KK wrote:
One concern ... I'd never have let an ortho start treating my teeth without first taking the time to analyse my x-rays, photos, mould and 'real' examination ... and then discussing the treatment plan with me. Fortunately you've had no problem, but when you consider how important the placement of brackets is to treatment ... wow ... starting that way is scary ...
First thing. Sorry I wasn't clear. I went in about six months before and they x-rayed me, talked over everything, etc. Then I went in again about 2 weeks before my first real appointment and made sure nothing had changed. What caught me off guard was that as a teen, my first real appointment was to take impressions and some other stuff. Which for some reason I thought would be the same, but they instead had the brackets there ready to put on.
Now,
Meryaten wrote:
You don't say how old you are, Tony.
I'm 26, was 15 my first time around.
Let's see if I can remember how they worked...
Around my molars was a metal band with slots for an arch wire. The arch wire slotted into those slots, and that the only place that was actually "attached" to my teeth. Around each tooth after that would have been a thin wire, quite like twist wire, that wrapped around my tooth, and then was tied to the arch wire and 'twisted' until nice and tight. Every two weeks or so I'd go in and he'd tighten them up or replace the little twist wire.
I went to school with one other person that went to him, but have never seen them on anyone else. When I explained them to the three Orthodontists I consulted with only two had ever heard of them, and none of their staff had. From what I remember they said it was a system that was phased out around 50 years ago. I'll have to ask my Orthodontist what they were next visit.