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TrustGodAuburn wrote:I am just glad it's only at nighttime for me (right now), I don't know if I will be able to wear them during the day at work.... guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it! But, I can barely talk with them in and just so uncomfortable.
I have the same triangle configuration on my left side, except I have been wearing mine 24/7 for the past 3 months. As with everything else, the pain does go away, and you will get used to them to a certain point. So far, they are still the most uncomfortable part of my braces experience just because I feel like they're always in the way and entirely too visible. I have a different configuration on my right side and that isn't bad at all, so take comfort in knowing that elastics aren't always completely evil
Had Damons (ceramic upper, metal lower) from June 27, 2013 - January 20, 2015
15-18 month sentence, official time in braces was 18 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
My Story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45054
chichi wrote:
I have the same triangle configuration on my left side, except I have been wearing mine 24/7 for the past 3 months. As with everything else, the pain does go away, and you will get used to them to a certain point. So far, they are still the most uncomfortable part of my braces experience just because I feel like they're always in the way and entirely too visible. I have a different configuration on my right side and that isn't bad at all, so take comfort in knowing that elastics aren't always completely evil
Thanks for the note on the bright side
I do appreciate that I only have to do this at home for the time being and not at work all day!
Well, Monday is my next adjustment!!! I can't believe the time flew so fast since my last one.
I had my first dental cleaning yesterday since having braces. I was quite anxious, but it went better than my normal cleanings! Maybe because my teeth have shifted enough for it to be easier for the hygienist to do her job. Either way, my teeth feel nice and clean again and I'm ready for my adjustment on Monday.
While I was at the dentist I asked for a copy of my orthodontic treatment plan that my ortho sent her a letter about, since I never received that information from the ortho.
So now I know what my initial problems were/are:
Clinical Findings:
Class I malocclusion
Overbite: 60%, overjet: 2mm
Good oral hygiene
Moderate Crowding in the maxillary arch
Moderate Crowing in the mandibular arch
Treatment Plan:
Obtain Class I canine relationships
Obtain ideal overbite and overjet relationships
Attempt non-extraction of permanent teeth, but extractions may be necessary for the most ideal result
Level and align the arches
Estimated treatment time: 24-30 months
My dentist was most impressed with the health of my gums and teeth. I was so glad to hear that. She said she could tell I was taking my oral hygiene seriously with the braces. Whew...it's good to be OCD sometimes. My dentist also told me that she doesn't believe I should get extractions even if I can't get a perfect result. She said my top is going to be fine so if I can live with the bottom not being perfect then don't do extractions. Which made me feel good since that has been my stance with the ortho all along.
So, it's been a few days with these thicker wires and my bottom teeth are shifting a lot along the front, and not in a good way. My mid-line is now off-center and I am not happy with it! I know part of the process is things getting worse before they get better, but I was not expecting that shift. The funny thing is the side it shifted to is the side that is most crowded.
My pain mostly subsided yesterday, but was pretty tough to chew anything the last 3 days.
So, it's been a few days with these thicker wires and my bottom teeth are shifting a lot along the front, and not in a good way. My mid-line is now off-center and I am not happy with it! I know part of the process is things getting worse before they get better, but I was not expecting that shift. The funny thing is the side it shifted to is the side that is most crowded.
My pain mostly subsided yesterday, but was pretty tough to chew anything the last 3 days.
Hope everyone is doing GREAT!
I feel this way about my top teeth, they have shifted a couple mm to the left so now my face looks crooked lol. Arg.
Decided to take a pic of my arches today to see if I am seeing any progress... I wish I had my first day arch pictures here to post for comparison... my top is looking pretty good, but my lower has one REALLY stubborn tooth and I am trying to remain hopeful that my teeth will shift and make room for it! The ortho is supposed to add brackets to my last two teeth on lower and engage them at my next adjustment (next week), hopefully that helps make some room for this one stubborn tooth. (There are no brackets on my wisdom teeth and they won't ever engage those, I'm told they don't even make brackets for wisdom teeth, I guess it's unusual that I still have them and have braces without removing them too.)
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Ortho added my last two brackets on the bottom (back molars) at this adjustment. Gave me a new arch wire on the bottom (17x25 I think is what he said?), and also I got my first coil spring. OUCH. I had no idea that little thing could cause so much pain. I'm still in my same triangle configuration for elastics, and they just replaced the ligs on top and did figure 8's, same wire.
My mouth is not at all happy with those back brackets...they are digging into my cheeks pretty bad, but I am hopeful I will build up a tolerance to them in a few days.
I'm not real excited about the coil spring, BUT if it makes some room for my rogue tooth to turn, then it will be worth it.
My ortho mentioned "filing" between my teeth for more space?????????? I don't think I even want to know what that is!
The "filing" is more technically known as inter-proximal enamel reduction or IPR. It is simply the removal of a tiny part of the edges of particular teeth in order to create more space. It can be done manually ( with sandpaper-like strips) or mechanically and does not hurt. It is very common in orthodontics-to the extent that my ortho told me it is the basis of invisalign treatment.
Your teeth are looking really good. I hope the coil spring does the trick for you on that one rogue tooth. If it needs to be supplemented by a bit of IPR, it is nothing to worry about.
Jem
Sectional brace with Damon clear brackets fitted to front 6 upper teeth 3 January 2012
Brackets added to premolars 2 April 2012
Estimated treatment time originally 6-9 months. Brace removed on 22 July 2013 after 18 months and 19 days
Now enjoying bonded upper retainer plus part time essix/hawley( I have both)
jem wrote:The "filing" is more technically known as inter-proximal enamel reduction or IPR. It is simply the removal of a tiny part of the edges of particular teeth in order to create more space. It can be done manually ( with sandpaper-like strips) or mechanically and does not hurt. It is very common in orthodontics-to the extent that my ortho told me it is the basis of invisalign treatment.
Your teeth are looking really good. I hope the coil spring does the trick for you on that one rogue tooth. If it needs to be supplemented by a bit of IPR, it is nothing to worry about.
Jem
Thanks Jem for the information. I am certainly more willing to do the filing than to have teeth pulled.
Thanks for your comments too I sure hope this one tooth turns... I can already fit the dental floss through between those teeth where I could not before (that's just from 1 day!). woohoo!
