Re using the wires from previous adjustment?

Message

#1 Post by **MamaRoo** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:16 am

Has anyone else had this.... I had an adjustment yesterday... and they reused the wires that I had in before... I thought the point was to get new wires... at each adjustment... I might be wrong... but when I asked the Dr. about this... he told me that since this set of wires was doing what he wanted them to do... why get new ones...

I haven't noticed movement with this set of wires like I had at my previous adjustment...

Just curious...

Thanks.

#2 Post by **jennielee81** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:52 am

This is normal! They only replace wires with new if:

you are upgrading to a heavier wire
back-stepping to a lighter one
your current wire is broken or damaged
if it's a NiTi wire and it is no longer active
you need bends in new places

There are probably other reasons to replace the wire with a new one, but these are high-tech wires and could be quite expensive. Your ortho is not going to waste them!

#3 Post by **ema27** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:55 am

Yeah i have had the same wire on my top teeth for the past 2 adjustments-i hope he changes it next time-i always feel better with a new wire-makes the appointment seem worthwhile

#4 Post by **gunter8888** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:51 am

It must be an orthodontists preference. I have never had the same archwire re-used. Even when I have had the same size wire, they have replaced it with a new wire.

Not sure if it makes any difference, though.

#5 Post by **KikiloSugilo** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:22 pm

Mama, that is not at all unusual. In the time I've been braced 1+ years, I've only had my wire changed 5 times, and they were either upgrades to a stronger wire or for damage that the wire had sustained.

#6 Post by **ema27** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:06 pm

.My progress is coming along pretty good of course its reassurance seeing the doc so he can tell you how good your coming along.I just feel a little cheated when i drive an hour for a quick look and thats it...at least with a new wire it makes me feel like the drive was worth it...

#7 Post by **jennielee81** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:10 pm

I know what you mean!

My kids would have quick look appointments and I always felt like I was just "phoning it in". I would barely get my novel out of my bag and they'd be coming back down the stairs....all done.

I always liked getting major hardware changes...at least until the pain set in.

Even if my wires weren't changed, I'd get something new like elastic config changes or a bend in an existing wire.

#8 Post by **Sherri** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:59 am

I've been in braces almost three years and have had the same wire for the last year. Along with elastics and power chains, and they even did this thing this time where they took some kind of thread or dental floss and sewed my teeth together. I had never seen this before. I have a real stubborn gap that just won't close.

#9 Post by **science teacher** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:53 pm

Sherri,

I have my 2-2 on top and bottom that way. My ortho calls it "laced" it is also called "gang tied" Your teeth will move as a group if you have more than 2 together.
Kim

#10 Post by **ema27** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:26 am

Just looking in the mirror as you do and iv noticed too things.one the top wire has a big scratch on it and one of my ligs on the bottom teeth has gone.where ..? i dont know

Really looking forward to the end of the month now...