Just got braces!!! Question about adjustments!!!

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#1 Post by **HDG182** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:55 pm

So I got braces about 3 weeks ago. I got the clarity ceramic ones, and I feel like my ligatures are already a little stained. I feel very insecure about this and cant wait for my first adjustment so I can get new ligatures, but its not till August 20. Most of you say your have adjustments every 6 weeks, but my first adjustment is 10 weeks after. Did anyone else have to wait that long for their first adjustment. Will it always be like that or will it be lesser time between on other visits?

#2 Post by **charlsie142** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:06 pm

It was about 8 weeks for me from getting braced to the first adjustment. Since then, I go every 4 weeks. My ortho seems to be concerned about giving me time to adjust to everything (e.g., molar bands, then thicker wires, then powerchain on lower, then powerchain on upper...etc.), so I think that's why I go more often than some. The good news is, in the next 10 weeks, you'll probably see quite a bit of movement! My lower front teeth were completely straight by the time I went to my first adjustment (although I did not have too much crowding). Good luck!

#3 Post by **ninamcg123** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:08 pm

Hello. I've never heard of waiting 6 weeks for an adjustment, I usually go every 4 weeks. I have ceramic braces also, for staining, try to avoid foods with food coloring. coffee and red wine are the worst, I drink both, but if you swish with water after you drink if helps. hope this helps

#4 Post by **charlsie142** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:10 pm

I hadn't paid attention to the types of braces you have..sorry. I have damons, which I think a lot of people on here have SL braces and that may make the time between adjustments longer. Not 100% on that, though. It all really depends on your ortho and what they've got planned for you.

#5 Post by **MrMetalMouth1029** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:20 pm

Hello, I've had braces for about 8 months now and I still go in for adjustments every 10 weeks. My next adjustment is in two weeks; this will be number 4, so don't feel bad that you don't get to go in for appointments as much

I actually thought something was wrong with me when I read about others going in every 4-6 weeks. I guess it depends on what equipment is in your mouth. I have In-Ovation braces, so I don't have the ligatures. Your orthodontist may wait a while before shortening the time between visits. Hope this helps!

#6 Post by **32withbraces** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:02 am

i had my fist adjustment adter 4 weeks.my 2nd adjustment is july 29th which is 6 weeks

#7 Post by **hal2me** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:27 am

Hello,

I've had my braces for about 3.5 months now. My adjustments have been every six weeks.

As for the lig staining...

I stained my ligs the day I got them changed. You are the only one who really sees it. Nobody notices. If it does bother you that much, you can call and ask to come it to have them changed.

Take Care!

#8 Post by **rak** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:53 am

I had my first and second adjustments after 5 weeks, and the last 2 were after 3 weeks. I gess it depends much on the stage you are in.

About the staining... like you, I was a bit self-conscious about it at first, but no one except for you really notices it

!
I drink coffe with a straw and always drink some water with it to avoid majar staining.

Good luck!

#9 Post by **sarahlynn** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:02 am

I think adjustment times have to do with what your specific case is. I have my first adjustment on Thursday, but at my consult I did ask him how often I would be coming in. Right now his first priority is getting my 2 cross bite teeth forward, and I'll be coming in about every 3 weeks til that happens (he estimates 6-12 months, but I think that's on the high end, I think it'll be sooner as they've already moved quite a bit). Then once my lowers can go on he said I'd have to come in about every 8 weeks.

#10 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:39 am

I have clear brackets (Inspire Ice) on my social six, metal everywhere else, and have had my braces for about a year and a half. My adjustments have always been 10 weeks apart. The ligs/chains are definitely ready to be changed by then. I agree with what others have said. If you are a coffee/tea drinker, using a straw helps to keep staining at a minimum, at least on the front brackets. I try to avoid stuff that I know will stain: mustard, curry, ketchup. Other than that, the only advice I can offer is not to use the clear ligs and powerchains. I always ask for wire ties on my front upper brackets. If I can't have those for some reason, I have good luck with "smoke" colored ligs and chains. They are nearly clear, resist staining for longer, and don't look that awful when they get a bit yellowed.

#11 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:54 am

I had ceramic brackets and I had asked when I got them on if I could have wire ties since I'm a coffee drinker which my ortho had accomodated me. I was going in for adjustments every 5-6 weeks and by the time I got into about 7 months of treatment, my adjustments were every 4 weeks, but I was also wearing clear powerchains on top which stained badly and I was going inbetween appointments to get them changed.

Call up your ortho and see if you can run in to have them changed. I'm sure that they'll be more than happy to do it for you.

I went in regularly and they always fit me in either at the end of the day or first thing in the morning. As a thank you one morning, I brought in bagels and cream cheese which they totally enjoyed.

B

#12 Post by **Margie** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:46 am

I think the length of time between adjustments depends on the type of braces you have.

I have self ligating braces (speed braces) and my first adjustment is two months after I had my braces put on (which will be July 21st). My dentist said it will be about two months between adjustments for the first while but after I have had them for awhile I will have to go in more often.

#13 Post by **Jewles** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:25 am

Mine have always been 6 weeks apart

That seems to be the way things are with all my orthos patients