Newbie at the "What have I done?" stage

[Britlaw]

I have read many of the posts here and they have so far affirmed the correctness of my decision to get ortho work at age 47 (almost 48!). However, I am currently feeling very fed up and I dont even have the braces on yet!

I had 3 of the four extractions I need before christmas. Because of the extent of my overcrowding, the otho wanted removed big molars (the first from the front - forgive my ignorance, I must learn the numbers!) each side at the top. The bottom isnt so bad and so he chose the smaller teeth to the front of the first molars on the bottom. The oral surgeon told me after an hour trying to get one top molar out that I had the longest roots he had ever seen in a woman! The result was that my extraction site was very messy and hes had to remove some bone from the side to get the roots out (which makes the gap look ENORMOUS!). He took both the lower teeth out on the same day but left the other molar saying that I should wait for the other one to heal to give the other side a better chance when he removes it. Anyway, the upshot is that I now have dry socket in the upper site - which thankfully is not hurting too much but looks really disgusting. The lower ones have not begun to heal well either - I never formed the nice blood plugs you need for rapid healing. I dont smoke and followed the rules etc. but maybe its my age or something. My appointment to remove the final molar is 2nd and given the experience so far I am dreading it. I have the bottom brace on 3rd and the top once the final extraction has healed a little.

Enough of me rattling on.....I do have questions!

Any of you had dry socket and how long does it last? My dentist is on holiday but I have appointment first thing on 2nd anyway (to pull the other tooth), where he will no doubt pack it and give me antibiotics. Should I call him as an emergency Monday - even though I dont have pain? (public holiday 1st).

Did any of you have bone removed from the side on extractions? Did it re-establish over time? Am I worrying about nothing (It does look gross!).

With my decision to have braces I also decided to have all my amalgam fillings replaced with white. Can this be done whilst braces in? They are only in the back teeth but 2 are quite deep. I have a chip on the edge of a tooth at the front but dentist said wait for that - as my teeth are jammed together at the moment he said he can do a better job after alignment (I also want them whitened after removal and he wont know what colour to do the restoration in).

Sorry for rambling on to begin with, I think I just need some reassurance that mine are common problems and its usual for people to sometimes wish they hadnt started (although with these enormous gaps, there is no going back now!).

Regards

[LadyJ]

I'm not braced yet either, but when I had my wisdom teeth out I too never formed the "clot" over the extraction site. I'm not sure if it's considered "dry socket" unless you have pain - which I did not. All my OS did was give me a syringe to flush out food particles that got stuck in the "holes".

I had trouble eating/chewing solid food for over a week. (I considered that my "test run" for braces, hehe.) Partly due to sensitivity, but mainly because I was terrified of getting stuff in the holes. But it did get better and I'm happy to say that now 4 months later everything is healed in.

Now I get braces in two weeks, and the real fun begins.

[shaolin]

Hi Britlaw, I have nothing useful to add about your extraction experience other than to say if it doesn't hurt, then it's a good sign!

I am 45 and got braced 8 days ago on the 22nd after years of I-can't, I-shouldn't, should-I? etc. I now have braces where before I just had wonky teeth, braces are a move up as far as I'm concerned as it means that things are getting better. The pain (pain seems the wrong word really, more an awareness of movement) has been fairly minor ( I took one pain killer tablet) - the ends of the braces cathing on my cheeks has been the worst thing and that is addressed by wax, though today has been the first day without as I decided I aught to try without to get hardened up.

I had a number of "oh my God what have I done!" moments in the last week, but now I feel far more comfortable and happy with things, the sensation of teeth moving is just so great after years of wishing they were elsewhere!

My ortho and the dentist who referred me recommended that any other work be left until after the ortho work was done. I have one extraction in the next couple of weeks and the tooth next to it has an amalgam filling, I'll ask if it can be repleced at the same time, but I think I know the answer (no) had one replaced about a year ago as it needed repairing, the difference is amazing! Teeth are slightly translucent it seems so an amalgam filling makes the whole tooth darker, whereas a white filling makes it glow white!

[gingerprince]

Hi Britlaw, I had 4 large extractions last Jan, and I can safely say, throughout my treatment that was the worst time.

As a man, I'm not ashamed to admit to crying at the time, not through pain, but due to "oh my God, what have I just done". I'd just let some guy pull 4 perfectly healthy teeth out of my head!

Believe me, when you get the braces on, you will see a huge difference in a short space of time. Inside 2 months your teeth will be straight, and although closing those gaps will take up most of the time, you won't notice the months going by.

Instead of looking forward to getting your braces off, look forward to your next ortho appointment, as that's another step closer, and always just around the corner.

good luck, I know it's hard to see it now, but you have made the right decision, you just can't see it right now.

[Britlaw]

Man you guys are quick!! Thanks for your helpful advice

The extraction sites just look so yucky! I can see the bone in the upper socket so I guess I should be grateful I dont have the excruciating pain felt by some with dry socket. I do have a yucky sort of metallic taste in my mouth but I have been using a clorexsomething mouthrinse carefully to keep it clean. I will ring the dentist in the morning to be on the safe side. The gaps at the top look so big too, but my ortho says he needs 10mm each side at the top to give me a proper arch curve. I am sure the bone at the top will regrow but it just looks very 'sunken' at the side at the moment.

I am having my teeth done as a present to myself for my 50th birthday - I am only 47 but with othodontics you have to plan ahead!! I know you all are right -my 18 yr old younger son was a different/more confident person after his orthodontic work. He had to have jaw realignment + extractions + braces = 4 years in total so I feel like I am being a real whuss as mine will only take 2yrs!!

[chillin-in-grilz]

I had 8 extractions, 6 at one time and 2 another. i never did anything special but eat soft foods, never had problems with dry socket or anything.

They say not to use a straw cuz it can damage the holes....

I did that the second day, not realizin...but i had no problems and i kepted using straws.

If i wa sin pain which was very minimal just popped in 2 extra strength tyeenol and its all good

Good luck

BF2006

[loulou123]

Hi britlaw

if your extractions look nasty then id get them looked at asap, as i had a lot of problems after a routine extraction and ended up with a severe infection that spread into my jaw bone. this is NOT intended to worry you, but if your in any doubt i really would get in checked out.

Ive had the proceedure you spoke of, were they remove some of the jaw bone to gain access to the roots and it does leave a absolutey massive hole doesnt it! but it really does heal up just fine, although it takes abit longer than a normal extraction.

Hoe your feeling better and this hasnt scared you, as thats not the way its intended at all

Louise

[danish]

hi Britlaw,

The tooth extraction stage was without any comparison the worst part of my own brace experience. I had to have 4 bicuspids removed prior to my own treatment. 2 of them were surgically removed because the the teeth broke at the roots. I also had very healthy teeth with very long and firm roots. The oral surgeon opened up from the side of the gums to get all the remaining root stuff out. As the local anesthesia wore off I felt pretty miserable from the pain and looking into my mouth which looked like a battle ground. But having teeth extracted you have sort of moved beyond point of no return, so I'm always trying to look forward and focussing on the result achieved so far.

After a week or so the extraction sites were pretty much healed up. I didn't have serious dry socket problems but there was a day or two where I did have a killing pain from one extraction site. I thought about contacting the oral surgeon but the pain went over by itself. However, I think that if your pain does not wear off and the extraction site starts to look funny you ought to contact your dentist. Bad idea to touch the extraction site with sharp ends. Give it time to heal!

Still sore and sometimes bleeding. I couldn't really brush my teeth in the area around the extraction sites, so I used chlorhexidine mouth rinse also to disinfect and clean. However, one piece of advice: go easy with the chlorhexidine as it stains your teeth if you use it for more than a couple of days. Switch to salt water rinses after a couple of days.

Regarding the gaps. That's something that you have to get used to. I'm 3 months into treatment. My teeth are aligning perfectly but the gaps are still there. It looks funny but I try not to think about it!! Closing the gaps is apparantly not part of the initial process of teeth alignment but ask your ortho for more information (see the different steps in the teeth alignment process here: http://www.unc.edu/depts/appl_sci/ortho ... t/one.html)

Godspeed on your journey

Danish

[Britlaw]

Thanks to you all for your encouraging words

I read your blog Danish and I hope you have got over your downer before Christmas. I hear what you say though. People at work said to me "why the hell would you want to do that?" "at your age?!" "Whats the point?!" When I have the braces on I know they are going to look at me like I have two heads or something. My upper teeth are quite a lot like yours, except mine are a little worse and I dont have upper canines (removed as a child as they grew way up there!). Luckily, my next teeth back from where my canines should be are quite 'pointy' and my dentist is going to take the rear tip off them and restore them to look like canines. Looking at your teeth, the gaps and your progress so far made me feel so much better You also made me feel better having so few teeth! I have (now) only 12 teeth per jaw - which is what you have.....I was beginning to think the ortho or dentist had made some HUGE mistake!!

Re the extractions, I called dental surgeon but he's away. The practice is closed so I would have had to see an emergency locum (mega bucks I bet!). So I went to see my friendly local Dr this morning and he gave me two sets of antibiotics to be on safe side and told me that the upper nasty site wasnt as nasty as I thought it was. He said its healing but slowly because of the extra trauma but was spotlessly clean and provided I kept it that way it should be fine. Still no pain - except just 'sore' so thats good.

I'll pluck up the courage and take some pictures before 3rd when the first brace goes on.

[ibraceface]

Hi!

Yes and Yes.. I have had dry socket and bone loss from a bicuspid extraction site.

Dry Socket:

I had dry socket shortly after having my wisdom teeth removed. Believe me, you will KNOW whether or not it's dry socket because the pain is very distinct! I have a very high pain tolerance... and my dry socket left me up all night in tears! I had pain radiating from my eye socket to my jaw bone... and my cheeks and ear were THROBBING. Another obvious sign is you'll have a horrible odor/discharge coming from the socket with taste very very foul. I had to wait a few days to get it fixed as this happened on Christmas of last year. Once I went back to his office- he packed the site with some herb mixture... and I was better INSTANTLY. So... bottom line... if you think you have dry socket... head back to the surgeon pronto.

Bone Loss:

I had a little bit of bone cut out when my very stubborn bicuspid was extracted. My orthodontist assured me it was very normal... and the bone would remodel itself. Apprently... your jaw bone is continually broken down and built back up throughout orthodontic treatment anyways-- so no worries!

[Miss Smiley]

I had my premolars extracted before ortho treatment and I noticed that the only one that really gave me some pain was a tooth extracted that had previously had a root canal. It was a dull ache but nothing some meds couldn't cure. Luckily, I only had 2 wisdom teeth, both on the lowers and only 1 was extracted. That extraction was painless and after one night of soft foods, I was back to regular foods. My wisdom required a tiny bit of bone to be removed, I still feelt the tiny divet but no big deal. I just made sure to rinse out and try to keep my mouth as clean as possible. I used warm saltwater rinses or a bit of regular mouthwash diluted in a warm glass of water.

[minadee]

I had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted a couple of months ago and it was THE WORST pain I'd ever felt. Even with that, I didn't have a dry socket. My OS said, if you have a dry socket, you'll know. So I don't think you have one if it's not painful. Anyway, I have to have four more teeth out. One impacted cuspid, another cuspid and two lower bicuspids....so that's 8 teeth in all. I'm nervous about the gaps too, but my ortho said he was closing them up straightaway.

[Britlaw]

Well, I cant believe I have a major setback already

All was going so well despite my initial worries. I had all the extractions and despite a little difficulty they healed. I had the top brace put on Friday and everything was going great. Didnt need wax, no rubbing bearable dull ache rather than any pain, good reaction from friends and ppl at work etc. I was really happy. Then......

I broke of one piece of chocolate from the bar my husband was eating. I put it to the back of my mouth to bite it (where I have no brackets/wire) but I caught the bracketted premolars when I bit and felt a sharp pain at the top. Brace is untouched but the sensitivity and pain on biting remained so I went to Dentist first thing yesterday and I have a fracture across the root of that tooth I feared this would happen - i.e. I would have perfectly good teeth out for a problem to arise with another next door. He suspects I will lose the tooth and possibly fairly quickly. Fractures can sort of heal and so last a while if they are stabilised but here we are moving my teeth around so the pressure is on it, so its likely to give me trouble and need extracting - as if the gap I have at 1cm isnt big enough already! I came out of the dentist in floods of tears and currently am regretting starting this process. I am lucky in that I can afford an implant if necessary but that cant be done until the ortho work is over. If I lose the tooth I dont know I can live with the gap for so long without getting really depressed about it.

I know life is much crueler to many others but this has really upset me. Dentist has said to try not to worry. He said to leave it there and see what happens unless it causes pain (its only mildly painful to bite and as I am now on soft food I can avoid biting there altogether without any trouble and there is not hot/cold sensitivity so far). If pain, he can try a root canal but that might not work or make it worse and require an immediate extraction so he says save that for when there is pain and treatment inevitable. He says it might settle down for a while as only 1st stage archwire on and this tooth not really being required to move very far currently. If it lasts, the problem will be with the powerchains to close the gaps, as this tooth has to move almost 1cm backwards. Anyway, I have to go back in 2 weeks for him to then test the tooth.

Oh well, thanks for listening guys. I am usually a really upbeat person normally, now my teeth have turned me into a monster!

[Britlaw]

Meryaten, you always are so optimistic and uplifting, bless you. I am still feeling despondent (kept crying today in restroom at work and I am the bl**dy boss!) but I guess the critical thing with othodontics is, once you have the extractions done, there is no turning back so you just have to find a solution, even if you do regret starting in the first place. I have appt with dentist to review the tooth on 21st. In the meantime I am applying zero pressure to it and have even taken to putting a cosmetic sponge (large enough not to choke!) in my mouth on that side at night as I know I clench whilst asleep and also 'slam' my teeth shut (so my husband tells me but I also have tongue scars to prove it!). I just pray he can mend it/ I can keep it, even for a little while. I also called orthodontist who said "how did that happen?!" I said "does it matter?, it happened!" (grumpy huh?!). He was with a patient but said he'd talk with dentist after 2nd exam and look at what they could collectively do to help with appearance if necessary and we'd discuss on 4th Feb if not sooner if I had problems but the brace is at least keeping it stable.

My main worry is that I have this noticable gaping gap with visible bone loss already and now I might not have a tooth to move into it and if it has to come out in the meantime thegap will be like 2 cm. I will be talking to the dentist (also an implantologist) re if the tooth will be lost, whether he should be preparing me for the implant now whilst the extraction site is relatively new - the site of any implant and the teeth behind it dont need to go anywhere.

I havent told anyone except my husband who of course told me not to worry, that we'll fix it whatever the cost etc. but I know that if the problem becomes obvious, other people will call me an idiot for doing this in the first place at my age. I do count myself as fortunate in the cost repsect at least, as I dont know how I would be feeling right now if I had bust a gut to find the money to sort my teeth out in the first place, as I know others have.

Not sure getting it off my chest makes it feel any better but I guess its better out than in. Will go and try and get some sleep.

[mstikl1]

Chin up, doll - from another gal age 49, almost 3 months into braces!
At my age I know what I want and to heck with anyone with a negative comment! I've waited so long to be able to afford this, but the result is going to be a happier healthier *me* even if no one else notices the difference!
I am so sorry about your fracture; like Denise said - too bad it couldn't have happened prior the extractions! But maybe it will heal itself. Did the ortho talk to you about taking off the bracket so as not to put pressure on the root while it heals? Maybe an option....
Sounds like you have a lovely supportive hubby to give you hugs (and chocolate!) when the going gets rough. It really does make a difference, doesn't it? Mine is so patient w/me and all my complaints, and honestly, I have quite a few. I do believe that the older we are, the more difficult it is - maybe in only in part due to physiology.
I haven't read here many people having the kind of pain and general discomfort I've experienced, but many are indeed quite a bit younger. I know I've got a high pain tolerance, but this is ridiculous....
And you, dear person, have had one heck of a beginning!
I will continue to send you my best wishes - keep your eyes on the goal and don't let anyone deter you!
Sending you a brilliant smile underneath all this tin!