Spacers went on today --- braces go on in 2 weeks!

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#1 Post by **BrandonH** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:48 pm

Well, I suppose I'm official now. I have spacers. Today I had molds made, pictures taken, etc.

Next week I'll be fitted for the RPE.

The following week, the braces go on.

Soon after, the RPE goes in and I'll make 6 turns per week (2 turns on Mon, Wed, Fri) for 4-6 months. The RPE will then come off and some kind of wire / brace thing will go in my upper mouth to keep things secure.

THe spacers started bothering me an hour or so after they were put in. I didn't much like eating with them in, which is good --- I could afford to not eat so much

I've since take some advil liqui-gels and I feel fine.

#2 Post by **XCrun&ride** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:53 pm

Congrats! Enjoy the braces, and take lots of pictures before they go on!

#3 Post by **cosmicgirl** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:18 am

Welcome to the club Brandon!!
Yes, those spacers will be bothering you! It's a way of preparing you for the annoyance of braces! They really made my whole mouth ache and eating became an unpleasant chore. I couldn't wait for them to be yanked out and the braces put on - which I have to say came as a welcome relief!
I'm due to have more

fitted next Sat to make room for a quad helix and I am not looking forward to that one bit.

But they'll only be in for a week and even I can cope with that!
Keep us posted!

#4 Post by **acd** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:37 pm

Congratulations and welcome to the Guys with Braces Club! Make sure you take some pre-braces pictures as well as 1st day pictures to use as reference points as your treatment progresses. Spacers are pretty annoying--I'm getting them for the third time at the end of the month so they can band my back molars. I put them in the 'that which does not kill me makes me stronger' category but the last time I had them I couldn't feel them after a couple of days. My son had an expander and got used to it quickly so I hope it doesn't give your too many problems.

It is definately different having so much stuff in your mouth but seeing your teeth straighten out is a great feeling.

#5 Post by **METALMOUTHPOOH** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:21 pm

Welcome....

Spacers for me so far have been the worst part.... so once u make it through this part it should be easy sailing from here.

#6 Post by **BrandonH** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:03 pm

Thanks for the kind words.

Even after 1 day, I can tell the spacers are doing their job. Of course, this means that biting is no fun.

I haven't talked to anyone who said their spacers were a breeze

Most of them have said that the braces are much easier to handle than the pesky little spacers.

#7 Post by **Clairey Fairey** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:01 am

Yep, I didn't think they were has bad as I'd expected. But braces are certainly a lot more comfortable than spacers!!

#8 Post by **BrandonH** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:27 pm

3 days in and biting is still crappy!

I've definitely had a shift of teeth. When I make my normal bite, things don't go where they used to.

I've eaten a lot of Chef Boyardee the last few days. . . .. soft lil' Debbie Oatmeal Creampies, too.

Has anyone else had to wear these things for 2 weeks? My ortho said nothing of taking them off on Thursday -- only that I'd be fitted for my RPE and that the braces would go on on Jan 17th.

#9 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:02 am

I wore them for 3 weeks, Brandon (because the RPE didn't fit on 1st attempt)- and they still hurt like bloody hell (I am very overcrowded though).

Once your teeth have moved with the space opened, the pain should decrease- but you need to chew. I found one side hurt the least, and chewed on those teeth

#10 Post by **badbite** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:03 am

BrandonH,m

I have had my spacers for three weeks. I am going today for my RPE. I have surgery on Friday. The spacers have been terrible. I can'rt wait to get them out. I was in extreme pain for about 1 1/2 weeks. Then for about four days They really hurt. They still ache. I do have really crowded teeth though (hence the need for surgery).

#11 Post by **BrandonH** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:12 pm

the pressue is gone after 4 days. There still some soreness when biting down. The biggest problem is now that my teeth have shifted somewhat, my bite is not what it was 4 days ago

I ate chips and cheese dip today and was fine. I'd love for the ortho to put some braces on this week, but somehow I doubt it happens.

#12 Post by **Kaluna** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:21 pm

I'm with you BrandonH, I got my spacers a week ago and my bite all messed up now. I can't tell if it's because my teeth have moved, if the spacers are getting in the way or a little bit of both. I get braces tomorrow and I'll be glad to see the spacers go.

#13 Post by **BrandonH** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:30 pm

Well, today my teeth touch when I bite --- first time that's happened since the spacers went on.

Kinda funny but before the teeth that hurt were the teeth with out the spacers around them (non -molars). Now my molars (that have the spacers) hurt.

Only one more week and the metal goes on.. . . . . . my Oral B 9930 w/ ortho heads came in today