Nothing but problems since being braced

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#1 Post by **bethne3** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:32 am

I have been in the ortho's office 9x in the past 30 days...here is a rundown of what I've been going through.

November 14-All 4 wisdoms removed
November 18-Developed a dry socket and was back in the office to get the socket irrigated and filled with this icky goop stuff.
November 22-Upper expander and upper braces put on. We were supposed to have my lowers put on too but the lower expander would not fit. So, they put spacers in between my lower molars to make some room.
November 23-One of the spacers fell out. Back to the office.
November 24-Another spacer fell out. Back to the office.
November 28-Lower braces & expander put on
December 29-Bracket fell off. Back in the office
December 7-Upper expander key got stuck and then bent. Appliance felt as if it was shifted and was pushing horribly against the sides of my teeth. Made an emergency appointment and found that the expander had broken.
December 8-Upper expander removed. New impressions taken so they could order new expander. Took out upper wire and a few brackets and replaced wire. Now only my front 6 teeth are braced.

My next appointment is on the 30th of December to get the new expander put back in and to finish bracing the uppers. My very first adjustment is January 21.

All I can say is UGH.
I feel like I am now back to square one with my upper expander. I had developed a space in between my two front teeth, which I've read meant that the appliance was working, but now that whole has closed back up. I was finally started to get used to it being there but now it's gone. I must say I LOVE not having it in but knowing that this puts me back a few weeks is very frustrating.

There are days when I really get frustrated & upset. I wish that this whole experience could be easier but I guess these things happen...

#2 Post by **swan** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:49 am

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.
That really sucks.
I hope it'll go a bit smoother from now on.

Is your wisdom tooth socket doing ok now?
Was the bracket that fell off on a regular tooth or a crown?

#3 Post by **nvcarissa** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:11 pm

I am so sorry to hear about your difficulties. Hopefully things will go better after your 12/30 visit.

(Keeping my fingers and toes crossed!)

#4 Post by **Jenn17780** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:29 pm

Hey bethne3,
Hang in there! At least you got all 4 of your wisdom teeth removed at once and you don't have to go back!

I hope you're feeling better!! Keep saying it'll be worth it in the end!

#5 Post by **dkt3** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:35 pm

I know a little bit about how you feel. I woke up at 1 am to find yet another bracket off so back to the ortho again. This is now my sixth! Already my teeth are hurting because they are moving back...

#6 Post by **bethne3** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:46 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

I do have a few things to be thankful for, 1. my dry socket is healed and 2. I live only 2 minutes from my orthodontist's office

I am going to try and post pictures of my teeth pre-braces and then keep them updated with my progress, as slow or fast as that may be!

#7 Post by **Evelyn** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:26 pm

ah yes...the one word that seems to be synonymous with braces...setbacks. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that! At least, though, your wisdom teeth are out and done now, never to bother you again.

Looking on the bright side, I find that all of the setbacks that we go through with braces and whatever else may be going on in your mouth really do make the end result all the sweeter. I know if everything had gone according to plan for me, I really wouldn't have given a hoot about my teeth after the braces were off except that I could comfortably play clarinet. However, having gone through so many setbacks it really makes you appreciate your teeth when things do go right, and trust me when I say that the end result will be tenfold sweeter if you've gone through hell and high water to get to it.

See it as a blessing in disguise...blessing may be a bit of a strong word, but I speak from experience when I say that the satisfaction that you get after going through so much to get it is so incredibly worth the hike to get there.

Keep your eyes on the prize, xoxo Eve

#8 Post by **bethne3** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:14 pm

Eve,
Thank you soooo much. You are exactly right. I think I need to think that way from now on.
You really cheered me up. Thank you!

Bethany

#9 Post by **fins** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:19 pm

So sorry you had such a rough start. Sometimes there are a lot of bumps in the road at the beginning. I had some myself so I know. Before you know it you will be half way through your treatment. Just keep thinking how nice your smile will be at the end.

#10 Post by **lesdents** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:09 pm

So sorry! That all stinks!

Just a question though:

What did dry socket feel like and how did it start? How were you sure you had it?

Thanks. (I'm one week past two upper extractions, and I have more coming in January, then wisdom teeth extractions will be necessary within a year. I want to be sure that if I ever start developing it I will be able to recognize the signs and get to the dentist before it gets really excruciating.)

Thanks! I really hope your treatment experience goes better. Remember, it'll totally be worth it!