Braces for the third time!

[x0gabby]

Hello everyone! I've been reading this forum ever since I got my braces and finally decided to make an account! I'm 22 with braces for the third time.. yes, third! The first time I had mine was when I was 10-11, in 5th grade. I only had the top row, as well as a pallet expander. The second time, I was 13-15, had both top & bottom row. I was born 3 months premature, so I've always had problems with my mouth, haha. Luckily no problems elsewhere! But this is my 3rd time, I got them back in June of this year, so I'm coming up on two months! This time I was told I was going to get power chains AND have to wear elastics! I've never had either! Everyone I know always looks at me like I have 3 heads when I say that, but does anyone have any advice or some insight on what to expect?!

Can't wait to post more & read your answers!
Gabby :)

[kathydell]

This may sound twisted but I'm a huge fan of powerchains. They can be sore for the first 24-48 hours but you really notice movement and they keep everything together nice and tight. Great for closing up spaces and moving things around. I'm not a fan of rubber bands but for me they worked. I had to wear 3 different configurations over the course of almost my entire treatment. Some are easier to get used to and some are tougher. I do always say to be compliant with them though as that's what corrects your bite and I can't even believe the changes and how well they worked for me. I loved the Kanka brand gel pen. Works real well for that one spot where they scrap your cheek in the first couple of days in a new configuration. It has medicine to help it heal quicker and is numbing so it soothes.

[deathorglory]

I've currently got both!

I've got a power chain across by entire bottom jaw (all teeth except for my last molars), and I've got elastics on both side - the right side to help close a gap, the left side to bring my bottom teeth forward a bit more.

Honestly, the power chain I felt only for the first few days. Like any adjustment, the first couple of days are sore. The elastics barely feel. I wear 'em 24/7 so the only time I feel the difference is when I take them off to brush my teeth. And then it feels weird because I'm so used to having the elastics. Hah!

They're not bad, honestly. You'll get used to em QUICK.

[x0gabby]

[quote="kathydell"]This may sound twisted but I'm a huge fan of powerchains. They can be sore for the first 24-48 hours but you really notice movement and they keep everything together nice and tight. Great for closing up spaces and moving things around. I'm not a fan of rubber bands but for me they worked. I had to wear 3 different configurations over the course of almost my entire treatment. Some are easier to get used to and some are tougher. I do always say to be compliant with them though as that's what corrects your bite and I can't even believe the changes and how well they worked for me. I loved the Kanka brand gel pen. Works real well for that one spot where they scrap your cheek in the first couple of days in a new configuration. It has medicine to help it heal quicker and is numbing so it soothes.[/quote]

I had to get one tooth pulled on each side of the top row, after the canines, so that's why I'm ready to close these gaps!! Ahh!

[x0gabby]

[quote="deathorglory"]I've currently got both!

I've got a power chain across by entire bottom jaw (all teeth except for my last molars), and I've got elastics on both side - the right side to help close a gap, the left side to bring my bottom teeth forward a bit more.

Honestly, the power chain I felt only for the first few days. Like any adjustment, the first couple of days are sore. The elastics barely feel. I wear 'em 24/7 so the only time I feel the difference is when I take them off to brush my teeth. And then it feels weird because I'm so used to having the elastics. Hah!

They're not bad, honestly. :) You'll get used to em QUICK.[/quote]


Since you have both, how often are your appointments now?!/how long have you had braces? I've had mine for 2 months now, and am still going every 4 weeks. I know I'll continue to go every 4 weeks until October when I was told I'd get the power chains.. After that I'm unsure. Once you get power chains & elastics, are they basically the last step before getting braces off? Because they told me 2 years! My teeth were honestly not that crooked, my overbite was just big enough to put my thumb in, and it was brought to my attention that my top jaw doesn't align with the bottom.. I'm not trying to rush my treatment or anything, but I'm just wondering could that mean that I could possibly be wearing them for less than 2 years?!

[deathorglory]

I've had my braces since 3/7/14, so like 5 months now? I was told in the beginning that I'd see the ortho every 6 weeks or so. The first power chain they put across my bottom arch broke after about 4.5 weeks, so I went in a little earlier than usual, then the ortho said for me to return in 5 weeks (but their office will be closed, so I'll be going at 6 weeks). I'm not sure about the power chains being the last step...I've got them on to close some gaps, but I also have tilted molars that need to be fixed (torquing, so new wire for me next time) and I'm also going to have jaw surgery. It seems to be the second to last step for me, though, since after my molars are fixed, I'll be ready for surgery, then it'll be minor adjustments to get my bite perfect from there on out.

I was told 18-24 months by my ortho. I try to think of it as 24 months, so if I'm done earlier than that I'll be happy and not disappointed if it goes over 18 months. My ortho DID say that my teeth are moving pretty quickly, though, so right now I'm about a month ahead of schedule. She knows that I'm willing to do whatever to get surgery ready and then to have my braces off, so I'm hoping it'll be faster than a full 2 years...

[lainii]

Eep! 3 times sounds so crazy. Good luck!

[razorz20138aA]

i have a consultation on October 16, 2014 where i can get braces for the third time. i had braces twice the first time as a kid all metal braces with colors top and bottom. the second time as a teenager same thing over again. i never cared about wearing my retainers. but i'm 29 now and i care a lot about my teeth and smile.

[x0gabby]

i have a consultation on October 16, 2014 where i can get braces for the third time. i had braces twice the first time as a kid all metal braces with colors top and bottom. the second time as a teenager same thing over again. i never cared about wearing my retainers. but i'm 29 now and i care a lot about my teeth and smile.

Same here! Good luck at your consultation!! & good luck on your braces journey!:)