Becoming Frustrated

[musicbrace]

I've been obsessing over my braces ever since I had them put on. It's going to be 2 weeks this coming Tuesday (in two days) and I feel as though NOTHING has changed.

I know, be patient! but I've been watching so many youtube videos about people who have ALREADY seen changes at the two month mark.
Will my teeth move? The two teach beside both front teeth are pushed back and I want them to move so badly. Please help

When did you start seeing changes????

[musicbrace]

sorry. TWO WEEK*** mark

[dantocanada]

It was more than 2 weeks before I noticed any changes. The revelation came when I saw my records pictures at my first adjustments (2 months in). Then I could see an impressive difference. It's been almost 2 more months (4 months total), and I can't tell if any more changes have happened, despite the fact that I take periodic pictures. I do, however, know they have moved because my bite keeps changing. Don't worry...this process can seem painfully slow sometimes, but rest assured they are moving. I'm going for my second adjustment this week and I'm sure I will see it when my ortho points out the changes like last time.

[Bracesat57]

I noticed some movement at the 3 week mark. I also obsessed with looking in the mirror for any changes. I did find that my flossing told me there were changes going on. I am only at the 6 week mark and am excited for all the small changes that are going on. I know I have to be patient also. Good luck.

[musicbrace]

Thanks for replying.
I feel like a total nut obsessing over this. I also have metal braces, which makes this whole thing painfully long. I was told that metal braces will move the teeth faster than ceramic.

I have vowed not to take pictures until my first adjustment, which will be in 3 weeks.
I guess I'm just afraid they'll tell me that the treatment isn't working, or it will take longer than expected.

Most people that get braces have pretty 'ok' teeth to begin with.
I feel like i'm an 'extreme' case.

[sirwired]

Remember that braces don't work like cranking a bolt with a wrench... Nothing is going anywhere until the processes that break down and build up alveolar bone "wake up". That takes a little while in some people.

[jaime]

I agree with Bracesat57...I noticed my teeth had changed mostly when I was flossing. One of the ortho assistants told me it would be difficult to floss between two of my teeth, but should be fine after 2 weeks. I noticed it getting easier even one week in. Also, the space between some teeth would be tight one day and not the next, so I knew things were happening.

[Ambrosia80]

Are you taking pictures each week? When I first started, I took pictures every week and I could see changes (though small) when I compared the photos, and it was really encouraging. But I know if I hadn't done that, I would have thought there were no changes.

[musicbrace]

I took a bunch of pictures the first 1-7 days, then gave up.
I was feeling discouraged.

My teeth do feel/look much healthier

[Featheryy1221]

I noticed movement the first month; some people it took a couple months. Be patient. 2 weeks (though awesome and all) really isn't that much time in the grand scheme of things. I know for me personally some of my stubborn teeth have stayed "stuck" in the same position for 4 months now. You'll get some noticeable movement eventually.
Also tip: only take a photo once a week/couple weeks/month, you'll notice more changes that way and it will lead to less discouragement.

[musicbrace]

Thank you!

I feel much better...
I just feel like this process is going to take forever.
And I always feel as though people are staring at my mouth. Can't wait to get these off.
Did you guys become attached to them after a while?

[TheProfessor]

The self-consciousness will go away after a while. People do look, but they don't really care! After a few months you will forget to think about your braces all the time and you won't notice people staring so much! People probably stare at you for other reasons too, but you just don't notice--I'm a 6 foot tall woman with huge blue-green eyes and very long eyelashes and I'm not built like a model. People always stare because I'm unique, braces are just one more unique thing. Hang in there, you will start to see changes soon!

Time goes REALLY slowly when you first have braces. I was counting the hours until my first adjustment 8 weeks after my braces went on. I started seeing some changes after about a month. Now I'm almost 8 months in and I can honestly say that the time has gone by faster than I imagined it would. I hope the next 16 months go by even faster

[musicbrace]

That's great!

I'll take your word for it.
I guess I'm self conscience about it, because my teeth are so crooked.
Maybe after they start shifting, I'll have a more confident smile, even with the braces!

Yes, I'm literally counting down the days until my first adjustment so I can ask my ortho if anything has changed.

What are some huge problems you guys have encountered with braces?

[Uptown Girl]

I haven't seen much change in a month but my teeth takes turns feeling tender and my bite has changed for the worse. Some teeth are so crowded I don't know how the stray one behind is going to fit in. I've decided not to worry and tend to forget about them except when I eat and until I clean them. They are hardly there sometimes and other times feel really rough in my mouth. I use mouthwash every day and so far haven't had any mouth ulcers although I used to get them now and again before braces.

Keep busy doing other things and try to forget about them. I'm taking photos next adjustment to see what changes there are. I expect there will be some but figure I've got a two year sentence so can't expect it to happen all at once.

[musicbrace]

This is all great advice.

I was referred to my ortho by my dentist. I'm assuming they work together through that.

I also got my braces the SAME day that I had my consultation. Was this a smart thing to do?
I've seen that most people go in for a consult, then after for the moldings...then have to wait some time before getting the actual braces. Should I have waited also?
My ortho seemed pretty confident about what he was doing.
Any thoughts?