Metal Mouth Message Board

I have ceramic brackets and basically I wish I would have gone with metal. Ceramics are SO fragile and in terms of them not getting noticed, well, people typically do a double take when they see you talking or smiling so I'd probably say they can be worse.

What is the exact purpose of having a rubberband going from the #6 to #22? It basically crosses over the front of my mouth, making it extremely difficult to speak and I've been told to wear it 24/7 although my job would probably mean I can only wear it at night and when I am at home/driving home. I ...

I meant 6 to 22. My mistake. It basically crosses RIGHT IN FRONT of my mouth. Totally drives me nuts and how embarrassing??

Anyone ever have their #6 canine connected with an elastic to their #27?? You've gotta be KIDDING me, I can't wear this 24/7. I can't even talk!!

Ugh.

Patience, patience, patience!

Yes, I've had this happen and it drove me NUTS. Having listened to everything my ortho said I realized I had overdone it and it basically pushed me back a MONTH! I know a month isn't a lot of time but that's seriously terrible if you consider I followed every instruction.

I've had elastics for over a year now and I can't STAND them. Constant pressure and pulling, and I definitely have a lisp; you've just gotta think about the progress you're making!

I ended up getting braces at 21 and now (at 23) I'm 20 out of 24 months into my treatment and I'm glad that I got them. It's really disheartening at times because being a 23 year old guy graduating from college, trying to get a job, trying to have a steady girlfriend can be extremely difficult. I go...

Everyone on this board will basically tell you to floss at least once a day. I floss maybe once every 2 days, sometimes 3 if I'm really pressed. I've never had a cavity, my gums are perfectly pink and I experience no pain whatsoever. I think the trick is that as soon as I eat something I use water t...

Excellent information. In terms of the lisp thing I've actually heard that it may be more of a problem with Hawley, but that appears to be something everyone deals with in adjusting to life after braces. Thanks!

Anyone?

I've seen the debate between the Hawley and Essix retainers, and my particular office offers the Essix, which I am fine with. I am getting my braces off sometime in the next four months and I have a couple of questions that I hope Essix users can answer as I will have to wear my Essix retainer for 3...