Spacers in yesterday

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#1 Post by **genxsis** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:46 pm

I've finally begun the process....the 8 spacers were put in yesterday at about 2:20pm. The pain didn't begin until about 5am the next morning, and it only hurts when I bite down.

The real problem was when the assistant was putting them in. She used a metal device that looked like pliers that spread the spacer apart, and she pushed real hard to get it in between the teeth. Well, about 3 or 4 times, the spacer band snapped and I ended up getting smacked in the teeth with that metal thing. The first time, I thought she had chipped one of my teeth. The second time was really annoying in that it happened again, and the 3rd time made me want to smack HER in the teeth with a metal object. By the 4th time, I wanted to just get up and leave!

So that's my experience so far. No pain unless biting down (this morning's breakfast of oatmeal wasn't much fun, so tonight's supper will be a blender drink), and it's been about 24 hours so far.

#2 Post by **Flora2006** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:02 pm

i'm happy your treatment finally begun and that you don't seem to experience too much pain with the spacers. i've never had them so i don't really know how they feel but i've heard so much negative stuff about them and that they hurt a lot...so i'm glad that you seem to be managing them pretty well.

when are your braces suppose to come on?

#3 Post by **genxsis** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:29 pm

Flora2006:

I'm scheduled to get the molar bands next Tuesday, and the braces themselves will be going in on Jan. 31st.

I feel like my mouth is "not my own anymore", you know what I mean?

#4 Post by **missing_tooth** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:59 pm

I'm guessing it varies from person to person. I got my spacers in yesterday as well. Pain? What pain? A bit annoying. Only slighlty tender if I bit down all the way. No metal tool used. just floss and the spacers and about 10 minutes of time. Walk in the park.

- Missing Tooth -

#5 Post by **Flora2006** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:01 pm

genxsis - i definitely know what you mean...i feel the same way. i feel like my top teeth are not mine anymore...they seem and feel so different

#6 Post by **genxsis** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:04 pm

Thank you everyone! I thought the pain was going to start getting worse, but so far it hasn't. It does hurt if I bite all the way down, and it's hard not to when chewing. So far I've only had oatmeal, yogurt and a blender drink consisting of spinach, beans, a raw egg, and apple juice. Not the best tasting, but VERY nutritious!

#7 Post by **luxekitty** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:30 pm

I got my spacers in Monday, pain began late in the evening and has subsided just yesterday. I still can't bite anything hard..but the aching is gone when I'm not chewing. They're coming out monday. *thank goodness*

#8 Post by **Michal** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:55 pm

I'm right there with you! I got my spacers yesterday. I saw those things and said "Where are those things supposed to be going?". It really wasn't that bad. The tech used floss to put them in and we only had a problem with one. I also woke up this morning about 4 am with a throbbing headache and believe it or not a little nausia.

Good luck! I'm getting my braces Friday.

Michal

#9 Post by **ssfw** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:45 pm

Hi genxsis,

I'm sorry to hear of your experience with getting the spacers placed - I was a bit horrified. Is it worth mentioning to your orthodontist because as you said it could have chipped some/few of your teeth. To top off that experience, you are not having an easy time with the spacers. I think you mentioned in a previous post that you will get them removed in a week, right? What happens after that?

Good luck and hope you are feeling better.

ssfw