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Okay so as you can see (below) my teeth were extracted and the ortho is moving my canine back. I'm so confused on whats going on. I just know my next adjustment is in 4wks, when they are usually 6 wks. Do you think I'm getting ELASTICS???????!!! im not ready!
I don't get how elastics are going to work to pull my front teeth (anteriors) back..if the hook is on the canine bracket and there is a hook on my bottom teeth..more forward than the one at the top.
i know i should just ask the ortho..but im scared. lol.. so help me please
Elastics really aren't that bad. What your ortho might do is give you elastics that go from your upper canines to your lower molar brackets. I had that arrangement with elastics for about 8 weeks and it wasn't too bad. I actually prefer it to the upper canine to lower canine that I'm supposed to have right now.
I have elastics from my canines to my bottom molars. The elastics are only 6 mm in diameter, and as they stretch between the two points, they exert the pull. As long as the distance between the two attachment points are more than 6 mm (!) you will have some pulling motion of your uppers to the back of your mouth.
I haven't had any pain or problems talking with elastics, even the heavy ones I have one now. I almost like wearing them because I know that they're working on my teeth and I feel like I'm that much closer to finishing my treatment. I only feel a pull of pressure, but no pain.
Like you, I was also worried about wearing elastics, but now that I have them, I realize that they're really quite easy to wear.
My treatment was very similar to yours and I never had elastics during the gap closing process. My ortho used powerchains and metal ties to close the extraction gaps. Once all the gaps were closed, he used elastics to settle my bite, linking upper and lower molars. I loved the results from the elastics and they never caused any problems.
I'm getting debanded on Nov 26 after 3 years and 7 months in braces. Hooray!
I spent 15 months straight in elastics. There not that bad. It may be sore for a few days but nothing serious....just takes a bit of getting used to. But no worries you'll forget about them eventually and just like braces just becomes something routine.
Sentenced: 20-24 months
Braced May 11, 2007
Debraced Feb. 23, 2009
21 months in braces, 17 months in elastic, NO regrets!! Now in Hawley retainers!!
ok..thank u all for the replies..that takes a lot of stress and worries away. I feel a lot better! phew! i hope I get metal ties. I love the suspense of not knowing whats going to happen at my next adjustment.
im not ready!
