Pre extractions and braces tips?! Maybe some positive stories?!

[Handsdown]

Hi guys! I'm really close to getting my 4 premolar extractions (2 this Thursday and 2 a couple of weeks after!! ) and then braces next month. I wondered if anyone had any tips for extractions recovery and your first few weeks in braces? I'm lucky enough to have a week and a half off work immediately after my braced date, so I have some time to adjust before stepping out into the world!! Hehe.

It would be really great to hear some positive extraction and braces stories right now!! There's so much negativity out there about it. I have moderate crowding (according to my ortho, though I would say it's severe) and a tiny mouth... The dentist is always struggling to get me to open my mouth wide enough for xrays etc... So I'm pretty convinced that extractions is the only way to get my teeth straight without causing other issues. Doesn't stop me being terrified though!! I'm concerned about how my lips will look both with braces and afterwards with straight teeth... I don't want to have tiny lips once my high canines aren't there holding them up!!! ahhhhh... So many concerns and last minute panics though oddly I'm fairly calmer now than I was when I was trying to decide between braces and leaving my teeth how they are!

Sorry, I've rambled!! Tips and your stories/outcomes very much welcome!!

[Viconia]

Hi Handsdown,

Have a look in the 'Archwired community section' under 'Our Braces Stories' - this is the section of the page where some people have (luckily for us!) documented in detail their brace stories and you can read for hours on there - so don't go on there unless you have time!

My braces are going on in 10 days (no extractions though) and I've found this board so useful.

Happy reading and good luck!

Viconia

[djspeece]

Extractions are clearly indicated in many cases, and I had one (well two, counting a crown that went very bad) and a bone graft prior to my braces. Sirwired is among the most knowledgeable on this forum, and I'd recommend you look at his posts. As an RN I would say that you need to follow the post-op procedures as directed and you will be fine. Take your pain meds, don't suffer needlessly. Best of luck to you!

[leelou905]

I've had three extractions done two weeks ago and about to be braced tomorrow.

I can't give you any tips regards bracing but extraction wise, stick with lukewarm soups and lots of painkillers. You probably won't be all that hungry after the extractions but I treated myself to take out the night before my procedure because I knew it was probably the last time for a while that I could eat a burger :)

Good luck! You'll be fine.

[EWUgal15]

I made the mistake of having my extractions done two days before I was scheduled to leave town for a work conference. I had my lower first premolars extracted and figured that they wouldn't be as bad as wisdom teeth. I was right about that...but traveling was a bad idea (8 hours, by car to another state...). I was told soft foods, but I ate whatever I wanted, just making sure to take it really slow. I'm 95% sure I had a reaction to the pain meds because I spent the ENTIRE weekend work trip sick...and not like "I'm in pain and don't want to do anything". I was full on physically ill, stomach problems to boot.

My braces went on the day I got back from the trip...long story short, I landed in my bed at home at 4am the same day I was supposed to be braced at 9am...I had mostly recovered from the weekend sickness I had suffered, but took the day off work anyway. The adjustment period for my braces was about a month...and I was a whiny baby. Everything seemed to hurt my mouth, no matter what I did. I managed to get through it though. Lots of soft foods, soups, and hot drinks helped me keep the soreness at bay. Now, almost 9 months later, I hardly notice them.

[mongoosebrain]

Hey Handsdown. Sounds pretty similar to my situ, "moderate" (although yeah, I'd have thought severe) crowding to both arches and I had to have four extractions. Urgh.

Firstly, I'd avoid planning anything for the few hours after your extractions. The ortho assistants said I'd be fine to carry on as normal but the numbness took hours to wear off so I couldn't speak properly and felt like I was drooling all the time. Yuck. Soups and smoothies and salt rinses are the way to go. Aside from popping a couple of paracetamols the first day for both sets of extractions I didn't need anything more than that.

The first few days in braces were crap. Came out of the ortho wondering what the hell I'd gone and done. Super self conscious about talking funny, annoyed at not being able to smile with my mouth closed (you know, situations when you want to look friendly without looking overly happy... haha) and I had to have bite blocks so chewing anything, however soft, was out of the question. And I loo~oove my food.

Anyway, a fortnight on and I've mostly stopped being aware of them. They're not painful anymore, I've had no problems at all with the inside of my mouth being cut or poked by brackets and wires, I'm eating my usual things (just taking more time over it)...Can't think of anything else. Aside from the money side of things - it makes me feel a little bit sick to think how much it's costing me to go for this treatment which is really purely cosmetic - no regrets as yet.

[Handsdown]

Thanks everyone! It really helps hearing how others are going through what I'm about to! Talking to friends and family about my concerns helps a little, but they aren't in the same position and most of them have never had braces or extractions, so hearing from others on this site helps a lot!! I think I'm annoying my family with the endless teeth talk!! Haha, so pleased I can vent on here

I'm sooooo nervous it's insane! I didn't think the extractions procedure would bother me too much but they've really got me worried pulling teeth for vanity is mental!!! And there's the immense nervousness about getting braced because it's the unknown! It's hard to prepare yourself. Though I imagine I'll be a big cry baby for at least a few weeks and wonder why the heck I've put myself through it all!!! I'm pretty sure I won't want to leave the house for at least a week haha. But I have to keep the end goal in mind!

I know what you mean about the money! It is a crazy amount and such a big commitment, but if it gives you a smile you can be confident with then it'll be worth it!

[mrscetrone]

I would suggest getting all premolars removed at once if you can. They only have two roots so they're not as hard to remove and you could get your braces on quicker. I had all 4 first premolars removed at once and had no complications afterward. I think I only took one painkiller after the surgery.

[Handsdown]

Thanks mrscetrone. Totally understand getting them all out of the way together, unfortunately my dentist doesn't offer that and to be honest I think a mouth completely numb on both sides would freak me out a bit :/ I'm such a wuss!! Haha. You are braver than me!!

So first two extractions today, in about 2 hours!! I'm oddly excited to start the process and also completely worrying about actually wearing the braces!! The actual extractions aren't bothering me (yet!!)... I know as soon as I get into the dentists it will be another story and I'll want to chicken out!! :/

Trying to stay positive whilst also talking through my worries about the whole process. If I push them to the back of my mind until after extractions I can see me just having a huge panic attack as soon as I start tot think about those things. And that's it then, braces have to happen or I'm stuck with gaping holes in my mouth!!

*must.be.brave*

[mrscetrone]

Oh, yeah, that makes sense. My dentist referred me out to an oral surgeon. I was put under as well.

[leelou905]

Thanks mrscetrone. Totally understand getting them all out of the way together, unfortunately my dentist doesn't offer that and to be honest I think a mouth completely numb on both sides would freak me out a bit :/ I'm such a wuss!! Haha. You are braver than me!!

So first two extractions today, in about 2 hours!! I'm oddly excited to start the process and also completely worrying about actually wearing the braces!! The actual extractions aren't bothering me (yet!!)... I know as soon as I get into the dentists it will be another story and I'll want to chicken out!! :/

Trying to stay positive whilst also talking through my worries about the whole process. If I push them to the back of my mind until after extractions I can see me just having a huge panic attack as soon as I start tot think about those things. And that's it then, braces have to happen or I'm stuck with gaping holes in my mouth!!

*must.be.brave*

Hope all went well for you? how are you feeling today? has the nerves died down a bit more that you've had your first two extractions done?

[Handsdown]

So I had my first 2 extractions. The actual process itself was very quick and pain free the injections pinched a bit but nothing crazy. I had to have a lot of injections because the first two didn't numb me enough but it was fine. I was really calm whilst they were being pulled and I think that helped a lot.

After the extractions I did feel very tired and quite faint. I went home and just stayed in bed for the rest of the day. In the evening I feel like I went into shock a little bit, I looked at the gaps in my mouth (I don't recommend doing that on day one!!!) and they looked HUGE!!! I had a major panic and thought 'what the heck have I done to myself?!' And felt very remorseful for having the teeth taken out I had a full blown panic attack!!! I felt so stupid for having teeth pulled voluntarily!! But that feeling has eased a bit since then, I've had more moments when I question if it's the right thing and I really wonder if I'll be happy with the results but nothing as bad as the first night. I think no matter how much you try to prepare yourself you really don't know how you'll react until it happens! I've wanted to straighten my teeth for over 20 years and been plucking up the courage to actually go ahead (booking and cancelling appointments) for the past 4 years, so getting started on the journey has been pretty overwhelming for me! Has anyone else felt this way? I'm concerned is will happen again when I have the other two taken out!? And then when the braces actually go on!? But I'm hoping I've just got the panic out of the way early hehe

I've had a few lousy days of feeling pretty poorly since the extractions and had a little bit of pain but I can cope with it. It's really not that bad! It's just the mental side of things that have hit me. I suppose I just have to focus on the outcome and remember why I'm doing this!! I'm much more positive when I look over other people's success stories

[djspeece]

Glad to hear that you are recovering nicely and hang in there! You have a great attitude and keep up the good work. Best of luck to you.

[leelou905]

Hey, how's it going? have you had all your extractions done now?

[Handsdown]

So I had my final two extractions yesterday. It was pretty horrid!! I had 8 injections and could still feel pain. Then the tooth broke in half! Ouch!! The dentist said we could stop and he would send me to a specialist but I didn't want to be left with half a tooth, and my braces appointment is in 2 weeks and I didn't want to delay that so I just sucked it up and got it done!! It wasn't too bad, bareable pain! The one he had trouble with has left a pretty big hole, and has been oozing blood since yesterday, dentist said that's nothing to worry about, it just tastes nasty and was scary before I got reassurance from my dentist!!

To anyone reading this in preparation for extractions... Yes it's uncomfortable, and not an experience I would want to repeat! But the holes do start to heal fairly quickly and you'll be feeling yourself before you know it! I underestimated how I would feel after the first ones (was just thinking of it as a filling or something), so I felt unexpectedly rubbish! And I think that's why I found it traumatic. But the second time was far better as I knew I'd feel groggy so made sure I didn't have any work etc for a few days. If you allow yourself some recovery time and aren't too hard on yourself it's all good I know I had a pretty bad experience with the broken tooth too, but I got through it and I'm sure it'll all be worth it once I have the smile I've always wanted

I'm happy to say I'm feeling more myself than I did with the last extractions. I'm over the initial shock of the first ones and now really excited to get the braces on!! It's taken so long to get to this point