Coil springs

[BetsyBug]

So I have a question?? how long does it usually take for a coil spring to work (I realize it depends on how much space is needed but I'm not sure how far the ortho want to push my teeth.) The issue is that my lower incisors are meeting my uppers in a traumatic occlusion, they are hitting too hard and causing wear down and scrape on the back of my uppers. They have been this way forever. Well since I had my braces my lowers have gotten where they are impinging against my uppers again in fact my lower left lateral is in a crossbite or edge to edge contact with my uppers right now. So to fix this my ortho has put a coil spring between my laterals and my canines to push my front 4 incisors forward and away from my lowers. He mentioned we may have to "build up" my front teeth to make them wider to fill the space so that they meet correctly with the lower arch. How long do you think it will take these buggers?? (they hurt) and has anyone had an ortho suggest making your teeth "wider"?

[xanidu2012]

My teeth are moving rapidly. I had a coil spring for less than 30 days and then it was gone. I guess it just depends on movement and wire tension.

[CountessDeSangre]

I saw movement almost instantly. Later the same day I looked in the mirror and saw that m teeth had moved due to the added pressure of a cool spring. I hated it so much. I've had it since November 10, 2011. It came off August 23, 2012. Just about 9 months. Hang in there it'll be over soon

[Ashybear]

I've had my coil spring for about 2 months now and they keep just adjusting it. It's driving me insane though.. I'm constantly putting wax on it because otherwise it gives me huge ulcers in my mouth

[purpleandteal]

iv had my coil spring since i was first wired, 3 months ago, on my last adjustment 5 weeks ago, my ortho told the trainee to "activate the dead coil" (i felt like a bit of a superhero!!) it seems that the middle was lengthened. i havent really noticed any movement from the teeth its meant to be moving out the way, which is disheartening me slightly, but i have seen massive amounts of movement elsewhere and so im focusing on this. although having the one unwired tooth (its the one on the right next to my front teeth, i dont know the proper names im afraid, the coil goes from my right middle tooth to the 2nd tooth over if that makes sense?) its making my mouth look even more uneven as the one on the left side is wired and has moved loads and then the right side looks super wonky. but im sure my ortho knows what hes doing and this will even out when the coil has done its job. next adjustment is in 3 weeks so im hoping to find out how well the coil is doing

[BetsyBug]

I definitely have seen movement in only two days. I have a small gap under each spring (one is a little bigger than the other) my lowers are still hitting my uppers but when I put my bite plane in at night instead of my teeth sitting right on the front of the plane with it curving slightly under the uppers, my uppers jut out infront of it slightly. So they are doing what they are supposed to do. I guess what I really want to know is how far are these buggers getting pushed out??? LOL so I guess I'll call the ortho and ask. Thanks for the replies!!

[starfish88]

I've had my spring in nearly 4 months now. I really hope that at my next appointment I will be able to get it off and bracket the tooth that its making room for but it might take even longer. I guess the time it takes just depends on what tooth is moving, how much and how fast your teeth move. I want it off because getting that tooth bracketed means I'm one step closer to the end, but I'm not bothered by it really, it ached loads the first few days and after it was adjusted but generally it doesnt hurt other than those days.

[CJP]

I too had a coil spring added recently. First it was a 10 (mm?) which was .. ... okay. I had to add wax like CRAZY to keep it from cutting my lip and cheek constantly. Then, this past week, I my ortho went to a 7 (mm) spring. Now - we are talking action. ALL my side and front teeth actively ache. And not just when I am eating like in the past, - but all the time. Which means it is working.

However, I lecture for college classes on some days, many hours of classes in a row. (Basicially from 11 am to 10 pm). By the end of the night, no matter how much wax I put on the top attachment, my lip and cheek are cut to shreds. I just cannot wait until the day it is removed. But the next appointment is 6 weeks away.

I trust and believe in my othodontist greatly, but already I am counting the days that perhaps... maybe... this (@@!%#!$#!) coil will be removed.
Having this coil in (not the pain from the teeth ache, but the trama it does to my mouth) makes just "braces" a piece of cake. Sigh.