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The Stupendous Braces Blog

Spacers, Day 1

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by
AK710
, 02-15-2011 at 07:19 PM (742 Views)
I had my spacers put on all of an hour and a half ago and they hurt less now that they did when I had them placed on. The ortho did allow me to take Motrin right before they were put on and I think that helped because as I was driving home I noticed that there was no pain. They did say that the pain would kick in by tomorrow morning and that if I had to have something stronger they would call in a prescription. I don't even notice them for now, but I do think that they may give me a headache because I started to get one about 5 mins after they were placed. They started to annoy my gums while I was at the ortho so I did some gum massage and now everything feels great. I really hope the "pain" stays like this. I asked the asst. that placed the spacers if she had braces and not only did she have them, but she also had to have jaw surgery. Bless her!

My least favorite part is feeling like i can't bite down completely, but I know I will eventually be able to bite down. They also gave me a little sheet talking about the spacers in addition to a tablet that I have to take 30 mins. before the braces are put on because they help dry my mouth out a little bit more for the braces.
This is what it says:

"Today you have had separators placed between some of your teeth.Separators are either small rubber rings or wires. They will put pressure on your teeth causing them to shift and to be slightly sore for two or three days. This is normal and necessary to provide enough space for your braces , which you will get at your next appointment. Any discomfort you may experience as a result of the separators may be relieved by taking aspirin, tylenol or advil..."

It later goes on to say that "to relieve any soreness, rinse your mouth with warm salt water and/or take two aspirin."

It is definitely worth noting that before I left the office I noticed that the spacers had already managed to move a few teeth. I have included a pic of the spacers. Sorry about the pic, I had to take it with my camera phone and the spacers are white.

So my journey is just beginning and like everyone else, I'm eager to get these things off and see my new teeth.
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Comments

  1. Denise's Avatar
    Very nice progress so far! I wish you lots of luck with your upcoming braces!
  2. Sunny's Avatar
    Fantastic that your treatment has started and here's to the spacers soon being gone and the hardware working to move your teeth so you'll soon have the bite and smile you desire!
  3. AK710's Avatar
    Thanks! I'm looking forward to the braces even more now b/c I'm ready to pull the spacers out now. It isn't awful pain, but just annoying as hell. I'm in between pain meds so I'm waiting until I can have a prescription called in, so until then it is saltwater rinses and gum massage.
  4. wiredmouth's Avatar
    Wishing you all the best with your journey to a new smile! What system of braces is your orthodontist going to use? I didn't have have to get spacers so i'm not sure how it must feel. I can understand the 'not being able to chew down' part though - it took me an hour to eat a sandwich! My orthodontist said that I have the "damon system' of braces.

    All the best! Look forward to chatting and following along as we strive for better smiles!
  5. AK710's Avatar
    I have no idea what brackets my ortho is using. I'm getting all metal and I was trying to ask his assistant what kind of metal brackets I was going to get and she said "the tiny ones." That could be anything so I'm lost. I didn't want to prod her because I got stuck in traffic and then lost (AGAIN) so I showed up 20 minutes late.

    You are luck that you didn't need to get spacers. They aren't fun. I don't think they are as bad as everyone says (or maybe my imagination was just too active), I'm not actively in pain anymore and it is going on day 3. I was only really in pan for about a day and a half. Eating is the worst. I want to eat everything and I can't. (