Sore, but smiling!

[Nhalia]

Hello!

I'm new here, and just newly had braces put on. I'm 33 and this will be my second journey with braces!

I'm looking forward to this much more this time than I was the first time!! I haven't liked the way my teeth have looked or my bite has felt for about the last 5 years. So, I was overjoyed a few weeks ago when my husband said we probably had the funds for me to get braces! This is my anniversary/christmas/birthday present, LOL!

I just had Damons put on this morning, and have already started wearing the elastic torture devices. I remember wearing elastics before, but not in this configuration. I have one hook on top (on my central incisor)and 2 on the bottom making a triangular shape? I meant to ask my ortho, but can anyone tell me what this configuration is meant to do?

Nhalia

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome Nhalia and congratulations that you've been able to have ortho treatment again.

I wear an elastic in a triangular shape from my upper canine to lower canine/first premolar ... this is on one side only, and is to help move the upper canine up and down, so that it will sit in the right place when my teeth come together. Currently my bite is still a little open and the canine comes down to touch the inner bitting surface of my lower teeth.

I love elastics, as they've resulted in so much progress with my bite ... amazing!

Good luck and remember to ask your ortho at your next appointment.

[Nhalia]

Thanks Sunny!

My teeth are feeling much better today. I'm no longer thinking of the elastics as torture devices

What you said about the triangle formation sounds about right. I was so jazzed about getting my braces on, I didn't retain all the information he was giving me. Hahaa, I'll be much calmer next time and will remember to ask more questions in December!

edit: Btw, hot tea has been a life saver for me. Once I started drinking hot liquids I wasnt needing ibuprofen anymore!!

[Sunny]

Great that you're already feeling heaps better Nhalia!