Search found 442 matches

by purpleteeth
Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:27 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Rubber bands - how long have people had to wear them?
Replies: 8
Views: 3514

I have had them on my entire treatment so far - which has been a little over 13months. I have had 5 different strengths and probably at least that many different arrangements to put them in.
by purpleteeth
Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:07 pm
Forum: Monthly Braces Poll
Topic: December Braces Poll
Replies: 17
Views: 58436

None and I've had mine on for 13months. I have felt a couple come close, but they never went byebye.
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:40 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Top questions to ask ortho?
Replies: 7
Views: 1702

1. How long do you think I will need them? 2. How much do they cost? 3. Do I need surgery or extractions? 4. Do your fees include follow-up (retainers, etc...)? If so, for how long? 5. Are there hidden fees, such as for retainers or broken brackets or changing ligs when they become discolored, or ca...
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:35 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Hmm....i've got a gappy smile :(
Replies: 8
Views: 1940

You have every right to bring up your concern to your ortho. He might have told you they were done, but "done" seems relative when it comes to orthodontics - so bring it up to him or her. Aren't you having jaw surgery though? I mean, adjustments and tuning might be made after that to your ...
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:59 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Can my earache be due to elastics?
Replies: 7
Views: 6843

I know my jaw hurts sometimes when I get my elastics changed by the ortho, which causes pain in my ears. It usually goes away within a few days though. New elastics tend to cause my TMJ to flare up, especially when I get a really different arrangement or have a drastic change in the strength of elas...
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:57 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: My poor lips....
Replies: 11
Views: 1957

Use wax as needed DURING THE DAYTIME ONLY! Don't use it at night because that helps to toughen up the inner mouth. Take it off after you eat, brush, and then reapply as needed. If you have sores, try using Oragel. I was a tough cookie and didn't use wax very much, despite my sores. I knew that I had...
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:54 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Elastics
Replies: 12
Views: 2535

I have had them since day one of treatment. I have had a total of three different strengths so far and four different arragements. I have some brackets with hooks on them specifically for elastics and then they have put hooks on brackets where I needed them. Personally, I like my elastics. They have...
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:52 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Do I really need molar bands?
Replies: 13
Views: 4426

I never had spacers or molar bands, just regular brackets placed on my back teeth --- no problems whatsoever. I have Damon's... and when I asked about spacers and bands, I was told that my ortho usually didn't give them to adults.
by purpleteeth
Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:50 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Getting Stainless Steel Wires. Does that mean almost done?
Replies: 2
Views: 1434

I have steal wires and I think I have had them for a while, but I'm only half way through treatment. I think the type of wire you are using depends on how and where your teeth need to be moving.
by purpleteeth
Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:20 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Braces on for 8 days, loose teeth normal?
Replies: 13
Views: 21437

My teeth are still loose and I have had them for over 9 months! You learn to eat and your teeth firm up and then loosen up...
by purpleteeth
Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:02 pm
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Visiting the "normal" dentist
Replies: 13
Views: 2134

Not everyone gets cleanings every 3 months, so don't worry! When I had insurance, it only paid for the cleanings every 6 months... so I had to pay for the other two cleanings. Now that I don't have insurance, I will probably be going whenever I can afford it!! I'm going to try and aim for the 3 mont...
by purpleteeth
Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:16 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Chewing with turbos???
Replies: 4
Views: 1786

You will be doing more "biting' than chewing in the beginning, especially with bite turbos (I have had 3 sets of them so far in my journey). Eat soft foods that will melt in your mouth and bite up and down with the teeth that do meet.

It is hard in the beginning, but you will get used to it.
by purpleteeth
Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:14 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Visiting the "normal" dentist
Replies: 13
Views: 2134

With braces, I was told to get my teeth cleaned every THREE months --- the dentist comes in and checks me every 6, no problem. They don't like to do x-rays with the brackets on... but the check up really isn't that big of a deal.
by purpleteeth
Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:12 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: The Bracket Type Things Behind My 2 Front Teeth
Replies: 4
Views: 2336

I have bit turbos behind my two front teeth too and they keep me from biting off my brackets. Mine have been a lifesaver, even though they are a challenge to eat with sometimes :)
by purpleteeth
Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:11 am
Forum: Metal Mouth Forum
Topic: Latex??
Replies: 16
Views: 3011

I think I may be having an allerigic reaction to my elastics. I just got elastics on Tues (August 26) and after a few hours I noticed the inside of the right side of my cheeck was kind of irritated, but I figured that was just part of having elastics. Yesterday I noticed it was even worse. Then in ...