Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi you guys!
I just got my braces to fix my anterior open bite. I have been a thumb-sucker since I was born and I am now paying for it. My braces were completed last Tuesday with ceramic on top and metal on the bottom, along with a habit appliance called a crib. The braces part has been going pretty good, I haven't experience any real pain just a couple of loose teeth here and there and some sore spots. I am getting really frustrated with the crib that is hanging from the roof of my mouth! I love my braces but the crib part has me crying every other day. It is really hard to talk. I am 20 years old and working while in college. So its a little embarrassing when I can't say any words with S in it or speak clearly during a presentation in class or a tour during work. I don't know what else to do...I want to call my Ortho and ask to remove it but I know that in the end it will all be worth it so I am just trying to grin and bear it. I have been looking all over the internet for advice on adjusting to the crib but haven't found anything. I would love to hear from people about it or just have some encouraging words from you guys. Its hard...but i know in a few months I will be happy with the results. I think I might start a blog to maybe help myself get through it and/or help someone else who might be going through the same thing because I couldn't find any blogs about habit appliances.

P.S. I feel this board will help me from going insane..you guys will be my outlet. Thanks for reading!

Hi, bracesmcgee!

Welcome to the forums and congrats on making the great decision to get braces! I'm not sure what a crib is, but I can kind of relate, as I have a palate expander that cuts my tongue and makes me lisp like crazy! If I can offer you any comfort; I've had this appliance for over a week, and the lisping is getting better every day, the pain lessening, etc. Soon, the appliance will feel like part of your mouth! And what's more- this initial period of adjustment will be more than worth it when you think of the wonderful results that you will reap in the end; a healthy bite and a great smile! Keep at it!

Thank you Printemps,
I don't think I am able to post pictures quite yet since I'm new but the habit appliance is somewhat like the expander. There are like three curved prongs hanging down from the expander. Since I have an open bite it is very visible to others, you would not believe how many people ask me about it. It is getting a little better though, I am able to speak a lot better than I was able to last week so thats good.

Thank you for the motivation and I hope to hear from you again soon!

The crib is to stop you from sucking your thumb, isn't it? You've got something like this, I suspect:



It is eeevil looking but it's to stop your thumb sucking habit! No point straightening your teeth if you're going to stick your thumb in there! And your braces cannot compete against the pressure of your thumb during treatment, either. So the crib prevents you from sucking, which lets your braces do their job. And, hopefully, permanently cures you of the habit!

Hi, thanks for the response. The cribs looks a little worse than that, it actually hangs down far enough where you can see it through my open bite. I agree it is very evil, I think ask for them to remove it a little early. Its becoming hassle with school and work...but we'll see!

How are you doing going cold turkey and all? I get my braces on in a few weeks and will have a device in the roof of my mouth (not a crib, but it'll certainly break my habit). I'm definitely not looking forward to that period of habit-breaking.

When you get your braces off, don't ever for one second think you want to try putting your thumb back in your mouth for any reason (A few years ago, my reason was just to see if it would feel the same as when I used to do it). You'll get sucked right back into the habit and the older you get, the more embarrassing it is to hide I'm embarrassed just typing this lol

Good luck!