Metal Mouth Message Board

If anyone can figure out my rantings and give me your opinion that would be great. I had my 3rd visit with my Ortho today.

First appointment: I had my braces installed.

Second appointment: They put a new arch wire on the top but left the original arch wire on the bottom as it wasn't done moving things.

Third appointment: I go in and have my 3rd wire for the top and my 2nd wire on the bottom installed and go home.

After I came home I brushed my teeth and noticed that the wire on the bottom is HUGE compared to the top! I don't know how they got it in the brackets and shut the doors.

This doesn't make sense to me. Shouldn't the wire on top be bigger since its the 3rd wire? And the bottom wire be smaller because its the 2nd?

Also... the 2nd wire for the bottom is even bigger then the 2nd they put on my top.

This doesnt seem right to me. I thought for sure that arch wires went in equal fazes. Oh and both wires are square.

I am hoping there wasn't some sort of mix up and they put the top on bottom and bottom on top.

My apologies if this makes your head hurt. Its hard to explain.

I've seen it many times, the lower wire being bigger than the top one. As I
do not read you are in great pain, then I think your lowers were just ready
for this archwire. I even think this is just good news. If they could now put
this wire in already. You could always ask about this, but I think nothing is
wrong.

My lower ones were thicker than my top ones when I started... I don't think there's just one approach to orthodontics. I think everyone's mouth is a different world and is treated that way. Don't panic, they know what they're doing.

They kind of decide what to use as you progress along. I just had my 3rd adjustment where the top wire was left in place, but I got a huge posted wire on the bottom with strong elastic ties to bring my bottom teeth all together and back. But get this... going into my appointment it was supposed to be the other way around - the top getting the posted wire. But they looked at my progress and decided that the top was doing fine with just power chains and that the bottom should get the posted wire instead. So even when they plan things out, they change.

I think it's ok.

I think it's ok.

I agree, but to be sure I would suggest calling to check with your ortho. That's what your ortho's office is there for if you have questions/concerns about your treatment.