how long before they start moving?

[danish]

Hi there,
I'm almost 3 weeks into treatment with dentals braces (upper and lower) due to crowded teeth. Prior to the treatmetn I had my 4 premolars extracted to make room.
I'm in this self-conscious phase where I feel like the most repulsive person on the planet because of the braces and the gaps between the teeth from the premolar extraction.
There is no doubt in my mind that I did the right thing in starting the orthodontic treatment. I always wanted straighter teeth. But thinking about the long road I still have to travel before achieving the result really gets me down.... I keep telling myself that as soon as I can see the first results this will boost my motivation.
I have to questions to the forum:

1. How long did it take before you saw the first results?
2. What do you do to avoid negative thought patterns?

Any ideas, comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance and thanks for a great forum

Danish

[kirjax]

Hi Danish,

I think everyone experiences movement at different points in their treatment. I also have crowding but did not have extractions. My movement happened within the first month - they had to move my teeth forward to create space for my tooth to be pushed into alignment. It took 4 months for them to get that space. Right after the spring that was placed to push the teeth apart was removed the tooth literally jumped forward!

Now the bottoms for me have been a whole different story. But they also were put on 2 months after my tops. So I have lots of work to do w/ them.

Anyways, I think you'll notice slight changes and then before you know it everything will just seem to happen at once and it will totally get you excited for the end results! I was sort of where you were w/ the attitude of why is nothing happening, I want results!

here is an example I shared recently.

4 weeks in with braces:


4 months into braces


so see results really do happen quickly! just be patient!

As far as how I felt. Well I think like most I was completely self concious of how I looked. I would cover my mouth when laughing. And when I talked I tried not to show my braces. My friends ended up telling me that I looked wierd trying to "pretend" I didn't have braces and told me to smile, laugh, and talk as I would if they weren't there! That was the best advice and encouragement they've given me!
And honestly nobody really cares that you have braces besides you!

[danish]

Hi Danish,

I think everyone experiences movement at different points in their treatment. I also have crowding but did not have extractions. My movement happened within the first month - they had to move my teeth forward to create space for my tooth to be pushed into alignment. It took 4 months for them to get that space. Right after the spring that was placed to push the teeth apart was removed the tooth literally jumped forward!

Now the bottoms for me have been a whole different story. But they also were put on 2 months after my tops. So I have lots of work to do w/ them.

Anyways, I think you'll notice slight changes and then before you know it everything will just seem to happen at once and it will totally get you excited for the end results! I was sort of where you were w/ the attitude of why is nothing happening, I want results!

here is an example I shared recently.

4 weeks in with braces:


4 months into braces


so see results really do happen quickly! just be patient!

As far as how I felt. Well I think like most I was completely self concious of how I looked. I would cover my mouth when laughing. And when I talked I tried not to show my braces. My friends ended up telling me that I looked wierd trying to "pretend" I didn't have braces and told me to smile, laugh, and talk as I would if they weren't there! That was the best advice and encouragement they've given me!
And honestly nobody really cares that you have braces besides you!

Nice pics. I have the same dented in tooth (lateral incisor). Can't wait until it starts moving and starts aligning. I guess that I just need to see some slight progress.
Thanks again

[cullenal]

Hi There!
I have also had my braces on for 3 weeks upper and lower. I am really dying to see some movement as well! I am sure things are moving about I just can't wait to see some changes! I was trying to talk so that people wouldn't notice too but I gave up on that when people said it was much less noticeable when I didn't try and cover them up! I just look to the end result when I want to feel better and looking at the progress of everyone here really helps! Hang in there you not alone!!

[ibraceface]

I also had 4 pre-molar extractions. I know how you feel! I get really self-conscious when meeting new people. I have lingual braces- so all people see are huge gaps in my mouth! Atleast with traditional braces, people probably assume the holes are due to the braces- not because you're just missing your teeth! Haha

Anyways- I had my extractions on September 7... and while I still have Gaps, they are closing up soooo quickly... Probably about a third of the way done! They move quicker than you think- I promise! Mine were a little slower to move at first- and after asking my ortho to be more agrressive with closing them- she use some elastics and power chains and they are closing up more quickly.

[cosmicgirl]

Hi Danish!
I too had the same problem with my upper right lateral, but I am delighted to report that after 5 weeks it's forward and proud!!
30 odd years ago, in the infancy of orthodontics in the UK, my dentist fitted me with a plate which pushed that tooth forward. However after the plate came out, the tooth slid back to its original position. It has really bothered me, so in August I decided to have it veneered. However... my dentist pointed out that it wasn't the only wonky tooth in my head. There was the open bite, the cross bite, the rotated this and the rotated that...

So in September, I started the journey and was thrilled that the first sign of improvement was that that shy little tooth finally came out into the open! However I know there's a lot more movement because not only can I floss between every single tooth, but now I can get the fatter interdental brushes through the gaps - GAPS now they are a novelty! I don't know where they've come from - I always thought my mouth was overcrowded!

Take lots of pictures - you'll soon see an improvement - it's so encouraging!!

[danish]

thanx for the replies. I guess that I just need to see some movement to keep me going. I am sure that it won't be long. I take pictures, so I won't miss anything. Hehe
thanks again..

[motormouth]

I have had my uppers on for 4 weeks and get my lowers on in 2 weeks. I've seen a slight difference. My girlfriend said she saw a difference in my profile which has spearheaded me to take more pics of myself.

I've gotten compliments and everything which is weird. I have spaces so I'm waiting for them to close. I also have an overbite.

Good Luck and be patient. That's what I've been told.

[gwynneth23]

Hi there, well done for taking the plunge! I know what you mean about feeling self-conscious. For me though, I felt better once I actually had the brace on. I had two teeth extracted, and because one of the wounds got infected, it was a few weeks before I had the brace fitted. I was aware of these huge gaps where the teeth had been extracted! But now I think the gaps are not so obvious because of the brace wires, and also, it's obvious why they are there.

Just keep telling yourself that other people don't notice it as much as you. I have been amazed that some friends haven't even realised straight away, when we met for the first time after I had the brace fitted. Remember that you probably look at yourself really closely in the mirror, whereas other people are mostly standing several feet away and it definitely is not so obvious to them. Just keep smiling broadly and acting normal!

I do hope you see some progress soon, to encourage you

[Traceymay]

Hi There.

I've been braced (uppers) for 12 weeks now. At first I could not see a difference until I had my first adjustment 6 weeks later. My problem was due to overcrowding so I had to have 2 upper pre molars extracted.

The gaps are closing slowly, but I'm very happy with the results so far. I know what you mean about being self conscious. I went to a party yesterday and I was quite nervous about seeing people who had not yet seen me braced. After a couple of very polite questions, it was yesterdays news. People really don't seem to notice. As for negative thoughts I take a sneeky peak of a picture that was taken before I was braced and compare it to how they look now and I soon feel loads better.

Here are my pics taken 2 days into braces and just after my second adjustment.







Well done for taking the plunge.

[bracedbride]

i got mine on 10/24/07 and keep taking pictures every few days looking for movement. i can see small differences thus far, but i know big action is just around the corner.

sometimes when i press my teeth from my cheek or right about my lip i can feel a little pop. Tiny, tiny little pop. I like to tell myself that is my teeth moving into their new places. Whether it is or not, I have no clue.

I hope you start to get excited soon that you started braces. That's what keeps me going. I just constantly look in the mirror and smile because I know when they do come off, I'm going to be a new person. Not just my smile but my self confidence and all.

[mihaelici]

I think EVERYBODY wants to see results as soon as possible.. me included .. I suppose it gives you will, strength, hope..
I took a picture right before getting braces, and it seems quite a good idea to take pics every month, in order to see the changes.. I'll do that!