What is this spring device in my mouth?

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#1 Post by **emford** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:46 am

Hi everyone,

I know I should have asked my ortho this question but I didn't look in the mirror until after I had gotten home from my last adjustment. For the next phase of my treatment, my ortho is shifting my midline back into place. I have a new apparatus in my mouth that looks like a tiny spring or coil inserted between 2 of my teeth. Does any one know what this is called or have any idea how it works?

#2 Post by **Lisa65** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:13 am

Push-coil or open-coil springs are usually used to push two teeth apart. The spring is put onto the archwire in a compressed (squashed) state and as it tries to go back to its original state, it exerts force on the two teeth.

You can also get closed-coil springs which work the opposite way. They are put on stretched and as they try to regain their closed shape, they pull teeth together.

#3 Post by **Silverware** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:56 am

I had these in my mouth for about 6 months straight. They worked very quickly for me. My ortho had to move half of my bottom teeth over a bit, so every appt he moved the spring over as each tooth moved along.

One thing I suggest is getting some dental wax, as the spring can be pretty rough on your skin if it's in a place where it will be rubbed up against.

#4 Post by **emford** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:54 am

Lisa 65 and Sliverware,

Thanks so much for the information! It sounds like you two are right on because my ortho is trying to move 4 of my teeth over just a little to fix my midline. So now I know what to expect; he's going to probably move the spring over next month. Now I'm going to start speculating and estimating when I can get these braces off. I'm going to drive myself crazy, lol.