Metal Mouth Message Board

Oh okay. Yeah I got “heavy” elastics, same shape and configuration. Many, many archwire bends (step outs and stow ips and downs). Braces off in ten days!

If you don’t mind me asking, why’d you switch from Invisalign?

Anyone know what a "CK FINISHING PHASE/RETIE" appointment is? What are "finishing elastics?" Are they somehow different than elastics in general? Will I find out if my braces will be ready to be taken off at the next appointment during this appointment?

Thanks for sharing! Good to know.

What sometimes helps me (not consistently so it's really hit and miss) is making sure I don't lean my face into my hand which is easy to do when I am studying and sleeping on a side of my face on my hand at night (vs naps) seems to affect it.

Thanks wendydong. Good to know that other people have their TMJ issues ebb and flow as well. Oh yeah the bite thing makes sense. I have those bite blocks "tooth pillows" that make it so I cannot hit my brackets directly enough to knock them off I suppose. That sucks the ortho just dismisse...

Definitely normal with the tooth feeling wobbly or loose. That is the tooth moving and it builds up bone on one side and deteriorates on the other, then the tooth moves towards the newer developed bone. Yes, my bottom teeth have felt quite loose at times. Try not to touch them or move them with your...

So, I got my braces adjusted a few weeks ago with IPR on lower anterior teeth and boy did that hurt like a MF for a week or so. ALSO power chain on the lower arch, and new elastics configuration. Bright side, I got to pick colors! But since then my jaw as gone back to popping here and there and my n...

Just do your very best to wear them as instructed. Carry extra ones with you. I have a small amount of them in my car, a small container in my backpack, and a Sysco 2oz cup (from take-out/to-go food) also with elastics in it. I noticed I was slipping back in my schedule of wearing them and fixed it ...

Hey there! As my ticker at the bottom says; I've been in braces for 3 months and 2 days or so (depending on what day you are viewing this). I got braced March 6 of this year. My first adjustment was at the end of April. Now, my next adjustment is in about 2 weeks; it's on June 25th. This is going to...

I worked with a phys therapist for TMJ, unfortunately insurance doesn’t cover it but it was quite helpful.

That makes sense to have them as an extra offer under the circumstance of good oral hygiene since the traditional ligs are higher maintenance (honestly I don’t know how “kids” manage all this; albeit, I know some friends of mine did have terrible oral hygiene during braces treatment). I’ll try to as...

Yeah I'm not sure why I have o-rings/ligs on the sides; it's fine with me because yay for colors (that's what it's all about, when your younger but even now the colors are still an exciting perk lol). I have self-ligating ceramic on the UL and UR teeth 1-3. Self-ligating metal on the bottom but do y...

So I have self-ligating brackets (the 3M Unitek) with a mix of ceramic and metal. Ceramic on top with the top six (teeth 1, 2, and 3 on UL and UP) with the remainder being metal. Bottom is all metal. BUT, I also have lig ties? Is that because there are some brackets that are not self-ligating and I ...

Thanks for the tips on managing the pressure and aches! I try not to take pain meds unless I feel that I really need it. Usually ibuprofen or acetaminophen. So hot/warm and cool/cold things both seem to help? I know with most things we wonder if heat/warm is best or if cool/cold is best.

Completely understandable! Wait until you get elastics/rubber bands. I’m barely 2 months in and have elastics. Even more spit/saliva. BUT, it has its advantages. The increase in saliva will help keep the bacteria away as the braces create the prime environment for bacteria to hang out. You should ge...