Well as most stories go, my parents could never afford braces. So here I am 23...flying solo...and getting braces. Mar 1, 2007 is D day. I want to know the difference between ceramic and metal braces. It seems most people get ceramic on top and metal on bottom. But I've read that the ceramic hurt a lot more to take off. So what's the deal? Which one should I pick? Also, I am an inconsolible WIMP when it comes to pain. How long until the pain subsides. I've read anywhere from a week until a month. One more thing...(last one I promise), my Ortho is putting tops on first and bottoms about 6 weeks later. Is that standard? They say they like the patient to get used to them first. Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Just prolongs the pain...
Anyhow. I'll post my "befores" this week.
This is an incredible site, and I hope I can gain some support from you guys. My boyfriend was born with PERFECT pearly whites!!! Jerk. So he can't possibly understand my plight! Well that's it for now...talk to you guys later!
UPDATED PICS!!!!
Moderator: bbsadmin
UPDATED PICS!!!!
Last edited by Beana803 on Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:47 am, edited 14 times in total.
Welcome!
About the brackets there is a one discussion:
viewtopic.php?t=17108&start=0
I think that ceramics do not show from distance. I do some theatre so I want to get ceramics. There are people in this forum who wants to have metallic brackets, because of their lower price (in my case the price is same), some just want to show off their braces, in some cases ceramics won't do the job (i guess very difficult ones), and so on.
You will have to live quite awhile with your brace-look, so take something you can live with.
About the brackets there is a one discussion:
viewtopic.php?t=17108&start=0
I think that ceramics do not show from distance. I do some theatre so I want to get ceramics. There are people in this forum who wants to have metallic brackets, because of their lower price (in my case the price is same), some just want to show off their braces, in some cases ceramics won't do the job (i guess very difficult ones), and so on.
You will have to live quite awhile with your brace-look, so take something you can live with.
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cssteam904
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:51 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
- Contact:
welcome
Welcome aboard!!!!
Congrats on B-day....I am about 2 weeks into my journey, and i have metal tops and will eventually have metal bottoms. I do not have bottoms on yet because of my bite. If they were to put bottoms on right away, i would bite the brackets off.
I chose metal because of the price and that some of the work that has to be done my ortho said the metal would work better.
As far as the pain, I didnt have any pain. There was some discomfort for the first 2 days....but if you use the wax and do the salt water rinses then things will go smooth. Make sure you chew as that will make the blood flow better and calm things down....
Have plenty of soft and easy to eat things handy. Also, keep a fork and knife handy as that will make eating easier
Have fun and keep a positive attitude and things will go smooth!!!!
Congrats on B-day....I am about 2 weeks into my journey, and i have metal tops and will eventually have metal bottoms. I do not have bottoms on yet because of my bite. If they were to put bottoms on right away, i would bite the brackets off.
I chose metal because of the price and that some of the work that has to be done my ortho said the metal would work better.
As far as the pain, I didnt have any pain. There was some discomfort for the first 2 days....but if you use the wax and do the salt water rinses then things will go smooth. Make sure you chew as that will make the blood flow better and calm things down....
Have plenty of soft and easy to eat things handy. Also, keep a fork and knife handy as that will make eating easier
Have fun and keep a positive attitude and things will go smooth!!!!
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manglemouth
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:30 pm
- Location: Home is where the cat fur is
HI Beana!
I have the ceramic on top and to me they look really visible because they are so much bigger than the metal brackets, but the few people that have seen me in braces so far (just got them on today) say they look good and are not really visible, so I must just be my own worst critic. So I guess if discreet braces are important to you, go ahead and get the ceramic. My ortho did say they are a little more fragile and tend to chip when they are taken off, so sometimes they need to be ground off...but I figure they know what they are doing, if it was something that would ruin teeth in the process, they wouldn't offer it. So I still chose ceramic and will worry about the taking off when it's time... a long time from now
If you read up on all the articles and posts on this site, you will see that having braces isn't what it used to be when it comes to pain. I had a co-worker tell me that braces are horrible, and oh why would I want to go through that ...and that she needed them for 5 years and then got cavities because her ortho didn't get all the cement off when she got debanded. I think alot of heartache can be prevented by choosing a good ortho and going into this with a good attitude. Sure, you probably will have sore teeth sometimes and yes maybe it will uncomfortable to have the brackets taken off. But it's simply worth all the hassle in the end. And I have had a very good experience so far and expect it to keep going like this!
Welcome and remember to take lots of pics so you can see the progress you have made when you feel like change isn't happening fast enough
I have the ceramic on top and to me they look really visible because they are so much bigger than the metal brackets, but the few people that have seen me in braces so far (just got them on today) say they look good and are not really visible, so I must just be my own worst critic. So I guess if discreet braces are important to you, go ahead and get the ceramic. My ortho did say they are a little more fragile and tend to chip when they are taken off, so sometimes they need to be ground off...but I figure they know what they are doing, if it was something that would ruin teeth in the process, they wouldn't offer it. So I still chose ceramic and will worry about the taking off when it's time... a long time from now
If you read up on all the articles and posts on this site, you will see that having braces isn't what it used to be when it comes to pain. I had a co-worker tell me that braces are horrible, and oh why would I want to go through that ...and that she needed them for 5 years and then got cavities because her ortho didn't get all the cement off when she got debanded. I think alot of heartache can be prevented by choosing a good ortho and going into this with a good attitude. Sure, you probably will have sore teeth sometimes and yes maybe it will uncomfortable to have the brackets taken off. But it's simply worth all the hassle in the end. And I have had a very good experience so far and expect it to keep going like this!
Welcome and remember to take lots of pics so you can see the progress you have made when you feel like change isn't happening fast enough
Photos
Okay, well you have to copy and paste the link to see the pic. I still haven't figured that out yet. But anyhow-thanks for all of your feedback. I am positive about the experience. I have seen some INCREDIBLE transformations on this site. Which gives me confidence that my case can be helped 
If someone can help me figure out to put the pic on there without having to copy and paste the link, I would REALLY appreciate it.
Thanks...6 days until B-Day
If someone can help me figure out to put the pic on there without having to copy and paste the link, I would REALLY appreciate it. Thanks...6 days until B-Day
Cleaning
Well, I had my teeth cleaned this morning in preperation for B-Day (3 days). As I was flossing this morning, I thought....HMMM it's going to be very difficult to floss those back teeth. And once you get bands, do you take them off to brush/floss. I am enjoying my last few days of really crunchy food, and I found myself considering softer food options at the store. That will probably be the worst part of this whole experience. I LOVE FOOD. Well I hope all of you are doing well, and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Bigger Picture
Maybe this will be easier to see.
Hi beana and welcome.
Spacers are little rubber or metal inserts that are placed between molar teeth to make space for the attaching of molar bands. Molar bands are metal rings that go around the entire tooth and which incorporate brackets.
Yes, there are a few of us on here - I'm one of them - who did not have spacers/molar bands. I have what they call 'buccal tubes' on my second molars/wisdoms. These are brackets bonded directly to the tooth surface, without the need for a molar band.
Some people reckon that the spacer experience is the worst of their braces journey, so be pleased that you're missing out!
Spacers are little rubber or metal inserts that are placed between molar teeth to make space for the attaching of molar bands. Molar bands are metal rings that go around the entire tooth and which incorporate brackets.
Yes, there are a few of us on here - I'm one of them - who did not have spacers/molar bands. I have what they call 'buccal tubes' on my second molars/wisdoms. These are brackets bonded directly to the tooth surface, without the need for a molar band.
Some people reckon that the spacer experience is the worst of their braces journey, so be pleased that you're missing out!
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Patricia S.
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:01 pm
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
Congrats on your B-Day Beana!!! My Ortho used metal spacers on me because there wasn't enough room for the bands to fit in. I don't know how the rubber ones feel, but with the metal ones all I felt was discomfort for the first day or so. Hope all goes well and if you do have to get spacers don't worry they will be out soon.
Keep us updated on how it goes!
Patricia
Keep us updated on how it goes!
Patricia
Welcome Beana803! My orthodontist used spacers but it wasn't too bad. Your lower lateral looks a bit like mine did (but my lowers were probably more crowded). I think your teeth are going to look really great (they have good shape and color).
Good luck!
~jenfire
Good luck!
~jenfire
Ceramic Braces and RPE, estimated treatment 18 months
Hi Beana803
Another one here with a lower lateral that was hiding, it is now coming out of hiding I am glad to say. I didn't have spacers either and I am quite glad about it. Good luck with your fitting.
Regards
Joney
Another one here with a lower lateral that was hiding, it is now coming out of hiding I am glad to say. I didn't have spacers either and I am quite glad about it. Good luck with your fitting.
Regards
Joney
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)