Metal Mouth Message Board

Congratulations Rob, your smile looks great!

I know how you feel Peach, my original estimate was 18 - 24 months and I am way over that. I also had gaps but they were closed using springs and keyhole wires. It looks like you have power chains but has your ortho suggested any other methods to help close the gaps? Hopefully I will have mine off b...

If it's in the back of your mouth you can try a piece of cotton (from a cotton ball). I do this all the time and it works well.

Congratulations on the debanding date!!! Your smile looks great!

I was braced in September, 2007 and had my 2 upper premolars extracted in July, 2008. My ortho gave me this option so that I could go for the shortest possible time with gaps. He said that I could have them extracted before I got the braces but that he wouldn't start closing the gaps right away so I...

My advise would be to wear plenty of chapstick to keep your lips from drying out and if you are concerned about the sound of the tool used for the IPR take an ipod or mp3 player to listen to. Hope this helps.

I have had the innovation C brackets for over 2 years and have not a problem. The only thing that I have not tried to eat with them is corn on the cob and apples since it seems like this would put too much stress on the front brackets, but I eat everything else normally. Good luck!

I found a picture with the loop activated that my help you understand my (terrible) expanation. Let me know if you need more information.

On the bottom of the loop, where the two pieces of wire come together, the insert a shim and pull the wire tight through the buccal tubes to activate it and as the loop closes so does the gap. I'm sorry if I didn't expain it well, let me know if you didn't understand and I will try again.

Here is a picture of the spring and closing loop to give you a better idea. Good luck!

I had my two upper premolars extracted and my ortho used a combination of closing loops and springs. It took about 4-5 months for the gaps to close.[/img]http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd4/ ... g#comments

Hi Stace, I always enjoy reading updates to your story but haven't seen anything lately. Are you still using the board. I would love to know how your progress has been.

I think that a section on what to expect and how to prepare would be great. You could suggest that newbies invest in a water pic and get a dental cleaning before getting braces. You could also suggest that they switch to a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol (I wish my ortho had suggested this t...

Congratulations on the fast movement, they look great!

Neysa, Congratulations on the debanding date. What was your original time estimate?