Elastics, OMG OUCH!

[BracesChick]

I got elastics today!!!! I was really excited since I've only had braces. This was in addition to getting a higher gage wire on top that he bent with some tools to move my teeth in the exact shape he wants, and I have figure 8 accost my entire upper teeth. (see my blog for pictures).

I was really excited to get elastics since I've only had braces for 4 months. What I did not expect was the pain! It's hard to talk, and open my mouth. The elastics are laved as "heavy" (4.8mm 3/16"). Do you all start with similar elastics? Do get they even heaver?

How long before the pain goes away and they feel comfortable?

[Candyland]

I have had elastics for 5 weeks now and they were pretty painful in the begining. I remember wanting to cry everytime I had to put a new one on. I got use to them after about a week. They were still a little hard to eat with, I kept getting food stuck everywhere, but they did not hurt anymore. One thing that continues to bother me is where they rub the inside of my cheek. Some days are better than others though. I had to stop wearing them for a week right now because my bottom molar started to become very painful and irritated (this was the one the elastic hooked on). I went to my ortho and he said I just needed to take the pressure off that tooth and I could start wearing the elastics again next week. I hope I don't have to get use to them all over again.

Good luck with your elastics! The will get better with time!

[owab]

I guess this is a newbie kind of question, but at what point do you get elastics?

[isthistaken]

I guess this is a newbie kind of question, but at what point do you get elastics?

Like everything else, it varies. I started mine the day I got my braces.

[Timetoshine]

Great update - sorry the elastics are sore :/

[owab]

I guess this is a newbie kind of question, but at what point do you get elastics?

Like everything else, it varies. I started mine the day I got my braces.

Thanks.

[anedia]

Part of my treatment will be elastics. I think I'm most anxious about the elastics and the spacers I have to get before my braces.

[isthistaken]

I haven't had spacers, but have heard those are a bit rough. Elastics have been a non-issue for me but mine are quite mild. But before you envy me, remember that into each life some rain must fall: getting a TAD at my next appointment....

[anedia]

[quote="isthistaken"]I haven't had spacers, but have heard those are a bit rough. Elastics have been a non-issue for me but mine are quite mild. But before you envy me, remember that into each life some rain must fall: getting a TAD at my next appointment.... :shock:[/quote]

uh oh, I don't even known what that is lol. I'm pretty new here, sorry!!

[isthistaken]

I haven't had spacers, but have heard those are a bit rough. Elastics have been a non-issue for me but mine are quite mild. But before you envy me, remember that into each life some rain must fall: getting a TAD at my next appointment....

uh oh, I don't even known what that is lol. I'm pretty new here, sorry!!

Temporary Anchorage Device...screw in my jaw !!! I'm SO excited.

[anedia]

That doesn't sound fun at all. Good luck and keep us updated!!

[Timetoshine]

Temporary Anchorage Device...screw in my jaw !!! I'm SO excited. [/quote]

Interested to know the reasons they use TADs? What do they do?

[isthistaken]

It's to fix my bite. My understanding is this will be done instead of headgear. It's supposedly more precise and besides, why just use noninvasive hardware when you can actually implant a screw in someone's mandible?

[Tobilei]

It's to fix my bite. My understanding is this will be done instead of headgear. It's supposedly more precise and besides, why just use noninvasive hardware when you can actually implant a screw in someone's mandible?

EEK! That one sounds super intimidating

[ST24085]

Apparently TADs don't hurt because there are very few nerves where they anchor them. A girl I talked to said they didn't hurt at all.