post-adjustment pain variations

[travelbug]

Hi everyone,

I just got my third adjustment yesterday. My first two adjustments were done by the same ortho assistant, and both were very easy. I had almost no pain or soreness afterwards. But yesterday, a different ortho assistant took care of my third adjustment. And this time I am in a lot of post-adjustment pain! I don't know if the difference was due to the different assistant or if it is due to other factors?

Has anyone else experienced something similar to this?

[Miss Smiley]

Doesn't matter which assistant I get, I leave with sore teeth. The newer assistants just take longer.

[tommyfive]

So far I usually leave the ortho's office pain free, but I know which teeth will be bothering me the next day.

Each time it's different, and the last time, the assistant was training someone, which was fantastic for me because she dictated each step of the process - removing the old ligs, and an old wire, replacing it with a new one, putting on the new ligs, installing wire ties on the teeth to be rotated, etc. The doctor also came and looked me over mentioning chains, etc. for next time. So I got a good narrative on what's going on in my mouth.

While she was putting the wire ties on, the assistant told the new person that I would not be happy with her tomorrow, explained why they use wire ties to engage stubborn teeth, etc. and I knew a little more about what to expect. (and it lasted more than a couple of days, by the way...)

To me it makes a difference if you can get them to tell you what they're doing... Sometimes I think they are in the habit of just doing their work and sending you home - not unlike any other job - they know what they do and perhaps they assume you know what they're doing as well...