Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello

Okay so for anybody who hasn't read my previous two posts I am currently two weeks into treatment under the six month smiles regime. So far I haven't seen much movement but my teeth are tender and when I touch them with my tongue (sorry!) I can feel them wobbling which I'm told is a sign that they're either moving or ready to move. Now, I'm attributing the lack of movement at the moment with my crowding - the left hand side of my mouth up to my left front tooth is perfectly straight but it deteriorates from there. My right incisor is tilted inwards slightly, as is the tooth next to it, and my right canine sticks out by approx 6mm. I'll attempt to put a picture on to demonstrate the problem.

Anyway, my ortho has told me that she will need to polish between teeth. She showed me what she'd be using (the metal strips) and said that it doesn't hurt. However, when she fitted my braces she said she was going to postpone polishing them until my next appointment (22nd Sep).

My question is essentially, I can feel my teeth wanting to move (at least I think I can). They've pushed outwards a little already, but they have nowhere to go - so isn't this kind of a waste of a month? They can't move much further because the crowding (moderate) is preventing that at the moment, and I'm just worried I'm sentencing myself to a month in braces I don't need because the possible movement seems very limited.

I'm not an ortho and obviously she has her reasons for doing this - but I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced nything similar or could offer suggestions as to why she felt it necessary to postpone it? (I know I should have asked during my appointment but I was shellshocked from actually finally being braced and just dumbly nodded

Thanks very much guys
Shortie

Eeep, sorry for the attachment being quite large and the poor image quality I'm still getting to grips with how to work the site haha!

Nope, the first month isn't a waste. The first wire is to "wake up" your teeth. If they went straight into the real movement it would be quite painful, and might not be good for your roots. Even though you're doing the six month treatment there is still a process they follow. Don't worry, you'll have movement soon.

Ah great!

During the second month does there tend to be a lot of movement then? (hopeful)

Hello -

I have a quick question for you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm just completing my ortho journey (scheduled to get debanded tomorrow!!!!) and have inspired my hubby to "fix" his teeth, too. He says he doesn't want to fix the bite, only straighten the teeth so I'm assuming he will go the 6 month braces route. Was there a major cost difference between the two?

Thanks!

balniusc wrote:Hello -

I have a quick question for you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm just completing my ortho journey (scheduled to get debanded tomorrow!!!!) and have inspired my hubby to "fix" his teeth, too. He says he doesn't want to fix the bite, only straighten the teeth so I'm assuming he will go the 6 month braces route. Was there a major cost difference between the two?

Thanks!

Hey!

Well at the place I went to I was advised traditional braces would have cost me in excess of £3000, these cost me £2000, but there was a 250 additional charge for xrays, moulds etc. However the 2000 includes the cost of a permanant retainer, 9 months of treatment in case it overruns and a free tooth whitening/haircut at the end of my treatment

I would recommend these - they are quite discreet and they can take as little as three months if the case is very simple

Any other questions let me know

Shortie x

P.S. - CONGRATS on being debanded! so jealous!

Hey balniusc---I am sooooooo jealous---but you have served your time, so CONGRATULATIONS . Enjoy your freedom!

So, shortie--I wanted the 6 month smile too, but my ortho said I needed a whole lot more work than 6 months could achieve. (7mm overjet...)...anyway the U.S. difference in price was $3800 for EVERYTHING, including whitening at the end.
The 2yr sentence is costing me $5116--I became a beggar, and got a $600 reduction in price, so it would have been
$5716... (I have no shame...)

Anyway, you will see change--just be patient...it's all a process...but you will!!!

klobird wrote:Hey balniusc---I am sooooooo jealous---but you have served your time, so CONGRATULATIONS . Enjoy your freedom!

So, shortie--I wanted the 6 month smile too, but my ortho said I needed a whole lot more work than 6 months could achieve. (7mm overjet...)...anyway the U.S. difference in price was $3800 for EVERYTHING, including whitening at the end.
The 2yr sentence is costing me $5116--I became a beggar, and got a $600 reduction in price, so it would have been
$5716... (I have no shame...)

Anyway, you will see change--just be patient...it's all a process...but you will!!!

Wow that's really expensive! It sucks doesn't it. There's part of me like, if I'm done before the nine months, can I have some money back please? haha. My ortho described my issue as having to make 'relatively minor adjustments' hence why I got 6 month smiles - decided full metal (which was more expensive/would take longer) wasn't the best choice for me if I could get faster results as there's no real issue with my bite etc.

I really really hope I see change! the practice where I go to has done plenty of this type of treatment before but it was all on people who didn't really need it (in my opinion!)... the photos on their website show people with 'almost' straight teeth whose teeth have been fixed, and they do look much better don't get me wrong but because I seem to be the first patient they've had with quite a visible problem I do hope it goes well... probably just me overcomplicating things in my head anyway! haha

You may find you have more movement in the first month than you'd expect. I have 6 month smiles too, and I saw a lot of movement in the first month and my lower front 6 teeth were very crowded. Not any more though I can't wait to post pictures next week after my adjustment to show everyone the progress!

Have a look at my thread to see what I mean.