Noticing movement

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#1 Post by **hmv2009** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 3:40 pm

So, just got my braces on today. I didn't realize that it would hurt so badly but I know that will subside in a few days. My question is, how long does it take before the brackets begin to align so your mouth doesn't look like such a mess? When I first looked in the mirror after getting the brackets on, my first thought was "I WANT THESE OFF RIGHT NOW!" Having the brackets on makes it even more noticeable that your teeth are far from being straight. I've heard that you can start seeing improvement in a matter of days. Is this true? I am already feeling very self-conscious and would feel much better when I start seeing movement. Surely something is happening if it hurts this badly!

#2 Post by **blackapple** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:48 pm

I saw movement that was noticeable in one month in my upper arch. Now it has been two months and I see even more movement with upper and lower. Be patient with this process I think it's way too soon for you to be seeing anything right now. I know it's hard I have been there with looking and watching your teeth every 5 minutes. Just let the process happen and one day you will wake up and notice my teeth were never this close or I didn't have this gap before. Almost fell off my chair the first time I realized my teeth were really making progress and a very noticeable gap had closed.

Folks also say it's gets worse instead of better at first. I can attest to that. While my smile has improved greatly I have several gaps opening up which I hate.

Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:00 pm

Don't despair. I wanted to cry when I first saw myself in braces- I thought I looked horrible, and they felt bulky and uncomfortable and sore. When a month passed and I still didn't see any progress at all, I started really freaking out. Then, the other day, I looked in the mirror and noticed the wire was a little straighter, and it made my day. Also, I am back to eating normal food and I hardly notice what once felt like a chain link fence in my mouth! Just hang in there a few weeks... understand that it will awkward, but rest assured that a month from now you will feel much better.

#4 Post by **Maya** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:54 am

I hardly opened my mouth when talking because I was so self-conscious of the crooked bottom wire, it does look messy. My top teeth midline is off but wire is still in one line but there were other problems like extraction gaps for me.

One month since braces and my first adjustment is tomorrow! My bottom wire is almost straight now and once the gaps are smaller I can smile widely again! When the wires are straight I actually don't mind the look so much.

Your teeth definitely are moving! Try taking some pics for reference and you will be really encouraged by the movement. The pain will be worth it and a good sign that something is happening

#5 Post by **femmebot2277** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:48 pm

I felt the same way that you do because the archwire was not straight at first. It doesn't take long to straighten up though. I'm 6 months in and I'm just amazed at how straight my teeth are already. It will get better!

#6 Post by **bb2811** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:13 pm

Hi hmv2009 - congrats on the braces!

Same for me - they looked bad with the wire being all over the place. I don't know if I was imagining it, but after about two weeks I noticed it straightening up. Also, I looked a bit puffy in the checks for a couple of weeks, but that settled down too.

Good luck.

#7 Post by **revontuli** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:49 pm

I know exactly how you feel. When I first got my braces on and saw that two of the brackets were off to the side and looking kind of funky, I, too wanted them off immediately! And, like someone else mentioned here, when I didn't detect movement after a month I was depressed about it. But time is passing faster than I thought it would, despite my constant glances in the mirror, at 6.5 weeks I'm noticing small changes. Between two bottom teeth I can now fit the floss threader, where I couldn't before, and my two front teeth are showing a bit more space between them. Subtle, but changes nonetheless, and I'm thrilled!

I'll be *really* thrilled when the changes start to be more obvious, and I'm confident this will happen in the coming months.

#8 Post by **kaylaa** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 2:12 pm

My advice to you would be to take pictures every month and compare them for changes and believe me you will see the changes this way. I know that it's hard not to look at your teeth every 5 seconds, but as time goes on, you will look less.
I noticed movement by the end of the first month in braces

Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:53 am

After reading some posts here from people who saw movement in a matter of days after being braced, I was disheartened because after a month, I saw no movement. I want to say it was about 6 weeks (soon after my first adjustment) before I noticed anything, and then after that they REALLY seemed to level out quickly.

I'm about 20 months into a 26-32 month estimated treatment and I would say the absolute worst (as far as being self-conscious) was in the very beginning. That first month seemed like an eternity, longer than the past 19!

#10 Post by **Francie42** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:52 pm

Hi there, I just got mine put on 10/19, and already have noticed some small changes. It is keeping me going becuase this is very uncomfortable, annoying and has been making me kind of grumpy and blue. My ortho gave me a binder that included the photos of my initial orthodontic records and sure enough, by day 3 there was some movement! Can you feel your bite shifting yet?

#11 Post by **fleur26** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:56 pm

i had my braces put on on 19th oct too, little sore and uncomfortable but hoping changes will carry on!

#12 Post by **hmv2009** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:32 pm

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I was braced on Monday 10/18 and have seen some movement. My top wire has straightened out a great deal and I've noticed that the incisors (4 front bottom teeth) are straighter. I have my wisdom teeth (all 4) removed on the 28th, so I'm hoping that will give enough space for my teeth to move even faster. I have been miserable all week and today was the first day I could eat even semi-solid food without wanting to cry! Next week won't be any better with my wisdom teeth extractions, but I'm trying to stay positive and think about how great my smile will be in a few months. I'll keep everyone posted and will check your progress as well!

#13 Post by **hmv2009** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:33 pm

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I was braced on Monday 10/18 and have seen some movement. My top wire has straightened out a great deal and I've noticed that the incisors (4 front bottom teeth) are straighter. I have my wisdom teeth (all 4) removed on the 28th, so I'm hoping that will give enough space for my teeth to move even faster. I have been miserable all week and today was the first day I could eat even semi-solid food without wanting to cry! Next week won't be any better with my wisdom teeth extractions, but I'm trying to stay positive and think about how great my smile will be in a few months. I'll keep everyone posted and will check your progress as well!

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