All the pain I have to endure to get braces

Message

#1 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:27 am

Hello Everyone,

I went my for my diagnostic appt yesterday and was told that I will need to get all four of my wisdom teeth pulled before getting braces. I am sheduled for the end of November for that. SCARY, I am terrified. Anyways my wisdom teeth are postioned at a weird angle and is causing crowding. My Ortho also said, that I would have to wear braces on all teeth both top and bottom and that I will have to insert some wire that heats up everyday so that my jaws will widen. Do anyone know what he is talking about? I will have to wear braces for 12 months. My Ortho's assistant told me to give them a call after my stitches come out for the wisdom teeth and that they will get me in for my braces. She said the procedure for braces will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cost for my braces are $4200.00 with a 1500.00 deductible. He said, if the would I decided against the heat wire to widen the jaws then they would have to do it surgically for $6200.00, I am just fine with the heat wire. Even though I am terrified about the wisdom teeth surgery, I am ready for the braces. He did not discuss what type of braces, I would be getting I guess I will find that out the day my braces are to be applied. Can anyone share their wisdom teeth extraction with me? I hope to have braces before Xmas!!!

#2 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:29 am

Thanks, that is what he called them heat activated archwires. I guess I need research what this is. Thanks for responding KiwiJKaren. How do you like warinbg braces?

#3 Post by **acd** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:39 am

I had my four wisdom teeth and a molar removed in March and it was not bad at all. For me the worst part was getting stuck with the needle for the anesthesia. When I woke up I was a little goofy--I kept telling the anesthesiologist that she became one because she liked to pass gas. My wife had to confiscate my cell phone after I called one of the people I worked with and apparently had a conversation that didn't make much sense. That day was the only day that I had to take the pain medication. Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions so you don't get dry sockets and you'll be fine.

#4 Post by **Delag** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:02 am

This is the wire my OD used - it is body heat activated. I don't know if this is what your doctor is talking about, but at least it is a place to start.....
http://www.gacbioforce.com/index.html

#5 Post by **ohmyjaw** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:24 pm

Hi Dymond,

I had all four wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthetic when I was 12 years old. Yes, 12.

I did not think the procedure was at all traumatic or painful. I did not even need the painkillers they gave me; they upset my stomach so I just stopped taking them after the first day.

My face swelled up pretty good though. I did not leave the house for a week - I felt just fine but did not want to show my face. So you may want to take a few days off work or school, etc. if you can.

But do not be scared - it is not a big deal!

Good luck with the braces!

#6 Post by **Gennel** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:44 pm

I will also be getting extractions for all 4 wisdom teeth. I had 6 extractions about 5+ months ago and it was under general anesthesia. So I was not afraid because I don't remember anything except that I thought I was snoring. I asked the surgeon and his assistant if I was snoring and they both giggled because I snored really loud due to anesthesia! lol

Are you planning to have general anesthesia or local injections? Either is fine and you will not be in pain during the extractions at all. If you are very worried and don't want to see needles then ask the oral surgeon about general anesthesia.
The heat wires you are talking about sound like heat activated wires. The temperature in your mouth will activate the wire to straighen out. I am getting an expander in about 2 weeks ,maybe that is what you might get. A lot of people have them here and there were no problems ,just keeping them clean is annoying to some .
I know you must be a little scared and that is totally normal. I have braces for about 4 and a half months now and I am so,so happy & proud of myself for doing this for myself!

Congrats on taking the plunge and post pics when you get braced!

Gennel

#7 Post by **MB Chick** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:38 pm

I had all four wisdom teeth extracted one week before getting braces and had no problems. The extractions went fine, no problems in healing and getting the braces a week later was no problem. Just a lot of soft food for several weeks (to avoid aggravating the extraction sites).

#8 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:31 pm

Thanks your post had me laughing...I hope that I don't start calling people names. lol

acd wrote:I had my four wisdom teeth and a molar removed in March and it was not bad at all. For me the worst part was getting stuck with the needle for the anesthesia. When I woke up I was a little goofy--I kept telling the anesthesiologist that she became one because she liked to pass gas. My wife had to confiscate my cell phone after I called one of the people I worked with and apparently had a conversation that didn't make much sense. That day was the only day that I had to take the pain medication. Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions so you don't get dry sockets and you'll be fine.

#9 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:34 pm

Thanks I am going to do the salt/water rinse.

KK wrote:Dymond if it's the heat activated archwires, then you'll barely notice them! My daughter never had any problems with them, and hopefully some of the members of this board who have them, will let you know how they've found them. For the rest of us, our orthos are expanding our arches using different types of archwires. I think it's all about the personal preference of the ortho!

I've got a great ortho who advised me to begin warm salt water rinses after my first consult with him. This was six weeks before my upper brackets were put on. This was definitely the best advice he gave me, as it's meant my mouth was extremely well prepared for the brackets, and I've needed very little wax, and no pain meds.

My ortho also believes that with modern orthodontics, pain should be minimal to non existent, and says the old pain = gains, is the stuff of folk tales. I've definitely found what he says to be true, and I'm sure this is partly due to the salt water, his attitude and my own positive attitude.

This website is also a fantastic place for newbies to read the many articles that Lynn has put in the Braces Basics section, plus do searches on nearly every thing they're concerned about. There's always people here who've had similar experiences, or know someone who has. Plus it's a great place to come for a whinge, which most of us need from time to time!

Looking forward to following your story as you prepare to begin this journey!

#10 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:37 pm

Thanks, I am glad to hear some positive comments about the extractions and my nerves have calmed a lot.

Gennel wrote:I will also be getting extractions for all 4 wisdom teeth. I had 6 extractions about 5+ months ago and it was under general anesthesia. So I was not afraid because I don't remember anything except that I thought I was snoring. I asked the surgeon and his assistant if I was snoring and they both giggled because I snored really loud due to anesthesia! lol

Are you planning to have general anesthesia or local injections? Either is fine and you will not be in pain during the extractions at all. If you are very worried and don't want to see needles then ask the oral surgeon about general anesthesia.
The heat wires you are talking about sound like heat activated wires. The temperature in your mouth will activate the wire to straighen out. I am getting an expander in about 2 weeks ,maybe that is what you might get. A lot of people have them here and there were no problems ,just keeping them clean is annoying to some .
I know you must be a little scared and that is totally normal. I have braces for about 4 and a half months now and I am so,so happy & proud of myself for doing this for myself!

Congrats on taking the plunge and post pics when you get braced!

Gennel

#11 Post by **dymond25** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:41 pm

Thanks, I am glad that you mention that you got your braces a week after your extractions, b/c I was hoping that I could have my braces my Xmas and I am sheduled for my four wisdom extraction on 29 Nov. So, sounds like my mouth will not be too sore to get them in about a week or two post op.

MB Chick wrote:I had all four wisdom teeth extracted one week before getting braces and had no problems. The extractions went fine, no problems in healing and getting the braces a week later was no problem. Just a lot of soft food for several weeks (to avoid aggravating the extraction sites).

#12 Post by **dymond25** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:08 pm

Some was asking if I would be getting an expander and the answer is yes. Is it hard to turn the key. Will I do this on my own or will the Ortho be doing this at the time of my adjustments? Also, with the heated archwire how often or the adjustments appt? Once the braces are applied, how often after that will I need to see the ortho?

#13 Post by **dymond25** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:31 pm

Thanks

#14 Post by **Gennel** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:58 am

If your expander has a key then you will be turning the expander yourself. The ortho will tell you exactly how and when you will do this.
I have the heat activated archwires. The appointments depend on what your ortho has planned. My ortho said that most of his patients see him every 6-8 weeks. My daughter has seen him every 4-6 weeks. I see him every 4 weeks. He wanted to see me every 4 weeks because he is keeping a close eye on some problems that are #1 priority right now. I'm getting an expander on my lowers,no key. He will remove it at every adjustment and open it a bit more and then put it back on. Once things settle down I will start seeing him every 6-8 wks.If your extractions are for Nov 29 then you will most likely have your braces before Christmas !
Post pics when you get them! I really enjoy looking at everyone's pics...

Gennel

#15 Post by **WeezieGirl25** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:14 pm

Hi Dymond!

I got all four my wisdoms pulled back in April and I had no problem.. I wasn't even knocked out so I was super nervous when I found out that I was gonna be awake the whole time. (they gave me a couple valiums and some laughing gas and I was in my own little world). Anyways I heard all the horror stories about the dry sockets, pain, puffy cheeks etc. I got the puffy cheeks the day after the extractions, no dry sockets though. I found drinking warm tea helped me tremendously... I went to work 2 days after my extractions looking like a chipmunk and drinking 6 cups of tea a day! I didn't even have to take my Tylenol Codeine pills the surgeon gave me. To make a long story short, everyone's experience is different, mine was a breeze. Of course it's uncomfortable the first two days or so but it gets better. Ibuprofen and tea worked for me and I was back to normal in about 5 days. Good luck with everything and think positive!!