I'm Freakin' Out!

[ceeceebraces]

Hello,

I have looked at some other posts, and I don't see anything related to what I'm going through right now;

I have had my ceramic braces on just 4 months now, and my cheeks have caved in so much, that I look older than I did just a month ago! And inside my cheeks, there are raised-looking scarring, which I know is contributing to the tissue in my mouth not being as healthy because of my braces, and the cause of my cheeks starting to look sunken in. But it doesn't hurt, I just know this can't be good. Come to think of it, it has aggravated my cheek walls before, which caused me to use alot of wax at times. And I'm guessing my teeth moving is causing the dent, but so much in just 4 months?!

Plus, my chin from the outside has developed dimples because of the teeth moving.

On top of that, I purposefully gained weight to keep my face from looking so sunken in, but it's not making much of a difference. Heaven forbid I lost weight again, it'd look even worse!

I am calling my ortho ASAP to see him earlier than my Nov. 7th, but I most likely can't even go see him as soon as tomorrow, because of my job's deadlines I have tomorrow.

I do believe I am going to tell him to take them off, because nothing is worth the health of my mouth. But I'm freakin' that how I look now won't reverse back to the healthy and youthful look I had just a month or so ago.

I'm feeling bad now that I did this. Does this sound crazy to you all, or is anyone going through this too? By the way, I always did have an oval face, but it was certaintly fuller than this and never sunken in like that.

Could I stop where I am now (it has moved my open bite to almost closed) and just pay him up until now? Or should I even look at this as negligence? I know braces can change your face, but like this?

Thanks for any advice. I sure can use it right now!

[kazan again]

Well, it does sound unlikely. Presuming you dont want to/cant post a before and after picture, surely the thing to do is to get an honest opinion from someone who knows you.

Scarring sounds like an extreme word to use when normally braces cause -certainly annoying and painful - ulcers but not ones that result in scarring.

As for a sunken look, that is caused by teeth being removed and/or bone loss neither of which you mention.

I definitely think you need a few second opinions before you remove your braces.

Best of luck

[mstikl1]

Hi doll!

I gotta agree, I am all about vanity too - (says Ms Metal Mouth with the Lisp) and frankly, my "look" in braces just ain't doin' it for me. But, long-term, I know I will look and FEEL better with a healthy jaw and teeth! Long term goal beats short term gratification, every time!

I am also wondering if your dramatic change in appearance might be due in part at least to dehydration. Are you drinking enough?

I am very new to braces (2 1/2 weeks) and I am waking up at night, dry mouth like crazy because I can't close my lips well anymore, so I am keeping a bottle of water bedside. And I know I am mouth-breathing more in the day too, same reason. That can lend to a dramatic loss of body water content - which can cause dramatic changes in tissue appearance! Try to increase your fluids, and see if that makes a diff!

Of course, if there is malpractice, you need to take corrective measures.
But - Please - don't do anything rash - get a second, even third opinion.

Your investment in yourself, despite temp discomfort, will pay off in the future with a dynamite smile and healthy bone structure!

Please keep us posted on what's going on! -- Dona/Mstikl1

[Delag]

Take a deep breath.....now another......one more. First let me say that mstikl1 raises a very good point about dehydration. NOt getting enough fluids will also cause your brackets to stick to your mouth and cause those dents. May I also suggest that you speak with your ortho very calmly. If you go in there in total panic mode I am sure the ortho might just pop the braces off in a second, which may not be the best choice for you. Give him/her a chance to explain what is going on. This is a long process and things must get worse before they can get better. If you only went to one ortho, now might be a good time to get a few more opinions. There is time - this is a long process and if you wait a week for the appointment, well that will give you time to do some research and write down a list of questions and concerns to persent in a non confrontational way to your doctor.

[Miss Smiley]

OH and the raised bumbs that feel like scarring in your cheeks, maybe you're having a latex allergy or dye allergy to power chains? If you have metal braces maybe you're allergic to nickel? I had an allergic reaction to my turquoise powerchain and have stayed away from color since. I do have a latex allergy, but the amount of latex in my mouth is so little, I don't think it's affecting me very much. Might just have your ortho take a look and if it does look like some sort of allergy, you can go to an allergist and see what you're allergic too. My face has gotten thinner but I like the way it looks, I always had a very round little baby face. I would really contribute it to eating less sweets, drinking less soda, and paying more attention to what I eat. I mean less fried foods especially after adjustments.

[SnowSara]

I don't think the 2 things are related. You're face doesn't look different because of the "health" of your cheeks, but maybe other reasons such as the shape of your arch changing? I noticed more pronounced cheekbones a few months into treatment, and have lost that "baby face" look in the meantime. I'm 28yrs old and don't think that's a bad thing. Many people have asked if I lost weight, another plus. I don't know for sure if any of this was caused by my braces at all, but it did happen a few months after getting braced. Even if I didn't like it I'd still take it along with my new straight teeth and better bite.

As for the bumpy cheeks, I have a few raised flaps of skin where I had some irritations from hooks in the beginning of treatment, sort of like calluses. They are not red or irritated and I don't get irritations there any more and consider my cheeks to be healthy.

[cosmicgirl]

I agree with the others - don't do anything on the spur of the moment! It is a long process, but worth it in the end as you will have a beautiful smile and your oral health will certainly benefit - not to mention your digestive system as you'll be chewing more efficiently.
Drink more! I found my ceramics dried my mouth out terribly or perhaps it was due to more open-mouth breathing, I don't know, but in any case keeping hydrated is vital. If you don't drink, then the inside of your mouth will dry out, making it more vulnerable to chafing and subsequent scarring. Dehydration also makes you look drawn and thinner in the face.
You may also be losing weight through not snacking as much - I know my stomach is looking a lot flatter yay! Biscuits are too hard to eat without a cup of tea, crisps and nuts are a nightmare, and as for biting into a bar of chocolate - forget it!
Hang on in there - you've started, so you might as well finish - you don't want your teeth regressing, otherwise the past four months will have been a complete and utter waste of time and money.
Every day that goes by is a day nearer perfection!