nervous

[TheProfessor]

I know how you feel about elastics--I also dreaded them and thought they looked horrible. The dreaded day finally arrived near the end of my treatment and I wore triangle elastics full time for the last 4 months of my braces journey. They were nowhere near as bad as I thought they would be. No cuts on my cheeks and I felt like my speech adjusted really easily. It was actually nice to finally have some active control over my treatment (everything else with braces is done TO you and you have no choice). I wanted the best result possible so I was more than willing to wear the elastics full time! It will happen when it happens and you will be fine--there is no reason to worry before then

[Ziggy]

Hope this helps. I'm three months in and my cheeks were also killing me. When I showed up at the second appt it turned out I was getting pokes with a wire. New wire and I haven't had to use wax or anything since, so it does get better. Also, I was told at my last appt, yesterday, that I'll soon get the braces on my bottom teeth and elastics between top and bottom. I'm just assuming since I got used to everything so far the elastics will be the same thing. Hang in there.

[carrieann]

You are all right, I'm working myself up. Thank you so much for your comments. I can't talk about this stuff to anyone else really so thank you. I'll stop worrying about the inevitable and hopefully get used to them quickly like I did the braces. Don't worry about what you can't control....I need to start doing that.

[carrieann]

Officially one month today. No more "days" on my ticker. I feel like that is an achievement! Had my first wire change today, so far no pain. Oh it will be coming I'm sure. Pretty uneventful appointment. I think I dodged the elastics. The assistant said to my Doctor, should we start triangle elastics? I muttered Nooooo. Then the Dr said no not today. Why would she suggest them so early?

In 6 weeks I go back and they will bracket the last 2 molars on my lower arch, and wire the last 2 brackets up top. They may or may not go up to a stronger wire. She also said there wasn't really any movement in the past 30 days, the wire just nudged my teeth as if to say you will be moving soon. Hopefully I see some progress in the next 6 weeks.

[djspeece]

Congratulations! In some ways the first month is the hardest, at least psychologically. I had hoped to avoid elastics but at about the two month mark I got them. Uggh. Then the tech made me practice putting them on in front of a mirror, to the amusement of the other patients and passersby.

[carrieann]

3 days into my first adjustment and still no pain whatsoever. Does this mean the wire isn't strong enough or my teeth aren't moving? I know everyone is different but I was hoping for pain so I know the teeth are doing something.

[Ziggy]

3 days into my first adjustment and still no pain whatsoever. Does this mean the wire isn't strong enough or my teeth aren't moving? I know everyone is different but I was hoping for pain so I know the teeth are doing something.

Three days into your adjustment and no pain! Something must be horribly wrong. Just kidding. Yeah, everybody is different. I've had three adjustments now and never really had "pain." I'd say discomfort would be the right word for me. Feels like somebody is "squeezing" my teeth and that goes away in a couple days. Okay, I did have a little pain "during" the adjustment. I told them to get out the cuss jar and empty my pockets, but I left the office feeling fine.

[carrieann]

3 days into my first adjustment and still no pain whatsoever. Does this mean the wire isn't strong enough or my teeth aren't moving? I know everyone is different but I was hoping for pain so I know the teeth are doing something.

Three days into your adjustment and no pain! Something must be horribly wrong. Just kidding. Yeah, everybody is different. I've had three adjustments now and never really had "pain." I'd say discomfort would be the right word for me. Feels like somebody is "squeezing" my teeth and that goes away in a couple days. Okay, I did have a little pain "during" the adjustment. I told them to get out the cuss jar and empty my pockets, but I left the office feeling fine.

Yes I thought I would cause a scene at my first adjustment and teach the kiddos some new words. I was just expecting my teeth to feel like they did after the braces were installed after all adjustments. Haha the braces god is smiling down....next time, next time I'll get you!

[Lovelyteeth]

Lovelyteeth - I see you are over 2 months in. When did you notice real change? I feel like nothing is happening but it's only been 23 days...

With me I noticed big changes in first month but my front tooth overlapped so I could see changes almost every morning as it moved down and aligned. I also took pics and could see the dramatic changes. To be honest I haven't noticed much change aesthetically the past 6 weeks however my bite has changed and I no longer have that feeling of my top molar knocking bottom bracket so things must have shifted even a little. I have my next appointment on 27th May and I'm getting a square wire I think.

[whitney555]

I've been wearing elastics since the day I got my braces! I think they are used to fix a variety of things so can be used at any point in the treatment. I believe in the beginning mine were used to "make room" for my crowded upper front teeth to unrotate/disengage. They never cut my mouth, just rubbed a bit, so now I have little tough spots there. They're not so bad, and you'll adjust quickly! It's going to seem like a breeze compared to first getting the braces on anyway.

[carrieann]

I've been wearing elastics since the day I got my braces! I think they are used to fix a variety of things so can be used at any point in the treatment. I believe in the beginning mine were used to "make room" for my crowded upper front teeth to unrotate/disengage. They never cut my mouth, just rubbed a bit, so now I have little tough spots there. They're not so bad, and you'll adjust quickly! It's going to seem like a breeze compared to first getting the braces on anyway.

Good to hear Whitney! Did you find it was difficult to speak at first, and then you get used to it? Kinda like getting braces. I guess that may depend on the elastic configuration too.

[carrieann]

Had my third wire change on Thurs. And they put brackets on my 2 back bottom molars with wire, and wired the top back molars for the first time. When the assistant was pushing the thicker (3rd wire so still round) wire through the top brackets she broke the bracket off my back/last top left molar. The ortho decided not to bracket it again. Apparently the wire was too much force on it. I guess they will wait until the next visit in 7 weeks or even the one after that. They said that tooth is not in a bad position the teeth in front of it are. I don't really understand, I just hope it doesn't mess anything up. Then the assistant put in the same stronger wire through the bottom. I was on my way home and the bracket they just put on (lower back molar) popped off. I went back. The ortho said to use the previous wire strength on the bottom. I guess the force of a new wire was too strong for that tooth. He bracketed the tooth again and she put the wire through. So now I have my 3rd wire in top but no longer a bracket on the top back molar. And the same wire as last time on the bottom. I hope this doesnt slow down the process. I feel like my bottom teeth won't progress now with the same wire in. I'm not sore on top or bottom.

I only see the ortho when he glues brackets or when he pops over for a minute each time. I wonder who is making the calls in my treatment, him or the assistant? It's an open floor plan so there are 4 patients at once. Are the wires and the plan laid out before treatment by the ortho then the assistant just follows it at each visit? When I go to the Doctor or dentist I am seen by my doctor only, and the entire time. I've only been to the ortho 3 times now so I don't know what is standard but I really want to ask...who calls the shots? Why doesn't the ortho see me when I get there to see how everything is doing? Instead of at the end after the assistant puts a new in? I'm paying so much for this, I want the ortho to do everything! Does he even know what's going on with my teeth? My case is pretty simple so maybe I don't need his attention but it would be nice. By the way he is the nicest guy in the world, I just wish it was more one on one treatment. Maybe this is just how orthodontics is..