Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi guys!
I'm 16 years old, and I just got my Damen braces put on on Tuesday.
They were extremely painful the first two days, but today they're a bit better. When I get them adjusted will they hurt this bad, or is it just the initial "putting-on" that hurts the most? And do all adjustments hurt the same, or do they get better?
So when they were put on I was like really freaked out, they look like a roller coaster, and I expected a straight line. But they will go straight, right?
Also, how long did it take for you to see results? My teeth are very crooked, not like most people who say they have bad teeth because "one tooth slants like .001 mm," so I'd love to hear how long it took all of you to start seeing your teeth straighten!
And it anyone has Damen braces, I'd love to hear anything you have to say about them!
Thanks guys!

Also, how long does it take for the insides of your mouth to heal from the sores or build up calluses or whatever they do?

Welcome and congratulations!!

As for adjustment pain, it kind of varies. I've felt the most pain when (a) I get a new wire, and (b) the first time I got elastics. But you adjust to the discomfort fairly quickly. My initial bracing didn't hurt a bit, and I had no discomfort at all. I even cancelled out on a wedding because I thought I'd be writhing in bed in agony! haha Adjustments where they just change ligatures don't hurt (at least, to me they don't hurt). Anytime they introduce something new, expect some brief discomfort.

As for your "roller coaster wire", I had a little giggle at that. If your teeth are crooked, then the wire will be crooked. There's no way to have a straight wire on crooked teeth. However, YES, the wire will absolutely straighten out as your teeth straighten. From pics I've seen on here, it seems like the more crooked your teeth, the quicker they straighten out and you'll see good results. Mine weren't crooked, but they were slanted and stuck out like horse teeth, and that's taking forever to fix.

As for results: My lower, front teeth were rather crowded, and I started seeing results in 3 weeks. Yes, 3 WEEKS! You will be amazed - especially if you monitor your crooked wire! Take lots of pics so you can follow your progress!

Re: sores: Aah... can totally relate to that. Use lots of wax whenever you need it. I usually keep wax in for a day, or overnight, and my sores are usually healed by the next day. Warm salt water rinses also help, as do topical medicines like Benzodent and Anbesol, which numb the area. Be forewarned: Sores will pop up in different areas as your teeth shift, so don't be alarmed. That just means your teeth are moving, and that's a GOOD THING! Others here say it's better to not use the wax, so the insides of your cheeks can "toughen up". Well... I figure I'll have these things on for 2 years, and don't really feel like suffering that long. Besides, you do still build up callouses over the sore areas even if you use wax.

I got Damon self-ligating brackets (no elastic ligatures around the brackets) initially, but changed the top ones to ceramic because I'm vain. I kept my metal Damon lowers, though, and I love them. I don't have to worry about staining, and the brackets themselves are so tiny. I did have one bracket pop off in the first week, but that was because it was glued to a porcelain crown, and the glue didn't stick right. They re-glued it on, and I've had no problems since.

Good luck to you!
-Cathy

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, everything you said has been comforting and very helpful!

Hey spetti--

I have Damon Q metal top and bottom--which I just got 3 weeks ago. I will have them on for 2 years. The discomfort I really have had is due to the hooks,and wires, and all the other pokey things. I use silicone wax--like Mack's earplug wax.
It's much softer and works and sticks great. I got elastics on day one. No problems at all, not even any discomfort.
I use the wax where it hurts the most, and pretty consistently. I try not to, but the sharp point is the furthest point back in my mouth and the point just annoys the hell out of my mouth, and I just don't want to deal with it 24/7. Almost everywhere else is used to the braces now..once in a while I have to wax a couple of places, but not very much.

You will get used to them pretty quickly. I think about mine constantly--I'm like OCD--but they don't bother me much at all now. Well, not today anyway. I mean everyday you wake up and the little bit of discomfort you might feel is in a completely different place than the day before...means it's working I guess!

I haven't really seen much change but my co-worker insists she sees change--so cool!

It will get better really fast...

Oh great, thank you!

Salt water rinses are the best for ulcers in your mouth, it heals them really quickly. As teeth move sometimes you get new ulcers but I find it was the worst when I first got braces and once healed, the flesh gets used to it. I also got new ulcers when the ortho put in new wires with the hooks, so it is really when the flesh hasn't had contact with whatever is against it.

You will be amazed how fast teeth move and the pain from the teeth moving, you get used to really quickly. In 3 months you will be eating like a pro again I just had a look at my beginning photos 8 months ago and my teeth has all straightened, now just closing the extraction gaps which seems to take the longest. I am so happy I took the first step, 2 years of braces is way better than a lifetime worrying about how crooked your teeth are!

Congrats and good luck