How do you pass the time when you're in the chair?...

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#1 Post by **berry** » Sun May 23, 2010 10:20 am

It didn't seem to take long to have my braces fitted (although it was only the top one). In fact, I didn't even think about the length of time it would take/did take... in my opinion, I wouldn't worry about it, just go and get it done

I'd rather listen to what they are saying and what's going on, so for me I like to just lie there and let them do it!

Good luck

#2 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Sun May 23, 2010 12:17 pm

When I got my braces on, the assistant was talking to me throughout the entire time. She would explain to me what she was doing, tell me if she needed me to move my head, bite down, she made small talk also...I don't know if listening to music would be helpful to the one putting the braces on. It didn't take more than an hour to do top and bottom.

#3 Post by **eeyore1997** » Sun May 23, 2010 4:44 pm

My ortho doesn't say much when he's working, either. It doesn't bother me because he always works on me personally--I've never had an assistant do anything other than hold equipment for him (I assume this is because I'm a complicated case--I have a severe overjet which we are not correcting surgically).

Anyways, the office was very quiet when I was in getting braced top and bottom, and I actually fell asleep during the process! My ortho laughed at me a bit but said he's seen adults fall asleep during the procedure before. It was actually kinda nice---I woke up and my braces were all on!!!!!

Good luck tomorrow!

#4 Post by **Jewles** » Sun May 23, 2010 5:20 pm

I had top and bottom done at the same time and it took under an hour

Just sit back and relax!

#5 Post by **cathykay** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:09 pm

I didn't do anything while getting my braces on. First, the assistant put on the molar bands and that had a lot of "Bite down, open, bite." During that, having headphones on wouldn't have worked even if I had wanted them. My orthodontists office has music playing but I don't remember if I was able to hear it at the time. If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring your iPod and ask your orthodontist when a good time to put it on would be. There's not much else you can do while laying back in a chair getting your braces put on anyway! I just tried to relax and thought about how I was getting braces.

#6 Post by **pumpkinpatch** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:29 pm

I think if you ask your ortho if you could bring your Ipod, s/he would be fine with it. Maybe if you took it out of nowhere without telling him/her first, it would be weird. However, I really think your ortho would be glad to let you do anything that makes you feel more comfortable. Good luck!

#7 Post by **bracesrox** » Mon May 24, 2010 2:52 am

My orthodontist talked to me the whole time doing my upper arch and his assistant didn't do anything other than place a dab of glue on the brackets when he asked her to. I also got wire ties and he is the only one that can do them so I get 100% of my orthos time in the chair. I'm glad he doesn't use molar bands or cheek retractors. I also got a call from his office that evening and again the next asking how the pain and comfort levels were on a 1-10 scale. I go for my lower arch in 6 weeks. I'm tempted to ask for wire ties again because I enjoy no staining.

#8 Post by **DrBlur** » Mon May 24, 2010 6:31 am

Snowglobe32 wrote:When I got my braces on, the assistant was talking to me throughout the entire time. She would explain to me what she was doing, tell me if she needed me to move my head, bite down, she made small talk also...I don't know if listening to music would be helpful to the one putting the braces on. It didn't take more than an hour to do top and bottom.

same here, it wasn't bad at all

#9 Post by **evilnel** » Mon May 24, 2010 11:28 am

My ortho's office faces a pretty little meadow and they have bird feeders out that attract lots of pretty, colorful birds. I watch them until they lay me down, and then I sit there trying to respond to the tech talking to me. I just listen, but I'm a chatterbox so it's hard to sit silently while somebody has their fingers in my mouth!

#10 Post by **drrick** » Mon May 24, 2010 1:34 pm

I have no problem if someone wants to listen to their ipod (I think most docs dont mind) I usually just tell the pt to keep the volume to where if we need to give some instructions they can still hear it.

I have TV's over the chair too so pts can watch satellite if they choose.

#11 Post by **Quietartist** » Tue May 25, 2010 2:03 pm

When I got my braces put on, my orthodontist actually suggested I bring my iPod. It took about an hour and a half for both top and bottom, so it was nice to listen to some music to pass the time.

#12 Post by **jambo532** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:40 pm

awkward haha... yeah you're just staring up at him like a big goof with weird apprentices inside your mouth. No, it really doesn't take that long but what you could do is bring an ipod or something to make it go faster.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

#13 Post by **alimommy1** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:58 pm

Question for you - you had two brackets and elastics only to correct an underbite? Hmmmm. I wonder if that would be more cost effective and easier than an IA.

Second, when I had my braces put on, it was almost like when you get molds taken. They were all put on my teeth at once, so it didn't take much time at all. I've seen some videos where an ortho puts them all on individually, or if they have to move one or two because they aren't in the right place, but apparently mine were all in the right place.

#14 Post by **alimommy1** » Mon May 31, 2010 9:00 pm

Also, I don't think they'd think it was odd to have a patient bring an iPod or a cell phone either. My regular dentist has tv and movies or game systems even. I always have my phone with me wherever I go, and it has a music player in it.