Metal Mouth Message Board

Before braces (but after expander for 8 months):





Day 1 of braces:

Thanks Karen and Linda. So far it's been a breeze compared to the expander. I can feel it all there but it doesn't exactly hurt and the food habits are really similar to post SARME and having the expander so not a lot of adjustment required there. In fact I only really notice the bottom (metal) braces as I have had something up the top for such a long time now it just feels normal!

The main thing was having to spend 4 hours in the chair. It took a while to get the expander and the glue off, then they decided to put 8 of those metal rings around the back teeth instead of 4, which took some time. I was famished by the time I got out of there at 2.30pm!!

Something I was wondering for all those veterans out there- how long does it normally take to start seeing some differences? I did read a post on here once about that but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Two days since B-day and I'm loving my braces. Despite my concerns about feeling self-conscious I find that I really just don't care! My face is still puffy and swollen and my cheeks hurt a bit, but the inside of my mouth feels fine and the brackets and wires don't bother me at all. As for the eating thing- well, if the expander prepared me for anything it was to live happily on soft foods, to the point where I barely notice that's all I'm doing. The thought that I can probably eat something a bit harder occurs to me every now and then, but can't say I've felt the need to go there yet!

This is actually quite the buzz. I wish I could see difference in my teeth already, but I am sure that will come.

Wow, the expander really gave you a nice wide upper arch. I really like the look of a wide arch.

There's plenty of space for your teeth to move into line now I'm fairly sure it won't take long before you start seeing progress.

Keep us updated and...

WELCOME aboard!!

Hey girl! Your teeth aren't that bad at all! Just your canines that need alignment - most of us have 4 or more crooked teeth per arch so consider urself lucky! And the expander seems to have done a great job!
I trully wish you good luck with everything, and keep us updated as much as you can!
As for me it took me about 2 weeks untill I saw some difference. But you can be different, if can be sooner or later than that! But they will move eventually, I know how anxious u must be - we all do!

Chat soon,

Joanna

Thanks Joanna, so nice of you. My bottom teeth are a bit all over the place too though, but I guess that gives me good room for improvement!

So anyway, I've been braced for a week. I have been amazed at how easy and pain-free it has been. I really haven't noticed them at all. The only thing has been if I suck through a straw- I have 8 bands rather than 4, so there are lots of hooks etc sticking out at the back there, and if I suck in my cheeks things aren't too comfortable. But hey, I don't use a straw often so it's all okay.

My only small disappointment is that it has been a week but I haven't seen any movement yet. I took some pics today to compare, and if I squint and turn my head to the left (!), there's maybe been a 0.2 mm move in one of my canines, but that's all.

Also, I don't feel any of the "tell-tale signs" of movement either, which is a shame. I know they will eventually move, and I shoudn't get impatient or down about it, but I was hoping my little guys would be sprinters rather than marathon runners.....

Go teeth go!!

Hi Meryaten- yes, 4 hours was a long time to be in the chair! I had been told it was going to be 2.5, so I brought a ipod to listen to, which turned out to be well worth it. The hardest part really though was I was starving! I walked out and ate straight away, which was a rapid introduction for the braces.

I think I feel "signs" of movement! I can't really see any difference, but my teeth feel like they are definitely touching together in different places. I'm excited!

So, my first adjustment is in two days! I'm excited. I can definitely see changes in my teeth, primarily:

1. the gap between my front teeth got bigger
2. my naughty canines have come down a bit (although they are still protruded)

This first month in braces has gone really well. Bit of the old cut jaw, but ah well, what do you expect?! Wax helps some of course, but I think I need a little wire trim this visit.

Also, as I mentioned I have 8 bands not 4, all with hooks. The ortho put 8 on as my spacers had made enough space for it and he was going to have to do it eventually anyway. BUT he is not using the hooks for anything now and I don't think will until a few months in. I was wondering if there is something I can ask for to cover up the hooks so they don't dig in so much?? The ones on the most rear of my upper molars in particular are a bit of a problem.

Something else for this visit: coloured ligs. I am leaning towards a darkish purple, but we shall see what I come up with when confronted with the colour selection for the first time!!

Wish me luck!

I'm so excited! I just had my first adjustment!! So, what happened?:

1. I changed ligs from clear to metallic purple. My ortho thinks I have lost my mind, but to be honest I'm not sure he ever thought I had it!
2. They trimmed that horrible upper right wire. He said it was much longer than when they put it on, which indicated good movement.
3. They told me they couldn't do much about the hooks, as they have bent them in for people before but they have a tendency to snap when pulled back out.

I took some pics, but the camera battery died. I have posted the only pic that sort of worked before it died (compare it to my original pic 4 weeks ago on right):



I shall take more pics when I get home and recharge it.

*** SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR FULL PICS AND SOME COOL PRE-TREATMENT COMPARISONS ***

Wow, what a difference in only one month!!!

Thanks guys! Always good to know people are interested in your progress.

(And yes well I think my ortho is a bit insane, so its fair I guess )

Here are all the rest of the pics from Month 1, Adjustment 1:




I haven't included Day 1 pics as you can see them on page one. What I did think was interesting though is that I found the mould they gave me which they had used to design the expander, and this gives you an idea of my arch before everything (SARPE, expander) had begun! Oo how exciting! See how mini my arch was compared with a pen-lid!!

Aye ur canines have moved quite abit... ur teeth are looking great!!

really dig those colore ligs. looks like your making nice progress
chris