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pepper

powerchains and questions

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by
pepper
, 05-16-2010 at 12:46 PM (303 Views)
I have a couple of questions for you guys, I hope someone can help me.

In march I got my first powerchains, linking my lower front teeth only. My ortho was/is trying to close a gap created when a front lower tooth was removed (a smaller fake tooth was put on its place and it has been shaved off to make room for movement). This past week I got new powerchains, linking all teeth on the upper and lower parts. In addition I got a new archwire on top, that according to my ortho has more torque. The result from all this is I've been in pain for the last 4 days, I have to take advil every 4 hours to handle the pain. I am usually very tolerant to pain, but this time it is hard to bear.

Is it normal to be in pain for this long? I have had braces for only 8 months and the pain of my previous adjustments seemed easier to bear with.

My teeth seem to be more sensitive to cold since my last adjustments, mostly the upper front teeth. What would make them more sensitive?

Are braces more painful for adults? I had braces when I was a teenager and I never finished my treatment, which is why I am in braces again. But I don't recall this much pain before (selective memory?).

Another issue is that my front teeth are now somewhat crooked, when they were straight before. It's been happening for a while and every time I go to my ortho she tries to fix it by changing the position of the brackets but it doesn't get better. This time she thinks the new archwire will fix it, without having to change the brackets, but I doubt it. I have ibraces (metal braces behind my teeth rather than on the front) and I told her that some of my lower teeth are touching some of the brackets on the upper teeth that are now crooked, and I think that is probably moving them in a different direction than they were supposed to move. She dismissed this argument, but even though I don't know anything about orthodontics and she does, it still makes sense to me that this would be the reason for my crooked teeth. Any comments?

Thanks for any help on my questions,

pepper
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Comments

  1. Sunny's Avatar
    The reason for you having pain at this time could be for many reasons. It sounds like your ortho has made a couple of major changes to your arch and this could be causing the sensitivity and pain. Most people don't experience pain, but some do and some have an ache or more for a few hours to a few weeks, depending on how they cope with the feelings.

    There is no reason why the comfort level will be any different between different ages. The main differences are what can be achieved at different ages, as with a young patient who's bones haven't fused, major changes can be make, whereas with adults the jaw bone cannot be changed without surgery, which means the teeth have to stay within the confines of your jaw bone, unless you have surgery.

    With regard to your teeth not being as straight as they once were, I can't comment, as it would take a professional with your x-rays and plans to work on this one. If you feel that your ortho is not helping, you may have to pay for a consult with another ortho to here what that person says. Of course this may mean more additional expense if you choose to change mid treatment.

    Good luck!
  2. Denise's Avatar
    Regarding your tooth movement, I know teeth do all kinds of funky things while still in treatment. Since you're only 8 months in, I'd say give it some more time, at least a few more adjustments, and see how it all comes together as you get closer to the time frame for your final adjustment.

    Regarding pain: I'm one of the rare cases that had a LOT of pain. When I first got my braces I couldn't eat for 3 weeks. It was the worst pain I've felt since I shattered my right leg about 18 years ago. Pain after adjustments would vary depending on what they did. When I first got a new wire, and power chains, I was in a lot of pain. I remember it being close to exactly a week before I could eat anything solid. I still have to take Motrin for 2-3 days after each adjustment because of the sensitivity and pain. So I'd say no, the pain isn't something you should be overly concerned about. If you're still in unbearable pain after a week you could call your ortho and see what is recommended, or have them take a look at things.
  3. moveatooth's Avatar
    tooth pain is fairly normal during ortho treatment and sometimes it is surprising at the onset or duration of pain, when you have felt little before.

    since you are in ibraces - i find it a little odd that your ortho has repeatedly repositioned your anterior (front teeth) brackets. one of the advantages of ibraces is that they are completely customized for each case, your bracket position if your initial bonding appointment went well, should not be disturbed to address individual teeth.

    it is true that teeth can start looking a little goofy during treatment, but that is just part of the process-

    i would ask if your ortho could possibly order a new wire for you and i would also ask what number wire you are in.

    it never hurts to ask questions about the mechanics of your treatment.. good luck and hang in there- you are in a top of the line bracket system so make sure that your ortho makes this work for you in the best way possible, even if it means to order a new custom wire or a new custom bracket to help in the process-