Sunshiney Saga

[chichi]

Wow, I can't believe your first adjustment is so soon! That's so exciting! I guess this is what I get for having Damons lol - no adjustment until the end of August. Oh well, I guess I'll have to live vicariously through you until then. Good luck next week

[SunshineRay]

So Damons you dont have to go as often? I asked about them during my consult because I thought they looked smaller and the assistant only said they were more expensive then the ceramic but basically the same.

I did push my appt ahead a few days because we are leaving for vacation soon after and I wanted to allow a few extra days so I wasnt dealing with any pain on vaca. I havent had pain yet (except the dreaded first day with TAD's) but I hear you are in pain after the adjustments.

[chichi]

So Damons you dont have to go as often? I asked about them during my consult because I thought they looked smaller and the assistant only said they were more expensive then the ceramic but basically the same.

I did push my appt ahead a few days because we are leaving for vacation soon after and I wanted to allow a few extra days so I wasnt dealing with any pain on vaca. I havent had pain yet (except the dreaded first day with TAD's) but I hear you are in pain after the adjustments.

I was told that, with Damons, you generally have adjustments every 8-10 weeks versus 4-6 weeks with traditional braces. My own personal theory is that the ligs on traditional braces stretch out and become less effective over time, hence the need to replace them, but I'm not an orthodontist so I have no idea I'm sure there are times when Damon patients go more often, but the idea of fewer appointments is part of the sales pitch for the Damon system

My ortho doesn't offer traditional braces anymore so it wasn't an option for me. He only has Damon metal and Damon clear (ceramic), as well as the tray/aligner type - Invisalign & Simpli5.

[melodybrick]

Wow! What a lot of insanity. I just caught up, so proud of you for pushing through even after the ordeal trying to get your extractions/implants figured out. And the TADs pain - I can only imagine, it sounds like they didn't have you numbed up enough. My TADs were in the roof of the mouth but only painful as the Novocaine wore off. Honestly, after that - ice cream. That was the only thing that relieved my pain for the rest of the day. But it did get better, as you've already noticed.

Good luck!

[SunshineRay]

Wow! What a lot of insanity. I just caught up, so proud of you for pushing through even after the ordeal trying to get your extractions/implants figured out. And the TADs pain - I can only imagine, it sounds like they didn't have you numbed up enough. My TADs were in the roof of the mouth but only painful as the Novocaine wore off. Honestly, after that - ice cream. That was the only thing that relieved my pain for the rest of the day. But it did get better, as you've already noticed.

Good luck!

Yeah the TAD's didnt hurt after the first day. I think being in that chair for 50 hrs, being anxious over the whole ordeal and numbed twice due to the numbing wearing off because the ortho was with another patient......yeah that all didnt help.

[SunshineRay]

Today is my first adjustment and Im a bit nervous! After the bracing debacle, I'm hoping that things go smoothly and Im in and out.

Yesterday I woke up and realized I had a mouth full of stuff. Nothing bothered me until then. Very weird! Even today the side of my tongue feels raw. Since Im complaining I also feel like I talk funny because of the TAD's on the side of my mouth. My tongue hits them when I talk.

[Candyland]

Good luck with your adjustment today! I was so excited for my first adjustment. I also have an adjustment today I get so nervous when I get there that I forget all the questions that I wanted to ask. Today I brought a list so hopefully that will help.

[SunshineRay]

Good luck to you too! What is an adjustment like and how long do they usually take you?

[Candyland]

What is an adjustment like and how long do they usually take you?

My adjustments only take maybe 15-20 minutes. I go in and the assistance removes my power chains. Then the ortho takes a look at my teeth with the little mirror thingy and they discuss what needs to be done. Sometimes I get new wires, sometimes the ends just get clipped where they are digging into my cheeks. Then she puts new power chains on and I am done!

[Tobilei]

How did it go? Hope nothing is hurting too much! Maybe you'll be one of the lucky people who just don't hurt!

My appointments are all over the place. I have upper damon's but unitek on the bottoms. My appointments are sometimes 8 weeks, sometimes 6, sometimes only 3 or 4.

[SunshineRay]

My appt was nothing like Candylands. lol Figures! I was actually quite irritated again and feel like things are starting out very well with this office. We remember the 3 hrs it took for bracing. The adjustment was ONE AND HALF HOURS. They close from 1-2 for lunch. I get there at 1:50 and the computer wasnt up to sign in. I wait. 2:15 and the room is empty.....granted I was kind of in a corner. I can not stand being in the waiting room with all these 10 yr old kids. It makes me feel so awkward. So I go to the desk and say the computer wasnt up, blah blah, shes like oh we forgot you.....uh really? They take me back a few mins later and its a room full of chairs.....with kids and their moms. Again, feel stupid. How do I get over that? Anxiety pills? To make a long story short I got out of there at 3pm and was only 'seen' for maybe 15 mins. He looked me over and said everything was moving nicely as he wanted. The asst changed my ligs (that kind of pinched) and power chain, snipped my wires and sent me on my way. When scheduling my next appt in 4 weeks I said is there a certain time of day that isnt so busy. The woman said no. Grand! She booked me for 12:30 since they close at 1 it should mean I get seen quickly. I hate to leave work and go back but I also hated sitting there for 1.5hrs. Lets hope the next time goes more smoothly.

[SunshineRay]

Oh yeah the pain part. I am still in no pain. My mouth actually feels better. This week Ive been very aware of all this 'stuff' in my mouth. Now everything is tight and doesnt feel bulky. Not sure if that makes sense but I much prefer the tighter feeling.

[Tobilei]

Ugh, sorry you're having such a crummy time with your ortho! Were they this unprofessional before you decided to go with them? It shouldn't matter if you were in a corner. How do you *forget* you have a patient waiting?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that your next one goes a little more smoothly and instills a bit of confidence in them!

[SunshineRay]

No they were so professional. They give you a nice tour and lots of one on one time. Now that I think about it that was mainly by an office person. lol

The good news is: I really feel like my teeth are moving now and I have become less self consious since my adjustment. (haha 2 days ago!?) Today is exactly a month and even though pics dont show alot of change looking at my teeth and feeling them with my tongue I can really tell.

[Tobilei]

Glad the confidence is getting better! It comes around I think once you notice your teeth start to look a little better and I think you just get used to the fact that they're there and a part of you. I still have times where I wonder if mine look weird or huge or something but mostly not.