The inevitable came true today- Elastics

[blackapple]

I am grumpy as grumpy can be tonight. They finally hit me with my first wire change and elastics all in one visit. I also have the wire running continuously through my entire arch now except for the very last molars. So teeth that did have a bracket but no wire through it are really hurting. I am back feeling like it's the very first day of getting braces all over again. Looks like I am going to drop some weight again because I can't chew.

These elastics are a major pain in the rear and are hurting my jaw something fierce. I have had an off and on again headache for the day. I was told to keep them on for 24 hours a day. I just don't think I can tolerate all this pressure on those teeth and my inability to open my mouth properly to eat. I look ridiculous with them on as they are situation diagonally with teeth toward the front of my mouth. I was given an estimated time of wearing braces for 24 months. I really hope the orthodontist doesn't plan to keep me in this contraption for the rest of my treatment. Really having the urge to give my mouth a slight break and just remove the darn things. Just as I was getting used to the braces process I get hit with something that is worse than what I had before.

How do you cope with this?

[Ellebraced]

Hi blackapple

That sound HORRIBLE!! I have to have those scary forsus springs. Very very very scary.

I hope things get a little bit better!! Good luck!!

Elle

[kaylaa]

That doesn't sound like fun. I was supposed to get elastics last appointment (dec 13) but they "over-expanded" my arch, so now I have to wait. I was slightly upset because I thought "awesome, I will see a ton of progress and that's exciting" but I kind of think I dodged a bullet (for now) when I hear stories like these.

[TumbleDryLow]

I had elastics in one configuration or another for about 24 months out of my 33 months of treatment. All of my configurations were 24 hour wear, however I was not able to keep them in while eating. (I ate them). My ortho gave me her blessing to have them out while eating, so I think you will be OK to do the same, but taking them out for longer will not help in the long run. The constant on-off pressure of the elastics being in then out causes more pain in the long run, not less. I know you hate them now and I know you are in pain, but trust me on this--you will get used to them (even the way they look) and the pain will subside. Give it time. In a few days it will be better.

[caitlin1120]

I've had elastics for about three months now, thankfully I'm almost done treatment so I won't have them for much longer, and after a month my ortho told me to only wear them at night. I totally remember the agony of the first few days though, and feeling like I'm going through the pain of just getting braces all over again - so frustrating! I can tell you that much like the braces themselves, it does get better. Soon I'm sure you won't even notice them, I know I forgot that they were there and I was only wearing them 24/7 for a month! I highly doubt your ortho wants you to eat with them in though, and taking them out for a few minutes while you eat won't hurt. I know I never wore them while eating or when I went out with friends, and my ortho said my progress was great. Of course every mouth is different, but that was my experience.

One thing to keep in mind to help you stay optimistic - elastics work and they work fast! Look out for changes in your teeth/bite, I'm sure they'll start sooner than you think and that is usually a good motivator to keep those annoying things in so they can continue doing their job. Good luck!

[SilverGirl]

Ugh - that sounds like NO FUN. I hope you start adjusting to them and feeling better soon.

[chocomorsel]

Just got mine around 5 hours ago and the pain is now getting to me. My jaw is sore as in the past I usually can hold it slightly open to keep the teeth from touching and help with the pain. Can't do that with elastics due to the constant pull and my jaw is now fatigued and my teeth are touching and it doesn't feel good at all. We'll see how I feel in the morning. Help.

[jambo532]

I would give anything to be in elastics right now. I just got springs instead and they are aweful. At least you can take elastics off to eat. There is no way to describe how uncomfortable it is to eat with 2 2inch springs in your mouth. Take a look
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