Frustrated

[magopa]

When I was in for my appointment back in February, I had a small space in my upper arch that still needed closing. Because they were pressed for time, my ortho suggested making some bends in the wire for the time being and if that didn't close the space by my next appt in March, he was going to remove the ceramic brackets and put metal instead as he said that would really speed things along.
I went in on Monday for my routine appointment and apparently there are now a couple of spaces that need closing still. He gave me the option of putting the metal brackets on, or he says we could go with "his option" and let him do the adjustments in the wire. So again, I'm letting him fiddle with the wire and praying everything is closed by April 28th-my next appt. Its so frustrating...I feel like its been one step forward, two steps back for the past few months with these things. It doesn't help matters either when he says "you're so close...in the high 90's on a scale to 100." Yeah that helps I was so frustrated I started crying as I walked to my car afterward. Before I left, the assistant did say he has me down to be fitted for my Hawley when I go in on the 28th, but at this point I don't even want to try and be excited out of fear that I'll just be in for another let down or another space opening up. Sorry for the post, I just needed to vent.

[Snowglobe32]

How big are these spaces? And how come your ortho didn't suggest a powerchain?

I have never heard the suggestion of changing out brackets to close a space. The wires are what moves the teeth, the brackets are just the placeholder for the wire.

That seems odd to me. Can you call and ask about a powerchain or a powertie?

[magopa]

I have a powerchain on top and bottom along with a metal coil to help close it up. From what he says the spaces are small,--that's why he's saying I'm so close to being finished with my treatment.

[caitlin1120]

If it helps, I still had a space when I was debraced that was very quickly closed with my retainer. I was concerned about it too and thought that the way my teeth were on the last day of braces were the way they were going to stay forever, but then after a couple of days of nighttime-only retainer wear, the space was closed! Magic!

I don't know about the brackets thing, but I do know that metal is supposed to be quicker than ceramic. I was quoted at 2 years in ceramic and 1.5 years in metal- I did metal and was out in exactly that.

Best of luck and congrats on being so close to the finish line!! It'll all be worth it when you're done

[VA5]

If it helps, I still had a space when I was debraced that was very quickly closed with my retainer. I was concerned about it too and thought that the way my teeth were on the last day of braces were the way they were going to stay forever, but then after a couple of days of nighttime-only retainer wear, the space was closed! Magic!

I don't know about the brackets thing, but I do know that metal is supposed to be quicker than ceramic. I was quoted at 2 years in ceramic and 1.5 years in metal- I did metal and was out in exactly that.

Best of luck and congrats on being so close to the finish line!! It'll all be worth it when you're done

UGH if I had only known that metal could move my teeth faster, I would have definitely chosen metal. I wonder why that is, though?? Anybody know?

[Snowglobe32]

Metal brackets do not move teeth faster. Wires move teeth, not brackets.

[SlimZippy]

UGH if I had only known that metal could move my teeth faster, I would have definitely chosen metal. I wonder why that is, though?? Anybody know?

Lower friction against the wire.
Not sure if it has actually be proven to improve treatment time but that's the principle.

[caitlin1120]

Apparently ceramic braces are more brittle so the ortho has to use less force to move the teeth so as not to break the brackets, which is why they are said to take longer than metal.

Not sure how accurate that information is, but that's what I found online.

[VA5]

I can believe the friction part... my ortho sometimes has to shave the wire down b/c there is too much friction and my teeth seem to move slower b/c of that. Either that, or maybe the wire size is too thick for ceramic when it gets to the squared off wire. But I have experienced some of that friction issue.. I just thought it was the way my teeth were lined up that was causing the problem but maybe it is a ceramic vs. metal issue.

[farmboy]

Before I got my braces, my orthodontist said that metal braces move teeth "slightly faster," because of the brittleness issue, and because of that, it's easier for her to work with metal brackets. Still, she said that the difference in the end usually only amounts to a month or so over the course of the entire treatment.