what is..

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#1 Post by **59fifty** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:46 pm

today i got like these 2 spikes cemented behind my front teeth
they are like fangs pretty much and poke my tongue

i cant see how this effects my braces or teeth its just glued to the back

they said its to help my bite and thats all they said. it feels more like a torture device becuz its pointy and pokes my tongue but not pierce

it litterly looks like my front teeth have fangs growing on the back

i have my next check up in 1.5 months

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:14 am

They are conditioning devices to prevent tongue thrust. You tongue is extremely strong. Constantly pushing your tongue against the back of your front teeth will cause them to be pushed outward and thus out of alignment. The spikes cause pain you when you set your tongue against your front teeth or push against your front teeth when you swallow. That pain will force you to put your tongue somewhere else.

#3 Post by **theKurp** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:35 am

Or....they could simply be buttons that will be used later in your treatment to attach elastics to.

#4 Post by **mist** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:25 am

bite turbos

#5 Post by **59fifty** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:50 am

im not sure about tongue thrusting, my bite has always been angled wierd becuz of bad crowding so the elastic thing might make sense tho

dont know where or what it would attatch to tho or why its on for month half

it better not stay on for more than this treatment cuz its so wierd eating with it lol

i always think its piece of food and try touching it

ahhh if it is the tongue thing...how long do they make u wear it

#6 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:08 am

If they are bite turbos they will be on until your teeth move enough so you no longer risk damaging your teeth on the brackets.

If they are buttons or a tongue thrust spikes, they may be on for the rest of treatment. But like everything else---you'll get used to them.

Call your ortho. They should be able to tell you over the phone what they are and how long you'll have them.