Cami’s Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Journey’ SIXTH ENTRY - The First Week!

OUCH!!!

OK so it hasn't been that bad, but Day 2 was definitely uncomfortable. Day 1 was a breeze but by Day 2 my teeth really started moving. Added in is the fact that I'm not very good at taking the Invisalign out so I had to practice that as well.
Day 2 started off reasonably well, but when I tried to drink my morning coffee I realized that if your coffee is too hot it's going to be too hot with Invisalign on as well. OUCH!!!


By lunch time I could feel my teeth start to move so I took an Advil. The cool (& slightly annoying) thing about Invisalign is that noone noticed. Even though I was a little annoyed that noone noticed I realized that that could be a good thing!!! However instead of keeping it quiet, I had to of course let everyone know about it.
Something very interesting happened on Day 2. I actually sounded like myself. I was fully expecting to sound completely different and you couldn’t even tell. I listened back to some on-air segments where I had the Invisalign in and ones where I didn’t have it in and you couldn’t tell the difference.



Getting back to Day 2, after making it through lunch and of course removing the Invisalign to eat and putting it back after I’d eaten, I got settled in for a busy afternoon. I actually forgot about the Invisalign during the afternoon. I had been so consumed with it during the morning that after lunch I think I started getting used to it, so used to it that I didn't notice it much at all.



That night I went home, ate dinner (taking the Invisalign out of course) and watched some TV. It was quite frankly a pretty boring evening but I started thinking about how much I really loved that my Invisalign was starting to work. I was also thankful that the Invisalign hadn’t altered my life as dramatically as I had thought it would. I still sounded the same, I still was able to work the same way and be the same person. The only thing I needed to remember was to wait after I poured my morning coffee so I didn’t burn my mouth. I’m working on it …

Cami's Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Journey' - FIFTH ENTRY - The Invisalign Fitting

The day has arrived and I am heading to my Invisalign fitting, but I am a little nervous because I have a video camera following me. It's daunting to know that someone is going to capture every single second of my Invisalign fitting. All I can say is I hope I don't cry. In all honesty I'm not sure how the fitting is going to go. I'm anxious that I'll be in a lot of pain, wont be able to handle it and will ultimately fail. I try to banish negative thoughts out of my head and focus on the end result .... pretty teeth.
As we head to the appointment I start to freak out. This video camera is going to be focused on the one area of my body that I'm most embarrassed about. I almost want to back out. I almost say 'maybe we should reschedule this for another day' .... but then I remember how happy I was at the initial consultation & that not only am I doing this for myself but I'm also doing this for all the other people out there that can benefit from a great smile with Orthodontic Associates.
I walk inside and everyone is looking at me. WHY?
Oh wait, that's right there's a video camera following me. It makes me laugh because I feel like I'm on a reality show.
My name is called and I walk through to the fitting area. I sit down and nervously look around ... I'm really doing this ... I'm really getting Invisalign! ... This is really happening.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FITTING!

'Cami's Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Journey' FOURTH ENTRY - My thoughts on getting Invisalign!

I am very excited to get my Invisalign however I am also very nervous!
My career is 'talking' for a living & there is the possibility that I could sound a little different on-air. Being from New Zealand & on a country station means that sounding different often comes with the territory but I'm nervous that it might throw me off a little. The fact that I wont sound like myself is a little strange & reminds me of when I was 13, awkward & had a mouth full of braces.
I know my teeth will start to move the instant I put my Invisalign in. I'm definitely prepared for how tender my teeth will feel but I'm still nervous about how I will sound.
I'm also wondering how the Invisalign will look. Invisalign gives the connotation of 'invisible' so I'm wondering if that will ring true. Also when will I be able to visually notice if my teeth are moving? When will my 'goofy' tooth become less pronounced?
I'm sure all these questions will be answered very soon as I'm getting my Invisalign next week. I'm ready to start the work on my new smile.

'Cami's Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Journey' THIRD ENTRY - Fitting's for Invisalign

I don’t know what to expect as I head to my ‘fittings’ for Invisalign. I do know that they have to make a mold of my teeth so that they can create (as I like to call them) ‘my new teeth.’ They aren’t of course actual ‘new’ teeth but it’s going to feel like that for the first couple of weeks as they begin to move my teeth. That’s right not just my goofy tooth is getting straightened out, the whole lot are being moved.



While I’m waiting to get my name called I begin to imagine all the cool things I’ll be able to do when I get my new teeth. I’ve never cared to ‘whiten’ my teeth coz I don’t show them, so maybe I can do that now? I don’t often wear lipstick, so maybe I can get a new hot red color!



I’m most looking forward to learning how to ‘smile’ with my teeth. I know this sounds weird but I might have to ‘practice’ smiling in front of the mirror.
As usual I drift off into a daydream and am snapped back to reality when my name is called.
I get the impression that Orthodontic Associates only hire people that are first of all super nice. Second of all (and here I am getting jealous again) people that have great teeth. I must look deep in thought (jealous?) because the lady I’m following asks if I am nervous.

“No!” I quickly say … ‘Should I be?’

She smiles again (jealous?), then laughs as she says ‘No way! This is going to be fun!’

I sit down and inform everyone that I am indeed very nervous. I also let everyone know that while most people want to know step by step the process that they are undergoing … I request that I be kept out of the loop. They totally understand and get to work creating molds of my teeth.



I admit I start to get curious. I’m nervous but it’s not nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. I feel somewhat confident so I ask how long it usually takes. Surprisingly they say they are done and that I’m good to go!

You can check out the ‘Treatment Process’ according to the experts by clicking HERE

I start to feel a little sad as I get up to leave. The staff is so lovely to chat with (like an old friend from way back when) that I even linger around to continue a conversation with one of the ladies. She finally starts to show me the way out and lets me know that they will call me as soon as my Invisalign Package arrives.



I am beyond excited & a little disappointed that it went so fast. What to do??? Maybe start looking for that new lipstick? I think so!

'Cami's Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Journey' SECOND ENTRY - FREE CONSULTATION!

I am really nervous as I head to my first orthodontic consultation. I don’t like anyone seeing my ‘goofy’ tooth when I smile, let alone it being the center of attention. As I’m driving to my first consultation I’m wondering what they are going to say? You’re too old! There’s nothing we can do for your tooth! Wow that tooth really does stick out!
I walk through the front doors of Orthodontic Associates and nervously make my way to the front desk. I realize then that even as I say my name I am trying to talk without showing my teeth.

‘Just take a seat and we’ll be right with you’

I txt my boyfriend and tell him I am nervous


‘Cami. Cami. Cami Marlowe’

I almost jump out of my seat at hearing my own name. A lovely woman smiles at me and immediately I’m jealous of her smile.

‘Eeeeeeek, do I make a run for it?’

Nope I’m going to follow her. She is very nice & asks me how my day is going as we head back to a consultation room. Then for a brief moment I am aware that she is still talking but I am unaware of much of what she is saying. I know I am grinning (with my goofy tooth sticking out and all) but I’ve just realized how happy I feel to finally be doing something about my tooth.

We start by talking about what my goals are with coming to Orthodontic Associates and how especially as an adult I would like to achieve them. I show her my tooth. She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t screw her face up. She doesn’t say or do anything except smile (which makes me jealous of her teeth again!) BUT I realize that this is something that she has seen before & something that can not only be fixed but can be done so quickly and inexpensively.

We take some x-rays & then meet with Dr. Mayers. He is very likable and once again I find myself grinning & showing off my goofy tooth. He gives me his analysis of the next step & asks me how I would feel about Invisalign. I have had braces as a child but I’m older now and I talk for a living so he feels that it’s something I should consider.


Dr. Mayers is on the left

Without hesitation I answer that I would like to give Invisalign a go. Even if my voice does sound a little different that’s a small price to pay for the instant confidence a great smile can give you.

He can tell that I’m determined to get the ‘Invisalign’ procedure under-way so we book an appointment for the Invisalign ‘fitting’ & I am heading out the door. As I’m driving home I start to think of all the possibilities.
No you’re not too old! There is something we can do for your tooth! Even though that tooth sticks out there IS something we can do!

For YOUR free consultation, email jgrismore@limasmiles.com

‘Cami’s Orthodontic Associates Invisalign Jouney’ FIRST ENTRY – WHY I WANT TO DO THIS!

I was the baby that was put into baby contests. I was the first born child, grandchild, great-grandchild. I had blond hair, a cute smile & I was always trying to get people to laugh.

Well fast forward a few years & not much has changed, except that I’ve got a much bigger audience & a boyfriend who continues to laugh at my jokes.
I’ve also developed a bit of a thick skin & one way I’ve done that, is not to take myself too seriously. I like to joke around & make fun of myself. However something I’m truly embarrassed about is my ‘tooth.’
I don’t usually smile showing my teeth & I turn to my ‘good’ side so my ‘tooth’ doesn’t stick out. I look like I have ‘bad teeth’ but I’ve only ever had ONE cavity (and that was last year). The reason my teeth look so bad is all because of ONE TOOTH.

(it’s the tooth on the far right)
When I was little I had perfect teeth. My teeth were straight, I brushed them night & day & ate very healthy (no soda pop for me!) So it was a huge surprise at age 13 to discover that I had a baby tooth that had NEVER been pulled out & my adult tooth was still in the roof of my mouth. Next thing you know I’m having an operation, affixed with braces & a slow 2 year process to retrieve the adult tooth had begun. Well life can get busy & when I moved away from my orthodontist after my career took off, I was never able to finish up treatment. So, I just adapted to my ‘tooth.’ I just learned to deal with it & over the years I’ve developed certain mannerisms to cover up my embarrassment. I even have a nickname for it. ‘Goofy.’

As much as I like to joke about it, I really, really hate it. I find it annoying, I hate looking at myself in pictures & it wasn’t until I had to wear a mouth guard that I realized how much it stuck out. My tooth wouldn’t fit with the rest of my teeth inside the mouth guard. (side note - the mouth guard is because I grind my teeth which gives me neck problems, which is due to my crocked teeth).
When I first heard about Orthodontic Associates I just thought it was a place where kids went. I never realized that adults went there too. I had just assumed I would always have a huge tooth that stuck out of my smile & that I’d continue to always be ashamed of it and rely on humor to get by.
Orthodontic Associates offers free consultations so I thought I’ve got nothing to lose so why not? I have a huge jealousy of people with nice teeth especially because I used to have such nice teeth & now, while I have healthy teeth, this ONE TOOTH ruins it all.
The one reason I would want to do this is because I like to laugh. When I laugh I open my mouth & when I look at pictures of myself where I am laughing, I don’t see how happy I am. I see my TOOTH.

While, as you can imagine this is a hugely personal issue for me I want to share my experience with Orthodontic Associates with everyone.
It’s something that will not only improve my smile but ultimately improve my confidence inside & out. AND I can focus on my goofy personality and not my ‘goofy’ tooth.

If you are interested in a free consultation email jgrismore@limasmiles.com

My 3rd Crawfish Boil, my trip back home to New Zealand & playing mini-golf in 90 degree weather!

What a crazy couple of months. I have been so busy that it feels like this year is FLYING by. May has been my favorite month by far. Not only did I get to spend a few days with my boyfriend, but I also got to see his family AND drumroll please ... I got to see my family in New Zealand whom I haven't seen in 4 years.
The month started off relatively quiet. I spent the first weekend not doing a whole lot of anything. BUT week 2 saw us heading to the boyfriends hometown for his family's yearly 'Crawfish Boil!' I look forward to this EVERY YEAR and it GETS BIGGER & BIGGER every year! This year there was more people, more crawfish & A BAND!
It was a great day, really warm with only a sprinkling of rain. My boyfriend's family is exactly like my own family. His mother treats me like her daughter, his brother's treat me like a a sister & I always feel so welcome every time we visit them.

Moving onto the following weekend I had one of the most anticipated trips of my life. Due to numerous reasons mainly involving money and time I have not been able to either take a trip back to New Zealand or see my family for 4 years.
I was really excited to see my mum and I knew she would be the one person that would make me cry when I saw her. Sure enough the tears were flowing.

I was also looking forward to seeing my sisters and meeting my little brother Nathan for the first time.

Needless to say my vacation was incredibly busy but I enjoyed every second.
Here are some highlights: hanging out with my 'little' sister Morgan (she's so grown up),

running to hug my mum at the airport, meeting my brother Nathan for the first time, watching a rugby game out on the town in Auckland with my sister Candace, her boyfriend Matthew & my dad,

going to my favorite place in the world 'Hamner Springs' with my mum, grandparents, sisters & my Uncle Rick & Aunt Marcia where we kept ourselves busy with hot pools, tons of walks & a highly entertaining 6-person tandem bike ride (we also had some great Thai food there too!)

Some other highlights were seeing my Uncle Darryl's Taxidermy displays, spending some much needed family time with my Aunt Pam, my cousin Kate (and her adorable daughter Sophie), my Aunt Lisa, Aunt Marcia & Aunt Janette, eating lunch at the Sky Tower, meeting mum's adorable baby MacKenzie (& of course the super cute Angus) AND last but certainly not least) the incredibly KIWI Fish & Chip dinner!


A really tough part of my trip was seeing the devastation that the February earthquake had had on my hometown. Words can't explain, Pictures don't do it justice. NOTHING but seeing it in person can convey the true extent of the damage.

The one thing that made me realize how proud I am of where I come from was the good old Kiwi spirit. Even though the city was a long way to go and even right now as I write this there have been another series of devastating earthquakes, the good old Kiwi spirit will continue to always shine through. The USA is now my home but as I boarded the plane to leave New Zealand I promised myself it would not be another 4 years.
And lastly to truly top off a great month I got to spend Memorial Day (May 31st) with my boyfriend. We don't get days off together so the odd-vacation day is always a bonus! I arrived back to a BEAUTIFUL day in Ohio and after a much needed (jet-lagged) nap we headed out in 90+ degree weather to play mini-golf. I don't usually enjoy mini-golf but we had a blast! We're both very competitive but my boyfriend ALWAYS wins because he's great under pressure! Me? I always start out strong and always crack under pressure at the end! We ended a great day with a roast that evening.

May has definitely been the month to beat so far this year, although June has been full of adventures which I'll be sure to let you know about soon!! In fact today I'm getting my teeth FINALLY fixed ... watch this space.