Biting brackets

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#1 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:27 pm

Ok, this has been a constant and on-going problem for me with my braces --- especially the last 7weeks or so... I have gone in a couple of times to attempt to *fix* the problem, but they either tell me "no big deal" or "wait it out" or they attempt some fix (that doesn't last more than a few days).

HELP!!! I have tried putting wax over the bracket to create a little bumper and that doesn't help. I feel like I am biting on a spoon... which is nasty. I called the office again today and they scheduled me in for next week to try and fix the problem again, but I just don't know -- I am frustrated.

Has or does anyone else have this problem? I have always been told biting on brackets isn't a good idea and it has become a constant for me.

#2 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:01 pm

I have had molar build ups in the past -- called bite turbos -- the last time they put them on, they only kept my brackets off my teeth for ONE WEEK, then they were back biting. I also had them on at the absolute beginning of treatment too... but they were sanded off as my bite began to adjust.

I clench and grind, so I think I might be wearing them down.

I am just afraid if I bite down too hard I am going to send a bracket flying off. I find myself holding my mouth "open" with my lips closed because I hate the sensation of teeth biting on metal, it's gross.

Your teeth are not supposed to hit your brackets, right??

#3 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:23 pm

I have been complaining for 7 weeks now. At my first emergency visit, I couldn't chew at all and I had the sensation of buck teeth --- my brackets were getting close to hitting. Then 3 weeks later they saw me because they were hitting (they knew they might bec of the previous appointment). I had my formal adjustment last week and complained again, they told me to wait it out --- now they are just driving me CrAzY because they hit so much!

It feels like I am biting on a spoon all the time. It is uncomfortable and I don't like the friction it causes between the teeth and the metal. I also cannot completely bite down without feeling pressure on my bottom brackets.

Something is wrong, but they can't get me in until a week from tomorrow!!! Argghh....

Any tips on how to keep from biting them off? The office says I won't bite them off, but I sure feel like I might if I keep on hitting them.

#4 Post by **sparkles** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:35 am

HIya
It must be horrible. I was going to suggest molar buildups like jt2lang suggested but see you've already been down that route.
I had a week of brackets on before archwire and ligs went on and I bit off 2 brackets..1 exactly because of hoe my teeth bite together (part of the reason why I'm in braces lol)
Could they put molar buildups on diffferent teeth?

Or would lip bumpers/tooth covers etc help at least with the sensation of biting on metal?

Hope you get is sorted soon
Fay

#5 Post by **purpleteeth** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:25 am

All I know is that I can't stand this feeling anymore... I don't like the sensation of tooth on metal, like biting on a spoon. Bite turbos are cool and fine and dandy. They can give me a mouth full right now if that will make this go away!

I have just had the problem now for over 7 weeks and they haven't been able to stop it. They can't lower the brackets on bottom, as they are nearly on my gumline to begin with for some reason.

When I clench down completely, I feel something *moving* --- not sure if it is my teeth or my brackets bending or something, all I know is that it isn't right. I am scared I will get upset or angry or accidently chew too hard and bite down completely/ fully and off will go my metal little friends. I have not had a break yet and I don't plan on starting, even though I know this would not be my fault (as I have been complaining for going on two months).

#6 Post by **tammers1010** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:13 pm

I had this issue at first, and they had to build up my molar build ups a bit more. The problem with this that I can't stand to bite down on the build ups. It feels awkward and I end up doing the open mouth closed lips thing in order not to bite on them. I feel like I am clenching my jaw when I bite on the build ups. Very uncomfortable. I am only three weeks in, but I hate the build ups.
It was worse however, hitting teeth on the bottom metal brackets. I have a little chip in the one tooth where it was hitting before braces, my dentist said would smooth out with nature. I am so paranoid of doing major damage to that tooth, because half of it is already fake. For future reference copious amounts of alcohol, combined with household repairs and holding screwdrivers in your mouth are an idiotic combination.

If it were me, I would make my ortho keep building up the build ups. Feel better. I can't imagine what a pain it must be for you.

#7 Post by **TxState1023** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:45 pm

I am so sorry to hear that you've been agonizing over this problem for so long! I have only had my braces on for one week, and the adjustment has been hell. The biggest problem I've been having is with my bite... like you, I would be chomping away at my brackets if I did not have molar buildups of composite on my lower molars. I hate the feeling of not being able to complete my bite!

You should be more concerned with chipping a tooth, in my opinion, than sending a bracket off. If you've explained this concern with your ortho then he/she should realize the urgency in your request for something to be done. Like someone said before, maybe you can have more of a buildup and more often. I would not like this option, but it seems you hate biting on metal more.

Also, I spoke with someone just the other day who had the same problem being braced as a teenager. To ease the discomfort at night and while at home until he was able to be seen by his ortho (not a permanent solution), he bought an athletic mouth guard that forms to your teeth and bite by boiling it. He heated the mouthguard for a bit longer then the directions recommended to soften the rubber (?), bite down on it, and pressed the outside edges with his fingers to make an area for the brackets. He said this helped tremendously, as he could bite down as hard as he wanted and would not chip any teeth, hit any metal, or damage any enamel by grinding. It's just one more thing you get used to, I guess. Just a suggestion... I've never tried it. What does everyone else think????

I can't stand my molar buildups. My incomplete bite is making my jaw ache. I wish you the best and I hope things get better!!!

#8 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:47 am

Ok, problem is FIXED!! They put bite turbos behind my front two teeth, which has left me with a *pleasant lisp* and a sore tongue... but no more biting on my brackets!!! They are these two little clear plastic thingies that stick out far, but leave my bottom teeth space to rest.

They tried molar build-ups/ bite turbos on the molars and they never worked for very long. At the appointment yesterday, they actually sanded down the ones I had - strange... and it was funny when they came off because my mouth smoked! Hehe

I also got my first powerchain put on bottom to correct a gap that decided to open up. I got purple! Yay - finally some color to the Damon's. I then had a problem with my elastics and the powerchain sharing the same space, so I went back TODAY and had them twist the hook built into my bracket so my "vertical 6's" would stay on -

#9 Post by **Spidey** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:53 pm

Cool. Glad things are sorted out for now! I had a canine biting on brackets for months grrrr. It only got rally bad when I sneezed. OucH!

Wonder if that sports guard idea would also work as a "custom" whitening tray?