I'm a little concerned.........

Message

#1 Post by **Lavender** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:46 am

When I first got my braces put on I had adjustments every 4 wks. and everything was going along nicely. Last July my ortho changed my adjustments to every 2 wks (is still every 2 wks.) and I've noticed some not so nice things happening. I've noticed gum recession in alot of places. In fact one place in particular the gum has receded ALOT ( to the point that I know I'll need a filling at the gumline eventually.) and is also swollen. I've mentioned this to both my ortho and dentist and they both say that it's normal. Is this normal? Could it be caused by my adjustments being so close together? I also have a gap that refuses to close near this tooth with the swollen gum. I've asked if the gum being swollen is causing the gap to not close and have been told that wouldn't prevent the gap closing. Is it even healthy for your teeth to have an adjustment every 2 wks.? I'm really worried about this.

#2 Post by **Lavender** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:06 am

Can anyone help me to not be so worried about this? Does anyone else have adjustments every 2 wks?

#3 Post by **Maverick** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:50 am

It's hard to say if your gum recession is abnormal without seeing it.
You will notice changes in your gums during treatment, but I can't say if its abnormal without seeing it.

Did your Ortho give any reason for going from 4wks to 2wks?
It is possible to move teeth too fast/have adjustments too often, but maybe your Ortho is using lighter forces.

First, try to find out the reasoning for your Ortho's decisions.
If you're are still concerned, seek a second opinion or two.

#4 Post by **Lavender** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:06 pm

I've had my braces for awhile now and never noticed any gum recession untill my adjustments became every 2 wks. My orthos reason for changing to every 2 wks was because he'd said we were getting into the finishing stages. Well, I've been at this stage (every 2 wks. ) for almost a yr. and 1/2

I thought that if your teeth moved too fast that you could end up with bone loss?

#5 Post by **kirjax** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:23 pm

hmm my appt. have always been 4-7 weeks.......this last time it was 8 (cause I too am in the finishing stage).....in the beginning I mostly went the 4 weeks but that was only for like 6 months and then most were the normal long appt.

I too have had a bit of gum recession though. I think it is normal cause your teeth are moving into new positions that they were not used to. Meaning a lot of it you probably didn't take too much notice to until now that your teeth are in different positions.

I have run into it mostly on the bottom and one area on the top lateral tooth. The bottoms I can live with the top though I wish he could fix but he said he can't.

#6 Post by **bracegirl77** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:48 pm

I sure it's nothing to worry about I just started to have my adjustment every two weeks to close the gap between my front teeth. It's probably the normal procedure.

#7 Post by **switchblades** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:01 pm

As far as the swelling goes, it could be an issue of not cleaning your teeth properly. Both my old ortho from when I was a kid, and my new one, have said that inflammation of the gums maks it harder to move the teeth. This is because if your gums are swollen, they will tend to push the teeth out of position and not form properly around the teeth.

I know it's a little late SPAM SPAM SPAMMING, but I think you'd be wise to talk to another orthodontist just to see what is going on, since your current one won't tell you much.

#8 Post by **Soworththeeffort** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:49 pm

I've got some gum recession too. My dentist told me it's possible my gums will come back - so it's not exactly hopeless. I've noticed that an area on the bottom has closed considerably, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the gums on top will follow suit. I just had my teeth cleaned, and my dentist commented that my gums are in great shape - so please take good care of your gums - they might surprise you. Hasta.

#9 Post by **roost22** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:06 am

Finishing stages for 1.5 YEARS, that seems like a long time considering the average treatment time is just a little more than that. I would go for a second opinion.

#10 Post by **roost22** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:51 am

Lavender, could I ask what your original treatment time was quoted for?

#11 Post by **Lavender** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:54 am

bracegirl77 wrote:I sure it's nothing to worry about I just started to have my adjustment every two weeks to close the gap between my front teeth. It's probably the normal procedure.

My appointments have been every 2 wks for 1 1/2 yrs. That just doesn't sound like it's a good idea for my teeth.

#12 Post by **Lavender** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:58 am

switchblades wrote:As far as the swelling goes, it could be an issue of not cleaning your teeth properly. Both my old ortho from when I was a kid, and my new one, have said that inflammation of the gums maks it harder to move the teeth. This is because if your gums are swollen, they will tend to push the teeth out of position and not form properly around the teeth.

I know it's a little late SPAM SPAM SPAMMING, but I think you'd be wise to talk to another orthodontist just to see what is going on, since your current one won't tell you much.

Well, I don't believe that the recession is from thhe way that I clean my teeth. Because I had the braces on already for over a yr. and had no recession prior to this. I too was under the impression that swollen gums would play a part in a tooth not moving, but he says no.

#13 Post by **Lavender** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:03 am

Soworththeeffort wrote:I've got some gum recession too. My dentist told me it's possible my gums will come back - so it's not exactly hopeless. I've noticed that an area on the bottom has closed considerably, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the gums on top will follow suit. I just had my teeth cleaned, and my dentist commented that my gums are in great shape - so please take good care of your gums - they might surprise you. Hasta.

I've always been told that once your gums recede, thats it. They don't just grow back. Thats one of the reasons this bothers me. I've always taken good care of my teeth and that never changed when I got braces.

#14 Post by **Lavender** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:05 am

roost22 wrote:Finishing stages for 1.5 YEARS, that seems like a long time considering the average treatment time is just a little more than that. I would go for a second opinion.

Well, it's been quite obvious to me that 1 1/2 yrs. ago we were no where near the finishing stages. NOW, were getting close to that.

#15 Post by **Lavender** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:13 am

roost22 wrote:Lavender, could I ask what your original treatment time was quoted for?

Well, I had Invisalign first for 1 1/2 yrs. that was supposed to have taken care of everything. When in fact it only made everything worse. When he applied the braces I was told 6 to 9 months would most likely fix everything. Well, it's now been 2 yrs. 8 months since the top were applied. And 2 yrs. since the bottom. It also seems that things only get taken care of when I point out that something is wrong. Other wise my appointments only consist of the ligs. being changed each time. I feel most of the time like I'm my own ortho.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to seek another ortho.