First timer at 26

[USNrecruiterguy]

I got my braces on Monday 5 Feb 2018. I have metal Damon system braces on top and bottom. I started with an anterior open bite and had no real self confidence. In the approximate week that has past, I feel more confident even though I am an adult who has braces. I will have the for 24 months.

[EmilyTravels]

Welcome to the group!

I have found that having braces as an adult is no big deal. No one really cares or comments, and I just smile and don't worry about it. The important thing is the end result, and that you're doing something good for yourself.

[USNrecruiterguy]

So a week has passed since I got my braces. The pressure and pain from the first few days have subsided. This week has mostly been uneventful with the exception of one of the nights I somehow managed to break one of my bite props. No big deal, it is fixed now. Yet all I can think of is how I want the 26th of March to be here because I want this process to continue on and since the pain and pressures are gone I guess I feel like that means that I’ve got all I’m gonna get out of this adjustment. I know that it’s more than likely not true but just the way I feel. Next adjustment I’m getting tongue takers and I worry about how that is going to go, but today I feel ok.

[USNrecruiterguy]

Make that the same bite prop broken twice.

[USNrecruiterguy]

So Monday made 2 weeks and I must say I don’t feel like this is that bad. The worst part so far is the waiting between tightenings. Still kinda worried about the pending tongue tamers, but other than that staying hopeful. Has anyone with Damon braces ever asked their orthodontist if their tightening appointments could be closer to every 4 weeks or is the 7 weeks a necessary part of the Damon braces treatment?

[EmilyTravels]

It varies depending on which wire you are on. I have had appointments from 5 to even 8 weeks apart with my self-ligating braces. 5-6 is probably most typical. As someone else mentioned, you don't want to increase your risk of root resorption by your teeth moving too fast. AND, you can still get movement even once you are no longer sore; that's the beauty of self-ligating brackets; they continue to exert constant pressure on your teeth between appointments

[USNrecruiterguy]

So I’ve had them for almost a month now and looking back this month hasn’t been that bad. The main problem I have is staying patient. When my wife had braces her orthodontist was willing to help move the process a little quicker by ways of double chains and wire ties along with appointments every 4 to 5 weeks. ( she had normal braces) I just need to take a step back and realize that the process for our treatments are different not to mention the fact that the two systems ( conventional v. Damon) are very different. Since I have started I’ve broken off 3 bite props and broken a hook in half. Idk why but it has happened. I want to thank you all for being supportive and keeping a site like this running to help people.

[USNrecruiterguy]

Monday marked 1 month in braces. Needless to say I’m excited. I’ve seen some progress and learned some things in this journey so far. I have 3 more weeks til my first tightening and I’m kinda looking forward to it. Should be getting tongue tamers and maybe elastics. I’ve heard and seen people talking about tightenings done on Damon braces being rough. How bad is it? What can I do to help it not be as bad? Any input or advice would be much appreciated.

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[EmilyTravels]

Unfortunately, there's not really a lot you can do. I have pre-medicated with four ibuprofen (800 mg total) before my last two appointments with self-ligating brackets and wire changes, and the pain was still intense while the tech was opening and closing some of the brackets. The larger the wire gets, the harder the brackets are to close, and the metal ones always seem to be hard to open, especially on the bottom arch. It hurts! Once she's done, though, the pain is immediately much, much less, and I think the ibuprofen does help with the dull aches afterwards.

I just tell myself that it is a very short period of pain compared to the gain and mentally grit my teeth and get through it. And I HATE pain. If I can do it, anyone can!

[Prometheus]

I've had Damon braces for 3 years now, having appointments every 3-4 weeks. They are not "tightenings" as you say, that was from the 60's and 70's. You may get a thicker or different type/shape of wire, all of which will increase the force on your teeth. In my case, the "adjustments" as they call them today never hurt, pretty much a nothing burger. Opening and closing the doors on the Damon brackets is painless when done with the Damon "spin" tool. The next few days I was usually a little bit sore, just a minor annoyance. I am close to the end of the journey now and all in all it was no big deal, I just wish I had done it 30 years earlier. Worry not!

[EmilyTravels]

Opening and closing the doors on the Damon brackets is painless when done with the Damon "spin" tool. The next few days I was usually a little bit sore, just a minor annoyance.

I am so envious! My orthodontist uses a self-ligating system that is a competitor of Damon called Speed System. If I had had any idea how painful the gate openings would be, I would have gone elsewhere. I had no idea. I work really hard on my oral hygiene to avoid any tartar build-up on the brackets, but the tech. tells me some of them seem like they are glued shut. She really has to pull to get them open, and it hurts! The closing of the gates has only been tough with the thick wires, like the 20x20 one I currently have on the bottom arch. I don't know why the Speed System doesn't have a special tool like Damon; it seems like she's just using standard pliers.