I am new to this board altogether and chose to follow “Bruxism” — pretty much for the past five years I’ve had issues when it comes to this in the terms of clenching with very mild grinding — I am a 45-year-old female that change occupations pretty much five years ago and have had the issue ever since... it’s a no brainer that there is a contributing factor my new occupation is causing me lots of stress and making me clench. I had braces when I was a middle schooler, everyone is always commenting how beautiful my teeth are including my dentists along the way — well five years ago my teeth became loose and my stress level became off the charts — I do love my job with a passion, but it is all encompassing meaning it starts at 8 AM and it doesn’t end until midnight (Because I have to eat and sleep) Mon. through Friday.
As of April of this year I have braces back on my teeth in an attempt to stabilize my teeth and make them no longer mobile.
I have met with a team of specialists prior to braces to make sure my gums are healthy and the roots are not damaged and they are all good — thank God — but my problem is — still my non stop clenching during treatment— keep busting the wires — my orthodontist and dental hygienist team seem to be perplexed on me breaking the wires — apparently they haven’t had a clencher before? Because my job is all encompassing it’s difficult to leave and drive an hour away to my orthodontist to replace the wire. Two months ago— I decided to order the wire myself online and practically becoming my own dental hygienist replacing the wire myself.
Last month when it broke I simply called their office and they shipped me a replacement wire.
I’ve now been doing a lot of research online on the weekends to understand Bruxism, treatments, causes, arch wires, etc.
I am wanting to know has anyone in this situation found a particular archwire that has withstood breakage with Bruxism.
Also important to note, my current orthodontist did find issues with my teeth when I initially came in for the consultation ... he pointed out that a person’s top and bottom teeth are not supposed to touch, mine were touching. Looking back at my molds that I had when I was 16 years old (yes, I still had them) when I think I got my braces off and originally were given my first set of retainers... actually showed my bottom teeth touching my top teeth — exactly how they were to the day I met with my current orthodontist.
Matter of fact I could still fit my old retainers in — My current dentist actually had me wearing my old retainers because I told him my clenching was prevented when I would wear my old retainers because the wire got in the way and made me not clench as hard. The only problem there is I busted them all up because I eventually bit through the wire.
I am now in braces to fix my bite — Among maybe other things - to make sure my bottom teeth are not touching my top teeth.
Every single month since I’ve had these braces on I’ve broke the top, bottom, one or the other, or both wires. It’s really annoying to have to drive back an hour do you have the wire replaced. I think what I will have to do is talk with them next time and get several replica wires to take with me knowing I will be breaking the wire at some point in time in between the treatment before I go back for my next ortho appointment.
I honestly do not mind replacing the wire myself — i’ve actually got quite good at it and fast. A lot faster than driving an hour there and an hour back.
I’m pretty sure once I leave this job — I will find instant relief — because no job can be as stressful as this one that’s for sure and I do not have an outlet to go jog or exercise like I used to in my other profession which may have been preventing me from feeling the effects of Bruxism.
If someone can tell me what kind of wire they have had the best luck with and has with stood their clenching please do let me know!
It also might be important to note I do not have clenching or grinding issues whatsoever at night when I sleep. I wake up 100% refreshed although I’m only able to sleep Sunday through Thursday around 4 to 6 hours each night due to my workload.
Also important to note my job doesn’t grow on trees I’ve literally got to contact companies plant the seed of hiring me and then they have to actually propose the position and I have to apply for it. So it takes a lot of work to get a new job.
Thanks for your help!
Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
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Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
Well, the obvious one is, quit your job. Reading your post reminded me of someone. A friend of a friend have been nursing a nasty cough for 2 years, took medications, seen specialists, took scans, all came out negative. But still, the cough wouldn't go away. So my friend suggested to her to quit her stressful job. Desperate enough to try anything to cure the cough, she did. The cough mysteriously went away the next day.
The excessive clenching is your body telling you something. Getting sturdy wires/replacing wires yourself is not tackling the root of the problem. You really should consider taking care of the source of your stress levels causing the clenching before proceeding with your braces treatment as your clenching habit will likely mess your bite and teeth again after braces. Clenching can also crack your teeth.
Also, another thing to consider is that hardware constantly breaking down stalls your treatment progress and frequently changing new wires isn't good for your teeth too because each time the wires are changed, it "activates" the movements for our teeth, then it stops and lets the bone catch up until your ortho put in new wires to activate it somemore. Constantly changing your wires is like constantly activating your teeth but with no real changes because the wires then break often.
I know this reply is probably not what you want to hear, but just wanted to put it out there because I too had a time in my life where I was burning the candle on both ends and I understand how it is. I'm not sure if there are archwires that withstands clenching, but generally, stonger/thicker archwires are meant for later stages in treatment, and lighter wires are usually used in the begining stages to achieve different teeth movements in the different stages and sequencing of treatment, so it's not exactly made in mind for para-functions like clenching.
One thing I'd share that helped me when I was clenching a little during my treatment. My ortho told me to actively work on keeping my teeth apart/ajar with my mouth closed. So the propensity to clench is reduced. At first, I had to consciously remind myself to keep my teeth apart, and then it subsequently became a habit. I seem to have stopped clenching not long after and haven't since getting my braces off. Since you said your clenching is only during the day time, when you are likely to be more conscious of your movements, perhaps give it a try.
The excessive clenching is your body telling you something. Getting sturdy wires/replacing wires yourself is not tackling the root of the problem. You really should consider taking care of the source of your stress levels causing the clenching before proceeding with your braces treatment as your clenching habit will likely mess your bite and teeth again after braces. Clenching can also crack your teeth.
Also, another thing to consider is that hardware constantly breaking down stalls your treatment progress and frequently changing new wires isn't good for your teeth too because each time the wires are changed, it "activates" the movements for our teeth, then it stops and lets the bone catch up until your ortho put in new wires to activate it somemore. Constantly changing your wires is like constantly activating your teeth but with no real changes because the wires then break often.
I know this reply is probably not what you want to hear, but just wanted to put it out there because I too had a time in my life where I was burning the candle on both ends and I understand how it is. I'm not sure if there are archwires that withstands clenching, but generally, stonger/thicker archwires are meant for later stages in treatment, and lighter wires are usually used in the begining stages to achieve different teeth movements in the different stages and sequencing of treatment, so it's not exactly made in mind for para-functions like clenching.
One thing I'd share that helped me when I was clenching a little during my treatment. My ortho told me to actively work on keeping my teeth apart/ajar with my mouth closed. So the propensity to clench is reduced. At first, I had to consciously remind myself to keep my teeth apart, and then it subsequently became a habit. I seem to have stopped clenching not long after and haven't since getting my braces off. Since you said your clenching is only during the day time, when you are likely to be more conscious of your movements, perhaps give it a try.
Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
I think the response by assertives is excellent, and worthy of your serious consideration. No job is worth it, especially since your previous outlets (e.g., exercise) are not available. I thought archwires were practically indestructible so the fact that you are breaking them suggests tremendous, and dangerous, forces in play. That has to be damaging more then just your archwires. In any event, best of luck to you.
Dan
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
- mapleleafman888
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Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
Djspeece, we meet again, You were active years ago when I first joined and I really enjoyed your humorous antics!djspeece wrote: ↑Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:01 am I think the response by assertives is excellent, and worthy of your serious consideration. No job is worth it, especially since your previous outlets (e.g., exercise) are not available. I thought archwires were practically indestructible so the fact that you are breaking them suggests tremendous, and dangerous, forces in play. That has to be damaging more then just your archwires. In any event, best of luck to you.
My story:http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45354
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!
Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
It's been a while, Maple Leaf! I still like to visit even though I have been debraced for several years. Hope all is well with you, and Merry Christmas!mapleleafman888 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:03 amDjspeece, we meet again, You were active years ago when I first joined and I really enjoyed your humorous antics!djspeece wrote: ↑Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:01 am I think the response by assertives is excellent, and worthy of your serious consideration. No job is worth it, especially since your previous outlets (e.g., exercise) are not available. I thought archwires were practically indestructible so the fact that you are breaking them suggests tremendous, and dangerous, forces in play. That has to be damaging more then just your archwires. In any event, best of luck to you.
Dan
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
- mapleleafman888
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:59 am
Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
Being debraced is amazing! I'm almost at 5 years post...figured I'd come back and give the site a visit and read through the old blog. Nice to see some others still do occasionally visit too. Merry Christmas, best to you in 2020.djspeece wrote: ↑Thu Dec 12, 2019 11:51 amIt's been a while, Maple Leaf! I still like to visit even though I have been debraced for several years. Hope all is well with you, and Merry Christmas!mapleleafman888 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 12, 2019 12:03 amDjspeece, we meet again, You were active years ago when I first joined and I really enjoyed your humorous antics!djspeece wrote: ↑Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:01 am I think the response by assertives is excellent, and worthy of your serious consideration. No job is worth it, especially since your previous outlets (e.g., exercise) are not available. I thought archwires were practically indestructible so the fact that you are breaking them suggests tremendous, and dangerous, forces in play. That has to be damaging more then just your archwires. In any event, best of luck to you.
Sorry for hijacking the thread OP lol.
My story:http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45354
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!
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Re: Bruxism & what type of arch wire withstands the least breakage?
I also suffer from Bruxism (at night though), but I have to admit that I’ve never heard of or even come close to breaking a wire. I have bitten off a bracket or 2, but nothing like what you are describing and I’ve been told that my clenching is bad (it is also one of the main reasons I got braces in the first place). Changing your own wire sounds risky. I personally don’t think that’s a good idea. If getting a new job is not an option, maybe you can seek help to deal with stress. Wires shouldn’t be breaking. That’s scary for sure. Did your ortho know it was this bad before putting braces on? Maybe some sort of treatment to address to the bruxism would have been an idea, but maybe you can start some now. Hopefully you find something that works for you!