Spacers tomorrow!

[Jabbajaws01]

Hi all, I'm a newbie here!

I have been browsing this site since I 'bit the bullet' and said to my dentist "ok ill do it"! He's been pestering me for years and its getting to the point where crowding is painful.

My dentist is a cosmetic dentist and has done many orthodontics over the years, he is fully qualified although he focuses on "cosmetic" and normal dentistry. I am very confident in his abilities and have never felt so comfortable with a dentist before.

My issues are an over bite, severe crowding and i have a very noticeable incisor. I was originally told that my bite was medium and that if I wanted a full fix that surgery to break the jaw would be required. This is why I've taken so long to do it! I told my dentist that I absolutely would not participate in that measure. It wasn't until the pain from the crowding started (several years later) that he said braces and extraction of 2 teeth was ideal and that considering that my bite doesn't affect my chewing or talking too much I could forgo the surgery!

So anyway spacers tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to it! I'm trying to stay focused I the thought of braces and looking forward to getting it "over and done with". So I dare say you'll be seeing me around a lot these next few weeks!

[Jabbajaws01]

Day 1 of spacers....

What can I say except that they are so uncomfortable! I got 4 (2 on each side) on the top. Eating and chewing hasn't been too much of a chore until now - dinner time! I keep getting lock jaw and its quite painful but I'm starving so I will persist.
Already looking forward to next week when these things come out and the brace is on.

[BriaP]

I can't decide between the spacers and the extractions, which was more uncomfortable. All I can say for sure is that it really gets better from here. Good luck on your journey!

[Jabbajaws01]

[quote="BriaP"]I can't decide between the spacers and the extractions, which was more uncomfortable. All I can say for sure is that it really gets better from here. Good luck on your journey![/quote]


Thanks Bria, Its day 2 now and I woke up with a stinking headache but it went away with my fav coffee

I'm a little unsure about the extractions because I've only ever had teeth out using anesthesia, this time my dentist will do it with laughing gas as his "sandman" retired last year. I can go somewhere else but it's gonna cost more $ whereas the quote I was given includes the extractions anyway. So I'll be braving the extractions awake because this is costing me enough as it is.

How many "recovery" days off do u think ill need?

[Jabbajaws01]

Tomorrow is the big day.....
The spacers come off, and I get about a minute of relief before the braces go on. Omg so excited yet am dreading tomorrow night and the days to follow. Wondering how much my speech will be affected as I return to work the next day.

[Hanka01]

Good Luck!

[BriaP]

You'll do great!
I had my first extractions on a Tuesday and went back to work the following day with no pain. Even with the nonsense that my stubborn teeth put me through. Last week, I had my final extractions done on a Monday and came back to work the next day. Yes, I sounded a little funny at times but not enough for me to take the day off. If you feel like you need to stay home, go for it!
The scariest part of extractions is thinking of how bad it will be. I'm not going to lie, it is stressful to know that you are having teeth pulled, but take lots of deep breaths and ask questions! Make sure your dentist makes you comfortable. Mine walked me through the entire process and that put me at ease. Knowing what happens and how really helps.
I promise, it isn't as scary as our brains make it seem!

[Jabbajaws01]

Thanks so much Hanka and Bria!

Today was actually what I expected and then...... Not so.

I went to my local cafe and ordered a HUGE cooked breakfast. I couldn't finish it and even sadder I couldn't enjoy the bacon cause they made it so crispy (usually my fav kind) but the spacers made it so damn hard to chew.

Getting the braces on was so easy! It was actually better than I expected and I was made very comfortable. I chose dark green ligs as green is my fav color (although I love neon green). I chose the dark because I love a glass or few of red wine and didn't want them staining too much. The taste of the glue is disgusting!!!!

For lunch I ate a banana! Dinner we had chicken milk curry and although it was difficult (getting used to chewing) I ate most of what was served.

A few questions for us metal mouths:

1. The rubbing is driving me nuts and I ended up putting wax on. Does anyone know if I can drink coffee with the wax on? Call me stupid but I don't want it to melt the wax and have to put it on again so soon. I usually drink btw 2-5 coffees a day.

2. Also, is it unusual to have extractions done after braces have been put on? I see ppl on this board who have teeth out first and I thought it was weird my dentist is doing it this way as my front left tooth is severely crooked and has no room to move straight. I'd show u if I could work out how to upload a pic. I get my next adjustment in 8 weeks and extractions of 2 teeth 8 weeks after that (4months from now).

Your help is much appreciated.

Ps. I'll try to post a pic soon so u know how bad my front tooth is.

[BriaP]

I'm glad you're doing well!

Answers:
1. In the beginning, I wouldn't live without wax, although I perfer the Mack's silicone ear plugs. I bought mine in the pharmacy section at Target. The only thing I didn't do in my wax was brush my teeth. It stayed on when I ate, drank, and anything else. The silicone and wax both stayed on through several cups of hot tea each day. Sometimes I would accidentally eat it during meals, but oh well. It has to come off for brushing anyway.

2. I thought extractions after being braced was weird as well, but when I asked about it, my orthodontist said he wanted to maintain the shape of my mouth. Apparently it is very common. That answer didn't make much sense to me, but I went with it. I'm going to ask about it again at my next appointment, just because I'm curious.
I didn't have brackets but on the teeth that were to be removed, and my wires only went around the front six teeth; top and bottom.

[Jabbajaws01]

Thank you for your help Bria.

The wax has become my new best friend, although I only use it now on the back anchors?? As there is wire poking out and it's very painful. I won't be able to visit the dentist until Monday so brushing is a real pain cause when brushing the wax comes off and when I spit the paste the wire pokes me. I've also scratched the inside of my mouth with it pretty badly. The wire itself doesn't appear too long but it's on such a angle that it does damage so I haven't been brushing as often either - not because I don't want to, just afraid of more damage.

Apart from that eating has been a challenge but it hasn't been too bad. Hubby has been kind enough to "diet" with me when we are together and my son is so picky that nothing pleases him anyway.

I am a carnivore by nature and eating fish is a god send ATM. Going to attempt Irish stew tonight and hopefully the lamb is as tender as it normally is when I cook this.

Soooo looking forward to seeing the dentist.