Jon shut her eyes tight and crossed her feet as they began to work. Everything already felt so awkward. Did she really need this right now? Did Sarah really have to write such a cruel wish on the back side of that paper. Couldn't they just find another way to fix her teeth with the stone? But it was past the time for that now.
Things didn't start optimistically. Immediately the orthodontist began to size an ugly contraption into the roof of her mouth. Apparently Sarah's wish of the "worst" braces was making itself real. The thing seemed to have four little loops all connecting to a little box in the middle by a stiff metal frame. (Image) After only a short amount of time, they scrape away at a few teeth, covered them in goop, and positioned those little loops over four of her teeth starting with her molars. She can only feel the pressure as they force the four caps of the device on, wiggling them bit by bit. They push until the metal loops are snugly around her teeth. They wipe away the excess goop then shine a blue light in her mouth. Jon wiggled uncomfortably as her tongue traced the intrusive thing covering the roof of her mouth.
A quick rhythm began to build after that. They'd put goop on a little bracket, position the bracket on one of her teeth, shine that blue light, and move on. Tooth by tooth, her mouth was quickly covered in the little metal devils, poking and prodding her gums and tongue wherever they touched.
The orthodontist began to make small talk, much to Jon's discomfort, but at least they removed the lip guard letting her close her mouth again. Unfortunately it felt worse now that her lips pressed up directly against those little tabs. "Your school mascot's the Bruin right? The Blue Bruin?" Jon offered a curt nod in response, then spoke up "Yes".
"I used to go there too. I wore that blue and silver jersey way back when. Maybe 20 years ago? Wide receiver!" He smiled as he leaned back over after adjusting a wire in his hands. "Do you go to the games often? They've been doing great this year."
Jon paused a moment, then nodded again "Yeah, every now and then."
He smiled again. "Alright, open wide, this won't take long." The man slipped the wire into a notch in those molar loops on each side, then guided it along the rest of brackets. Finally, he wrapped a little rubber band around one of the brackets, and after a bit of tugging, he released the band to lock the wire in place. The ritual continued for the rest of her teeth until finally, with a snip of any excess wire, the ordeal was over. When she closed her lips this time, she was pleased to find that the brackets didn't poke her as badly. It was still scratchy and awkward on her gums, like everything was just swollen and out of place, but it was at least bearable.
The pink assistant smiled and held up a mirror for her to see. At first all that stared back was a very unhappy looking girl... The girl that she had become, but a tentative smile revealed her new braces... her braces with blue and sparkly silver bands? What? She didn't ask for any color. She glanced over to the orthodontist, who she realized was still reminiscing about his highschool sports days. That jerk had take the liberty to put her school colors on her teeth without asking! She balled up her fist, and had half a mind to put him in his place when the assistant interrupted her thought.
"Now you need to pay attention to this sweetie. You've been fitted with a rapid palatal expander." She begins as holds up a tiny allen wrench looking key. "You'll need to turn it once a day. Ok? No more no less! Go ahead and lean back and open wide?" As Jon does she takes the key and inserts it into that box on the roof of her mouth, and rotates it backwards. Almost immediately the torque puts pressure on her mouth. "Ahh!" Jon protests.
"Sorry sweetie, but you have to do this once a day. We've already instructed your mom on how to keep up with it, ok? Now I'm going to put this in a little bag with some wax, special floss, a little scrubbie, and here's a pamphlet on how to take care of your new braces." She proceeds to go through a quick demonstration which Jon only pays half attention too. The orthodontist has gone by now, leaving Jon to smile at her reflection in a mirror and wonder if this color is what Sarah's wish considers "ugly."
Jon rejoins her mother before long, who hugs her. "Alright Marie, give me a smile." Jon obliges unhappily. "Aww, they look cute. Don't look so glum about it. I love your school colors there, good choice." Jon just rolls her eyes and crosses her arms
"Can we jusht get out of here?" She blushes at her mild lisp, and looks towards the door.
"Of course sweet heart, let's get something to eat. How about some frozen yogurt?" She smiles and brushes Jon's bangs out of her face.
As the pair are on there way out the Assistant smiles one last time and say "Have a wonderful day! We'll see you tomorrow to get fitted for your facebow!"
