Metal Mouth Message Board

It looks like many members here have complicated cases that require lots of prep work before actually having braces applied to their teeth.

I have a complicated case, but all of my prep work was done with other physicians- including the xrays- I have about 20 xrays of my jaw and teeth and various other head shots all taken since November 07.

I've seen my orthodontist once for my initial consult and evaluation. I will see her again on the 21st to have my braces put on. I'm starting to think this is a little unusual. We took bite impressions the same visit of my consult for the ortho's reference and for new splints. We expect to create a new split about every 4 to 6 months so that we can keep my TMJ happy. I think she's going to track down a few copies of my xrays for her records but she hasn't asked for anything else from me. Well, except payment on the day I get braced, but that's not unusual.

How many times did you see your orthodontist before having your braces put on?

I only had 2 visits. But my case is not that serious. The fist one I went for the consult the second I went for my records (the moulds, x-rays, etc) then the 3rd visit I was fully braced. It all happened within 2 weeks

Katt- your 2 week wait time is enviable. I've been waiting for 3 weeks so far. Which in reality isn't that long but I am the type of person that once I've made my decision, I want to move forward! The ortho could have worked me in earlier but my work schedule is messy. And I wanted 4 full days to get through the initial what-have-I-done-I-can't-eat-it-hurts stage before returning to the office.

It's good to know that very little contact before hand with the ortho isn't totally unheard of.

I went for 2 consults before I got my braces on.

One for the consult where he also took molds and sent me off to get my cephalometric x-ray.

Then a couple of months later another one for the photos and to discuss the treatment plan in greater detail.

The third I got my spacers which was last Friday. And the fourth will be on the 14th of this month to get my top row on and my molar bands.

And I'll just add...

SPACERS SUCK!!!!! Argh!!

I got mine on the 2nd visit. My first visit was the consult. I got my x-rays, molds and spacers on the same day. I went back about a month later (enough time for the spacers to work) and got my braces.

My first visit was the initial consultation, second was records, third was a 'treatment consultation' type visit where he explained the possible options after reviewing my records, fourth was spacers, and fifth was braces! I also had a consultation with an oral surgeon and another visit to him to place two mini screws, before I had my braces put on.

I know exactly how you feel about waiting, I too like to get stuck into something as soon as I have decided to go ahead with it I waited over two months between the first and last visit (although most of this waiting time was due to the oral surgeon being very busy and having to wait for appointments), and I found trying not to think about it and finding things to do that would pass the time helped

Thanks for the tips, smiletagious! I'm trying to keep busy at work but I have this very helpful calendar posted front and center to remind me how many days until brace day. I can't seem to help it! Waiting over two months would be torture! At least you were having additional work done in the meantime- moving forward.



It seems like spacers were pretty standard for people here. I'm going right into the full brace gear, no spacers.

kittymeow84- hang in there! It's got to get better at some point.

I had to wait for about 6 months before getting braced because I had to get an RPE and later a quadhelix and lingual bar as well.

Hi Crymsyn,

I was braced on my second appointment. I went in for my consult on 11/13/07, which lasted about 45 minutes and the ortho went over everything with me as far as a treatment plan would go, I received the letter from them 2 days later and planned my appointment on 1/10/08, and record were done before placement.

The only reason I was spaced out 2 months because I needed to figure out what things cost for my FSA and then I needed to wait until after the new year for it to kick in. If I didn't have to wait for all of the above, I would have gotten in within 2-3 weeks.

Good luck!

B

1 consult which included records and 2nd appointment was b-day. They told me to come to schedule b-day after I had my cleaning, restorations, and extractions.

My first visit was July of last year and I've yet to be braced. I do have my expander though, and I had my first surgery. My ortho is in high demand and people wait six months or more to see him from the initial consult until the molds/xrays. The third visit in explanining things and $$, and then a normal person would be braced on the fourth visit which for this orhto would be probably at very minimal 6-8 months since the first visit. I was lucky, I got on the cancellation list. If I hadn't, I'd still be waiting for my $$ visit.

It seems each case is different regarding timing, nothing unusual about that.

I have rubber SPACERS and had metal spacers installed last week. Couldn't agree more - they are TERRIBLE!

I've had 5 visits from consultation to x-rays to more consultations and before I knew it the nasty little buggers (Spacers) were in.

It's such a big decision and all your docs want the best for you with the best outcome. Hang in there! It's all worth it. (I keep repeating to myself). Moving forward.........!!

I went in for my first consult last June. I just got my brackets put on today.

The problem was a "pocket" from when I had my wisdom tooth removed -- she wanted that checked by a periodontist first. I spent several months going back and forth with the periodontist (who did a distal wedge) before she finally approved me late last month.

I have the brackets on now, along with the molar spacers, and will be getting the wires and bands in a week (what I consider to be "really" getting braces).

1st: Initial Consultation
2nd: Records--Taking molds wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered when I was a teenager
3rd: Treatment Plan
4th: Spacers, for one week, then
5th: Braces

It should have taken around a month to a month and a half to get from the 1st to the 5th but I had a few detours including buying a house without having first sold the old one and another $1500 of unbudgeted pre-braces dental work that had to be done before I could get braces. It ended up taking a little over six months from initial consult to braces.