Metal Mouth Message Board

Hey!

I was hoping someone could help me. I got my braces 6 days ago and I was wondering why my dentist has put a metal tube covering over the wire in the spaces where I had some teeth removed?

My dentist didn't explain, and I can't seem to find any info elsewhere. I'm slightly confused as to why she has done this, and also concerned that this is going to prevent the over-crowded front teeth from straightening out and moving into the available space...

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks!

B

Just to strengthen or thicken the wire since it's not attached to a tooth. When you eat and food presses down on the wire, or you play with it with your tongue etc. Primarily a comfort thing. Is it metal or rubber?

Ahh ok, that does make sense, thanks! It's a metal cover that fits the length of the gaps.

Do you have any idea if this will effect the way my teeth move at all? I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself as I've only had the braces on since monday, but I can't wait for them to start working!

If it's metal and it's the exact length from bracket to bracket, it could prevent the closing of the gaps if, you're at that stage now (doubt it). Then again it may be to do that while something else is going on to avoid starting to close etc. Is there lots of room where it can slide somewhat back and forth? Either way nothing drastic will occur so early on with the spaces and you can double check next time you go in.

Yeah, it's pretty much the exact length with no room for movement between the brackets. My front bottom teeth are really crooked so it seems like they won't have the space to move with the metal covers between the back teeth. I guess I'll just have to be patient until my next appointment.

I have space between two teeth where I lost a tooth years ago and at my adjustment today my ortho put tubing over the wire (plastic though, not metal) because the wire was really tearing into my cheek. The tubing makes it thicker and less irritating, can't even express how bad it was getting with just the wire. It could be that your ortho isn't trying to move those teeth yet and wanted to save you as much discomfort as they could.