Switching to linguals?

[ugliibracesgirl]

Like I've mentioned already, i'm 23 and have been wearing braces since last March. So far, not a single thing in my mouth has shifted. The only tooth that did move out slightly actually moved BACK to its original spot after a few weeks. My ortho and her team are so baffled by it, they act like they have no idea how to make anything work since they've already tried everything and it's all been useless...To make a long story short, I'm really unhappy about it, plus try as i might not to sound vain I have to be honest: I HATE the way the braces look (not to mention others' reactions to them), and I just don't know what to do.
Everyone says hang in there, be patient, but that's a lot easier said than done, you know? So I've been googling lingual braces a bit lately, and I was wondering if, I found someone near me qualified to do them, it'd be possible to have my embarrassing metal braces taken off and lingual ones put on instead?? I have a deep overbite and lots of crowding, among other things, so I'm not sure if 1) linguals would be appropriate for my mouth and 2) if anyone would be willing to take my current braces off to put new ones on. If anyone has any input, or thinks this is something I should look into further, that'd be great. Otherwise, I'm seriously thinking about just getting the braces taken off altogether. I know everyone will say just hang in there, be patient, the teeth will move eventually, but I'm truly at the end of my rope. Truth be told, I'd take the flawed teeth I had before over any of this messsss.
Thanks!

[melissa]

Have you considered the ceramics either? I know for me, I was just too embarrassed to get anything that was visible in my 20's. All of my friends and most people I know had braces when they were younger so I would feel uncomfortable with getting them on now. I was originally going to get Invisalign, but my ortho said it would take longer and that constantly having to change trays would be painful and I would get better results with Linguals, so that seemed like my best bet. I would definitely be frustrated too if I didnt see any results with the traditional metal braces after so long. I recommend talking it over with your ortho and looking into a new treatment if this one isnt getting you anywhere, especially if youre unhappy with the appearance. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[ugliibracesgirl]

Hey Melissa, thanks so much for your reply I did actually ask about ceramics long ago, well before I even got any braces put on, and they said those wouldn't work because they're not strong enough to do all the serious movement I need. I didn't know about linguals at the time (if only!) or else I would've looked into them then. From what I've read, it says that linguals have been used to treat stuff similar to mine, and sound like they can move more forcefully than ceramics. I'm going to do some more reading up on it. Thanks again, it means a lot!

[melissa]

Not a problem! I know how much even a little advice can help. I know linguals arent as common anymore for some reason so not all orthodontists offer them. Im not sure if yours does but would you consider looking into a new ortho? Especially since youre not pleased with the results so far

[ugliibracesgirl]

oh absolutely. To be honest, i've been thinking of switching for a while, even before I learned about linguals. I haven't been happy with a lot of things that've gone on at my ortho. Like many times I'll arrive for an appt. and they're a) shocked to see me there b) confused about why i'm there or c) stunned to realize I already have braces, despite having seen me like this every 3-4 weeks since last March! So yeah, it's been very frustrating all around. I went to see one new ortho in Nov. but she wasn't taking on new patients at the time, but I'm willing to keep looking.

[Rynne]

I would SOOOO switch Orthodontists!!!!! 9 months! Um yeah.

I had ceramics in h.s. and have linguals now. I had all the same pains and annoyances with the linguals that I had with ceramics PLUS the pain of having to clean them a LOT more and my tongue is totaly shredded. I've had them 5 weeks and my tongue has gotten "used" to be cut up but its still sore. When I drink hot chocolate or coffee it already burnt like even if its not that warm. I have lost some weight because there is no way whatsoever to eat without it getting alll shoved up in the braces. The bottoms are easier to clean but still tough. The top ones are ridiculous to try and get completely clean. I have a little dentist's mirror.... But you don't see them whatsoever. image seems to be bothering you so I would look into them.

And another ortho! LOL

[ugliibracesgirl]

Hi Rynne Thanks so much for your comment! It's amazing how the input I've gotten today has lifted my spirits. I'm already used to having my tongue shredded up, as I have bracketed eye teeth in the roof that really do a number on that. I know what you mean about hot drinks (even when they're not that hot) hurting like hell. And hot/spicy foods too, ow! LOL

I've been looking to switch orthos since July as it is, so that's actually a relief to think of. I have a little dentist mirror too that I'm always checking my back teeth with..but yeah, image has really been getting me down as much as I try not to let it.

Thanks again for the input!

[Sunny]

Hi Uglii ... it's really sad to read that your teeth have not progressed in such a long time. I recommend before you consider further treatment you find out if there's a reason your teeth won't move. Most teeth move almost immediately ... at least within hours/day of the archwires being put on. If teeth don't move, like my impacted canine tooth, it's because something is preventing this from happening. With my canine tooth, it was 'fixed' to my jaw bone and couldn't be moved or removed, so it's had to stay where it was.

I recommend you consult with some other ortho's and find out if in fact your teeth can move. Good luck!

PS ... brackets are brackets. Metal, ceramic, lingual, self ligating, ligating ... they don't move teeth, the archwires do. The ceramic brackets are among the hardest of all and although it took a while for some ortho's to realise this, most now do. Ortho's now do surgery cases with ceramics and linguals are now being used for more difficult cases, it's just a matter of finding an ortho who's confident in the use of the type you want ... although most important is finding an ortho who you trust.

Good luck!