Really painful elastics configuration (pics)

Message

#16 Post by **weird_wired** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:32 am

I had it - but only the double triangles on one side (single on the other). I only had to wear mine at night, but it was still a real pain. I found it very hard to try and sleep with my teeth wanting to clash together, and my jaw used to get very tired.

#17 Post by **Clo** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:16 am

Hi,

as was told here, I indeed had something like that. But then with 11 very
heavy elastics at the same time. So I really know the feeling. After
having elastics for more than 18 months now, I learned there are
different phases to be experienced :

phase 1 : just after getting them, it hurts after some hours to a day.
phase 2 : after some days, you feel like you get used to them.
phase 3 : you are not even aware you have them in.
phase 4 : it feels much better when you have your elastics in.
phase 5 : you get the impression that they are in too long. You mention
it to your ortho, who of course says you are wrong. They are
still necessary according to your ortho.
phase 6 : you see they are ruining your bite and arch lining. You see the
ortho thinks that too, but does not want to admit it. They still
are left in.
phase 7 : your ortho admits they ruined about everything. You are very
upset and go to another ortho. The new one is quite rough in
trying to correct what is not correctable anymore. And new
elastics are applied, and the story goes on again ...

I've seen it all, I am now in phase 7 + 6 !!! I begin to think there are
still countries out there that are called the best developped ones in the
world, but concerning orthodontics are still in the Middle Ages. Or a few
years later than that maybe. Maybe you can tell I am frustrated like hell
these days !
But be happy, you will never have to experience that. When your braces
are removed the fifth of May, you will hardly be arrived at phase 3. And
yes, they are used in your case to get that final good occlusion. When
looking at your pic, I am sure you will just get that.

Good luck !
( Sorry for mixing objective information with some sarcasm )

#18 Post by **Clo** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:51 pm

Hi,

no, things are not going well these days.
I'll post next week. Then I have another adjustment, that happens to be
on the day of my 2 year braces anniversary !!

#19 Post by **Chris** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:08 pm

Sorry to hear its not going well, Clo.

Could it be "the worst is before the best" stage all over again for you?
You know changing orthos and treatment plan, it may be just that, but since you've been all through this with the other ortho, you were hoping it would get better from the get go this time around.

Hang in there, Clo. We are all here for you in this forum whenever you want to express your frustration.

P.S. I go for elastics in a few days!

My TMJ is horrible with just ONE elastic!