Settling Wires?

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#1 Post by **brendap27** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:15 pm

I was at my ortho last week having my fifth leveling wire put in and was very disappointed when I was made aware that the original estimate I was given for how long I would wear braces was way off. It's not that they started treatment and then revised the estimate based on how my teeth were responding - it was more a matter of the first person I dealt with (who isn't there anymore) supposedly gave me a very unrealistic estimate.

I was originally told my treatment would be 12 -14 months. On Thursday, the technician commented that this was my last leveling wire (I've had them on 8 months so I thought I was getting close) and then went on to mention wearing two finishing wires for two months each, then she mumbled something about settling wires.

Anyway, when I asked her about my original estimate she said that she didn't know why I was given that timeframe because "everyone has to wear 5 leveling wires for two months each, then there are two finishing wires which you wear for two months each for a total of four months and then there are settling wires".

I guess I have a couple of questions now. The first is that I got the distinct impression from what she said that they pretty much treat every patient the same. I always thought that even though you might go through the same wire progression, that every patient would be in various wires for different lengths of time depending on how you're doing. That's why people say that their ortho will come in, look at their teeth and then tell the technician what they want done. In my case, the ortho is often not even there or if he is, he doesn't come and look at my teeth. Instead, the tech just puts the next wire on in the progression and tells me to come back in two months for the next wire change. Once or twice the ortho has come and looked at my teeth, but that was always after the technician already changed the wire. So, I guess my question is is this sort of generic treatment program normal?

My second question is what are settling wires? I'm aware of leveling wires and what they do and finishing wires, but this was a new one to me.

#2 Post by **Justiz** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:37 pm

This is a great topic! At my appointments my ortho tells the technician which wire to put in next and will say what its for and then come back to check it when she is done. I never thought there was a standard time frame for wires being put in. In my case I was given an 18-24 month timeframe but was told at my last adjustment that I am 6 months ahead of schedule so he just keeps putting in thicker wires to get the movements he wants because he said "My teeth are progressing" whereas I notice in some younger patients he takes a 'slower' approach by easing them onto their wires.

I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience to yours where it seems pre-programmed. I have not heard of settling wires. I was under the impression that the finishing wire was what 'setteled' everything into place but I could be wrong. This is interesting!

#3 Post by **brendap27** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:11 pm

The brackets that I have are a brand that I had never heard of before - Carriere self-ligating. I don't know if these settling wires are something specific to that type of bracket that perhaps Damon or some of the others don't use.

I think the thing that really has me a little freaked is that the person who gave me the original estimate was very experienced, but she had to leave to deal with her daughter who was having serious medical issues. The lady I see now who changes my wires, is essentially learning on the job. So, here she is, barely with any experience, putting in wires and taking care of their ortho patients and the doctor isn't even there. When I was in last time, she commented that she wanted the doctor to see me next time I come in, not because he needs to, simply because she thought it would be a good idea. I certainly think it would be a good idea for him to see me more than once every six months!

I'm concerned because I want to make sure that my treatment is moving along appropriately, but also because I don't want to end up wearing these things for an extra 6 months simply because they have some pre-set plan they want to follow rather than adjusting the treatment to my particular needs. I'm 46 years old and wearing braces for the second time - believe me I don't want to wear them any longer than I have to.

#4 Post by **roost22** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:23 pm

I was told 12 to 16 months and it has been almost 21 and still counting. I think your settling wires are going to be finish wires, usually a smallerwire like .018 and bent to fit your teeth together. Seems like ortho's like to lie

alot.

#5 Post by **evilnel** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:19 pm

I don't think the orthos are 'lying' maliciously, just maybe not as informed as they should be, or not really sure so they just pick a number. I think a lot of people stay pretty close to schedule. I was told 12 months. I got my braces last October, and was told last Friday that I would have one more appointment and then my braces would be removed, which puts me pretty firmly at 12 months. There are probably a lot of things that can't be predicted as accurately as they would like, but they seem to do their best.

#6 Post by **brendap27** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 4:05 pm

At this point, I guess I'm less concerned with the fact that my original estimate is off, than I am with the idea that they're following some generic treatment plan for me which doesn't appear to be based on my particular case. It appears that they just have this generic plan that they use on everybody which I don't get. What I especially don't get is that if they do follow this specific plan which involves having to wear a set number of wires for a set period of time, then two finishing wires for a set period of time and then settling wires (and I'm still trying to figure out what those are) then there was no way I was ever going to get these off in 12 or 14 months so I'm just confused about where this even came from. I obviously have to talk to the ortho about this but I won't see him again until October and there's no guarantee I'll even see him at that appointment.

#7 Post by **ashesgap** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 4:58 pm

I would call in advance and ask that the ortho be there. Did anyone tell you before treatment that the ortho didn't do anything? Because that is not an office i would be happy with, at all.

#8 Post by **Rizzie** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 6:45 pm

I hear what you are saying about a generic treatment plan. At this point, I would want to speak the the ortho too, so I'm with ashesgap, call ahead and let them know you want an appointment when the ortho is in the office.

Good luck--you definitely have the right to see your doctor!