Search found 90 matches

by DireWire
Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:43 pm
Forum: The Naked Tooth (Retainers and Life After Braces)
Topic: Freedom
Replies: 2
Views: 1273

Re: Freedom

The braces came off this morning!!!!!!! Hated to do the moulds for the retainers. I have a small mouth and it was really tough. The bottom retainer is bonded in, how do I floss? I'll ask when my kids go this afternoon. Now to look into whitening my teeth. I think I may miss the braces Well, mine ar...
by DireWire
Sun May 17, 2009 4:30 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Braces: when do you get used to them?
Replies: 16
Views: 7118

If u r like me, the answer is: never. It gets better over time. You'll find that nobody cares about your braces other than you. You'll forget them temporarily, but you'll always be reminded again. They poke, the make you salivate, they just don't belong in your mouth. When you smile a bright smile, ...
by DireWire
Tue May 05, 2009 3:46 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Why did you guys choose to have braces in adutlhood?
Replies: 58
Views: 14298

Easy: I got them because I was suddenly developing strong muscle pain / TMJ. For those who don't know, it meant I couldn't eat anything because chewing was too painful. I went to the Ortho straight away. He got me out of pain quickly, but it was obvious to me that I had to correct the cause and not ...
by DireWire
Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:31 pm
Forum: The Naked Tooth (Retainers and Life After Braces)
Topic: Daughter has de banding date! Another retainer question!
Replies: 2
Views: 1400

I have a debanding set and it takes two weeks to make my retainers... but I'll get temporary retainers on the same day. They are quicker to make so I get them in the afternoon of the debanding day and I have to wear them until I get the final retainer. My ortho sees to think that a 14 days wait is t...
by DireWire
Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:23 pm
Forum: The Naked Tooth (Retainers and Life After Braces)
Topic: Bonded or Hawley?
Replies: 9
Views: 4433

I just got a bonded retainer (bottom only) today. It doesn't affect my speech at all, and I'm pleasantly surprised how comfortable it is. The wire is completely covered in bonding material, so there are no sharp edges at all. On top of that, I'll have Essix retainers top and bottom, so my ortho is c...
by DireWire
Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:24 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Question about bonded retainers!
Replies: 1
Views: 724

You'll have both.

Typially, the bonded one is only for the incisors and stays in forever. The Essix is typically initially 24/7, then gradually less... but not down to zero. You will eventually wear it 1-2 nights per week.

DireWire
by DireWire
Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:28 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: question about everyone's retainer wear
Replies: 17
Views: 3386

From what I hear, nobody knows how prone your teeth are to move back, so it is a bit trial and error. I'll have a bonded retainer forever plus Essix, and I'll have to wear the Essix 24/7 initially, less over time (down to 1-2 nights per week)... but when I can go down how much really depends on my t...
by DireWire
Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:21 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Concerned and in pain (with pic)
Replies: 4
Views: 1184

I don't think the band is supposed to dig into your gum and yes, there might be an inflammation. The pain that you mention: does it feel like the pain from moving teeth or does it feel more like the gum? If it seems to be the gum, I think there is little point in waiting. I would call in my ortho's ...
by DireWire
Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:14 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Question...wondering if anyone else is like me???
Replies: 6
Views: 1084

yes, I liked the feel of the new elastic, too.

On the other hand, the elastics never made my teeth hurt anyway near like a new adjustment, so my experience seems to differ from many others'.

DireWire
by DireWire
Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:52 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Correct position of Jaw?
Replies: 6
Views: 1326

From my limited knowledge, the correct position for the jaw is when upper and lower incisors match/meet exactly. It puts least stress on the jaw joint, preventing undue wear.

DireWire
by DireWire
Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:34 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: 40...and going for it.
Replies: 9
Views: 1846

think about eating some of the things that you might enjoy less with brades: steaks, peanut m&m's and the like...

DireWire (47, one year in and probably soon out)
by DireWire
Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:00 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: How often do you change elastics
Replies: 13
Views: 50860

Hey, I used at least 3 per day -- morning, lunch, evening plus potentially changes in-between. They cost only pennies and they do wear out, so don't be shy. As far as doubling-up is concerned, I'm not sure this is a good idea. Your ortho probably chose the strength he felt was appropriate. I didn't ...
by DireWire
Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:58 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: HELP! REALLY bad tooth sensitivity!!!
Replies: 5
Views: 8103

Both will work, but there is a big difference. Anbesol is a pain killer using Benzocaine. It will numb your nerves. The good news is that it works immediately. The bad news is it is not doing anything about the issue, so you'll keep applying the pain killer again and again. Orajel (which also offers...
by DireWire
Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:09 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: HELP! REALLY bad tooth sensitivity!!!
Replies: 5
Views: 8103

Two options: 1) Go to a dentist. They have a fluoride liquid that blocks the channels in the dentine. Usually, one application should do the trick, with great pain relief within hours. You can repeat the exercise if some sensitivity remains. 2) Go to a Walgreens or a CVS and look for Orajel Tooth De...
by DireWire
Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:56 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: dental wax for braces
Replies: 16
Views: 4085

I'm using wax based on need. Most days I'm perfecty fine without wax, but on some, my tissue is really sensitive. I noticed once the braces start to rub, it only gets worse, so I use it on those days in liberal amounts. It's not happening often, and I couldn't find a pattern. Just do as you please. ...