How do you stay positive when you're not seeing any changes?

[Welshrarebit]

I'm 5 months into fixed braces. For the first 3 months, my teeth were noticeably shifting and improving. For the past 2 months, nothing seems to have happened. I'm sure this is common; my question is - how do you stay positive when you're not being reassured/motivated by visible progress?

[NeilH]

For the first few months, the light arch wire used is to level the teeth so that stronger arch wires can be used to produce different movements that are sometimes harder to see. Keep taking photos and compare your early pictures to your most recent ones and you will likely see a huge difference. Your bite may feel different which is another indication that movement is taking place so overall, try to find little indications that you are making progress, remember that orthodontics isn't a linear process and the end result will be worth the wait.

[Tyrantblade]

You might have hit a slow patch depending on what needs to be done; its a highly individualized process where the needs of a patient and their progress will be a little different for everybody.

I had hit a slow patch before, i think in my case it was because the Orthodontist wanted to get my front gap to increase to the right size for a future implant before doing things that would make my top arch progress.

Then i thought things werent improving, but just a couple days ago i noticed my bite is even better than before; i think i was at 95% progress before and 98% progress now.

Of course thats just my opinion, im not an orthodontist, i just noticed that it feels better and realize there is probably a bunch of minor things that still need to be done.

I suggest you try to not focus too much on braces and the progress that is, or isnt happening.

Put it in the back of your mind, and im sure one day things will just seem incredibly better by feel and then you will look and be amazed at the progress, like it happened overnight.

[Catpotat]

I'm in my second month and feel your frustration. It would be nice if the orthodontist would explain what movements they're trying to achieve; I have no idea what's going on in my mouth right now.

[Ziggy]

I complained to my ortho that the gaps in my front teeth weren't closing so he put on power chains. Ouch! I shouldn't have said anything. Anyway, it's a process. Be honest with your ortho and he/she can tell you what's going on.

[verso]

There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to when, where, or how progress is made. There's a spring between two of my bottom teeth, and I've seen *zero* progress there until just recently -- 7 weeks later! Now there's a gap that's opening up between the two teeth quite rapidly.

What's more, I've been so fixed on the bottom teeth that I forgot to pay very much attention to the top teeth. The top right lateral incisor made a lot of progress that I just didn't notice.

[Bracingmyself33]

My dentist once told me not to keep staring at my teeth because they are shy and will stop moving when someone is constantly staring at them.

It might be helpful for you to ask your dentist on the progress, as well as the monthly works. They are usually happy to explain the technical parts.

Slowly but surely!