Frustrated

[MetalManda]

I have had braces for 28 months but my original treatment time was 18 months. My orthodontist keeps telling me that its a slow process and I understand that teeth take time to move but I don't know how much longer I can put up with them.
Every adjustment is the same and I barely see any movement but still have huge gaps to close.
I really want them off before I start my last year of university next year but I don't see that happening.
Is there anything I can ask my orthodontist to do to speed up the time?
I have double power chains on the spaces :(

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

My treatment time is 30 months. But I think you might want to wait two more months then I would probably guess your teeth aren't going to move any more so I would just request the braces come off.

[purplepetunia]

I'm sorry MetalManda. I understand your frustration and am actually jealous that you have double power chains—I wish my ortho would give me double power chains! I too have gaps that are taking forever to close, though I haven't had my braces on quite as long as you. (Original estimate was 24 months; I'm now at 22 months and ortho says it will go a few months past the original estimate.) It's understandable you're beginning to lose patience seeing as you're 10 months past your original estimate.

When you say "every adjustment is the same," do you mean your ortho isn't trying any new techniques? If yes that's also my concern (hence my desire for something like double power chains). Tell us more about exactly what your ortho has done in the last several adjustments.

I wish I could be of more specific help other than to say I feel your pain!

Hang in there.

[MetalManda]

Each adjustment is the same thing. He removes my old powerchains and just replaces them with new ones.
The second powerchain always pops off the bracket as soon as I leave the ortho anyway, he can't seem to get it to stay on.
I am now also wearing rubber bands at night to help pull the teeth forward.
My ortho is retiring soon so im sure he will want me out soon too haha.

Thanks for the sympathy :)

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Awh hang in there maybe you can get a second opinion too?

[TWild]

My estimate was 24 months and I wound up having them on for 37.5! Just hang in there

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

I think I would freak out and go nuts if its anything over 32. That is seriously wayyy too long to have braces on. I plan on keeping mine on for exactly 30 months by keeping up great hygene, WEARING my elastics and KEEPING my appointments

[TinySmiley]

I feel your pain, MetalManda.
I have had Invisalign/Braces for almost 2 yrs and a half and I was told in the summer that my braces would be coming off soon. Well, it's December and they are still on and may not come off soon because my gaps have opened up again and have not closed despite powerchains. So Fustrating!

[MetalManda]

My debracing date is set for 6 weeks from now. Im trying not to get too excited because I am just waiting on one pesky extraction gap to close and Im worried it wont be closed by then but fingers crossed!

[dojo]

@bracedsurgerystudent: you can't control how your teeth work. If your teeth don't move at the right pace, it's irrelevant you kept your part of the deal (appointments, excellent hygiene etc.). People who have slow closing gaps or any issues are not messing up their treatment, they're teeth react differently.

@metalmanda - estimates are one thing and the end of the treatment is something else. Most of us had such problems, just hang in there a little more. Have the treatment done PROPERLY this time, even if it means more months, than have to do it all over again in few years. Wish you all the luck, can't wait to see the 'after' pics

[Crazy4Snow]

I can't relate to you now because I'm only 1 year in on a supposed 18 month sentence. But if it were me I would just deal with it because I know the end result would be worth it.

My lowers are gonna be issues with mine, I already can see that...I won't be the least bit surprised when/if he tells me it will be longer that 18 months.

Patience...have patience and think of the end result.