Metal Mouth Message Board

Yesterday I had my wires changed on my braces and the orthodontist mentioned we are now entering a consolidation stage. I've been braced for four months and have an estimated treatment time of twenty months. I wouldn't expect to hear the words 'consolidation stage' until the end of treatment so I was wondering if anyone else had experience of this?

The orthodontist said that this stage is about positioning of teeth rather than closing gaps. Up until now I have had powerchains on top and bottom to close gaps but this time he just fitted new wires with no powerchains. I'm just wondering if this consolidation stage is likely to last a long time or whether it is a case of switching between short stages of closing gaps then consolidating. I guess each case is different but your experiences of this would be welcome.

In my case the front teeth were moved in the first months and then I was in consolidation stage for about 4 months. Then the ortho did some X-rays before deciding that it was time to start moving teeth again and I got my first power chains.

Ooooo, that's really interesting, thanks Viking! Did you notice much movement while in consolidation stage? My orthodontist warned me that progress will not be so noticeable as it has been with the powerchains closing gaps.

Can't really help you, since I'm not in consolidation stage just yet... at 2 months in, I'm just eager to see progress every week that goes by. But my ortho said that at 4months time my teeth should look pretty much straight, so I'm certain that, after that, progress will be less visible.

Don't know if you have Damon's, but... it's interesting anyway
http://www.ormco.com/products/damon/pro ... /index.php

Thanks for the link Slake! Now to figure out which wire I'm in.

Wow, this is the first time I've heard this term. I envy all of you for having an ortho who explains all this. I love my ortho but he doesn't explain anything. Thanks for the info. I'd be in the dark if it wasn't for this forum