Looking forward to what come next!

Thanks so much for such an amazing story metalfoxy! Loved every chapter! Every twist and turn of poor Ellie’s treatment. It’s up to you if you leave it there, it’s your story! Personally I’d love to hear more about Ellie’s braces, but if you do decide not to continue I have a suggestion! I’m very keen to explore Ellie’s ’residential program’ myself and would be up for maybe writing a few ‘fan fiction’ follow up chapters of my own, just for fun. I’m a slow writer but whenever I get anything done I can PM them to you if you’re interested? And if you like them you could adapt them yourself or post them verbatim on this thread?

Cheers!

I agree with Dun, you know when the story should end.

If you do decide to add more, it will be appreciated by many of us. I would also enjoy another story from you if you choose to write another one.

The following week, Jessica took Ellie to the hospital for her treatment to begin. John met them at the clinic and the nurses took Ellie’s belongings to the ward. John turned towards Jessica “right, now is the time and place to leave her with me. You can come back Friday at 2.30pm to collect her for the weekend – you’ll be surprised the changes that will happen!”
Jessica smirked and Ellie’s stomach dropped, Jessica turned to Ellie – a fake smile on her face “I cannot wait to see, now – you be good and we will see you really soon, OK?”
Ellie nodded, swallowing before glancing between Jessica and John “Are you REALLY sure we have to do this?”
Jessica grinned and nodded before John spoke up “nerves are normal, come on now – let’s get you to the team”

As Ellie was sat down in the chair, John smiled and introduced her to the three trainee orthodontists he was currently working with. He pointed to the camera which was handing down from the ceiling “so this is the room we are going to be using to film all the promotional videos plus my webinars and any online teaching. Now – I know we have impressions for your appliances but since this IS a teaching hospital I am going to let these three practice on you today. We will start with the upper impressions – they will all have a turn then we will assess. Whoever is the best will get the opportunity to be filmed to provide a video for my website so patients know what to expect. OK?”
Ellie groaned internally but nodded, she swung her legs up onto the chair. John’s assistant slipped a bib and glasses on her which Ellie thought was a bit unnecessary for simple impressions. She went to work mixing up the impression material.
The first orthodontist stepped up and reclined the chair. The other 2 trainees plus John crowded around watching. Ellie felt very self conscious but followed the instruction to open wide.
The orthodontist slipped the tray into her upper palate but as she was reclined flat, Ellie began to gag loudly as the alginate dripped down her throat. The orthodontist warned her to stay still or it would not work, after a long couple of minutes, she took it out. John examined it and hummed.
Ellie began to bounce her foot anxiously, the second orthodontist came up and sat the chair up “just for patient comfort I would have them more upright” John nodded as Ellie was forced to open up again, this time the impression went much smoother and Ellie relaxed slightly.
Finally the third orthodontist stepped up, they kept Ellie upright but the tray was much more filled and the alginate made her gag again as it dripped down her throat and came out the sides of the tray. Jessica continued to gag – her eyes streaming. When it was taken out John examined them all “Greg – yours was the best. Now you can prep to do a video, talking through it all.” Jessica was unsure who Greg was until the final one smiled and nodded, she groaned internally – feeling like this was actually the worst one.
Ellie turned to John “can I clean my face really quick?” John looked at the alginate on her chin, lips and cheeks but he smiled “no need – it’s just going to go all over again – you can get cleaned up afterwards”
Ellie nodded, embarrassed to be filmed with stuff all over her face.
As the camera was switched on, the orthodontist sat next to Ellie – introducing them both. He turned back to the camera “Now, Ellie is well practised with impressions so she knows what to expect. We have selected our tray and found the correct sizes for the top and bottom – we are going to start with the bottom this time. Our assistant here has prepared the mixture for us”
He placed the lower tray and Ellie relaxed as this one wasn’t bad at all. He waited, checking the material until it set “now this is ready to take out, open really wide Ellie”
She did as instructed and cringed as a trail of spit followed. He turned back to the camera “now this top one can be a bit more challenging because it can activate the gag reflex, we will keep you in an upright position to help with this and if you do start gagging, putting your chin down can help”
He instructed Ellie to open wide “don’t bite down – just let me push this in” she nodded as he pushed the filled tray into her upper jaw – she was convinced it was even more full this time. Immediately she felt it oozing out into her lips, past her top lip and spilling out but also down her throat again. She began to retch loudly so the orthodontist tilted her head forward, he manipulated her upper lip to sit correctly and was tapping her lip to keep it in place. The change in position didn’t help the gagging as another big gag ripped through her – instinctively Ellie reached up to his hands but he pushed them away “now it's important for the patient to stay still or we may have to start again” as another gag ripped through Ellie he explained “although gagging looks unpleasant it’s very common and it’s important we keep the impression in otherwise we will have to start from the beginning and go through it all again”.
Ellie heaved again, this time a trail of dribble dripping down her chin as her mouth had been propped open for so long. Her eyes were streaming and another big gag ripped through her – this time she nearly vomited. Luckily he spoke up again “ok that’s set nicely, open us for us Ellie” she did as instructed and he pulled it out – a thick trail of saliva dribbling down her chin as he pulled it out. The assistant wiped her mouth kindly and they shut the camera off. John smirked “welcome to the programme Jessica”

John turned to the assistant “please can you go and get the appliance ready for me?”
The assistant hurried off as John turned to the three trainees “I am going to fit this but I am going to do a short tutorial online. Any questions we will do them afterwards, OK?”
They all nodded, smiling at him.
Soon enough the assistant came back carrying a tray but Ellie couldn’t see what was in there.
John laid her down flat and inserted a big lip spreader – she felt like her lips were going to split. He turned the camera back on – angling it as Ellie’s face carefully. John was totally out of shot except his gloved hands – he addressed the camera “you can see here Ellie has a severe malocclusion. We are going to treat this with a modified Frankel appliance. Now this is a great appliance – it really does work when worn well. The downsides to using these appliances in practice is that it is a one piece appliance and it can be difficult for patients to learn to talk with this – Ellie here will need a lot of practice. It is a bulky appliance – it’s not the most enjoyable for patients but of course we work on results here.” Ellie’s heart sank hearing it all and she had to blink back tears – knowing she was being filmed.
John grabbed the appliance but as she was laying down flat she couldn’t see it “now open wide Ellie” she followed the instructions and felt John put the appliance in but because of the lip spreader she couldn’t really feel it.
“now this appliance relies on the pressure of the tongue pushing against the inside of the teeth to expand the arches. It also holds the teeth edge to edge which encourages the lower jaw to sit forward. Now we would usually use this in younger patients but we are expecting great results from Ellie too. Now Ellie’s appliance is modified because we have the acrylic pads above both the top and bottom teeth – these act as lip bumpers essentially – stopping the lips from pushing on the teeth and forcing them backwards. We also have the large acrylic pads on the cheeks – this stops the cheeks from being sucked in – it means the patient can’t use the lips as cheeks as pressure against the teeth – it allows for more tooth movement. We also have an upper and lower labial bow which is held slightly away from the teeth to stop the movement from going too far forward. Now this looks like a great fit for Ellie. This is to be worn all the time, except eating and for brushing her teeth. It can be a challenge to start with but patients soon adapt. Now Ellie let’s get those lip spreaders out”
As he took them out, Ellie felt her lips spring back but they didn’t shut fully – there was panic on her face as she realised how big and bulky the appliance was. She had to really purse her lips to get them to close and it wasn’t a position she would be able to maintain – meaning her lips would stay open at rest. John smirked slightly, pointing this out to the camera. “So how does it feel Ellie?”
She just nodded, not wanting to speak on camera but John didn’t allow this “come on – tell us your thoughts”
Ellie sucked back her saliva “ee feees aaahhwiii buuu huuuee”
John translated “it feels alright but huge?”
Ellie nodded, her cheeks burning red as she realised how jumbled her speech was. John smiled “you will adapt soon!”
He turned the camera off and had her open and close. He turned to the trainees “see how it isn’t clipped it – it’s just held in place as the patient bites down?” he had Ellie open again and they all noticed how the appliance dropped down. He had her close it it kept her jaws in place more.
He looked at Ellie “is it digging in anywhere?”
Ellie nodded but John chastised her “use your words”
“iii cuuuinn in heeee” she pointed to her upper lip where the lip pads were touching and cutting in
John shrugged “that’s normal – your lips will adjust – we will leave you here for a bit while we go to check on other patients and we will come back and see how you’re doing. If it is going well, we will run through some instructions and send you up to the ward – a nice easy day for you to start!”
 Ellie nodded, sitting there. She still hadn’t seen what she looked like and her nerves were kicking in. After around 40 minutes her jaw was throbbing and her lips were sore from trying to close them all the time. As she run her tongue around the inside, John reappeared – alone this time. He smirked “how are you finding the new appliance?”
Ellie shrugged, John smirked again “it’s a lot but you will adapt – remember if you keep sucking your lips in those buttons will rub – you will learn to speak and swallow in a new and improved way.
Ellie nodded, slupring back her saliva again. John turned to her “like I said – this is 24/7 for 3-4 months.”
Ellie nodded “howww go I ake it out?”
John smiled “you just open your jaws and pull it out but you don’t need to worry about that - the nurses will help you take it out for meals and to brush your teeth – I don’t expect you will need to touch it”
Ellie slumped but John pulled out a mirror “do you want to see?”
Ellie nodded but was horrified by her own reflection – as she grinned, all the acrylic was clearly visible. This was by far the worst thing she had worn – she was in for a rough few months.
Ellie was escorted to the ward and all the nurses helped her settle in. Ellie was too embarrassed to speak so sat down and began reading. Her jaw was so painful so she decided to look in the mirror and take it out – giving her jaw just a minute or two rest. As soon as it was out a nurse walked in, she glared at Ellie “sweetheart – that has to stay in your jaw, I will log it this time but I don’t want to see it again. OK?”
Ellie nodded, ashamed she had played into the ‘problem patient’ part again. The nurse looked at her “back in then…”
Ellie sighed but opened her mouth wide and slipped it back in – the feeling worse than before.
That week passed slowly, Ellie was monitored constantly and never allowed to remove the appliance – the nurses did it for her at mealtimes and when she brushed her teeth and they even stood straight over her as she cleaned her teeth – making sure it went right back in. Friday at 2.15 Jessica arrived to collect her, she giggled slightly “oh that is SO cute. I watched the video John put on facebook, but this is SO much better in real life”
John arrived quickly to say hello to Jessica he smirked slightly again “Ellie has been having real difficulty talking, I’d get her to read aloud to you this weekend – get her used to it. She has about 15 weeks left in this, she needs to adapt” Jessica nodded, promising she would get you talking and you groaned – knowing it was true. John turned to Jessica again – his expression serious “she must not remove the appliance except eating and to brush her teeth – I know the nurses taught you to do this she you can do it for her this weekend. If you catch her without it – you must let us know and we will act accordingly…”
Jessica nodded, her face serious “Oh I will! I promise, it won’t be out her mouth!”
As you left the hospital you felt even more self conscious and you knew you were in for a rough weekend…


I think I will just do a chapter like this for each appliance so big time skips in-between if that’s ok with everyone? Means I get to write about her feelings but don’t have to ‘fill’ space.

The frankel appliance had been hell for Ellie and she was grateful to get rid of it. Everytime she spoke, it moved around in her mouth and hurt her jaw.
John had informed Ellie and Jessica on Friday that after the weekend, she would be getting a new appliance. When Ellie had asked what it was, John simply replied “exactly the same as the treatment plan I laid out to you many months ago”
Jessica smirked but Ellie couldn’t remember so she sighed, knowing she was in for a surprise.
On Monday morning, when Jessica dropped Ellie off – she called down the corridor “see you with your van beek on Friday honey!”
Ellie forced a smile and nodded. A van beek – she wished Jessica had told her that earlier so she could have googled it over the weekend.
As John led her down to the chair, Ellie asked him tentatively “what is the van beek?”
John smiled at her “a magnificent appliance to help your overjet. Now obviously because you are older, we don’t know how much difference it will make – but that’s all part of the learning isn’t it?!”
It didn’t really answer her question but hearing it might be unnecessary anyway just angered Ellie.
John sat her down, clipping a bib over her chest, he chucked “you might want to keep this on later!” Ellie wasn’t sure what he meant but smiled politely – not wanting to anger the men.
The new trainees filed in and Ellie smiled awkwardly at them all.
John had them crowd round the chair as he laid Ellie down
“alright Ellie – you’re well practiced at this now, lip spreader in…”
She opened her mouth – allowing him to insert the lip spreader. John had Ellie open and close, he turned to the trainee’s “you see her pronounced overjet?”
They all nodded and hummed, john continued “well Ellie gets her new appliance to deal with this today. She is getting her van beek”
Ellie could swear a couple of them had a shocked expression but they returned to normal so quickly she couldn’t be sure.
John held it up proudly for Ellie to see, her own eyes widened “I have to wear that?!”
John nodded proudly “hopefully for only 5-6 months…”
Ellie’s cheeks burned red as he made her open her mouth wide and slipped it in.
She could immediately feel the metal facebow arms poking out. John slipped it out quickly and made a couple of adjustments.

John turned on the camera – filming his webinar  - making sure the camera was trained on Ellie’s face. He held the appliance in front of her face – giving a clear view of the monstrosity.
John looked up at the trainees “This is a van beek activator – it is a monobloc activator with facebow arms for extra oral traction which helps to reduce an overjet.”
They all looked at her with sympathy.
John spoke up again “ This activator will help to strengthen the muscles attached to Ellie’s lower jaw – she will likely have some muscle pain while they adapt – like training muscles at the gym but over time they will adapt and grow strong then I won’t hurt and the jaw will be held in a better position.” The trainees all nodded along again.

John tapped Ellie’s chin “open up”, Ellie did as she was told and john slipped it in. Somehow the camera capturing this was even more embarrassing and Ellie had to focus on one spot on the ceiling to stop herself crying.
John’s voice was smug “ Usually the van beek has a wear time of 14 hours but Ellie here will be 24 hours as we need to try and maximise any jaw growth we have left”
John pointed out the features of the appliance – since Ellie had the lip spreaders in, she hadn’t felt it fully for herself yet and listening to John ramble just increased her anxiety.
“Now you can see this appliance covers the front teeth but there is a small hole Ellie will breathe out of.  Ellie’s palate here is slightly thicker than normal to address the tongue thrust early on in her treatment journey. We have also added extra acrylic above the teeth over the gums so Ellie’s appliance goes right up to her upper and lower lips – you can see from the front all teeth and tissue is covered. “ Ellie’s eyes widened as she heard this – knowing it was going to be more of a nightmare to wear than her frankel.
Joh continued speaking to the camera “The aim of this extra material is to stop Ellie from pressure her lips onto the facebow and changing the traction.”
At that moment, a trail of spit dribbled down Ellie’s chin and she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. A trainee dabbed it gently before it dripped further. John removed the lip spreaders.
John used that opportunity to explain “You can see here Ellie is unable to closer her mouth and lips – this is a big adjustment but she will get used to it eventually. The main issue is one you’ve just witnessed – increased saliva production. It’s important to remind patients not to slurp – just swallow their saliva to train their muscles. The second problem patients encounter is speech – this may be even more challenging for Ellie due to the extra acrylic and it’s likely this will be for the entirety of treatment but for more patients as they don’t wear the appliance full time – it won't be a huge issue.”
John attached the high pull straps – a neon pink – and address the camera for the final time “the facebows and straps help to hold this in place in addition to the patients bite. Now how is it Ellie?”
Despite what John said, Ellie slurped her saliva back “ahh, eeesss ok”
John looked at her “it’s ok?” she nodded – of course it wasn’t but she couldn’t admit that on camera. He turned back “there you have it – despite how it looks, it’s a comfortable appliance and gets great results!”

As Ellie sat there, all the trainees looked at her, a slightly shell shocked expression on their faces. John smirked at her “it’s a lot to get used to Ellie, but it’ll be worth it to get that perfect smile. Like I said 24/7 wear – except of course eating and brushing. Same rules apply – nurses will take it in and out, Jessica will do it for you at weekends. We will see you back in the chair tomorrow! But first – let’s get some updated photos…”
He forced Ellie to smile, showing off the luminous pink acrylic that took over her mouth. She asked for a mirror and when he passed it to her, she almost fainted. Her jaw was being held open about 2cm, her lips nowhere near touched – she had saliva dripping down her chin and the headgear straps were messing up her hair. She cried immediately – begging him to change it but John smirked – “it’s the compliance programme, you had your chance with easy appliances – you couldn’t do it so we are starting from the basics. Now, I am worried about those lip pads rubbing, I am going to have you take a seat in the waiting room and I’ll check on you in an hour or so. Ellie’s eyes widened and she pointed to the appliance, “like thith?”
John smiled, “it’s full time wear – everyone is going to see you soon anyway!”
She didn’t know what he meant but she sat up, trying to stop the tears from flowing. The more the cried, the more she dribbled and she used her sleeve to wipe her chin. John handed her a tissue with a smirk on his face “I told you that it would be handy to have the bib – shall we leave it on?”
Ellie looked down, seeing the drool soaked bib and shook her head – too embarrassed – she kept the tissue pressed to her chin as she walked out.

There were quite a few patients in the waiting room and her new appliance gathered a lot of attention. Her eyes were red from crying and her slurping interrupted the silence. She heard a mother say to her daughter “see? You’ll end up like that if you don’t wear your appliance properly – you know John will do it!”
Ellie’s face flushed red with embarrassment as she dabbed her chin again, trying to pretend she hadn’t heard the cruel words.
After about 90 minutes, John came back out. Ellie stood up – expecting to follow him back to an exam room but he waved his hand “oh just stay sitting there, a quick check – no need to come back”
He parted her lips, checking the acrylic on the gum tissue – feeling around. Ellie glanced around the room, all eyes were on her and her eyes welled with tears again.
After around 30 seconds, John announced loudly “that looks great! Right – remember no trying to cheat – I always know!” the other patients looked down, trying to pretend they hadn’t heard but Ellie nodded.
John smiled “see you tomorrow!”

Ellie trudged back to the ward, all the nurses eyes widened as they saw her. She sat on her bed and cried, looking in her phone mirror at her horrendous appearance now.
After an hour or so of crying, she couldn’t bare it anymore and took the appliance out – setting it back in its box.
Soon a nurse came by, glaring at her – “you know the rules, appliance in”
Ellie grumbled “it hurts so much!”
The nurse sighed “I can get you some pain relief – but it needs to go back in”
Ellie argued she couldn’t yet. The nurse rolled her eyes “you’re going to make it so much worse for yourself!”
Ellie scoffed “worse? How can it get wose than this? I can’t speak, I am drooling, my teeth are covered in plastic and I have metal bars poking out my mouth with neon pink straps. IT CAN’T GET WORSE”
The nurse shrugged, mumbling “on your head be it”

10 minutes later, John stormed up to the ward, a package in his hand.
He held out the appliance and Ellie took it, nervous of the repercussion.
He sighed “I don’t want to have to punish you Ellie…you’re not a child. But you were warned. He pulled out new headgear straps, interlandi headgear – still neon pink but MUCH larger than before.
Ellie cried as he attached it – begging to be put back in the old one – this had plastic all in front of her ears and was uncomfortable. John stopped her “I cannot understand you Ellie. You need to stick to this for 2 weeks, then we will consider going back. Actually your speech is terrible – we will have you read out loud to the team daily to check your progress”
Ellie nodded glumly, not able to protest. Just as he was walking away – John smiled “thanks for the promo!”
Ellie was unsure what he meant but a few minutes later her phone buzzed – John’s orthodontic practice had tagged her in a post. It was the video and photos of her with the new appliance ON FACEBOOK for everyone to see. She nearly untagged herself then realised there would be more punishment so she turned her phone off, ready to ignore the world.
She laid down, crying again – fearing the weekend with Jessica and her bright ideas – she betted Jessica would make her go out the house this weekend and the dread was building already.