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I think that I may be one of the most unlucky people with regards to my orthodontic treatment and I have not even got my braces on. I am really starting to question whether I have made the right decision as my teeth look worse at the moment than what they did before. I will explain what has happened to make me so upset.
Firstly after my first appointment at the Orthodontist I was informed that I would need four extractions. I wasn't too upset about this so booked two appointments at the dentist to have two teeth on each occasion taken out. I left two week intervals between and thought all would be well. Fast forwrd to my first two extractions and the second tooth didnt want to come out, after some drillling it did, but five days later still in pain I discovered that I had dry socket and an infection.
Then this Wednesday for my second set of extractions I was still positive but then part of one of the roots snapped meaning that I have to be refered to a hospital before my top brackets can go on. (luckily my ortho said she will still put the bottom set on.) Here I was thinking that surely it couldn't happen again, and low and behold I have two more dry sockets and infections (I have been really careful). More antibiotics, pain killers and cloves. I am really questionning myself about the braces now and am really worried. But I have four big gaps in my teeth now which need closing.
Would be really grateful if someone could post a few words to let me know that it isn't just me who has problems and to get some encouragment.
Don't get discouraged. I'm sure things will get better and I know this must be so frustrating for you. I would probably feel the same way if this happened to me. It seems you and your dentist are keeping a close eye on your extraction sites. After all of this is over and you're completely recovered and you begin to see some ortho changes from the braces, I'm sure you will tell yourself that things are moving forward on your ortho treatment. I do hope your pain has subsided and you are on the road to recovery.
Keep us posted and when you need some support don't forget us on this website.
Thanks alot ssfw and KK for the support it has helped me to feel more positive. I have been reading the site for a while now and when I got back today I was so down felt like crying. I knew that it would help to get some encouragment on here and I am so glad that I posted. Hopefully soon my braces will be in place and I will be able to see something happening.
Oh you poor thing. Dry sockets unfortunately do happen, only like you said you have been very unlucky. I was lucky that my four teeth came out ok. I did it all in one go too so the next few days I cried so much as I couldn't eat properly. Holes were so deep too that took forever to heal. I had my braces on four weeks after the extractions and here we go again for not eating and pain. I know how you feel. The build up, extractions and braces going in period was one of the hardest in my life. Yes, many times I said what have I done. Now I am 4th month into treatment and have seen a lot of imrovement I am glad I started the whole thing.
Sure I still get low days but mostly I enjoy the process. The one that was fully for clear ligs at the beginning has gone with crazy red. I am proud of my braces and only I know what they mean to me. Stick with it. The pain will ease out. When you look at your before picture even after a month you will hardly remember the pain. So rewarding!
Good luck
I really feel for you! I had so many delays and problems when I started my braces journey, it began to feel like it would never happen and maybe shouldn't happen!
I was told I needed gum grafts before braces - that took months, first for the surgery and then for the healing. I had to have 4 fillings done - then was told I needed a root canal! Then I developed problems from the root canal - still not sure what happened exactly but I was in pain for weeks and it involved repeated trips to the dentist - 11 times in just a few months.
Then, I was stuck with an ortho who sent me all over town to various specialists and basically wasted a lot of my time by being unable to make a decision about my treatment. So I had to switch orthos.
In all, from my first consult with an ortho to the day I got braces, about a year passed. I was starting to think the Gods were trying to tell me something!
Just try to keep your spirits up and remember, this will all be just an amusing story to tell years from now. Sigh....
oh i am so so sorry! I am sure there are lots of unlucky things that can happen but you've had a lot! but extractions aren't braces, it's a completely different process. this is no indication everything won't go well with the braces...and the worst part is over!
i have never had a dry socket but i had an infection when my wisdom teeth were removed and it alone was one of the most painful experiences of my life! get as much sleep and rest as you can and just take it easy.
four bicuspids removed 1/3/06
clear uppers and metal lowers placed 1/5/06
timeframe for braces: 24-30 months
Don't give up!!! I've never had a dry socket but i've heard so much about it...it's really unfortunate what happenned but you need to stay strong and know that you can do it...think of the smile you will have once the braces start doing their job - you won't regret it even though right now it may seem like a big mistake.
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Ceramic top braces: January 9th, 2006
Metal bottom braces: May 1st, 2006
I had four fillings replaced, three provisional crowns and a root canal before I had my braces put on last week. Once they're off (30 mos.) I have to have the three provisionals replaced with permanent crowns (at an extra cost of $1,200 over top of the $600 that I paid for the provisionals that will only last two-three years).
Sometimes it seems like all this is really worth it, eh? Just take it one day at a time. And take your pain meds!! They help me find my happy place, anyway!!
Braced January 12, 2006:
Ceramic Uppers
Metal Lowers
24-30 mos.
Wow, Kel, sorry you're having such a painful and frustrating experience so far
It's been helpful for me to remember that my teeth will only get WORSE if I do nothing (as they've progressively become more crowded and I'm only 31!!), and they can only get better if I keep going on this path. This is a somewhat barbaric process, to be sure, with all the tooth-yanking and metal wires, but try to keep the end result in mind. You CAN do this!!!!
I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a bad experience. My wisdom teeth were extracted almost 20 years ago and I still remember the pain of dry socket. It's no fun . It sounds like the worst is over for you now. I hope it's smooth sailing from here forward. Good luck.
Well i had retainers when i was younger about 11, and i had a twin block device, i chose to not have fixed braces and so my treatment ended there, and my teeth moved back to where they were before.
At the age of about 15 i decided i wanted fixed braces as i was really self concious about my image and so i waited for a consult, 4days before my 16th birthday i went to the consult and was told they couldnt treat me as i have a severe type II malloclusion and i may require my jaw broken before treatment could happen. So they sent me for another consult at a dental hospital, where i had previously been treated.
So i waited 6 months to be seen there and had xrays etc and went back not long after to be told my case wasnt that bad after all and i wouldnt need my jaw broken.
I had to wait for another appointment at the hospital to discuss treatment, where it was decided that headgear and fixed braces would be worn.
I then had all four premolars extracted in september and my top and bottom fixed brace on in october. Its now january and i havent realy progressed as i was hoping because the hospital is busy and i can only get my braces tightened about every 10 weeks.
So again my birthday is approaching and this time i'll be 18. If they'd put braces on me at that consult then i would have them taken off by now.
My point is that it takes a long time to get to the place where braces can be applied but all you have to keep thinking about is that nice smile you'll have when its all over. I wont say my first few days in braces were easy and the headgear is annoying to sleep in but im getting through it and you will too.
Well, I can tell you that you aren't alone.
I myself have had nothing but problems with my treatment also.
I had my 4 wisdoms removed 2 weeks before getting my braces put on. I develped one dry socket. OUCH! I really feel for you as I know how painful that can be.
So, the day I was to get my braces on, the lower expander they wanted to put in wouldn't fit so I only had my upper brackets and upper expander put on. They then put in spacers on my lowers to get the expander to fit.
Fast forward a week or two and the lower expander and brackets were put on.
That was about 2 months ago.
Since then, I have had 5 broken brackets, I've gone through 2 upper expanders (both of which put me in so much pain because the metal was rubbing up against my mouth causing sores) and I have been in the othro's office a total of 21 times since November. 21 times!
Although there have been some frustrations along the way, I have faith that these sort of things can happen. I trust my dr and take everything that has happened in stride.
It's easy to just say forget it but look at how far you've come!
21 times?!?! I don't know how you did it!! You are strong
Just keep thinking about the day you get your braces off and you are completely satisfied with the results...I think that is enough to really keep you going
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Ceramic top braces: January 9th, 2006
Metal bottom braces: May 1st, 2006
Thanks everyone for the replies. I am feeling much better now, not only pain wise, but also more positive about the whole experience. It is encouraging to know that I am not the only person who felt like nothing went right before they were getting their braces fitted, and that things do improve, and it is worth it in the end. Now I just can't wait to get them on and started with my treatment.
Again thanks everyone, good luck with your treatment,
I will explain what has happened to make me so upset. 
I am feeling much better now, not only pain wise, but also more positive about the whole experience. It is encouraging to know that I am not the only person who felt like nothing went right before they were getting their braces fitted, and that things do improve, and it is worth it in the end. Now I just can't wait to get them on and started with my treatment.