Metal Mouth Message Board

hehe. When I was growing up, my mom always told me "you could eat corn through a picket fence". Then they got me braces. :) When I was finally ready for round 2 of braces, after years of TMJ issues, my teeth wouldn't meet in the front...I couldn't bite. My friends would always laugh at me ...

I have ceramic upper and metal lower. Had the same combo last time I had braces, oh, 19 years ago. The technology is better this time. This time the brackets are clearer and there are more options for colored ligs! I always get pearl colored on the top and fun colors on the bottom...usually hot pink...

I finally got my Ortho to talk to me. I am a bit happier. I asked he why he wasn't doing anything. He said he is moving my teeth. I just looked at him. He then explained he was waiting for my lower incisors to straigten up. Finally, he at least explained something. I told him I was in pain and my sp...

I have TMJ and always had the feeling my lower jaw was too far back.

I am afraid of becoming addicted to Vicodin. I am hypersensitive about the subject and take things personally. I feel like I need to share this thought with you, since you are all passionate and caring people. I have been carefully monitoring myself with respect to my use of Vicodin. I had been taki...

Your bite will change a lot over the course of having braces. Mine did the first time I had them and even more so this time. I have strange gaps in the front that weren't there before. Just be patient. Your teeth will move as they adjust to being on the wire. Always ask your ortho questions. I final...

Yes! I have a fairly severe case of TMJ. Braces are my last phase of treatment...at least I hope they are.

I've had a mix of metal and rubber. The metal ones wiggle a bit, but I don't think they are as uncomfortable as the rubber ones.

For the clear ligs, I like to wait till the day before an appt to eat the foods that really stain, like curry. Whatever you are eating, I suggest keeping a water bottle handy, I like the ones with the flip tops, so you can rinse the clear brackets throughout the meal.

I brush and floss at every visit as soon as they take the archwires out. Everyone there always seems a little surprised, so I don't think most of the kids there are so eager.

Meryaten - thankyou for sharing your viewpoint - I have the same. I know I shouldn't take things so personally on messageboards, but I do and took Mark's post hard...the vicodin had warn off. :) Ibuprofen doesn't work anymore and taking 4+ OTC at a time was affecting my stomach. I had originally wri...

My ortho does specialize in TMJ - he has come highly recommended - but I am yet to have any relief from him. I was better before the braces, but I have to keep thinking that things will get better. He does not prescribe the meds, I get them from my internist/primary physician, who has been very...pa...

My narcotic use is for TMJ PAIN, not ortho.

The braces definately change how you smile - how your lips are at rest and where your lips are for various facial expressions. It will take some practice in front of a mirror to become comfortable with your smile again. You will also be self concious and feel like everyone is looking at them. I have...

I don't know if orthos can perscribe the painkillers, but your primary physician should be able to. I usually call mine when I'm out of vicodin. My ortho doesn't like the fact that I am able to get the meds from my physician - he feels ibuprofen should be enough...too bad. I don't know if he is 'abl...