Spring on front teeth?

[AdelaidePsycho]

I have some kind of 'springs' on my front teeth (also on my incisors). I've been trying to find some information about what exactly these 'springs' do, but can't find info anywhere or even what the correct name for them is. I'd post a photo on here but can't figure out how. They're not coil springs, they're individual silver metal springs that are attached on top of the wire and threaded through the middle of the bracket.

Anyone have any idea what these are?

[AdelaidePsycho]

Figured out how to attach images!

I've attached a photo of the spring things. Let me know if anyone has had these/ knows what they are!

[oldfart]

Not sure, but I would check and see why they didn't cleanup all that excess glue around your brackets.

[AdelaidePsycho]

Haha I've had them on for 2 years now so I highly doubt they'll ever clean it up

[jem]

I have never seen springs like those before.It looks like a complicated way of closing/deepening your bite. does that make sense in terms of your treatment plan?

Jem

[jem]

Or perhaps to straighten roots?

[AdelaidePsycho]

I barely understand my treatment plan at all to be honest! My ortho is one of those super busy people who flys in and out of the treatment room before you can get a question in.

I had something similar once before on one of my bottom teeth, and they said it was to rotate the tooth. But this doesn't really make sense for my top teeth. Unless they're trying to get them to flare slightly? All I know is it hurts a whole lot!

[jem]

The springs do tend to nullify the aesthetic benefit of clear brackets, although by this stage in our treatment most of us are past caring. And your teeth do look great !

Good luck,

Jem

[Alani]

I have springs on my bottom front teeth and they are pushing them apart to make room to bring forward some teeth that are behind others. I have also heard there are sprigs that do the opposite, pull teeth together.

[oldfart]

I barely understand my treatment plan at all to be honest! My ortho is one of those super busy people who flys in and out of the treatment room before you can get a question in.

I had something similar once before on one of my bottom teeth, and they said it was to rotate the tooth. But this doesn't really make sense for my top teeth. Unless they're trying to get them to flare slightly? All I know is it hurts a whole lot!

If you have a question, ask it. Or at least ask the assistant to find the answer.

[Beckett]

I've never seen springs like that, but I'm going to say they're for some sort of individual torque on each tooth. For twist or rotation. Looks like it would be minor tweaks since you appear to be nearing the end of your treatment. Possibly to make those particular teeth sit nicely with its neighbors?

[AdelaidePsycho]

For anyone interested - finally asked what these springs are called!

They're "side winders", and are generally used to perform minor rotations. I've since had a lot more of these springs added (9 in there at the moment!), and although I can't really see much of a change, I think they've ever-so-slightly rotated particular teeth.

I think my treatment is beginning to be more about correcting those minor imperfections, but I wish I had more of an idea about how much longer it's going to be Right now I still have some gaps and my mid-section is slightly off, so I have a feeling we're going to continue correcting these issues for awhile longer