What have your down moments been and why? (caution: rant)

[pellepee]

I just got back from the dentist having gotten some fillings...
Now, I have a jaw-repositioning splint that has made life hell at first... yet great in regards to my jaw pain as it is all gone. But the fillings I just got have made my jaw splint feel uncomfortable and my jaw is going a little haywire.

From losing $400, to a possible jaw splint adjustment I am feeling really down right now... and I don't even have braces yet!
I feel like I should just rip all of my teeth out and get dentures or implants... these are not the first fillings I have gotten and quite frankly I'm tired of almost every check-up ending up in me getting a filling. I brush my teeth, I floss, I use mouth-wash... what am I doing wrong??

Am I going to get braces to fix my bite only to end up with no teeth when I'm 50 anyway? Why not cut out the $8000 bill now and go straight to dentures!!??

Sorry, I am really feeling low at the moment. What down points have you guys had and how did you get through them?

Anyone else on a never-ending fillings saga?

[sunnylocks]

I understand exactly how you feel...and that is why I'm on this site as much as I am.

I've recently been feeling down because I'm at the 1 year mark, and each month I go in, it seems like there's not a whole lot of progress being made so I feel like I'm never going to get these braces removed. I actually just had 2 crowns done today, had the temps done a few weeks ago, and then the permanent ones put in today. I've needed them for a couple years now, and since I have dental insurance decided to do it. They said I need two more done, but the ones in the back right were the only troublesome ones, so I'm going to hold off on anymore, very expensive, dental work.

I've spent about six grand on my teeth, and you know, I'm waiting until it all feels worth it, but that day seems very far away. I've always wanted to like my smile and when I first had my braces installed, I was excited and did smile more. But the longer I have them on, the older I get, the more I just want to hide from everyone until I get them removed. I wasn't this down about it until recently, and I think it's because I'm in the end stages and for some reason...I know this is not true...but I feel like once I have them off, I'll be oh so much happier and my life will be all roses and sunshine. I don't realistically expect for my braces to fix anything, but I do think having them off will make me more confident and much happier, and in turn other aspects of my life, will just follow suit.

I guess I needed to rant more than I thought, so thanks for your post. When I feel this way, I come here look at other people's stories and how great their teeth look when it's all said and done and that helps. I also rant it off, and sometimes I just go to sleep, and try not to think about it, occupy my time instead of staring in the mirror and wishing for my bite to change magically.

It's a constant up and down with braces, and dental work, in general; at least for me. So don't let the down times and vanishing bank account get you down...we've all been there. You'll get through it, and everyone on archwired is a fantastic resource when you feel like no one understands...we all do.

[benj]

Down points - 2 surgeries one under general anesthetic, crowns and fillings, 6 extractions, gum loss, over FIVE years in braces, loss of income and also the dissolving of some shallower friendships. Lack of travel and holidays. Honestly, the whole has been a lot more than I bargained for and if I'd known I would be spending over half of my 30's in braces I simply never would have bothered. (I am glad their estimate was off in that respect)

High points - Increase in confidence, better looks, (my treatment was really conservative, considering what they had to work with am delighted beyond words) lots of great new friendships including meeting soulmate in 3rd year of braces, better health, career opportunities (I mean anyone who says a smile is not a great business asset is a ******* liar. It shouldn't be, but it IS)


Yes, it has been very difficult, expensive and at times painful... THAT said you live and learn. The many thousands treatment costs is not THAT much over the course of a human lifetime, even for the really expensive treatments.

Now my de-band date is only a couple of weeks away and I can look forward to my first club sandwich lunchdate Even the little things make it seem worthwhile.

[kennyandrew85]

these are not the first fillings I have gotten and quite frankly I'm tired of almost every check-up ending up in me getting a filling. I brush my teeth, I floss, I use mouth-wash... what am I doing wrong??

Your diet is probably too high in sugar.

My first low point has been the last week, I'm nearly a year in and it's becoming a slow process, the first few months were amazing seeing movement after every week or so. Now it's just waiting for the back teeth to come forward which is boring...

[pellepee]

When I had calmed down I realised I could be in a much worse position and had over-reacted a teensy. I could actually be getting all of my teeth removed for example! I am also able to pay for all of this and not have to let it linger while I save... meaning, things won't get worse while I try to save. I don't have kids or a mortgage so just that alone means now is the right time to be doing all of this.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

@sunnylocks: Thank you so much for your post. I read it on the way home from work and I instantly felt better just knowing someone out there understood that, even though we know the down times are a silly feeling, it is still a genuine and depressing feeling. If we could put our teeth in a closet and go for a quiet walk to refresh it would be great; but I go for a relaxing walk and there they are! My jaw splint, and crooked bite and muscles still aching, and remembering my next appointment date so I don't forget... blegh!
This forum has been great for me also and it is because the fellow-bracers are a kind and caring lot. Thank you for understanding.

@benj: That sounds like a tough journey! I was so happy for you to read that it all turned out; and finding your soul-mate... that is always romantic! Congratulations on getting through to your de-band date, I hope it is the icing on the cake; you have worked hard to make it. Now you can get your money's worth in great care-free photographs to show future generations.

@kennyandrew85: I have cut most sugar out of my diet these last couple of years. I only say most because I don't want to claim I have cut all sugar out; it does slip in and it was a gradual process. I had a little read about cavities and there was mention about pits and grooves in teeth that are unreachable by brushing sometimes, so maybe I just had some bad luck. The fillings were all on my back teeth, I had limited jaw opening capacity at times and an open bite... oh who am I kidding, I am sure a multitude of factors contributed! I hope you are able to stick out what seems to be the 1-year itch. xox

Again, thanks guys. This compassion and understanding is just what I needed. xox

[sirwired]

pellepee

A dentist I know and respect explained "bad teeth" (as in, susceptible to decay) as almost always due to what he called "sugar habits." But the word "sugar" is kind of loaded, as we usually think of it as referring to soda, candy, and desserts. What many people do not realize is that just about any carbohydrate (except dietary fiber) is converted to sugar by the enzymes in your saliva.

He described a case where he saw identical twins... same general diet, same home care, same genetics, etc. One of the twins had rampant decay. Turns out she was fond of "bread balls" where you apparently rip out the insides of bread, roll it into a ball, and suck on it like soft candy. (yuck! I guess it takes all kinds...) In any case, her mouth obediently converted the starches to sugar, and her plaque went wild.

He described another case where a woman drank herbal tea all day... with honey. Same problems with fruit juice, soda, sweet tea, etc.

Having any food, no matter how sweet, as a dessert, is no problem. The sugar washes over your teeth once, forms a little bit of plaque, which you then remove at the next brushing; the fluoride in the toothpaste counteracts any puny amount of acid erosion you might have gotten from the small amount of plaque. "Nursing" a drink with sugars in it for an hour, sucking on hard candy, snacking on crackers all afternoon, whatever... it forms a much more robust plaque layer that is going to cause acid damage far beyond what toothpaste is going to be able to fix. It's not the amount of sugar that's the problem, it's the long exposure that does the enamel in.

I don't know if any of this applies to you, but it might help somebody.

[pellepee]

Thanks sirwired; I've probably done the damage before I started all of this. I brush my teeth after every eat, even a quick snack, because of the splint... but yeah before was just the normal brush morning and night. Oh well!

Thanks for the info though, might be usefull for someone else later on.

[TMJJill]

I understand your frustrations. As my name implies, I'm doing the braces thing due to development of TMJ. I actually came about my diagnosis through ear problems though. After many visits to multiple specialists, I finally made the TMJ and bite issue connection to my ear pain. I work in social services so all the $ it took just to get a diagnosis was a completely heavy hit on my budget and savings. I have insurance, but TMJD isn't covered by medical or dental insurance. Braces aren't covered by my dental insurance either. My process has been slow because I've had to take it in small steps as I've been able to afford it to get the diagnosis, then start treatment. It cost me almost $3000 just to get my diagnosis--multiple specialists and tests. My lower splint was about $1300, another $400 for my upper splint for nighttime, another $4200 for hearing aids because with my jaw displaced and pushed back towards my ears I'd developed permenant hearing loss. My braces were $6200, but they gave me a discount since I had done the splint therapy so they ended up being around $4500.

Anyway, I'm about 21 months into my splint therapy. With my bite out of whack for so long, my muscles were in spasm all the time. I was so used to it that I didn't even realize it. When I did realize it was when I got my lower mandibular repositioning splint. With my bite in a "correct" position, my muscles protested. They just weren't used to it. It took me about 6 months for my muscles to really be "happy" in the correct position. I will share that I had to go in for follow-up visits fairly frequently as my bite changed to have the splint adjusted. It is pretty normal. I was ready to move to the braces then, but didn't have the money for them. I just continued with the splint therapy until last August when I was able to make the jump to Phase II and my upper braces. Right now, I'm in upper braces and lower repositioning splint until my upper arch is in position and I can get my lower molars erupted. I'm hoping to get lower braces in a couple months. My total sentence is about 2 years hopefully.

I will share that if you have a really good splint, it is a god send when it hits the point of getting your bite into a correct position. It made all the difference in the world for me. Now for the braces to do their thing and help me get my bite into place permenantly....

Have you tried any PT or orofacial releases. Some good, but seriously painful, orofacial trigger point releases to the masseter and pterygoid can really really help, as does work to the neck and shoulder. Regular therapy along with the the splint really did help me get through the splint adjustments.

Well wishes,
TMJJill

[pellepee]

Thanks TMJJill. I had a nice long post ready and then I lost it! I will try and re-hash everything quickly...

I am getting my splint re-adjusted today in an emergency appointment slot. My open-bite has served me well for the first time, as my very back molars still sit in the splint fairly well so I am still in position. Only my molars and one canine tooth actually touch the splint so I guess it's a win! I want to ask today too how I will be transitioning from the splint to braces as I am not confident to let my jaw go commando just yet.

I am lucky, I only had one bad adjustment. It caused a horrid migraine and I was taking OTC pain killers like tic-tacs (within the directions on the box of course, but as soon as three hours was one second up, I took more). I started the consultation run back in May last year, and I began saving like crazy the moment I got my first referral to an ortho. I have no kids, no mortgage and am in a relationship so I put saving for holidays and a new car on hold until I had a nice chunk of money behind me. I couldn't imagine paying for this if I had any humans relying on me!

My mouth is officially worth more than my digital SLR camera now! But people with chronic conditions wouldn't put a price on health, and the pain well... now that it is gone, I could never go back to how it was that is for sure. My mood swings have dramatically improved.

I am so happy to hear you are able to get your new jaw position made permanent. What is the purpose of the night-time splint? Is it just to keep your jaw from going back to it's old position? Stop it falling backwards? Or is it sleep apnea? Or of course, a mix of all three as they can relate to each other.

I get full braces in May, with an upper expander. Then wisdom teeth out, and titanium anchors...

I had better get back to work, the boss is giving me funny looks... my job does not entail this much typing. Good luck TMJJill, I will watch your progress with a keen eye so please keep posting updates! xox

[Domino]

... I brush my teeth after every eat, even a quick snack ...

How soon after every time you eat do you brush your teeth? I apologise if you already know this and already take care, but I think it's worth me mentioning.

You should avoid brushing your teeth for about 45-60 minutes after eating if you've eaten or drank anything acidic or sugary. The acidic or sugary foods and drink can soften your enamel, and if you brush too soon you're actually brushing away your teeth and washing them down the drain. My dental nurse told me this and the way she said it — washing your teeth down the drain — quite horrified me!

Oh, and everything sirwired mentioned about the long exposure to sugar, not the amount, that causes the damage is absolutely spot on!

[pellepee]

Hi Domino,

Yeah I already knew about waiting to brush. By the time I actually get off my butt and brush my teeth it is usually at least 30mins+. I keep swishing water around my mouth if I am feeling icky about waiting, but that is more to get me to drink more water rather than to do anything for my teeth. It isn't the same gulp of water in there for 30mins; I drink the water, swish for a few seconds then swallow. Having said all that, it isn't until a couple of years ago that I knew all about real good dental hygiene... I was a stubborn child.

Also I was wondering if anyone knew about toothbrush hardness... I have always used the softest brush I can get as anything harder receeds my gums; how soft should a toothbrush be? Is the supermarket 'soft' brush soft enough? I ask because my sister mentioned that once her dentist gave her a brush that was almost as soft as a baby wash cloth. I also remember someone saying to me once to hold a toothbrush like a pencil and brush that way. I have found it hard to get into that habit... it supposedly reduces the pressure you place on the brush that then goes on to your teeth and gums.

[Webtheman]

This is going to sound oversimplified but what you need is XYLITOL.
start with this site: http://www.drellie.com/Xylitol.phpthen check out Dr. Ellie's blog here: http://askdrellie.blogspot.com/
Finally, get her book titled "kiss your dentist goodbye"
My teeth used to be horrible. Cavities all the time no matter how much ed I brushed. Dr. Ellis program fixed it. Her program consists of: rinse with CLOSYS, brush with regular CREST, rinse with LYSTERINE, then finish with ACT. Do this twice per day and eat 6 to 10 grams of xylitol which you can get at epic dental.com

[Beaniebean]

How do you find out you have TMJ ? I am currently experiencing a lot of facial pain and massive headaches that are so bad that I can not sleep hence my post on here . I am with a neurologist at the moment and they have not mentioned anything about this, they are putting everything down to muscular tension. Anyway I had a 6 month brace fitted and am about two months in but the pain has increased ten fold, does anybody have any idea why this might be ? I really am at the end of my tether, any input would be appreciated.

[klobird]

I have not had too many down times--I've always liked having braces--except now...

I have these Forsus springs in my mouth for the past 1 1/2 weeks. I thought they were great at first.
One side is just fine. The other side--the passive side--which isn't even supposed to be doing any work, is horrible...
Every time I eat, that side pinches my lip. I went to the ortho 3 times last week for them to tweak it.
The last time they even changed the rod. But the ortho said that if this doesn't work, than I will just have to go back to elastics...sounds easy enough, huh.... (If he takes the passive side off--the horrible side-- he says that side may develop a "cant"--whatever that is...)

The problem is--there is an objective--to get my bite in line on the left side. The ortho has shown me exactly where the tooth should be. The elastics were doing NOTHING (I've had elastics since I got braces--they worked great for several months, then just quit!).

So, it's go back to elastics and be in braces for the whole 2yrs or longer--or speed up the show and get them off earlier by having the Forsus springs. Also, the Forsus springs do a lot of work in a short time--I will have them about 6 months.

The Forsus is horrible when I eat...most of the other time the springs are doable. When I eat, it is pure misery because of the side that pinches my lip. I went out tonight and bought cottage cheese, soup, jello, rice, beans in the hopes that eating soft food will be better.

So that's my dilemma--don't eat much for 6 months, (and maybe lose weight!)--and get the braces off sooner. Or get the Forsus off now and have another "normal" year in braces.

This is the first time in braces in which I just feel hopeless--like this journey will never end....

[TMJJill]

Thanks TMJJill. I had a nice long post ready and then I lost it! I will try and re-hash everything quickly...

I am so happy to hear you are able to get your new jaw position made permanent. What is the purpose of the night-time splint? Is it just to keep your jaw from going back to it's old position? Stop it falling backwards? Or is it sleep apnea? Or of course, a mix of all three as they can relate to each other.

I completely understand about losing a long typed post. I've been doing that an awful lot lately. I've been in a short arm cast for 6 weeks and keep knocking keys I don't intend to and losing everything. What a pain. It is especially bad when you've really thought something out carefully and have to try to recreate it. Sometimes I just give up.

Long story short, I was having a ton of ear problems. When my tmj discs slipped forward it pushed my lower jaw back a few mm. That was just enough to cause me major problems. With the lower mandibular repositioning splint, I've been able to get my bite in a better place during the day. My problem was that at night my lower jaw falls back when I lay down. That triggers my TMJD symptoms. On top of that, I'm a nighttime bruxer/grinder which only exacerbates my problems. I did do a sleep study because I also have other potential symptoms of apnea, but the study came back normal. I am lucky in that my functional orthodontist also has training in sleep dentistry. He custom created the upper splint to address both my TMJD and brusixm issues. It has a "beak" in the front which keeps my bite at the same distance as the repositiong splint. It also has a wedge in the front that comes down in behind my lower teeth. That kept my lower jaw in a forward position at all times while I slept. The upside is that it not only helps with my TMJD issues, but it does help keep the airway open which was a definite plus since I was dealing with some pretty bad asthma related issues when I started my splint therapy.

It took me a few weeks after getting my braces to find a solution to keep my tmjd symptoms under control without wearing the upper splint. I tried another lower splint but is was horrible. What has worked for me is wearing heavy elastics from my lower back molars to my upper canines. The elastics help hold my jaw in a forward position while I sleep. My wearing them for no more than 8 hours a day, they are not making permenant unwanted changes in my bite. I will say, I found it a bit odd at first having only two brackets on my lowers. I've never heard of anyone else getting lower braces one set of teeth at a time. I'm now up to 3 lower brackets and 5 elastics at night.