Bite turbos- one more time please?

[Sevilon]

I did search, and see that many people have concerns with them, mainly regarding eating.

I had them put on Monday- behind both front teeth. Yes, they suck, but I can handle the not being able to eat. I can handle the pain. I can even handle the cut up tongue. What I can't handle is not being able to say the letter s. I am a special education teacher, and half of my students have a speech problem that I am working on in my classroom. How the heck am I supposed to teach a child how to say a correct letter sound when I am unable to pronounce it myself?

I called the ortho and said I wanted the turbos off. They asked me to give it a week and call them back. If you had these things- were you ever able to talk normally with them on? I am debating giving it more time, and insisting they do molar build-ups instead.

[Robot Teeth]

I have build ups, and have had them since I got braced about 2 months ago. I'm used to them. They're lame, but I'm used to them. But I still think I'd rather have these than the turbos. I'd hate not being able to talk right, and since you can't close your jaws enough to chew anyway, you might as well go with the build ups. At least you've got the nub there to chew with, and they don't mess with your tongue like the turbos.

[kaylaa]

Give it time. You will have a slight lisp, but once you're used to them it's not so bad. I had bite turbos for about 4 months. You'll be fine.

Give it a week and if you're still not satisfied, call your ortho

[Sevilon]

Thanks for the responses. They said I could call this Tuesday (which would be one week and one day), but I already have an appt. set for the following week, so I think I will wait. That will give me 2 full weeks with them. If I still can't talk, I will discuss other options with them. They said they thought I would have them for 6 months, but that sounds very, very long right now!

[Chuck1026]

I read about turbos and they sound more difficult to adjust to when comapred to molar buildup. I have molar buildup and it was really tough the first day, but I was eating a grilled half chicken on day two. You will learn tricks to not keep you from the food you like (that should be bracket/archwire friendly). I am on Day 4 and tonight I am trying pizza... if it goes poorly, my wife gets extra leftovers. No biggie.

[Sevilon]

I just wanted to update- I think it has been about 3 to 4 weeks since the turbos were put on. I can talk much better- I still can't say s perfectly, but I suspect it is much more noticeable to me than it is to others. I am still pretty self conscious about it.

I also noticed yesterday for the first time that my back teeth are starting to touch! It seems like it is working so fast. I still can't wait to have them shaved down or removed, but they aren't quite as torturous as they seemed that first week. Thanks again for the replies.

[ArchWired28]

Sevilon
good news! I think your molars have erupted and you will not need the turbos very soon! Congrats!

[Sevilon]

Bite turbos OFF as of today! HOORAY!

I had a bottom tooth that became very loose. I called the ortho about it and went in today- and all of my bottom front teeth were loose, one much more than the others. Looks like it was from hitting the bite turbos. She said she would have to remove the turbos and then go to plan B, but when she removed the turbos, my back teeth were touching enough that there didn't have to be a plan B.

They put a stronger wire on my top teeth but left the bottom alone so the teeth can firm back up into place. Loose teeth as an adult is pretty scary!