Adding additional brackets after four months?

[udubdave]

I went in for my second adjustment a few days ago, and they only changed the ligatures. They told me on my next adjustment, they're going to change the wire and add four additional brackets (which means all my teeth will be bracketed, currently my back molars are not). I didn't think anything of if then, but now I'm curious as to why the need for the additional brackets after four months? Is it maybe because the next wire needs those brackets?

[catgyrl]

Could it be that those teeth were too crooked for brackets and wires to stay in place at first? I've seen some pics of people whose teeth were waaaaaaay out of the way of the wires, and thus had to be taken care of later.

[xanidu2012]

5/1/12 I had expanders put in. 5/8/12 I was braced up. All teeth with brackets,wires, ligs; all molars banded except 1. He said band could not be fitted because there wasn't enough space to place band with a button and tube for wire end to fit in. He made my adjustment appointment 6 weeks out saying the teeth would have moved enough to get the needed molar band on and this molar gets involved in the "moving" situation. So I think my problem was crowding on the bottom. Do you have crowding that may have made it not feasible to put brackets/bands on at that particular point of treatment?

[udubdave]

I don't think so... only my bottom front teeth had crowding, but then again, that's all I ever really noticed so maybe they were too crowded in the back to fit them before. Never thought of that, thanks.

[xanidu2012]

you're welcome udubdave. Keep us posted on your progress

[Sita]

I've been meaning to ask my ortho about that, but keep forgetting. I don't have brackets on those molars either and wonder if I will get them on at a later date or not. I assume so since they are moving all of my teeth, except the incisors, forward. I'm interested in knowing the reason for yours, though so could you let us know when you find out?

[DrJasonKTam]

Often times, the back molars are not bonded until during treatment since they are usually not that far out of line and can be brought into the arch within a few visits. Without a bracket on those teeth, it is less likely for a brace to come off of that tooth (since there isn't one on it!).

Other times, with severe anterior crowding, the initial archwires are quite flexible. With the long span between the larger first molar and large second molar, there is a longer span of wire that has a greater chance of being displaced, causing a poking wire.

In our office, when the 2nd molars are present at the beginning of treatment, we will often bond them, but not extend the very flexible wire to them. We will wait until we need a slightly stiffer wire, but still flexible enough to help line up the 2nd molar.

Hope that helps!

[udubdave]

Absolutely. I'll ask my ortho exactly why in a month when they do it, and I'll update this post.

I've been meaning to ask my ortho about that, but keep forgetting. I don't have brackets on those molars either and wonder if I will get them on at a later date or not. I assume so since they are moving all of my teeth, except the incisors, forward. I'm interested in knowing the reason for yours, though so could you let us know when you find out?

[udubdave]

This makes sense. I looked at my initial xrays and it didn't look like my back molars were out of alignment. It probably has something to do with the next wire I'm getting; I guess it's going to be stiffer. Thanks!

Often times, the back molars are not bonded until during treatment since they are usually not that far out of line and can be brought into the arch within a few visits. Without a bracket on those teeth, it is less likely for a brace to come off of that tooth (since there isn't one on it!).

Other times, with severe anterior crowding, the initial archwires are quite flexible. With the long span between the larger first molar and large second molar, there is a longer span of wire that has a greater chance of being displaced, causing a poking wire.

In our office, when the 2nd molars are present at the beginning of treatment, we will often bond them, but not extend the very flexible wire to them. We will wait until we need a slightly stiffer wire, but still flexible enough to help line up the 2nd molar.

Hope that helps!

[yogapaws]

This happened to me- Went in last week (end of month 4). Banded the last lower molars & a new wire extend all the way.
I thought "banded" referred to rubber bands.

This is a new level of discomfort.

[xanidu2012]

My ortho got in touch with me today to give me the wonderful news that my empty molar will be banded at next appointment 6/19/12 and wire extended to that molar with another button and hook Yogapaws I feel your discomfort . Well guess I better stock up on motrin and get ready to bang my head because he said this adjustment will not be pleasant . Oh well let me get my game face on.

[udubdave]

Is it really more discomfort? Great... I thought that phase was long gone

This happened to me- Went in last week (end of month 4). Banded the last lower molars & a new wire extend all the way.
I thought "banded" referred to rubber bands.

This is a new level of discomfort.

[yogapaws]

I was very discouraged this week. Not like my normal self. Received several comments that I should "be over it by now"..... meaning the discomfort, dry mouth, difficulty eating & sometimes speaking.....
Thankful for this forum to compare, vent & gather advice.

[OldBikerBag]

I have brackets on all of my teeth with my first arch wires in place. The wires do not connect to any of my second (rearmost) molars. They are just lonely little brackets, out in back, all by themselves and not holding hands with anybody. Sad, really, when you think about it that way....

Okay, I'm starting to depress myself. On to other matters... (LOL)

[Beebop]

I'm expecting this also, just have my lower front 8 teeth banded at the moment (4left and right) - my 5's have been extracted so once the front 8 are straight I'll have the rear molars bracketed and banded to close the gaps up where the 5's were...