3 weeks in

[Elismom]

Hello all,

Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since I got my braces. As I am just starting to get use to them, all of a sudden my teeth hurt like hell & it's hard to eat. My next appointment is not until the end of June, so I was wondering if anyone can explain to me why this is happening. I also wanted to know why my Ortho told me I couldn't get ceramic braces on the bottom only on the top which I believe is untrue b/c I've seen people who have all ceramic & no metal.

Thanks!

[sparkles]

Your teeth will be hurting because they will be moving
This explains the process : http://www.archwired.com/how_braces_work.htm

I can't answer your second question about ceramic brackets though sorry

[mollycat]

I was offered ceramic on the bottom (but didn't do it) and my ortho said it was unusual for him to offer that. My understanding is that you really don't want teeth hitting ceramic brackets, because it could chip the tooth. Most people end up with their front teeth slightly forward of their back teeth, so your top teeth have more possibility to hit your bottom brackets than the other way around. I have an open bite that will be corrected with surgery, so he didn't think I had much risk of my front teeth getting close enough for this to be a problem.

Molly

P.S. I'm 2 months in, and it continues to get better. I'm not constantly aware of my braces anymore/

[beckyboo0205]

My ortho didn't do ceramic on the bottom either. I want to say he said it was because you could chip a tooth if your top teeth hit the bottom brackets like what my teeth are doing right now. But i can't remember. Plus ceramic brackets are usually bigger and those bottom teeth are smaller than the top.

[SpottedPickle]

Everyone's bite is different. The ceramic is harder than your tooth enamel and if you are hitting your teeth as other said you can permanently damage your teeth. As for the hurting, your teeth are moving, or should be. It will bring discomfort and pain. Adults are also working with mature formed bone, which can be a pain.

[kathydell]

One reason they don't like the ceramics on the bottom is the chance of cracking one of your top teeth if you smash them too much. My lowers are really visible which is unusual. Most of the time your bottom lip covers your bottom brackets. Mine are exposed and I do a lot of public speaking so I really wanted the clear on the bottom. She agreed to do it if I would wear little gel cushions in the beginning to take away the chance of them smashing when they were so crowded. It worked like a charm and I was really happy. The only drawback is that the cushions stain from coffee much faster than the ligs. So, I just learned how to put them on myself with good tweezers and I asked the ortho for extras which she gladly supplied.

[ChrisB]

Hi, I am here in Australia and looking for the Rapee Cushions http://www.rushk.com.au/linen-house and are they fine like you have here in post!