Metal Mouth Message Board

Let's remember genetics, too. Some people are born with more resistant teeth while others, even with meticulous cleaning, get cavities. Same way some people can "diet" for long periods of time but not lose a lot of weight, while others can just do minor revisions to their diet and drop the...

What treatment plan did you and your ortho agree on? You're right about the crowding, so are you having extraction (I am). I am a little freaked about about having a lower incisor pulled - even with braces to cover it I think I'll be a litlle self-conscious of the gap there. Out of curiousity, did y...

I can see why you are disappointed. It kind of sounds like you got a "never ending" sentence to braces - most things are tolerablee for me if I know when they will end, but not knowing when your journey will end must be very disheartening. I mean, if the ortho sounds disheartened, what are...

What about getting nutrition from protein drinks/Boost/etc. Especially if you are used to 3,500 calories, dropping to 1,000 is going to wreak havoc on your body. I don't recommend becoming reliant on supplement drinks, but for now, they might help you get some nutrition in. I agree on allowing some ...

Nille- Bear in mind there is "conventional" metal and "self-ligating" metal (Damons). From what you described, the ortho's choice for metal is Damon's (self ligating meaning no ligs or wire ties, the wire just 'sits' in the bracket in one piece across the mouth). Metal is also us...

It sounds like a consult with the ortho is in order. Because I think it is important for everyone to hear both sides of a story, I do want to let you know how I handled a similar problem, though I know most people here do not take kindly to this message. I had Damon3s for 2 months with chronic probl...

You'll notice I didn't post. Wasn't about to start the uproar all over again.

Individual satisfaction is important, as well as ortho.

As my (new) ortho said:

"Put 10 orthodontists in a room with 1 patient and you will get 12 opinions about treatment."

I had Damon 3s put on about a month ago. Having them put on was basically painless. The ortho said that if I was going to get soreness (I think that is a euphamism for pain!) it wouldn't set in for a few hours. I never did have any "soreness" or pain. It was more like a sense of pressure i...

Regarding US v. UK on ortho- While I love the US and wouldn't choose to live elsewhere (just as a matter of comfort where I am), the UK system has - at least as I understand it - some real benefits over the US system for health and dental care. I'm sure we could have a long thread on that topic, but...

I'm no ortho, but something doesn't sound right. I mean, if the expectation is to wear the retainers 7x24 for the first few months, then waiting 3 weeks doesn't seem to make sense. If calling the ortho doesn't get you anywhere, you might try dropping by, but soon. I'd hate for you to go through brac...

Not everyone has pain, but it seems like you have a good attitude that if you do, you'll get through. If you want to "zone out" during the banding/bracketing appointment, since it can get long, some people bring an Ipod or portable CD player to listen to music to pass the time. Be sure to ...

Yes the patient's thoughts are important!!! The 3-month cleaning issue with braces is a guideline (at least that was what I saw on the bulletin board at the ortho's office), not a law. It is always your choice whether to go in or not. I generally go in every six months (at least pre-braces), but whe...

Quoted today - $8150 Bethesda, Maryland. 18 months uncomplicated. Don't remember the tray count. Did include retention. Would someone please explain to me why people have to get regular braces AFTER Invisalign??? I though Invisalign were braces, and now a number of people have talked about getting c...

Granted there are a bunch of conditionals in this post, but bear with me. I did not think Medicaid would pay for ortho work othen than those under age 21. If you are a patient and payment is by Medicaid, I can almost guarantee they will treat you like a child because it is almost unheard of for some...

Now I'm confused. Did you have a spacer between two teeth with brackets on? Maybe that is a standard I have never heard of, but it's new to me. The other thing I don't understand is why a spacer is being used to move a tooth? Isn't that what the braces are for? Now I'd better make sure I am thinking...