Hello all,
I just got braced on Friday, and to be honest, it's bloody miserable. I truly hope I'm saving my teeth from becoming severely screwed up later in life, because a combination of discomfort and lack of sufficient dissatisfaction with my old smile are filling me with regrets. For the record, I have slightly overcrowded teeth with a little too much overbite. Not the prettiest set of teeth in the world - which was initially my reason for fixing them - but a long way from anything really hideous. Back when I was thirteen, my parents and I were told by our orthodontist that I would only need my teeth braced for cosmetic reasons; and that they wouldn't cause me any health problems. Granted I'm now 24, and I'm sure my teeth have probably shifted somewhat, but it feels like the culture of heath has shifted too - towards an "everyone has something to fix" mentality that from my reading seems to be half well-researched truth, and half marketing BS. In all honesty I feel most orthodontists have a vested interest in finding problems, and whilst of course I believe that many genuinely exist, it's hard to cut through the 'perfect smile' ad campaigning. I suppose I'll never know. But regardless, I will be glad to have straighter teeth in a couple of years, so I'll soldier on.
My problem is not with the braces themselves - I have Damons on both rows: barely any pain, and no mouth irritation so far - but my overbite meant that I required what I can only describe as some kind of cement shelving that is attached to the backs of my top front teeth. As many here probably know, this stops the top teeth interfering with the brackets on the bottom row. The problem is that I can no longer eat anything even slightly solid, because my molars don't touch. In fact, when I close my mouth, only a single pair of teeth actually meet. Plus my speech is severely impeded, but that's less of a concern right now.
I'm going to call my orthodontist on Monday, but I was wondering why on earth they didn't just build up my molars instead? That way I'd be able to chew, speak and bite down in a way that doesn't leave me touching brackets. Any thoughts?
Two more questions that are on my mind. I hate the whole prospect of retainers for life, but have been told I'll have an Essex for the top row, and a permanent retainer on the bottom. It seems that Invisalign are are bit hit and miss when it comes to correction, but does anyone know if the similar Essex retainers are just as unpredictable, or do they do the job as well as Hawley retainers?
I'm actually going to ask for a removable retainer for my bottom row as well - I hate the idea of never having truly appliance-free teeth again - but I was wondering if there was a general consensus on which was more comfortable on balance. Permanent retainers are smaller and less intrusive but harder to clean, while removable retainers are bulkier and less comfortable, but when I reach the period in which I only need to wear retainers at night I don't know if I'll care about increased discomfort while I sleep if I'm free to eat what I want and brush without worry the rest of the time.
Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks to all who post on this board. Both the forum and the rest of the website have been invaluable to me over the past few weeks - it's really the best braces resource online. All involved have my sincere appreciation!
Bite and Retainer Questions
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Bite and Retainer Questions
Damon 3s top and bottom - 10/Feb/06
Hi Inert 
I too had braces fitted on 10th february, and I've also got Damon 3's upper and lower!
So far I have the odd bit of rubbing, which the wax is helping, and slight tooth tenderness but nothing too bad.
I've got molar build-ups, which feels pretty weird, i only have two pairs of teeth that meet now but I can kind of chew still, although it is taking me much longer to eat my food. My orthodontist said that as the teeth move, it becomes less of an issue and they will gradually polish the composite off those teeth. I don't know why your ortho didn't do molar build ups, maybe it is to do with your particular bite? Do you have a cross bite perhaps?
No idea about retainers, I've not even talked about them yet with my ortho, other than that he says I will have to wear them. But I would have thought the Essix will do a good job of holding the teeth still, after all invisalign is actually having to MOVE the teeth, a retainer just keeps everything steady doesn't it.
How long are you going to be in braces? I am wearing them for between 18 months and 2 years
But I swear my teeth have moved already, LOL!!!
I too had braces fitted on 10th february, and I've also got Damon 3's upper and lower!
So far I have the odd bit of rubbing, which the wax is helping, and slight tooth tenderness but nothing too bad.
I've got molar build-ups, which feels pretty weird, i only have two pairs of teeth that meet now but I can kind of chew still, although it is taking me much longer to eat my food. My orthodontist said that as the teeth move, it becomes less of an issue and they will gradually polish the composite off those teeth. I don't know why your ortho didn't do molar build ups, maybe it is to do with your particular bite? Do you have a cross bite perhaps?
No idea about retainers, I've not even talked about them yet with my ortho, other than that he says I will have to wear them. But I would have thought the Essix will do a good job of holding the teeth still, after all invisalign is actually having to MOVE the teeth, a retainer just keeps everything steady doesn't it.
How long are you going to be in braces? I am wearing them for between 18 months and 2 years
But I swear my teeth have moved already, LOL!!!
Damon 3's upper and lower - 10 February 2006
Hi LizzyG - nice to know someone who shares the same braceday! My estimate is also 18-24 months. I'm sorry you've had a bit of trouble with the brackets rubbing - I feel terribly lucky to have been free of that worry so far. I haven't touched my little wax supply!
Regarding the build-ups - I don't have a crossbite, and I honestly think the ortho made a call he thought was right, and I was too focused on the brackets to let him know it wasn't working. Hopefully I'll have these loathsome things behind my teeth removed, and will be sporting a lovely set of molar risers by tomorrow evening. Honestly, without the cement behind my teeth which prevents my mouth from doing anything but drink, actually wearing the braces really wouldn't be particularly unpleasant. Very glad I went with the elastic-free Damons.
I don't think my teeth have moved just yet, but I was amazed to discover how loose they'd become overnight. It feels like their brakes have come off, and they've been slipped into neutral; ready for a group of weak, tiny, silver men to push them up a hill to where they belong...
Hi KK - thanks for the welcome! I actually did see a few different orthos, and they all said the same thing. I went with the guy with the most qualifications and best reputation, and I'm only really dissatisfied with the bite cement that was done by his assistant. I was really just venting about the lack of true objectivity as regards the state of my teeth - I'd love to pay to see a specialist who knew no matter what he said he wouldn't be making any more money from me. And I was ticked off by the posters and flyers in every clinic that tell you exactly what percentage of people wouldn't urinate on someone with crooked teeth if they were on fire; as opposed to telling you how teeth like yours might wear away into blackened stumps with evil faces that swear at passers by twenty years from now if you don't have them straightened. I initially investigated straightening options for aesthetic reasons, but it's the combination of straight teeth and staving off health issues that really swayed me.
I most certainly plan on using the retainers as instructed - it just bugs me that I have to do so for the rest of my life!
Thank you both for your opinions on Essex retainers. I agree that there's no obvious reason they shouldn't do the job of keeping things still. I just feared those in the know might tell me they were another Invisalign-esque disappointment - they look so much better than Hawley retainers they seem too good to be true. Good to know the permanent retainer might be less troublesome than I imagined too. I might try permanent on my bottom row when I need to wear retainers full-time, and then if I really want it gone I'll ask about another Essex when I graduate to part time retaining.
Regarding the build-ups - I don't have a crossbite, and I honestly think the ortho made a call he thought was right, and I was too focused on the brackets to let him know it wasn't working. Hopefully I'll have these loathsome things behind my teeth removed, and will be sporting a lovely set of molar risers by tomorrow evening. Honestly, without the cement behind my teeth which prevents my mouth from doing anything but drink, actually wearing the braces really wouldn't be particularly unpleasant. Very glad I went with the elastic-free Damons.
I don't think my teeth have moved just yet, but I was amazed to discover how loose they'd become overnight. It feels like their brakes have come off, and they've been slipped into neutral; ready for a group of weak, tiny, silver men to push them up a hill to where they belong...
Hi KK - thanks for the welcome! I actually did see a few different orthos, and they all said the same thing. I went with the guy with the most qualifications and best reputation, and I'm only really dissatisfied with the bite cement that was done by his assistant. I was really just venting about the lack of true objectivity as regards the state of my teeth - I'd love to pay to see a specialist who knew no matter what he said he wouldn't be making any more money from me. And I was ticked off by the posters and flyers in every clinic that tell you exactly what percentage of people wouldn't urinate on someone with crooked teeth if they were on fire; as opposed to telling you how teeth like yours might wear away into blackened stumps with evil faces that swear at passers by twenty years from now if you don't have them straightened. I initially investigated straightening options for aesthetic reasons, but it's the combination of straight teeth and staving off health issues that really swayed me.
I most certainly plan on using the retainers as instructed - it just bugs me that I have to do so for the rest of my life!
Thank you both for your opinions on Essex retainers. I agree that there's no obvious reason they shouldn't do the job of keeping things still. I just feared those in the know might tell me they were another Invisalign-esque disappointment - they look so much better than Hawley retainers they seem too good to be true. Good to know the permanent retainer might be less troublesome than I imagined too. I might try permanent on my bottom row when I need to wear retainers full-time, and then if I really want it gone I'll ask about another Essex when I graduate to part time retaining.
Damon 3s top and bottom - 10/Feb/06
Sweet relief. Took a bit of convincing, but my front teeth are bump free, and my molars are sporting a couple of ugly little cement chunks. Still a bloody nuisance, but my teeth are a thousand times better than they were - no more lisping, and I can relax my jaw!
I'm really looking forward to the day when I can just deal with the brackets; and the problems I was prepared for like pain, trapped food and hours of cleaning. That's what I signed up for! None of this bite-disabling BS. I'll be able to eat a bit of solid food now, though I think it'll be a long while before I can eat normal meals again. I never expected to miss food this much. Still, I know my orthodontic experience is a great deal less unpleasant than it is for many, so I'll stop complaining.
Stared at the Invisalign posters today. Hate them so much. Teasing me with an comfortable, easy fix that by all accounts won't really work. Missing pizza.
I'm really looking forward to the day when I can just deal with the brackets; and the problems I was prepared for like pain, trapped food and hours of cleaning. That's what I signed up for! None of this bite-disabling BS. I'll be able to eat a bit of solid food now, though I think it'll be a long while before I can eat normal meals again. I never expected to miss food this much. Still, I know my orthodontic experience is a great deal less unpleasant than it is for many, so I'll stop complaining.
Stared at the Invisalign posters today. Hate them so much. Teasing me with an comfortable, easy fix that by all accounts won't really work. Missing pizza.
Damon 3s top and bottom - 10/Feb/06