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What is common at an adjustment visit?

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:32 am
by Boohill
Today is my first adjustment. I’m so excited. What should I expect? Can anyone share their experiences? I know they will change my ligs but what else should be expected. I know every ones treatment is different but I was wondering what is common at an adjustment? Are there any questions I should ask?

Thanks everyone.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:05 am
by Audra
At my first adjustment I got a new wire. That was about it.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:10 am
by amandabrown
Yep, me too. Just changed out the wire and that was it!

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:12 am
by evilnel
At my first adjustment they changed my top wire and put on the bottom braces, bite blocks, and spacers (I got the top first). Oh yeah, and they added a power chain to the top.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:21 am
by Boohill
Did you guys get a different size wire or just a new one? Because if it was a different size, that means you had some movement right? :thumbsup: :jump: I have noticed that one of my teeth has straightened out. But I have alot more straightening to go.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:35 am
by Audra
Yes, I got a bigger wire (still round) and I had movement. But my appointments were spaced 10-12 weeks between adjustments in the beginning.

So, not sure if you will get a new wire so soon or just a lig change.

I did have discomfort after each new wire - just like the first days in braces, so be prepared for that - and good luck today :)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:39 am
by dub02
I'm only in braces for 8months...so the dentist is seeing me every 3-4 weeks...he's putting in a "heavier wire" in 2 weeks..is this a good or a bad thing...should i be worried...I'm in braces since December 09

ps...are adjustments meant to be so painful...I leap out of the chair every time or is my ortho just showing me tough love :cry:

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:27 am
by Margie
When I went for my first adjustment about 2 months after I got my braces put on they just poked around in my mouth for a bit, I don't know what they actually did, but they didn't take anything out or put anything new in, then they told me to come back in 3 months. Then for my second adjustment I got a new, thicker wire. My next adjustment is in about 2 weeks, I hope I get a new wire or something.

And I have self ligating braces so I don't have ligs to change or anything like that.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:52 pm
by evilnel
I went from a very small round wire right to a square one. I'm not sure if this is common (some people seem to be on round for a while) but I definitely saw movement from day 1 to adjustment 1 and then onward.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:18 pm
by Boohill
Thanks Audra

evilnel that’s very encouraging. Go teeth!! I’m going to post some more pictures on my story and see if you guys can see movement. Sometimes I think I’m seeing things because I’m looking at these teeth all day. But I definitely notice spaces on both sides of one of my bottom teeth that were not there before. And one of my top teeth has rotated from behind my central incisor. It’s just amazing! I can’t wait to see something drastic so that I know I’m not crazy. That’s why I’m hoping for a wire change because that means something has changed.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:20 pm
by b
my favorite part of adjustments is getting to brush and floss my teeth without the wire in. Its so easy to floss, I never realized how spoiled I was before I got the braces.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:27 pm
by Boohill
Wow b
I never even thought about that. I didnt realize they allowed you to brush without the wire in there. Makes sense. :roll: (remember this is my first adjustment so I dont know.) Yeah flossing would be great. It takes so long to floss at night, my mouth is always tired of being open for so long. So that should be a breeze. Looking forward to that even if its not today. Thanks

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:20 pm
by kilikena311
My ortho's office never offers to let me brush or floss with the wires out. They just do the adjustment and off I go.

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:49 pm
by blindboarder2008
at my first adjustment all they did was take off the top wire and replace it with a thicker wire, the bottom one wasn't quite ready to be switchd to that basically all that happened.

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:31 pm
by nuttynat
well I went today for what I thought was going to be my first adjustment & lig change.. I needed my lig change cause I stained them with a Japanese curry!!! But oh no, he just looked around in my mouth, made a few comments about not brushing my back teeth enough then told me to come back in a week so he can put screws in my gum for elastics! what is up with that! so strange.