Metal Mouth Message Board

I know! After 27 months, it doesn't seem real yet! I'll believe it when I see it/feel it!!!!!

They did my retainer impression two weeks ago, so I'll be walking out the door that day with my new best friend!! I'll have permanent retainers placed behind top and bottom front teeth, too, but I expect that will be fairly straightforward....

I had 4 extractions then braces with 8 molars banded, metal brackets, countless power chains, metal ties, titanium springs, and ALWAYS bands (from 2-4 in my mouth since this all started), and every 3 week adjustments... After 27 months of this, they come off in less than 3 days. I'm so tired of unco...

Every 3 weeks. I had 4 teeth removed (very tiny mouth), and he's been very aggressive at moving other teeth to close spaces. I'm 22 months in and getting closer...

I had extractions at age 39: 2 bicuspids on top, 2 on the bottom. Braces put on a few days later Jan 2014. I'm almost 18 months in, and my spaces are closed. It took about 13-15 months for most closure to happen. One top side space was slower...pretty much just recently closed. I had the titanium sp...

I had 4 bicuspids extracted in January with only local anesthetic - no "laughing gas" or any other meds. I actually drove myself there and home. No issues. I did need several injections into the hard palate due to how my teeth are innervated (injections into gum for those two upper cuspids...

I had my braces in in January, after 4 bicuspid extractions due to a tiny mouth and significant crowding. My Ortho bands all molars, but he couldn't get one done due to it's tipped position. I have had 2 adjustments with some discomfort but not too bad. Yesterday, I got the last band on and power ch...

I have full metal on top and bottom. I was told the metal are a bit stronger, and ceramics are more likely to break vs the metal. Since my orthodontist is a 30 min drive away, I decided to go with metal in hopes of avoiding extra trips to deal with bracket problems. I have no regrets at all. I'm in ...

AM: brush and rinse with water, sometimes ACT mouthwash Midday: use those little brushes to clean any areas around brackets after eating, brush PM: waterpik, floss with Super floss, brush, ACT mouthwash My dentist has always told me to use ACT mouthwash. I do it at least once a day. I use an Oral B ...

I had my braces put on late January and got chipmunk elastics (top to bottom both sides). I had to use them all the time, except brushing and eating. (I often left them on with eating...I was über faithful with them.) Today was my first adjustment! I'm in the Sure Smiles wire, so adjustments are eve...

I had 8 spacers placed 2 weeks before braces (and braces were 3 1/2 weeks ago). Spacers were horrible. I have bands on 7 molars, but it should have been all 8. However, even with spacers (and extractions), one back molar was too tipped to get the band on. There was talk of a spring going on at some ...

I'm 3 weeks into a 2 year term, and I'm thinking I may need to start making smoothies in order to get in my fruits and veggies. Considering the time in spacers and 4 tooth extractions, I have been unable to chew food for 5 weeks now. At this point, I can still only drink my meals or eat what I am ab...

I'm a regular visitor every six months for cleanings but have thought of stepping this up to every 3 months while in braces. (I'm 2 weeks into a 2 year plan.) My insurance will only pay for every 6 months, but this braces process is such an investment of time and money that I'm thinking I'd like to ...

I'm doing the SureSmile memory wire, so adjustments are every 7-10 weeks. I'm hoping that gives me some kind of break before the first adjustment!!! I say this as my molars seem to be boring into my head!!! Agh!

You all are inspiring!!! Thanks for the boost!