Repositioning Brackets? Why?

[blackapple]

Well I am in for some more pain in a few weeks as I was told many of my brackets are being removed and repositioned. I just don't understand the rationale for this. Weren't they positioned well when they first went on. Obviously things are working as my teeth are steadily moving and already at the four month mark I am in elastics. I seriously enjoy the weeks in between adjustments as I start to dread each and every one of them. I am fine until the ortho assistants start messing with stuff. Funny how naive I was going into this process just thinking they were going to give me some brackets and wire and that would be it. There is way more to this process than I would have ever imagined.

[TumbleDryLow]

Bracket repositioning is common and normal. Done sometimes to get better root positions, or sometimes for better tooth positions. When my brackets first went on my teeth were terribly crooked. The brackets were placed initially to correct the crowding. Some were then repositioned to get better leveling and root positions.
And yes, I agree. Orthodontics is a more convoluted process then I think any of us ever imagined.

[blackapple]

Thanks a million for your response. I think I have a better understanding now of how the position of the bracket and wire determine the degree of movement in a certain direction. Funny reminds me of some of the laws of physics. I must admit I am way more interested in the why's of this process than I ever thought I would be. Still not looking forward to some of them being removed.

[GRILLZ]

blackapple: so sorry you are having to go through additional discomfort w/ bracket repositioning! this too shall pass! i'm amazed at how interested i've become in the entire process....i actually ordered a dental book the other day....i'm wanting to learn as much as i can about teeth and everything dental/orthdontic....it really is amazing complex what they do....there are a number of planes of symmetry they have to deal w/ front to back, horizontal, vertical.....

[ashesgap]

I was wondering, when you reposition don't you have to go back down to the tiny wire? Which happen to be the most painful wires, in my opinion.

[SilverGirl]

I just had a bracket repositioned, and it was on my most crooked tooth (one of my front two teeth that was tilted and overlapping the other). My wire on top does look skinnier, but I don't remember what number he said, and I did find my teeth hurt a lot more after this particular adjustment, but then I also got IPR and a powerchain to close the gap, so that could be why it hurts more.

Good luck, though, blackapple - hope it goes well for you!

[TumbleDryLow]

I was wondering, when you reposition don't you have to go back down to the tiny wire? Which happen to be the most painful wires, in my opinion.

Not in my case. I was in the second to thickest archwire before the repositioning and kept that wire afterwards.

[musiclady2340]

So glad you asked tis question. I go in tomorrow and will be having some brackets removed and replaced. I was wondering why that was necessary.

[drrick]

Very common to reposition brackets for 'fine tuning'
Other doctors may do some wire bending for final detailing.

[psych braces]

Learned something again...at least it sounds plausible. Jaw snapping occurred for me at month 3 and 4 then subsided. It always caught me completely offguard resulting in a biten tongue and cheeks (ouch!!). Once it happened while I was engaged in a conversation and although I was not speaking at the second it occurred there were several people staring at me and watched the horror in my face when the jaw snapping freaked me out and caused pain from cheek bite. Crazy...glad it was brief. I hope the issue resolves quickly for you.

[LARRYBOY56]

I too, have had brackets repositioned and due for another couple to be moved next appointment. Normal.... means things are moving and they are adjusting for that movement and going on to the next round of positioning.

[blackapple]

Thanks Drrick and everyone for your responses.

[Matilda]

I was wondering, when you reposition don't you have to go back down to the tiny wire?

I'm not certain whether the above applies to everyone but it does to me. I went from the thickest to the thinnest wire today. My power chains were removed as well.

[Ciara]

I had a bracket reposition at my visit last month. It was to give a better position to help rotate a tooth. When I went back yesterday my ortho said it had much improved and now I have power chains on both jaws.

[JeniK]

I was told I will have some of my brackets repositioned in the future. When my teeth start to move a bit..he will be able to get the brackets where they should be.