Parking at UCLA for dental appointments: $10
X-rays to start orthodontic treatment: $150
Orthodontic treatment while in residency: $0, but hours and hours of work.
Making your kid sit in the dental chair for two hours with his lips pulled out like a large-mouthed bass and gluing implements of traction and pain to all of his teeth: Priceless!
Yep. That's my oldest son in the chair as the process begins: Nathan is one of my first orthodontic victims... I mean, patients.
All told, Nate was a pretty great patient. He sat still throughout the very lengthy procedure. Even now, he's been amazingly cool about his new metal mouth, though eating is a bit tricky for now. But there's been no whining, "Ow! My teeth hurt! When do I get to get these off? I'm never going to show my face again!" (I actually had a patient go home with a bag over his head on the day we gave him his braces. Yah. That's MUCH less embarrassing than braces!)
Look at that widdle punim! My baby's all growed up!
Orange and black elastics: Very festive for this time of year.
Hayden needed something to do while his brother got all the attention. We cemented a little wire behind his bottom teeth to keep them from crowding, but his procedure was done in about 10 minutes. Luckily, the assistants found a few things to keep him busy... Like playing dress-up with him. Here's Dr. Hayden, complete with "bloody" gloves. Just remember, Hayden: If it doesn't fit, you must acquit!
He looks like he's enjoying this far too much! In fact, as he walked out to the car (still wearing his get-up, mind you), he said to me, "Maybe I will be a dentist when I grow up!" ...Certainly better than the NASCAR driver or hockey player aspirations that have always seemed to be his ultimate goals, but I hope this picture never surfaces while he's in practice! 
21 comments:
cute post. My little girlie is getting braces next summer. FINALLY, there was a lot of interior work with spacers that needed to happen first. what a logn crazy process. i will miss her cooked teeth though.
Nice job Shana. Nathan, welcome to the world of braces. I didn't have mine very long, but I remember them well. When all is said and done its wearing your retainer that really matters once your teeth are beautiful and straight.
cool braces!!!!!!!!!!!
i remember when i was little i would put aluminum foil on my teeth & pretend i had braces!
I think it's cool you were working on your son. I wish I had gotten braces when I was younger.
He looks so cute with braces!! Man oh man I miss you guys!!
Yep...gotta love the whole braces scene. Susie just got out of hers and now we are in the midst of having the pre-dental consults for Elijah. I should have gone into Dentistry. However, at that time in my life, my THEN fiance was at the same place you went.
Nathan is a good sport.
But I'm just a wee bit concerned about Hayden by the look of those photos...
warrior needed braces and I remember he would love to get his bands changed out to match the colors of the holiday! Well, he must have loved his visit if he is thinking about being a dentist! i love my dentist too!
COOL, Shana!! Very few guys get to have their procedure photographed for the world to see! He's a very lucky kid, right Nate? And to be the very first? priceless.
As for Hay', looks like he's got his Halloween costume all ready to go this year. Yeah for Dr. Hayden!!
Shana, you are amazingly versitile! I didn't realize dentists were trained to do Orthodonture too. that's great! You will save a fortune. Too bad you don't have more kids to put braces on and save even more money!But then, you DO have lots of little neices who might need some!?
wow, that looks cool.
Mom, where in the world did you get that picture? It's a very fetching picture, but I think seeing his grandmother's navel may have scarred Nathan for life.
Mom, we all know you were beautiful when you were 22, and you're beautiful at 62. But with THAT avatar, WTF??!!
It's more than a tad bit disturbing. So PLEASE, for the sake of all that is holy, and for the sake of your children and all who read these, our blogs, CHANGE IT to something more appropriate!!!
Thank you.
Sorry! I didn't know it would appear on my comments! I just wanted to join Diana's "followers" and give her a "jolt"! Now, here it is, all over the blogesphere! I'll get it off as soon as I remember how I got it ON!
AND, you can't see my navel! I cut off the bottom half! My MOM took it to send to Dad, for Heaven's Sakes. (And, I was only 20, not 22)
So, you don't read your comments after you post them?
Because if you do, you'll see your avatar.
Okay, 20.
Wow, I don't know what was more entertaining, the post or the comments about your sexy mother's new profile photo. She should be the poster lady for the Relief Society. We could print "Change" really big at the top of the poster. Appropriate don't you think? :)
Just for the record, that wild woman is my Mom, NOT Shana's.
Impressive work, Shana! I didn't realize you were doing ortho work while in a pedo residency, but I guess it makes sense! Glad to hear that your boy has a good attitude with everything.
Wayne! Thanks for claiming me! I am so honored!
Whataya mean, "wild woman"?
Wait a minute. What does she mean by "Change"? I hope its good. I have changed A LOT, outside and in.
I NEED HELP!!!!---so the dentist we went to in the summer didn't fix linc's teeth. Arrived today and got the scare they might have to do a baby root canal...EKE!!! But they did some pulp cover on the nerve and put in composite. So frustrating! I wish you were closer and had an office here in Poway. Loves!!
Nate looks like Wayne in that picture!
My little comment will get lost amongst your hundreds of faithful fans. You are so stinkin' hilarious it makes my sides ache. I was just catching up on past posts and I'm so proud of you for being the best Pedo there is. You're awesome Shana and Good-luck with it all superwoman!
Post a Comment