Lip spreader

[ceramic mouth]

Hello everyone,
I'm having my first adjustment in a few days, i'm excited but i was just wondering if they use the lip spreader thing at adjustments.. i hope not because my lips are chapped at the corners it's even painful to open my mouth to eat!
TIA.

[chichi]

I've only had 2 adjustments so far, but they haven't used the lip spreader at either of them. I think you're safe

I also always put on some chapstick before any dentist/ortho appointment to avoid a split lip.

[ceramic mouth]

hehe good then, thanks for replying, Chichi. will make sure i put on some lip balm before i go.

[Snowglobe32]

I would bring the lip balm with you...you'll need it after the appointment too.

[Catlady]

I'm almost done with my treatment and I can tell you that they've never used a lip spreader at any of my adjustments. I do put on alittle chap stick before every appointment though because you have to open wide!! haha! I know what your saying about the corner of the mouth split! I got that this morning! I woke up and yawned and SPLIT! now it hurts so bad!! haha!

[sirwired]

The spreader is used to keep your lips and cheeks from touching your teeth before they cure the cement; saliva ruins the bond. If the ortho needs to do a bracket repositioning, he/she will probably just use cotton rolls. That works for one-offs, just not your whole mouth.

[kathydell]

8 Adjustments and no lip spreader even for a couple of bracket repositions.

[ceramic mouth]

Thanks all. i went in today.. thankfully the ortho didn't use a lip spreader .. he did nothing actually.. just: bite, open, bite open, and "you're good to go for another 3 weeks"! :(

[sirwired]

Well, given that for many the 1st adjustment is more painful than even getting the braces on, I wouldn't be too upset he didn't actually have to do anything. I suspect this was more of a "make sure everything is still bonded and the wire is in the slot" visit than one where he expected to do something. Three weeks would be really fast for a 1st wire change.

[ceramic mouth]

Thank you for the reassuring reply, Sirwired. hmmm i was just a bit disappointed because i had been both excited and nervous all morning that day and i felt it was for nothing-although ortho was really nice and kept on telling me that there had been great progress- i can see the postive side now because my bottom teeth still feel tight so, as you mentioned, i think they would have really hurt if he changed the wire.. or the elastics. thanks again.