Metal Mouth Message Board

I have been in braces for 2 years, and today is the first time I have had elastics on. The single, painful rubberband starts at a lower canine, comes up around my two front teeth, and then back down to the other lower canine, effectively shutting my mouth completely.

In a matter of hours, teeth that haven't touched in years are now touching and my bite looks totally different from this morning! Is this safe? My ortho has been so careful with every other movement of my teeth because of my age and not wanting things to move too fast. It seems crazy to me that my teeth have moved about 1mm since this morning. I am afraid I got the wrong pack of rubberbands or something.

It's hard to speak, let alone move! Has anyone had this odd configuration to close a bite? I look utterly ridiculous and my 5 year old is staring at my mouth all the time!

Also, I have to admit that this is the most pain I have ever been in - I am pretty tough, but this is nearly unbearable. I took them out to eat, but could barely chew. I feel like I am back to week 1 with the pain.

thanks for any advice. I plan to call the ortho tomorrow, but was hoping someone might still be on the boards.

thanks,

I am curious about this issue also...I keep waiting for someone to answer your concerns...
I understand the kind of pain you're having...it will go away in about a week or so...hang in there.

thanks felicia, it is better today, but I am still concerned about the rapid movement. I like to check here first before I whine to the ortho!

Well...I've never had that particular rubber band configuration, but I have had others and yes, rubber bands hurt like heck at first and yes, they will move teeth--sometimes alarmingly fast. I wouldn't worry too much.

I don't have any answers to your question, but I am in the same boat. Yesterday, my ortho gave me a few new elastic configurations to close a partial open-bite than had developed on one side of my mouth. I noticed a change after a few hours, and today (less than 24 hours later), my bite has improved significantly. I'm thrilled!

On the other hand, I've been wearing elastics for about 3 months to correct my lower midline, and it hasn't budged one bit. Go figure.

haven't had that configuration but yes rubber bands can move things along really quick sometimes but if you are concerned just call your ortho and ask them!

pain will go away after a few days!

I would assume it is safe. Maybe those teeth were already primed to be moved by the elastics in the previous weeks. If you feel that much concern call your Ortho's office and see what they say. Usually when a tooth hurts really really bad I have a lot of movement in that area. I have taken it to be normal part of the process.