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I took panadol beforehand but I don't think I needed it until it had worn off. When you get them put on you'll have your cheeks opened with a big plastic grinning thing so you can't close your lips. I had suction too but it kept pinching my tongue so he took it off half way through.
They'll give you a clean and polish, paint a little glue on your tooth, place the bracket and once a whole row is done a warm light will be shone on them to set them.
Once you have your wire placed you'll notice how tight they feel but it took mine 4 hours for the pain to kick in. The actual process of having them put on is nothing
Tobelei is quite right. The actual process of putting the braces on is painless and will go fairly quick. I had only minimal pain in the 4-5 days after I had mine put on. Nothing that could not be dealt with by taking some Tylenol. You'll probably be amazed after it's all finished how easy the process was! Good luck!
My experience was getting them put on was EASY! NO pain whatsoever. And it was FAST! I had tops and bottoms done - and I'd say it took 45 mins to one hour.
For me ceramic and metal had no price difference, cost the same. I went with metal brackets on bottom (and I have silver or gray ligatures) and I have tooth colored ceramic brackets on top with tooth colored ligatures. The first time he put ligatures on top he used clear but after 3 weeks they did stain. I never eat curry or drink red wine but I do drink a cup or two of coffee a day. They got stained BUT it's nothing horrible. You have to look closely to see the stains. The following adjustment we went with tooth colored or 'ecru' color ligatures - they work better, stain less. I go for adjustments every 3 weeks and each time I leave - my braces really do look 'whiter' (it's not my braces though that look whiter, it's the actual ligatures), but it's hard to see the difference until you get them changed and I have not found the staining to be a big deal at all!!!
I am VERY happy I went with ceramic on top and metal on the bottom. I wanted them to be as least noticeable as possible and that is the case. My ortho said there would be no difference in speed. Yes the metals are a bit stronger but I've had no problems with ceramics breaking. I am careful with what I eat as well.
Minimal pain once they are on and the wires start do to their magic. For me each adjustment itself is uncomfortable - there is pressure but once you are done, and it takes all of 5 minutes, you walk out and feel okay. Pressure is there for a day or two and then it's gone for me.
Everyone gave you good suggestions on foods - just stick to soft stuff for a while and you will be fine.
Good luck!
Ceramic uppers and metal lowers
Estimated treatment time: 12-14 months
Thanks everyone. I'm not really nervous, just helps to know what will happen and what to expect. I'm sure the nerves will kick in next week on my way in!
I've been looking at waterpiks today after seeing other people talk about them, but I'll talk to the orthodontist about it first. They're very very expensive here, so I'd rather have a go without it first. We'll see, another week and all the silly questions will be over lol
Go out and have something super chewy and crunchy , like a steak and a huge salad and glass of the reddest wine you can find
That is what I would do
Good luck. I went with upper ceramics and lower metal. I must admit that the ceramics really don't make a big difference. I still have braces and it doesn't matter what color they are, they are still there.
Take pictures so you can follow your progress. I look at the before pics for encouragement.
Food restrictions won't be a problem as I'm limited to mostly soft food now anyway with the way my bite is. Just wondered about pain levels and speech issues more than anything since I spend all day talking to customers at work. I'm sure I'll manage
kiwibug wrote:
I've been looking at waterpiks today after seeing other people talk about them, but I'll talk to the orthodontist about it first. They're very very expensive here, so I'd rather have a go without it first. We'll see, another week and all the silly questions will be over lol
They're massively expensive in Australia too. I bought one that hooks up to the tap off ebay for about $25 to see if I liked it first. Honestly, hate it. It gets used by the kids to spray each other when they're in the bath or something but otherwise was a $25 tap decoration. It hurts my already sensitive teeth and to use it you have to kind of dribble water all over your chin. Flossing is a pain in the rear end but it's not as bad as that thing. I'm glad I didn't spend $100 or so on one.
I could not LIVE without my waterpik and it really saved me right after I got my braces put on. The first night I spent about an hour trying to floss my teeth and finally gave up in tears and used my waterpik instead. But I have read from other people in Australia how expensive they are. Too bad about your eBay purchase! What a waste of money. I'll bet your kids have a good time playing with it, though!
My FI bought us a waterpik; I'm thinking that it will be very useful once we're braced. The deluxe one was $47 at Walmart and comes with six or so tips, including an ortho one. I saw the same one at Walgreens for $62 so definitely shop around.
I think you got a good deal. I paid $65.00 for mine at Walmart but I live in Canada. Everything here is always more expensive than it is in the US. You'll be glad you have that thing once you get your braces on. Enjoy!
Hi Kiwibug,
I thought I'd mention to you that it is really helpful to slather a ton of chapstick on your lips before you go in to get your braces on. I read this on one of the forum postings along the way and I did it. I kept my lips from drying out while I had that awful cheek retractor holding my lips open for 90 minutes. It was really a lifesaver.
Dee17 wrote:I could not LIVE without my waterpik and it really saved me right after I got my braces put on. The first night I spent about an hour trying to floss my teeth and finally gave up in tears and used my waterpik instead. But I have read from other people in Australia how expensive they are. Too bad about your eBay purchase! What a waste of money. I'll bet your kids have a good time playing with it, though!
Haha they do! I'm not so happy about it once I step into my soaked bathroom! Never mind, I've wasted more money on worse things!
Glad you can keep a sense of humour about it! It's so important to be able to laugh when you've got little kiddee-boos in the house. AND to know how to pick your battles! Sounds like you have both. Good for you. It'll help you stay sane!
