wire sequence

Message

#1 Post by **psych braces** » Wed May 12, 2010 8:04 pm

I will be braced next week. The plan is to begin with a NiTi archwire. When I searched NiTi on the web I found that it is a strong wire used for rapid tooth movement. Strength for rapid movement makes me think of more than just a couple weeks of pain. Wondering if everyone starts out this way.

#2 Post by **catgyrl** » Wed May 12, 2010 8:24 pm

I believe there are different sizes/strengths of NiTi archwires. I started out at a .012 on April 9th. I had my first adjustment on 5/6, and they changed the top to a .018 and the bottom to a .014 and boy... can I feel the difference, especially on the top.

Perhaps others on here who are more experienced can chime in.

#3 Post by **catgyrl** » Wed May 12, 2010 9:13 pm

Sorry, I meant to clarify that when I had the .012, I wasn't in any pain at all. I think those are the lowest grade wire, and they loosened up the teeth ever so slowly. It's a very flexible wire that you wouldn't think could actually move teeth, but it does. My lower front teeth straightened up really well in just 3 weeks with that wire.

(Sure wish we could edit posts on here...)

#4 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Wed May 12, 2010 11:16 pm

My first wire was the "lowest". My ortho said it was to wake up the teeth. It was a really thin, circular/round wire and it did wake up my teeth! I saw some movement within the first 2 weeks. My second is a tad bit thicker and squared. I get my third wire in a few weeks.

Any pain that you get will probably be minimal. Of course, you will have the initial weirdness that last about 1-2 weeks after getting braced. Everything is new and you are not used to the changes that will occur so you may freak out a bit. I like to say the shock of braces is more psychological than physical.

Then after adjustments, if they change stuff, you may have some discomfort for a few days after...such as sore teeth, headache...it really is not that big of a deal. It is also a weird feeling, the discomfort tells me things are moving and I did get disappointed after one appointment when there was no wire change at all.

Don't know if you are a female but my cramps are worse than any pain I have had from braces.

#5 Post by **I love my teeth** » Thu May 13, 2010 8:10 am

I started with a round niti wire, then moved to a square one (.22 maybe??)--then went to 1 or 2 stainless steel ones, then on top I have flipflopped back and forth between niti and stainless--whenever he does a major change, I go back to niti for 4-6weeks--like when my tpa was installed, or I got molar bands on the last molars, or like now-I had 8 front brackets reattached--so I am back on the niti, in 2 weeks I go in for my 6week adjustment and will switch back to stainless steel........I agree with snowglobe cramps are worse than any adjustment pain from braces!

#6 Post by **drrick** » Thu May 13, 2010 8:16 am

Most cases are started with round wire (that would be one number i.e. 016) then progress to rectangular wire (2 numbers i.e. 19 x 25)

Generally cases are started with a light low force small niti wire to 'wake up the teeth' (I like that line) which just means to get everything starting to moving ever so slowly and comfortably. If you try to put too big of a wire in too fast the teeth just get sore and dont move so it makes no sense to start out with a huge wire.

#7 Post by **psych braces** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:17 am

thanks for the wire info. I will be starting with a .016 NiTi. What is a TPA ("like when my tpa was installed")? I can tolerate cramps and feel much more at ease after hearing that analogy.

#8 Post by **psych braces** » Thu May 13, 2010 11:05 am

I just researched the tpa and found this great essay at http://www.archwired.com/TPA.htm
A TPA was never mentioned in my treatment plan...quite happy about that because speaking is a major part of my livelyhood.

#9 Post by **I love my teeth** » Thu May 13, 2010 11:05 am

trans palital arch---I think it's sort of like a retainer on the roof of my mouth--goes from the firstmolar to first molar......purpose I think is to keep the molars from moving forward as he is applying force to bring the front teeth back.......I had lots of gaps and an 11-12mm overjet--so apparently, that takes a lot of force to correct, ??

#10 Post by **drrick** » Thu May 13, 2010 12:22 pm

yes TPA=transpalatal arch.

There is also an archwire called TMA

#11 Post by **psych braces** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:25 pm

The TMA is next in the sequence. It that a larger stronger archwire?

#12 Post by **kilikena311** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:19 pm

They started me with 014 NiTi, then changed to 016, they put a round stainless wire on my bottom arch for a month then switched it back to the 016 NiTi and I had the same wires for about 7 months. This month they put 16X22 wires on both arches, and I believe that they are stainless steel. I'm only having mild discomfort from the wire change though. I was given an 18 month sentence, and I"m hoping to be done in October, though I've not bothered to ask. If it takes longer then it takes longer.

#13 Post by **Lisablueeyes1** » Thu May 13, 2010 9:05 pm

Omg... What's wrong with me???? How do I not know what type of wire I have on!!! Is there some type of questions I need to take along to ask at my next adjustment? ( I was braced feb/12/10)

#14 Post by **kilikena311** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:31 pm

I just hear what the ortho tells the assistant to put in there

I don't think it's a big deal at all if you don't know what wire you have in there.

#15 Post by **catgyrl** » Fri May 14, 2010 9:11 am

Lisablueeyes1-

Kilikena311 is right. I basically overheard what my ortho was telling the assistant to use, and I piped up and asked for clarification because (a) I'm nosey and controlling and want to know what they're doing to me; and (b) I needed the info to post here.

She was more than happy to tell me, though she didn't go into great detail. I still had to go online and look up what a ".018 NiTi" was.

I find it funny (and slightly relieving) that my ortho isn't the only one with apparent "communication issues". It seems as if many orthos don't see the need to explain what they're doing to their adult patients. You come in, sit in the chair; they do whatever it is they do... and send you on your way. Maybe they're so accustomed to working with children (whose parents don't care what they're doing as long as their kids' teeth are fixed)?