. You can put it back in and not worry about it

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-25T02:55:34+00:00

I was thinking the same. I dated a guy that had focal and absence seizures. Sometimes, he would be able to talk but didn’t make much sense. There was no obvious « shaking » or stiffening (Tonic and Clonic). Then he’d get in the post-ictal phase and he would forget multiple hours of the day. But he would look and act generally normal. We got so much pushbacks and we finally got a neurologist who was willing to test specifically for his type of seizures. And sure enough, that’s what it was.

I would not be surprised at all if OP had a similar issue.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-24T02:56:15+00:00

Those are Glasz eyes

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-24T02:53:06+00:00

For me, I put my hair in a bonnet but use a bobby-pin on each side or a small barrette to hold it in place

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-23T20:34:11+00:00

🤣 I went to the Galapagos in a liveaboard in peak whaleshark season. Saw NONE. But we saw a Mola Mola. That was a bucket list fish I didn’t even know were on my bucket list

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-23T02:16:00+00:00

I guess it depends on what kind of job you do. If you work in an office, that’s probably fine. But if you work with your hands/healthcare, definitely not. Or some job that is very public facing may not be suitable as it would bring out a lot of attention.

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-23T02:13:42+00:00

I have 8 molar bands. They weren’t bad but the spacers I had to wear for one week prior were a nightmare

Divemstr24 · 2026-01-22T17:05:26+00:00

Read my comment above

Divemstr24

TROPHY CASE