Metal Mouth Message Board

There are five phases in treatment: Phase I is alignment, which ends when the teeth in the arch are in a curve. Phase II is leveling, where the top teeth are aligned with the bottom teeth. Phase III is Molar Position, where molars are brought into proper position (at least as much as possible). Pha...

I was told to change mine twice a day, but also put new ones in after each time I eat or brush my teeth.
I eat with them in so they feel a bit yuck afterwards.
The ortho never gave me enough elastics to do me till my next adjustment either, but any time I need them I just go in and ask for some more.

For me it was a down payment of just over $1000. I think about $1200 and that was on the day they were put on. Then every 3mths I paid $550 - so all up the payments were spread over 1 and 1/2 years (i think cos that's the absolute minimum time I would've had them). I'm pretty sure with my ortho that...

Just to add to what the other posters have said: There's also different strength elastics, so maybe this is a transition to a stronger one. Trust me - appreciate the fact that you aren't feeling those ones. My 1st ones (a long time ago) kept snapping and so then I got real thick ones. They don't bot...

Chris wrote:I don't get it; how can you have a "root" if you had a root canal which takes the roots out?

I didn't pick up on that fact cos I actually had no idea what a root canal was (but knew i'd had one)...
I just checked it out via google though and it seems you're right.

I can't even remember back to the time when I had ligs. I don't think I had them for long.
I've had double powerchains though.

My ortho estimated 2 years, but i'm 8 months over that now. I was told at my last adjustment that they'll be off in under 6 months though!

I knocked most of my front tooth out when I was in high school (I fainted and landed on concrete)... Not a pretty sight!!! I had root canal and thought having a bracket put on it may have been a problem but the ortho said it wouldn't be an issue. I've had no trouble with it at all and have been brac...

Hi Chris, I'd say the delay in pain would be different to what many people experience (me included).. but that it is normal all the same. Maybe you only had a real slow and small type of movement at first and now more is happening! That would explain why there is the pain delay. Just an idea anyway....

Hi fins,
Sorry to hear that elastic is causing you grief.
For me it took about a week to be pain free.
That's standard for me after any adjustment though so yours could be sooner.
Good luck with it. I hope you start to feel some relief soon!

hmm.. maybe you don't want to hear from me, but I figured i'd best share my experiences with extraction gaps. I had 4 extractions and have had power chains since pretty much the beginning of treatment. They took about 2 and 1/2 yrs to close up! I should have just under 6mths left of treatment now (I...

My only options with colours are a mixed pack. They are all neon (so very obvious). There's pink, orange, green and purple. Ask your ortho though. He/she might use a different brand with better options! Whatever you do though, don't let your co-workers dictate your treatment. The more you wear the e...

BraceFace12 wrote:I've never heard of a PNL appointment. Does every ortho do them?

I've never heard mention of this with my ortho. The last x-ray I had was right before my braces were put on and I'm nearing the end of my treatment now.

That sounds like a highly immature response from colleagues! They should be happy for you that you've chosen to improve your teeth/bite. I've never had any comments about my elastics. I think mine are barely noticeable. You may also be able to get coloured ones though (if that's something you would ...

I've had powerchains pretty much since the beginning. I'm not sure when exactly but probably only a couple of mths into treatment and I still have them. So that's been at least 2 yrs.
Every case would be different of course, but I'd assume you will prob have them a bit longer at least!