Metal Mouth Message Board

On my upper and lower canine teeth I have a brackets with hooks on (currently in radiance ceramics). When I was a kid and I had metal braces I remember having elastics on these hooks as part of my treatment to bring my lower jaw forward. A bit like this

http://www.manor-orthodontics.co.uk/ima ... astics.jpg

I don't need these elastics this time as my jaw hasn't shifted (only my teeth), but I still have the 'hooks'.

So far these are the bits of my braces which cause the most pain and have caused a lot of ulcers and cuts. I guess my question is.... Are these standard brackets, or could I have the brackets that have no hooks on them on these teeth rather than the hooked brackets?

I feel your pain. I have a bunch of hooks that hurt a lot. Anyway, I'm sure you could get brackets witihout hooks, but I think orthos like to put brackets on with hooks just in case they need them later. That way, if you need the hooks, they won't have to change your brackets. You might never need them, but it just might be a precaution.

Leyfy-

I also have Radiance brackets, so I know exactly which hooks you're referring to. Unfortunately, I think they're standard brackets in which the hook and the bracket are all one piece, as opposed to having the brackets attached later on, like some metal ones. I also agree that those are the parts that irritate the inside of my mouth the most. I don't think they're replaceable. I think over time, as your teeth move and get back into their normal position, they may irritate you less. There was one point about a month or two ago where my upper lip would get caught on the hook, but as soon as the powerchain started working to pull that tooth back... it didn't get stuck anymore.

-Cathy

I would ask your ortho if they'll use it, or if there is even any chance at all they'll need it. If they are positive they don't, then they can actually file that part off completely.. I had it done on some of my hooks. Otherwise, you'll have to just use wax for the duration of your braces. Most people eventually get used to it and the hooks no longer hurt, however I know somebody who has had braces on for over a year and she still uses wax.

I was pretty miffed that I had to deal with those hooks, too. On my first adjustment, my ortho could see how much wax I was using, so he took pity and bent the hooks in for me. That really helped. I wish they could just add the hooks later on though, once they are actually needed.

Yeah...I have the hooks too...just got braces 4 days ago and the insides of my mouth have been cut all over the place. It's getting better though...a little less painful as each day goes by.

Thanks for all the responses

I will talk to the ortho next week and see what she suggests.