Wildtoo11's Story

[wildtoo11]

First, I'd just like to thank everyone for this site. It's been a tremendous help. I’m 28 with moderate/severe crooked teeth (per my ortho - I personally don't think they are THAT bad...though I've noticed that the more I stare at them the worse they seem to become) and I have thought about braces for years. In late December 2009 I had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed in preparation for braces since dentists had been telling me for years that it was necessary. They were not bothering me at all, but they also weren’t helping so it was no trouble to see them go. (If anyone is curious, just ask and I can give more details about that experience.)

I finally met with an ortho and he told me that I would have to have four additional teeth removed. (Two on top and two on the bottom. They are going to pull the fourth tooth out from the center on each side…if that makes sense.) It’s been really difficult to make this decision because while I can see on that they are really crowded on the bottom, it does not appear that they are so crowded on the top. I fear that after losing the two on the top there will be not be enough teeth to cover the holes even when we are done with braces. My ortho has assured me that it will be fine.

Anyway, I go in on Wednesday for the brackets and wire through the first six teeth on top and bottom. Then Friday the oral surgeon will pull the four teeth. I’m really nervous since I haven’t had teeth pulled (while awake) since I was a kid and then the teeth were loose. These teeth are permanent adult teeth which are perfectly healthy and fine. They are also straighter than some of the others that are not being pulled. I’m sure I’m worrying way too much over what will turn out to be nothing, but everything on this site and this board has been so helpful and encouraging that I wanted to start my story as soon as possible. I anticipate, that like a lot of people on here, in a week I’ll be posting that it was no big deal at all…at least that’s my hope.

[wildtoo11]

Alright, I have less than 24 hours until my ortho puts the brackets on, and a wire through the first six (so that four teeth can be pulled on Friday) what should I eat between now and then that I either can't eat, or will be difficult to eat after tomorrow. Thanks in advance for your help!

By the way, I have to say that I am quite relieved that my ortho is going to put the brackets on before the teeth are pulled because one would think that there is almost no way that the oral surgeon can pull the wrong ones since the one's to be pulled will not have brackets. My ortho also mentioned that it is for asthetic purposes too. With the braces most people may not notice that I even have had teeth pulled. Let's hope so.

[Maggie Brace]

Hi Wildtoo
I got braced last Thursday and still finding it difficult to eat. I can chew with the side of my mouth but cant bite down on anything.
You should make sure you have a steak and some crusty bread.

Good luck with your braces/extractions
Maggie

[jensceana73]

GOOD LUCK...GOOD LUCK....GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear how it went. I'll be sending you some good vibes your way tomorrow during your brace time. Enjoy. Take in the moment. And remember...TAKE SOME PICS!!!!!! Have a good sleep tonight and stuff as much food into your pie hole the next 13 hours, cause I have a feeling...we're going on a diet whether we like it or not. At least for the next couple days!!

[wildtoo11]

I'm getting nervous. It seems like just another day, but in a few hours I'll have a full set of metal braces, save for the teeth that are being pulled on Friday. I'm still trying to decide on the color for my ligitures, but I think I'm going to go with some form of purple becuase that's my favorite color. Also, I'll be returning in a few weeks for my full wire after my extraction sites heal, so they won't be on that long.

Thank jensceana and againbrace for the encouragement. I'll be sure to post after it's over and let everyone know how it went.

[wildtoo11]

Brand new chapstick for today - Check
Butterfiles in stomach - check
last meal involving sweet sticky stuff that will soon be hard to clean - ON MY WAY!

I'll be back when I look like this:

[jensceana73]

Hope all went well for you!! Mine was a memorable one. Can't wait to hear the details. Check out my thread for pics...can't wait to see your!!! Happy Brace Day!!!

[wildtoo11]

Brace Day was not as bad as I feared. Nothing at the appointment hurt at all. The cheek spreaders they used in order to take photos were a little uncomfortable but didn't really take all that long.

I got to the ortho’s office and they took me right in, actually early too, which was great since I was coming from work and headed back when we were through. The assistant took photos of my profile and my teeth and then made the molds of my teeth. A lot of people have mentioned that the mold goop is flavored, but mine was not. The tech explained that flavors cause you to drool more and makes it take longer for the mold to set.

The molds really weren't that bad. I've had molds done before for a bite plate and when they were done I thought all of my teeth were going to be pulled out (I think they waited too long then). Yesterday I did have a bit of a gag reflex when they did the bottom plate but the assistant was really nice and just told me to lean forward and breathe through my nose. It really did help.

Once the molds were done I rinsed my mouth out and she polished up my teeth. I had my last cleaning in February so I had not just had my teeth cleaned and I was happy to know that they took care of that. She then applied two coats of adhesive which tasted terrible. I didn't touch my teeth but while they were putting on the brackets it dripped to the back of my throat and even through last night I was still getting a small taste of it every once in a while.

After the adhesive was on she put in this plastic contraption to keep my mouth open and got the doctor in right away. I have TMJ and was told by my ortho at a consult to make sure that the assistant knew that so I could be in the contraption as short as possible. Well when she left to get my ortho I could hear him on the phone and whoever he was talking to he let them go right away so he could get in to take care of me.

The ortho then placed most of the brackets on my teeth. He skipped the teeth that are going to be pulled tomorrow (my next worrying point) and he also left my very last molar brackets off. He said they won't do anything with them until later in my treatment and that they cause more trouble to people with the pain and rubbing so they will put them on later. Throughout this process he continually asked me if I was ok and gave me updates as to how many we had done and how many were left. And I'm happy to report that I haven't had any TMJ problems as a result.

Once he was done he left and the tech put the light on each tooth for about 20 seconds more. Then we picked up colors (I went with all lilac which don't show up too much but give me a color. I've found that most people don't even see the color). She then put the ligatures on and wired me up through the first six teeth only. The ortho then came back in and checked on me to make sure I was doing alright. I really like him. Each appointment I like him more and more and it makes me feel better to know that I picked the right one.

I'm scheduled to go back on April 16th for the full wire after my extraction sites heal. The whole thing took about an hour which surprised me because I was expecting a lot longer.

It was interesting to feel the brackets before the ligatures were put on. I kept thinking they weren't that bad and then she put the ligatures on and they were even better . I haven't used any wax yet, but I might by the end of today just to make sure I don't get a sore spot.

As for pain, pressure, etc.

Yesterday wasn't too bad and I didn't take any aspirin until the afternoon. I had class last night and started to get sore in there and took more aspirin. I've now learned to stay ahead of the pain curve and take the aspirin every four hours. I have a lot of crowding in the bottom and without anywhere to move to I'm feeling a lot of pressure! I am happy to report that I slept ok though. I was exhausted last night and actually went to bed early and didn't wake up until 2 minutes before my alarm clock. (Perfect!)

The pressure isn't unbearable though it is making me more eager to have the teeth pulled and at one point last night I really just wanted to take them out for a few minutes, but of course you can't. I was having a bit of gum pain but I found that if I run my finger across my gums like a gentle massage, it's not too bad.

We'll see how today goes and then tomorrow with my four extractions. Hopefully that will help with the pressure, but we'll wait and see.

[wildtoo11]

Tomorrow I go for four extractions of permanent adult teeth. I believe they are called pre-molars. The ortho calls them fours (based on the numbering chart) and I know they are numbered differently for the dentist.

I'm wondering how many people have had adult extractions and what it's like. I've read the moderator's story but I haven't found many others where people had four teeth pulled. I had lots pulled as a child but the only teeth I've had pulled as an adult were my wisdom teeth and I was blissfully unconscious.

Right now I'm supposed to drive one hour afterward to get home which the oral surgeon's office said would be fine. I'm hoping that's true. Thnks in advance for your help and suggestions!

[leahmb]

Hey!

Well in about 8.5 hours I will be having my two left premolars taken out ... i have never had any extractions at all! I am really nervous as well ... What people have told me is that it isnt as bad as I think its going to be and that the worst part is just hearing them take your tooth out, but as per pain goes, that it isnt too much to worrie about. I'm driving home after myself so I will post my experience this evening and hopefully give you some faith that it truely isnt as bad as we may think!!! dont get me wrong though i am QUITE nervous haha.

Best of luck!!

[wildtoo11]

Thanks leahmb.

I saw one story that said only one of them made noise so that would be good. I'm going to take my iPod so that even if they do make noise hopefully I won't hear it.

Good luck to you getting your braces too. Actaully getting them put on was not problem. I'm in some pain now but nothing so bad that aspirin or ibuprofen can't take care of.

[wildtoo11]

Well today's the day. Four perfectly healthy teeth are going to be pulled in just under four hours and I'm scared to death even though this will amount to teeth nos. 15-18 for me being pulled. I had a lot pulled as a kid and I don't remember it being all that bad, but that doesn't stop me from fretting now!

I wonder what will happen to them, those perfectly healthy teeth. They haven't even had any cavaties. Maybe I can become a tooth donor.... I can probably at least donate them to the tooth fairy. Hopefully she's not aware that there is a recession and hopefuly I get a raise for being older and it costing a lot more to get them to her.

[leahmb]

Well I had those teeth pulled! And that was the easy part. It didn't hurt at all! Even the needles weren't that bad, a little uncomfortable but nothing to complain about it. I brought my iPod too and it helped a bit. My dentist is awesome and kept making sure I was alright as he could tell I was very nervous! The actual teeth pulling was a breeze but I'm in a bit of pain today. I took some excedrine and that seems to really help! Your tongue is also not going to know what to do with itself haha but other then that I'm going to reasure you that there is really nothing to be worried about! So best of luck and I hope to hear your experience was a half decent one also! Oh! And might I add .. The nice part is that you mow down on some yummy ice cream completley guilt free hehe!!

[jensceana73]

Good Luck with your appointment today. Hope all goes well and your feeling just "swell" later on day. Hope the braces are doing well...thanks for the heads up on a better tool to use flossing. I just happened to have bought some of those earlier that day, and your right...they work WAY better!!! Thanks.

[wildtoo11]

I had my four teeth extracted on Friday. I of course worked myself up more than I should have and I was all upset about it. But all four were pulled in 7 minutes and I had no pain afterward. They gave me some pain meds but I've taken nothing but ibuprofen.

I am starting to have a bothersome feeling in one of the extraction sites now. I don't want to say its pain, it's just annoying. It is relieved with pressure. I'm wondering if one of the nerves is near the surface or something. Hopefully it's not the start of dry socket. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Any suggestions would be much appreciated as it's driving me crazy!

I've almost lost noticing my braces are even in there. Of course with four extra holes where your teeth used to be who would notice all the metal. I have found that (amzaing as it is) there is even LESS that a I can eat now than before my teeth were pulled and I've lost 5 pounds since last week. (Way to go Braces Diet---We should market this! It's Dentist and Ortho approved) j/k No really it's a horrible way to lose weight.

I really just want a hamburger with all the fixings on a big bun...but no....i'll just stick to my spaghettos.

I have managed to only use wax once (Thursday night) But on Friday when I was all numb and they were trying to take an xray to make sure they got it all... I look in the mirror and there was my lip absolutely attached to my braces and ripping right off. Couldn't feel a thing! I had to try to manually remove my lip which was tinglng the whole time. Surprising it didn't hurt afterward, though I have been taking my ibuprofen religiously!

That's probably enough for now. I'll let you know what happens with this one extraction site. I'm hoping that salt watter will work when I get home. Thanks again for all the encouragement and good thoughts. (<<<I just think he's so cute )