How bad is SARPE??

[browneyedgirl16683]

Yesterday I went and got fitted for the expander and the metal bands that they put over your teeth had something (a bracket probably) on the outside of them that was really spikey! In the short time that I wore them, they already starting irritating the inside of my lips/cheeks. Is it really this bad when you actually get the expander on or do they put something on those brackets that make them a little more managable to deal with? I get canker sores really easily (I almost always have one) and am concerned that my life is just going to be miserable for the next few months.

[browneyedgirl16683]

Thanks! I did switch toothpastes a few months ago and it did help a little. I do have wax and intend on using it! I just really wish that my mouth wasn't so sensitive! It's a curse really....I find it funny that I am more concerned with getting canker sores than the surgery or even the expander!

I will have to try the Tums thing cause I am always looking for a good fix! And of course the vitamins.....I've procrastinated for far too long on that one!

[HighandLo]

browneyedgirl,

I know what you mean about the brackets. I have kept wax (now Ortho-Sil silicone wax) on the molar brackets for 15 months now! I tried not using it and letting the inside of my cheeck "get toughened up," but this didn't work for me. Once I get a scratch or the bracket catches on my gums/inside of lip, it takes days to heal. So, I play it safe and always used Ortho-Sil on the end brackets.

Lo

[browneyedgirl16683]

Wow, 15 months! What a pain! It will all be worth it in the end.....