Can I request a change to metal (from ceramics)?

Message

#1 Post by **ClassicFairlane** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:15 pm

I'm a 40y/o female. I got my braces exactly 3 weeks ago today. When my new dentist recommended braces (to close gaps), I was extremely apprehensive. After the first 10 days of soreness & sensitivity, I've forgotten that the braces are there. My MAJOR complaint is that I was never warned about the staining that could occur (ceramics with clear ligs). I'm a coffee drinker, and even if I brush immediately after drinking a cup, my ligs look awful. The same with cranberry juice, orange juice, egg yolk, red wine, etc..... I've tried brushing (with Sonicare) using peroxide and baking soda, whitening toothpaste.......nothing helps.

I'm in sales and conduct presentations to clients as well as entertain them (lunch/dinner) quite frequently. Yesterday, I escorted 2 big clients to a pro-football game. I bit into a hotdog (with mustard) and pretty much refused to talk for the rest of the evening. I was mortified. I had separators inserted last week....the ligs were changed. Yes, I voiced my concerns then. But within a few days, they were stained & noticeably dingy. Colored ligs are not an option for me.

Tomorrow, the separators will be replaced with bands on the molars. Is it bad protocol...or am I allowed to ask the dentist if he can replace the ceramics with metals at this point? If so, is there an additional cost?

I'm certainly not a prima-donna or a whiner, but I'm much more embarrassed to smile now than I was before I got braces. I travel frequently for my job so visiting the dentist to get the ligs changed once a week (even if he allowed it) would create a challenge to my schedule. My dental doesn't cover adult braces, and to think that I've paid major $$$ out-of pocket and will have to endure another 12 months of this is not boding very well for me at all. The bottom line is that I'm not happy at all with the ceramics and welcome the metal. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP!!!!

#2 Post by **fins** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:29 pm

Can you ask for wire ties instead of elastic ligs? They are white and don't stain. You wouldn't need to be rebracketed then.

#3 Post by **butterfly** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:55 pm

Wire ties are great, yes. But then again... There are powerchains. I got one and manage to stain it a bit after 1 day...

Another option are subtle colors like bright pink/rosÃ©. I saw them on the forum. They are barely visible and seem to complement the color of the lips esp. when you use a bright rosÃ© lipstick.

#4 Post by **mackenzie** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:10 pm

Why can't you have colors? You can't even have silver? If you had metal brackets and didn't want any "color" they still put silver ligs on.

#5 Post by **ClassicFairlane** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:16 pm

[quote="fins"]Can you ask for wire ties instead of elastic ligs? They are white and don't stain. You wouldn't need to be rebracketed then.[/quote]

I'll ask if this option is available tomorrow when I go in. His assistant didn't give me many choices last week. He basically said "deal with it".

#6 Post by **ClassicFairlane** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:24 pm

[quote="mackenzie"]Why can't you have colors? You can't even have silver? If you had metal brackets and didn't want any "color" they still put silver ligs on.[/quote]

It's not that I cannot have colors, it's just a personal preference. I've admired them on others but don't particularly care for them on me. I'm pretty conservative and would much rather be very understated with my professional or casual look. As for metal brackets/silver ligs......that wouldn't be such a drastic look when compared to clear ceramics with pink,red,blue,green,black,purple ligs. Again, I would have chosen metal had I known about the "instant" and permanent staining.

Thanks!

#7 Post by **ssfw** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:44 pm

I have heard that the baby blue ligs are good because they don't stain and are not very visible - this is just what I heard - let me know if you try it and if it is true.

ssfw

ClassicFairlane wrote:
mackenzie wrote:Why can't you have colors? You can't even have silver? If you had metal brackets and didn't want any "color" they still put silver ligs on.
It's not that I cannot have colors, it's just a personal preference. I've admired them on others but don't particularly care for them on me. I'm pretty conservative and would much rather be very understated with my professional or casual look. As for metal brackets/silver ligs......that wouldn't be such a drastic look when compared to clear ceramics with pink,red,blue,green,black,purple ligs. Again, I would have chosen metal had I known about the "instant" and permanent staining.

Thanks!

#8 Post by **dr.j** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:53 pm

Try asking about tooth colored stainless steel ligs -they work. $$$ would be involved in switching to metal I'm sure.

dr.j

#9 Post by **ClassicFairlane** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:30 pm

The separators were removed & the bands were placed today with very little discomfort. However much to my shock, he discovered an acute abscess in the area (possibly caused or aggravated by the separator) & I'm now on antibiotics. There was no previous indication of an abcess on my most recent x-rays (late Oct.) or during the deep cleaning (early Nov), nor last week's check-up. Is this normal? Hopefully the meds will knock it out.

I discussed with him my concerns about the clear ligs staining so quickly. He suggested that I try another color.....such as silver/grey. Even though I was dead-set on asking him to replace the upper ceramics with metal, I very reluctantly agreed to try the silver/grey powerchain (top) and ligs (bottom) for a couple of days. I just returned to my office a couple of hours ago & my verdict is ........ I LOVE THEM! There is a mere hint of shimmery color which is very complimentary to the metal wire. Excuse me, but I have to get this off my chest.....WOOOOO-HOOOOO! Whew, the lig situation was causing me major grief.........