I don't know but I feel like a total wuss with this whole process. Dental procedures never bothered me before. I have had fillings and root canals and none of that stuff has caused me as much as discomfort as having braces. I went in for my third appointment today and it was decided that I needed new power chains back on the upper and lower portions of my teeth. So I think okay no big deal. I had these first put on the day I got the braces.
While being uncomfortable with a new experience I dealt with it. However today even the act of having the new power chains applied was more than enough pressure that felt like my teeth were about to come out. The pressure was unbelievable to the point where I started to shed a tear. The assistant keep saying I am sorry. I don't normally express emotion like that in public places but it was a bit too much for me. I was told that they are going to keep placing powerchains so I guess I have to grin and bear it. Now I am getting all nervous for when they actually have to replace my wires.
Anyone else have feel they have a low pain tolerance?
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blackapple
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:18 pm
Braces hurt a lot more than I ever expected them to. I've had mine for four months and I haven't had a pain-free day the entire time. The appointments are killer and the days afterward excruciating. I had my most recent tightening a week ago and brushing my teeth is agony because I push on them when I brush.
The doctor says I'm in so much pain because 1) I'm an adult and my teeth were pretty much set where they were and 2) because they're moving around a lot, which is a good thing. I've always had a pretty high pain threshold and was very surprised by how much pain I've had.
To tell the honest truth, I wish I'd never done it. I'm not the type who can pay this kind of price for vanity without feeling like a fool.
But you're not alone
The doctor says I'm in so much pain because 1) I'm an adult and my teeth were pretty much set where they were and 2) because they're moving around a lot, which is a good thing. I've always had a pretty high pain threshold and was very surprised by how much pain I've had.
To tell the honest truth, I wish I'd never done it. I'm not the type who can pay this kind of price for vanity without feeling like a fool.
But you're not alone
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38Illinois
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:13 pm
- Location: Illinois, USA
Spurfy -
I hear you loud and clear. I am a little over 2 months in. I have had penatly of soreness. I was very worried about my first adjustment. I told them I was very sore still and they gave me the option to change the wire on that visit. I sucked it up and let them change it. The thicker wire actually hurts less because it hold the teeth stronger. My top front teeth were very sore for the first 6 weeks, but know they feel fine. But, it will be rotating tooth pain through out. Yesterday my bottom front tooth was killing me and I was very worried about it, today it is almost fine. As adults were are less accepting of the discomfort. Luckily we have this website to vent and after a few dozen months it will be all over.
I hear you loud and clear. I am a little over 2 months in. I have had penatly of soreness. I was very worried about my first adjustment. I told them I was very sore still and they gave me the option to change the wire on that visit. I sucked it up and let them change it. The thicker wire actually hurts less because it hold the teeth stronger. My top front teeth were very sore for the first 6 weeks, but know they feel fine. But, it will be rotating tooth pain through out. Yesterday my bottom front tooth was killing me and I was very worried about it, today it is almost fine. As adults were are less accepting of the discomfort. Luckily we have this website to vent and after a few dozen months it will be all over.
Braces on July 31, 2010
Braces off November 1, 2011
Braces off November 1, 2011
Speaking of pain tolerance....i went through two labors till 7cm before i got epiderals, and one broken tailbone without taking meds for the pain but these braces still make me cry sometimes. I actually couldn't eat a soft carrot the other day...but of course couldn't spit it out cause my 6 year old was watching and looking for a reason not to eat. lol. In most things i just power through pain cause i have things to do and can't sit around and baby myself. But with the braces there are some mornings my hubby has to bring me an advil at 4am so i can get out of bed at 630. Teeth moving freak'n hurts, but i would do it again if i had to. Even when i cried while eating mac N cheese I thought "Totally worth it."
29 years old
2-18-10 baby canine pulled
3-15-10 got braces
12-22-11 Moving-SO EXCITED!!
1-2-12 Meet new Ortho
1-5-12 Begin finishing treatment
3-5-12 Canine Implants...dun dun dunnnnn
4-9-12 Deband!
I had braces for Two Years and TwentyFive Days
2-18-10 baby canine pulled
3-15-10 got braces
12-22-11 Moving-SO EXCITED!!
1-2-12 Meet new Ortho
1-5-12 Begin finishing treatment
3-5-12 Canine Implants...dun dun dunnnnn
4-9-12 Deband!
I had braces for Two Years and TwentyFive Days
I think it has been more painful than I expected, especially right after I first got banded.
I have to say, I am *very* thankful that my ortho does not do the old style spacers, then brackets around the molars like all the orthos used to do. I had a fixed retainer when I was 10 and I remember that being a lot more painful than my braces were at first. I'm glad the back brackets are just glued to my teeth!
Still, I've been a lot more sore than I expected. I have had my top wire changed twice already so I haven't really had a lot time "down" time in the past 5 weeks since I got banded, but the last adjustment where the wire was stepped up was less painful than I thought it'd be. Hopefully as treatment goes on, it'll get less intense, because I can't imagine having to put my child(ren) through this in the future knowing how much it sucks!
I have to say, I am *very* thankful that my ortho does not do the old style spacers, then brackets around the molars like all the orthos used to do. I had a fixed retainer when I was 10 and I remember that being a lot more painful than my braces were at first. I'm glad the back brackets are just glued to my teeth!
Still, I've been a lot more sore than I expected. I have had my top wire changed twice already so I haven't really had a lot time "down" time in the past 5 weeks since I got banded, but the last adjustment where the wire was stepped up was less painful than I thought it'd be. Hopefully as treatment goes on, it'll get less intense, because I can't imagine having to put my child(ren) through this in the future knowing how much it sucks!
I've been feeling like a complete wuss too!! Had 2 months so far, was introduced to powerchains on Monday and it just makes things worse!!! When i heard the ortho say to his assistant "pass the powerchains" I nearly started crying!
I'm glad Im not the only one suffering - sorry for being glad you lot are in pain too!!
I find myself clenching my teeth all the time - makes them hurt but weirdly I have to do it, dont seem to be able to help it! Anyone else get this?!
I'm glad Im not the only one suffering - sorry for being glad you lot are in pain too!!
I find myself clenching my teeth all the time - makes them hurt but weirdly I have to do it, dont seem to be able to help it! Anyone else get this?!
I generally have a high pain tolerance - when something is "forced" it usually results in "pain" of some sort until you get used to it. Simple as that. In fact, I'm usually really surprised to hear that other people are surprised that having braces results in either sharp moments of pain, dull/droning durations of minimal pain, or both.
However...
...I feel like I'm going to DIE whenever I have to undergo a bracket reposition or replacement!! (I've had brackets repositioned a few times.) My teeth have always been temperature sensitive, so the sensation of cold water or cold air make my soul shudder and then I want run away, cry, and give up on my braces endeavor entirely. Truthfully, I'm T-E-R-R-I-F-I-E-D of being debanded. I've already devised a pain-reliever-Orajel-canker-sore-ointment concoction for the big day so that my mouth is numb and my senses are nulled....
Not quite the same, but it's all I can relate to. Must be nice not having sensitive teeth. ;-(
However...
...I feel like I'm going to DIE whenever I have to undergo a bracket reposition or replacement!! (I've had brackets repositioned a few times.) My teeth have always been temperature sensitive, so the sensation of cold water or cold air make my soul shudder and then I want run away, cry, and give up on my braces endeavor entirely. Truthfully, I'm T-E-R-R-I-F-I-E-D of being debanded. I've already devised a pain-reliever-Orajel-canker-sore-ointment concoction for the big day so that my mouth is numb and my senses are nulled....
Not quite the same, but it's all I can relate to. Must be nice not having sensitive teeth. ;-(
08 Apr 2008 - Front teeth braced.
...
30 Aug 2010 - New bracket brand placed on upper four incisors.
Initial Ortho Sentence: 18-20 months.
...
30 Aug 2010 - New bracket brand placed on upper four incisors.
Initial Ortho Sentence: 18-20 months.
Neptune-
Can you PM me your "recipe"? I'm serious! I had brackets replaced, and the sanding down of the glue had my butt almost flying out of the chair. And that was just the TOP row. I'm hoping that it's just because the teeth were moving and sensitive, and that when it comes to debanding time, they'll be more stable.
I think I have a moderate pain tolerance... but for some reason, I'm a big wuss when it comes to dull, throbbing headaches. I got a new wire and small powerchain yesterday, and I've had this dull headache ever since. I think I might rather just have a couple of super-sore teeth instead.
I have my Orajel and pain relievers ready. Anything else I need?
-Cathy
Can you PM me your "recipe"? I'm serious! I had brackets replaced, and the sanding down of the glue had my butt almost flying out of the chair. And that was just the TOP row. I'm hoping that it's just because the teeth were moving and sensitive, and that when it comes to debanding time, they'll be more stable.
I think I have a moderate pain tolerance... but for some reason, I'm a big wuss when it comes to dull, throbbing headaches. I got a new wire and small powerchain yesterday, and I've had this dull headache ever since. I think I might rather just have a couple of super-sore teeth instead.
I have my Orajel and pain relievers ready. Anything else I need?
-Cathy
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jensceana73
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:11 pm
- Location: cow country
- Contact:
I'm so glad I found this thread.
It's funny..my whole life I've been told that I must have a high tolerance for pain (2 C-sections, no pain killers afterwords...gave birth to a 10lb baby...no drugs...ran my arm through a metal pole...stitches were nothing, cut all of my knuckles to the bone...stitches were nothing, when I was told it's gonna hurt like hell)...that was, till I got braces.
I've often wondered over the last 6 months.."am I becoming a...wussy???" It's to the point now where I went from I totally couldn't wait for an adjustment just to hear what the Ortho had to say, where now...I...absoultly....dread...them, cause it's like being tortured for 45 straight minutes. I've actually had beads of sweat running down my forehead, and pools of it gathering in places we won't mention.
BUT....I have learned one thing and I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else feels this way.....It make a world....WORLD..of difference as to how much pain you feel, on who you get.
If I get my Ortho's personal assistant, or one of the girls who's been doing it for a long time...a way...WAY....better experience....if I get old nurse hatchet....I'm about crying before I even get in the chair. If the tech knows what she's doing and knows where to put the counter pressure....it makes life....and my teeth..a whole lot happier. If not, I swear to god there's been time's where I thought my tooth/teeth were going to come right out it hurt so bad. My last visit, after about the 5th time of her not putting counter pressure against the tooth she's ligging....I started shaking from the pain. Couldn't control it. I felt...like...a.....wimp.
I have often joked about sucking on a wash cloth soaked in vodka before I go.....after that last visit.....it might become a reality.
It's funny..my whole life I've been told that I must have a high tolerance for pain (2 C-sections, no pain killers afterwords...gave birth to a 10lb baby...no drugs...ran my arm through a metal pole...stitches were nothing, cut all of my knuckles to the bone...stitches were nothing, when I was told it's gonna hurt like hell)...that was, till I got braces.
I've often wondered over the last 6 months.."am I becoming a...wussy???" It's to the point now where I went from I totally couldn't wait for an adjustment just to hear what the Ortho had to say, where now...I...absoultly....dread...them, cause it's like being tortured for 45 straight minutes. I've actually had beads of sweat running down my forehead, and pools of it gathering in places we won't mention.
BUT....I have learned one thing and I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else feels this way.....It make a world....WORLD..of difference as to how much pain you feel, on who you get.
If I get my Ortho's personal assistant, or one of the girls who's been doing it for a long time...a way...WAY....better experience....if I get old nurse hatchet....I'm about crying before I even get in the chair. If the tech knows what she's doing and knows where to put the counter pressure....it makes life....and my teeth..a whole lot happier. If not, I swear to god there's been time's where I thought my tooth/teeth were going to come right out it hurt so bad. My last visit, after about the 5th time of her not putting counter pressure against the tooth she's ligging....I started shaking from the pain. Couldn't control it. I felt...like...a.....wimp.
I have often joked about sucking on a wash cloth soaked in vodka before I go.....after that last visit.....it might become a reality.
If God wanted me to have straight teeth, he would have made my parents rich..or so I was told....
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38Illinois
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:13 pm
- Location: Illinois, USA
I agree with the last post about who you get to do the adjustment. There is one older lady at my ortho who doesn't get it and doesn't try to help with the counter balance. I am going to demand I do not get her anymore. Some assistances are used to younger kids that don't complain, but I am no kid and paying good money. It's time that they understand we deserve kind service.
Braces on July 31, 2010
Braces off November 1, 2011
Braces off November 1, 2011
Pain
I am totally with you on this one. I had no idea how painful it would be. I have been through so many teeth related issues, fillings, root canals and crowns and never had problems with the pain. I even had a lot of fillings without being numb and could handle it. However..the whole braces thing is much more painful than I thought. I have cried in the chair before when the wire was forced into the only partly rotated tooth without back pressure and it didn't work out. After I left I couldn't drink for a whole day because it would send up super sharp pain up that tooth. I was hoping it would all get a little easier with time, but I just recently got my powerchain and rubber bands at the same time and it's been very painful at first. I try not to take painkillers, but it's painful. I can also relate to the comment about the sweating. I was very easy going during my first few adjustments, but I guess after being more experienced with 8 months now I usually break out in some kind of sweat during the procedure and it's mostly stress I think. I am looking forward to the end of this... it's a lot to take with 30....
02/01/2010 Braced Top and Bottom
03/09/2010 Extraction #12, #16
03/26/2010 Secondary Molar Bands and new wire
09/13/2010 Power Chain Top and Elastics (3) to fix cross-bite and open bite
10/25/2010 Power Chain removed and new Elastic constellation (2) to fix over-bite
Neptune, I sympathise completely, no-one understands sensitive teeth. Previously it has been so painful even to have teeth cleaned at the normal dentist with that water-jet, and the vibration through 'clean and polish' I thought was unbearable!! However, I have now learnt that you dont know pain and uncomfort until you get braced!