Newbie 2nd day with Smart-Clip braces! I've got pics!

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#1 Post by **artroxu** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:08 pm

Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself! I just got my braces on yesterday and am a bit sore today. I got the Smart-Clip self-ligating brackets. They are suppose to be more comfortable and don't require ligatures, so no staining! Already my teeth don't settle like they use to. I'm living off of spaghetti-os and jello pudding cups. haha.

Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:26 am

hello, nice to see your pics
i'm getting smart clips on the 17th, i was happy to see what they look like on the teeth
did your lips get cut or anything? do you find they are bulky? my ortho said they are a bit bulky compared to traditional with ligs
and how often do u have to have adjustments done?
and whats your treatment time like? im guessing you just have crooked teeth?
heheh i know alot of questions but i havent really found anyone on here currently with smartclips
u can see my story in my sig

#3 Post by **artroxu** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:50 pm

My lips are pretty good for now, today is day 3. I know how you feel about being happy to see how they look on teeth. Before I got mine on I tried to do a google image search for them but the only one I could find was on a model set of teeth. I think they only feel kinda bulky cuz I'm still getting use to them. I don't really have anything else to compare them to. I think adjustments are based on the type of treatment your ortho is doing. I'm suppose to get mine every 7 weeks. From what I've heard that is a long time. I've heard mostly 4-6 weeks between adjustments. I don't know if that is cuz of the smart clips or just the type of work my ortho does. The only discomfort besides the usual tenderness is the tiny bit of wire coming out of the back four brackets. But i just put some wax on and they're fine. My ortho say's I'm just a straight forward treatment. no spacers or extractions or anything. My billing time is 24 months but they'll probably be off before that. Its probably only that long cuz my ortho is notorious for being a perfectionist. Other than that, I've just been eatin' my spaghetti-os and jello pudding. Oh and by the way don't attempt to blend macaroni and cheese. It just doesn't work.

Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:32 am

3m updated their site, they have case studies with pics now
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... e-studies/

and i read self ligating brackets dont need to be adjusted as quickly as tradition brackets with ligs
i think its like 6-8 weeks, another articlet i saw every 2-3 month
you are lucky to get 7 weeks, i think mine will be every 8 weeks
do u have brackets behind your molar bands?

#5 Post by **Betho** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:03 pm

I have Damon Braces, which are also self litigating but slightly different than the Smart Clips. Yours don't look too bulky IMO. I love my braces for the same reason, no staining, bring on the curry and coffee! I've had mine for 5 months and my biggest complaint has been the cuts I've been getting in my cheeks, but that's my own fault for not using wax.

Your teeth look great, looking forward to the updates!

Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:12 am

i got my top set of smart clips today

just feels a bit weird, the right molar band feels like its tighter than how it was when i chew

#7 Post by **Zombo** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:00 pm

Chewing? What's that? I'm on day 5 and still am eating with my tongue and roof of my mouth!

Mrs. Zombo took me to Dairy Queen for a treat, and it hurt chewing a *strawberry*

#8 Post by **artroxu** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:21 am

Zombo, That is totally normal, I was doing that untill like, day 9 or 10. Now I'm about 2 1/2 weeks in and I can chew most things. Saturday night I had chips'n'salsa at a local restaurant, and they have those really thick crunchy homemade kind. Friday night I had chicken breast, last night I had shrimp. Trust me it gets better. Just go at your own pace, It feels like forever in that stage but I bet you'll be chewin like crazy in another week. Be sure not to coddle your teeth though, challange them a bit in a few days with something like ravioli, noodles, beans, rice, etc.

Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:13 pm

day 5 and i was able to eat a burger and fries!!!
only on the right side, the left side the molar band tooth hurts to chew still
im practising on it but im getting my lowers on thursday so im hoping by next monday i will be able to have another burger
(burgers are my new fave as they are the easiest for me to eat since ive have my extractions)

Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:25 pm

hey hows your smart clips?
my ortho is surprised that today when i went for the lowers, another upper bracket came off