Metal Mouth Message Board

I'm 54 and got braces on again in preparation for jaw surgery in about 2 years from now. I am hoping /demanding for it to be sooner. The biggest problem is keeping the Orthodontist in touch with how horribly TRAUMATIC this is for me. Her shop deals mostly with teens, 7 chairs, 2 orthodontists, and teams of techs floating chair to chair. Today I went in for the bottom braces after a week of misery with the top braces. I INSISTED they remove the headgear tubes off the top braces...they were tearing me up. The Dr admitted they weren't even necessary, so they filed them off. My question is why in the hell were they on in the first place? And was told that they "come with " the bands. I'm still furious about having to put up with them for no reason. And don't let them put that stupid retractor in your mouth. ' Rolls of cotton and suction work just as well. That retractor makes you crazy! I took it out, and said it wasn't going back in. It also made me gag. Also, ask them for a mirror so you can watch...then stop if it's something you didn't sign up for. Had I seen those headgear attachments coming, I wouldn't have let them put those bands on. Another thing...what is the "popstick" thing? That cracks me up, and just makes me want a "popsicle" - hey imagine that, give the Adults a daquiri popsicle after the procedure!

And the WAX! I didn't work 30 years ago, and it still doesn't work! Ask for the covers. I complained and whined about the pain and discomfort, stating "there MUST be something" that covers the braces. VOILA - they produced the covers. Moral of the story ASK and tell them that you're not "everybody"..I feel so sorry for the teens in that place. Any chance I get I tell them to start letting the staff know about anything that bugs them. No way we as paitents should have to put up with the discomfort of things that are perfectly fixable.

I HATE THESE STUPID THINGS!!