Braces for a second time, opinions?
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Re: Braces for a second time, opinions?
I'll share my thoughts as I am also in braces for a second time. I had braces around the age of 12-13 years old and had them for about two years. I was young and dumb and did everything I could to rush myself out of them. I had straight teeth and wore my retainer, but by the end of high school it stopped fitting, and as I approached 19-20 I could feel my bite beginning to get very crooked, my jaw was popping, and I could begin to see my face change. I did everything I could thru my entire twenties to hide it and go on, but over the last few years I couldn't take it. I turned 30, could see the effects of a bad bite with grinded and mismatched teeth, and was beginning to have headaches and jaw pain from it. I found a great orthodontist, and am now 8 months in for treatment time around 12-20 months. If you have these problems now in your early twenties get them fixed before they get any worse.
Re: Braces for a second time, opinions?
How did you develop your open bite and TMJ?
Re: Braces for a second time, opinions?
Toothygrin92, how did you develop your open bite and TMJ? Thanks!
[quote="Toothygrin92"]Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie so please be nice! I've lurked for a while before to get an understanding of how this forum works so hopefully I've picked up the right stuff!
Basically, I had orthodontic treatment when I was 11-14, starting with what I believe is called a functional appliance which was basically a plastic thing on the roof of my mouth with a wire bit going around my two front teeth, two bits that held onto 2 molars (one either side) and a springy part (basically a wire with a loopy spring) on the left. I also had a headgear (which by the way I hated passionately!) I then had full metal braces top and bottom to correct a deep bite and to straighten out my front teeth (which by the way were horrendous, teeth in all directions!) I had them removed after about 2 years and was happy with the appearance just about. My midline was off by about 2.5mm and one of my front teeth still stuck out ever so slightly.
I wore my retainer every single night for 4 years (it was a plastic one that looks like invisalign) before it broke. I had a small amount of movement but nothing significant. I have had a bit more movement since my retainer has broken but again, they are pretty much the same as before, only slight movement.
My problems come from three areas:
1. Open bite. there is only one point of contact between my teeth, when I try biting eg lettuce it just slides right out.
2. TMJD. 100% sure it's because of my othro treatment. Never had problems before, it's getting worse and worse now.
3. I have a feeling my general facial appearance has changed. My jaw is slightly crooked and my smile is higher on the left than the right.
I have had absolutely enough and have decided to get braces again. I will probably attempt NHS treatment again since my problems started because of the poor job my ortho did though it's doubtful I'll get it, so I do have some savings I can use.
My question is, what can be done about this, and is it serious enough to warrant treatment again? I will probably still get it either way because I am unhappy but I would like some opinions.
Many thanks.
http:// i45. tinypic .com/1217msx.jpg
Normal smile
http:// i45. tinypic .com/bio5tz.jpg
Bitten together, view from below (shows overjet)
http:// i50. tinypic. com/o6egdy.jpg
Shows open bite
http:// i48. tinypic. com/2n3t03.jpg
Bitten together, view from right (sorry I have awful skin haha!!)
http:// i45. tinypic. com/spc2l2.jpg
Bitten together, view from left[/quote]
[quote="Toothygrin92"]Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie so please be nice! I've lurked for a while before to get an understanding of how this forum works so hopefully I've picked up the right stuff!
Basically, I had orthodontic treatment when I was 11-14, starting with what I believe is called a functional appliance which was basically a plastic thing on the roof of my mouth with a wire bit going around my two front teeth, two bits that held onto 2 molars (one either side) and a springy part (basically a wire with a loopy spring) on the left. I also had a headgear (which by the way I hated passionately!) I then had full metal braces top and bottom to correct a deep bite and to straighten out my front teeth (which by the way were horrendous, teeth in all directions!) I had them removed after about 2 years and was happy with the appearance just about. My midline was off by about 2.5mm and one of my front teeth still stuck out ever so slightly.
I wore my retainer every single night for 4 years (it was a plastic one that looks like invisalign) before it broke. I had a small amount of movement but nothing significant. I have had a bit more movement since my retainer has broken but again, they are pretty much the same as before, only slight movement.
My problems come from three areas:
1. Open bite. there is only one point of contact between my teeth, when I try biting eg lettuce it just slides right out.
2. TMJD. 100% sure it's because of my othro treatment. Never had problems before, it's getting worse and worse now.
3. I have a feeling my general facial appearance has changed. My jaw is slightly crooked and my smile is higher on the left than the right.
I have had absolutely enough and have decided to get braces again. I will probably attempt NHS treatment again since my problems started because of the poor job my ortho did though it's doubtful I'll get it, so I do have some savings I can use.
My question is, what can be done about this, and is it serious enough to warrant treatment again? I will probably still get it either way because I am unhappy but I would like some opinions.
Many thanks.
http:// i45. tinypic .com/1217msx.jpg
Normal smile
http:// i45. tinypic .com/bio5tz.jpg
Bitten together, view from below (shows overjet)
http:// i50. tinypic. com/o6egdy.jpg
Shows open bite
http:// i48. tinypic. com/2n3t03.jpg
Bitten together, view from right (sorry I have awful skin haha!!)
http:// i45. tinypic. com/spc2l2.jpg
Bitten together, view from left[/quote]
Re: Braces for a second time, opinions?
Hi Jen,
TMJ pain is... well, a real pain. Unfortunately, it's not something you can ignore, though the treatment could be surprisingly simple. My daughter had braces from age 11-14 (3 years), and then after a year she started to develop TMJ pain. Long story short, we bounced between specialists, and frankly most of what they did was either shrugged their shoulders or was useless.
The treatment that seemed to work for the TMJ was stretching exercises and an appliance that keeps her from biting down on her teeth at night. The stretching exercises were prescribed by a specialist who teaches at Harvard Dental school, which seem rather tame, but I was just relieved that he didn't prescribe surgery.
There has been a battle between the specialists over when my daughter could have braces again, and who would actually do the work.
My suggestion is to see an orthodontist and ask his or her opinion. Ultimately, you'll need a referral to an oral surgeon who will make an assessment, and he or she will advise the orthodontist. From what I've gathered, oral surgeons rarely suggest surgery in these cases, so don't be too worried about that.
All that said, please keep us posted on how things go for you! It really does help when we share our experiences.
I honestly had a difficult time adjusting to the being an adult with braces, but I did find that the support I received on this website helped tremendously.
TMJ pain is... well, a real pain. Unfortunately, it's not something you can ignore, though the treatment could be surprisingly simple. My daughter had braces from age 11-14 (3 years), and then after a year she started to develop TMJ pain. Long story short, we bounced between specialists, and frankly most of what they did was either shrugged their shoulders or was useless.
The treatment that seemed to work for the TMJ was stretching exercises and an appliance that keeps her from biting down on her teeth at night. The stretching exercises were prescribed by a specialist who teaches at Harvard Dental school, which seem rather tame, but I was just relieved that he didn't prescribe surgery.
There has been a battle between the specialists over when my daughter could have braces again, and who would actually do the work.
My suggestion is to see an orthodontist and ask his or her opinion. Ultimately, you'll need a referral to an oral surgeon who will make an assessment, and he or she will advise the orthodontist. From what I've gathered, oral surgeons rarely suggest surgery in these cases, so don't be too worried about that.
All that said, please keep us posted on how things go for you! It really does help when we share our experiences.
I honestly had a difficult time adjusting to the being an adult with braces, but I did find that the support I received on this website helped tremendously.
