Metal Mouth Message Board

I had entertained braces when I was in my early twenties but gave that up after a different Ortho at a consultation about 10 years ago told me he would like to remove 4 teeth behind my canines but would try it without and may pull them if it didn't work. I freaked out and never looked back. I used to have nightmares of getting teeth pulled. I am now 32 and suddenly had month long-full mouth/all teeth sensitivity from clenching at nights that had always been mildly annoying but no real problem until now. It had gotten so bad this last month that my TMJ's had swollen making 3 molars drop down slightly, chipped a point off of one molar, hairline cracked my bottom right front tooth and was just downright dreadful even after wearing a bite guard. It was zinging all my teeth like tinfoil on an old metal filling! I couldn't take the pain any more and went into the Orthodontist. He said I needed to also see a dentist as bruxism wasn't supposed to be that painful but he had seen that the sudden damage needed to be stopped right away and said braces now for the clenching and that those 4 teeth that the previous Ortho said would go will stay. Long story short about the regular dentist is that he ended up pulling molar # 7 in the very back two days later which helped with the over the top pain but I had braces put on 2 days after that on 11/25/14. I was unprepared for how they would feel or impact my life. I was honestly thinking I was so tough because they didn't hurt for hours afterward and then......Holy moly- a migraine from the underworld in my teeth! Thanksgiving was interesting lol. I am so whining. I am taken aback a bit because my teeth used to touch all over except where my canines are crowded and when they put on the brackets, they put clear bumpers/ligatures on in 4 places and I cannot touch any teeth together and can't chew ANYTHING. I can mash food but that leaves no options on what I eat and puts alot of stress (pain) on those tiny points on the brackets that are now turned into door stoppers. They don't really hurt today on 11/30 but I can't grind my food up. I'm just wondering about how long I will have to eat baby food???
He had mentioned rubber bands but I am assuming those go on at the next adjustment in January. On my paperwork it said that I have an overjet of 2mm (top) and front to back occlusions. My teeth have moved A LOT in the first 3 days and I didn't think to take pictures of my teeth before I went in but I took photos 3 days afterward. I found a photo of my teeth from a regular photo and only have that to compare with but can tell that the canine in the upper left (my left) has traveled down and back a bit already! My 2 front upper teeth were in an even V shape and now the ones on my right are kind of going backwards. I had read that they have to unravel at first and thinking that this is normal but really excited to feel them dramatically changing so quick! The only tooth that hasn't really changed in my smile teeth is the upper right canine and that puppy will be stubborned I think. I am so excited that this is the beginning of the end of swollen jaw joints! Plus I will accidentally have a prettier smile! The humorous part for me is that my Orthodontists name is Dr. Payne. His motto is, "No Payne, no gain." Bring it on!

Eventually you will break through and can eat anything again. Good luck on your journey!!!

Okay, so I'm posting pics now. They don't show much here but I have to say that today, day 6, is the movement I was talking about. I have the photos of before and day 3. I would say now that the "overjet" on the upper four front that was noted on the paper is now doubled. I'm okay with the other teeth being more crooked and I understand that but is them pushing out the front okay?
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To tell you the truth, my teeth got hideously ugly before they got better. It probably looks like they're doing something wrong now and it falls into place later. Just hang in there, and ask your ortho next appointment.

My teeth have started tilting outward, too. I hope everything goes perfectly! It sounds like you're on the right path!

Thanks for the replies, and it helps to know that I wasn't and won't be the last person that panicked. One really nice thing is that my orthodontist (like he read my mind) called me tonight after hours out of the blue to ask if I had any concerns. I had a small laundry list of questions and he was a saint and answered them!! What a stinking nice Dentist! I did notice that on the left side of the upper front, tooth #2's lig was only half connected and could be why it is going backward. I am going to get that fixed in the a.m.. I'm super excited for the future when they aren't so wavy davy but I am thrilled that this orthodontist is so attentive to his patients! His prices were awesome also ($4700) and he agreed to do payment plans for the amount. I did find Aetna's savings card and payed for the year and also saved $500 off of the total taking it down to $4200. Just in case anyone needs money savings off of their orthodontia and they are shopping for orthodontists, this plan is totally awesome and saved my pocket book. -Stepping off of my soapbox now-

wmd, I have had braces now for six weeks and since day one my molars would not meet. To begin with I put everything in the blender but now I cut things up small, chew on one side only and manage to eat most foods although it takes twice as long as anyone else. I still get a sore mouth from the lower braces so have to grab the wax now and again. Overall I am resigned to the next two years.

You are so lucky with your ortho. The only time I heard from mine was to postpone my readjustment for a week, and that wasn't him speaking anyway.

I am doing the same thing!!!! I have eaten quite a few things the last day and just cut it up smaller than baby pieces for some and cannot manage to make spaghetti noodles get smaller than what the knife does . No more Snickers for me (personal tragedy lol)! Milkyway's it is. I brush and brush the living tar out of my teeth all day but it really is getting old to snack and have to go and pamper my gnashers. Lettuce is a no go, flat chips, and anything hard but luckily the only restriction the dentist said was checking for popcorn kernels. For that, I haven't gotten there yet as they still feel pretty week and a bit sore but glad to at least be able to eat soft cooked pizza now.

I loved reading some of your story links and see where you all are and have been! A brave crowd! Do any of you have any good advice that a newcomer at 1 week would need to know??