Metal Mouth Message Board

I got braced a couple of days ago and have noticed little metal squares (like a padlock) with a little hook on the top attached to my 2nd molar on both sides top and bottom. At first I thought it was an ending to the wire but then I realised it can't be that cause the wire then goes to the 1st molar - at the very back.

Are these turbos or what? All I know is the hooks are really digging in

Just curious...

Are they like the hooks shown here?

they are for elsactics

naomi - Yeah that's them! - are they for elastics like Caralyn03 mentioned? If so, I don't have any elastics

You MAY get elastics later.... OR your ortho may just buy them with hooks already installed and he doesn't remove them.

serendipity wrote:naomi - Yeah that's them! - are they for elastics like Caralyn03 mentioned? If so, I don't have any elastics

Yep, those hooks are for elastics alright! If you do require elastics, you probably won't get them anytime soon. I didn't have any elastics until nearly a year into treatment. Also, not necessarily every hook will be used if/when you get elastics but they're there and can be used if need be.

serendipity wrote:All I know is the hooks are really digging in

Right now you need to try to keep the hooks covered in wax as much as possible. Those hooks willreally dig into your cheeks until they toughen up.

don't lose hope though because it is AMAZING how fast your mouth toughens up & before long, you won't even feel those hooks! Good luck & stay positive!