a week old to braces

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#1 Post by **bstars** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:17 pm

Hi all,
I am 33. I got my braces a week ago, only on upper teeth for now. I am confused about what's happening to my teeth. seems like there's been a little movement in there, but not sure if its in right direction.
I have mid lines off, and have spaces in my teeth, you can say a big jaw with small teeth.
He said first he'll fix the midline. I am feeling as if my teeth have moved slightly forward, looking even worse than before.
should i ask my ortho about more details? Do they explain what kind of movement should be expected every time?
I am also feeling the sharp end of wire on one side from last couple days.

Have no idea how to just hang in there, seems like a long time ahead. Can't even wait for next adjustment on May16th.

#2 Post by **vjammiez** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:06 pm

Hi bstars,
I hear your pain. I just turned 33 last month and have had the braces for six months now and it really does move quickly. Take heart!

If you're looking for a way to hang in there, you could simply take pictures of your teeth every two weeks so at the end of the whole process you could look at it like a flip book!

You should feel free to ask your ortho anything you want about how fast and in what direction your teeth should move but I don't think you should expect march of the penguins in a week.

As for the poking wire, use a ball of wax to ease the agony and call ortho immediately. They would be happy to clip that off for you

Be well

#3 Post by **magster** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:52 am

I agree with vjammiez, if the wire is poking you call them so that they can cut it.

now as far as "ODD" movement and weird changes that are making your teeth worse.. I feel the same way.

By the way - my first adjustment is May 16th as well!!

#4 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:13 am

Some people have the unfortunate "looking worse before better phase". If your ortho is fixing your midline he may be shifting your entire arch over a bit which may be the cause of your teeth looking as if they are pushed forward. That poking wire is a good thing--it means your teeth are moving--but don't suffer with it. Call and get it clipped. They should get you in right away for such a thing, and actually expect such emergency calls from their patients. You can also voice your concerns then and see what they have to say.

#5 Post by **bstars** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:36 pm

Thanks all for your replies. I used wax on the sharp end, its helping for now, will call ortho tomorrow.
does ortho take pictures on every adjustment? They did in first visit for me. I haven't started taking pictures myself yet, my husband will think i am paying too much attention to my teeth

Hey magster, that's great we have our second adjustments on same day, it makes so much difference when you know you are not alone.

#6 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:08 pm

Hi bstars...

First I want to agree with what everyone else said about calling your ortho. On the sheet I got from them, having a poking wire is considered an 'orthodontic emergency,' and they'll try to squeeze you in as soon as possible. (They can do this because it literally takes 20-30 seconds to clip the wire, but it'll make a world of difference to your poor mouth) Definitely keep it very waxed and even eat with the wax on the wire. VERY annoying, I know!! And, rinse with warm salt water or use my personal fave peroxyl mouthwash (made by crest)...if you do have any mouth sores.

Also, I don't think your ortho will be taking photos at every adjustment...or even at all. I know this is different for every office, but some people only get photos taken before they're braced, and just when they're about to or after they have come off. Others say their ortho has taken a photo and/or xrays somewhere during treatment time. But, other than that, don't expect any photos or anything.

As for your husband or anyone else, for that matter, you're going to find that AW is your best friend because no one else who isn't braced can completely understand what you're going through or how much your teeth will occupy your mind. Like SO MANY other people have said in other posts, we care more about our teeth than anyone else. Someone may notice and even comment on the braces, but I can guarantee you that 45 seconds after they've left your presence, they'll have forgotten all about your braces - they've got their own things occupying their mind. The same thing goes for someone who doesn't have these foreign rail-road appliances permenantly stuck to their teeth -- why WOULD they understand the need to constantly check on the progress/movement of their teeth, etc., you know? It's not like you've gotten these uncomfortable things for show!! You're ENDURING them because of what you want them to do for you...so of course you're going to be monitoring how effective they're being!! (Don't be discouraged, however, if you don't notice movement for long periods at a time, though - it doesn't mean they're not doing their job, it just means either your TEETH are being stubborn, or changes that AREN'T visible are happening.

)

Lastly, I agree with someone else who said you should take pictures of your teeth regularly. It'll make you feel good to be able to track your progress. I found that was one of the coolest things when I was reading other peoples' experiences with braces -- seeing progress pics from day 1 through day whatever.

So I've done the same thing and I love to look at them. There may not be much change between weeks 6 and 8, but you'd better believe there's change between day 1 (or even week 1) and week 8!! And that's ALWAYS neat to see!!

PS I think the best thing for you to do IF your husband thinks you're paying too much attention to your teeth is to take it up a notch and REALLY annoy him with it..then he'll realize the attention you're paying is actually pretty normal! (For example, EVERY TIME you/he comes home from work, after your greeting smile really big and say, "Can you see any difference?" or "Have they moved yet?" or...you fill in the blank!

He'll get so fed up with you that he'll stop commenting on how much time you spend with your teeth just so you'll stop hounding him. LOL

)

#7 Post by **magster** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:08 am

Bstars,

About our adjustment being on the same day - -- you were the reason for my Adjustments post - I was kind of upset that you got your braces a week after me and have your adjustment the same day as me. No offense to you but I was upset at my ortho and told myself thats not fair

LOL
but 2 min later I got over it, and like i said NOTHING against you just my ortho.

but Im sure he knows what he's doing

ALSO, you said you only got your upper braces are you getting lowers as well? if so, anytime soon?

#8 Post by **Sleclerc** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:47 am

Hi ladies im 33 as well and got braced in March. We will al lmake it through this crazy teeth thing together. I know Ill check in regularly. I also have a dorky little blog but it occupies my obesession:-) Im looking to be braced t about 18 months my ortho said, but who really knows when it will all end. I just want purty(spelt wrong on purpose) teeth:-)

ps: anyone else having SARP surgeryor an expander?

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a week old to braces

a week old to braces

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