Just got braces put on and this is not going well!!

[PurpleAutumnLeaf]

I am 26 and I just got my braces put on yesterday and I'm in so much pain that I'm so tempted to back out and say bye-bye to my $800 *cries*

I can't bite down at all and I was biting down these brackets, is this normal? How long will I able to bite down?

And also I have to get 4 HEALTHY TEETH removed, I'm getting more nervous every second I think about it..I also need to get my 4 wisdom teeth extracted, so that means I will have 8 holes in my mouth and I have no idea how long it will take to close the gaps. I am going back to my orthodontist Monday to see if she can extract less teeth..lol

After telling my mom about this, all she has been doing is being negative about it and telling me about these potential problems I will have for extracting 4 perfectly healthy teeth.

How was your experience with your braces? I was told this will for 24 months, how long was yours?

Thanks all for reading, I'm here because I felt all alone and crushed..

[mikeg]

Hang in there, the first few days take the most getting used to, but the end result are worth 24 months... it really does fly by.. and believe me you are still VERY young to be getting braces.

[lauralea]

I had 4 teeth removed as well, and it was to make space for my arch. I thought that because of that I should have enough room for my wisdom teeth, however I still might have to have them removed as their is not enough space for them. Getting teeth pulled for braces is VERY common, and I understand its not something taken lightly. Stick with it, and I know you will be happy with the results.

[Phantom Muse]

When I was a teenager, I had SIX healthy teeth removed for my braces. Then, ten years ago, I had all four wisdom teeth removed. Now I am back for another round of braces - Invisalign - because of crowding (I didn't wear my retainers to maintain what had been accomplished years ago). I never figured myself as having a small mouth, but some of us do, and you would never look at me and think that I was "missing" anything! It is a little disconcerting to have them pulled, but the gaps will close, and you will look - and feel - terrific!

Just remember to wear your retainers! (it's my new mantra).

[PurpleAutumnLeaf]

Hi all, thank you for the encouraging words!! Do you wear retainers at night only and for how long? Thanks again and I will be coming more often to share my experiences with my braces.

[Brace Face]

When I first got my braces I didn't think I could go the distance. I hated how 'full' my mouth felt and the friction sores on the insides of my lips and cheeks were far worse than any tooth pain. My orthodontist told me that he has been in the business more than 20 years and only once in that time has someone come back, a week later, and insisted he took the braces off because they couldn't cope with them. My only advice to you is, take one day at a time to begin with and soon there will come a moment when you will realise that you haven't thought about them all day! Good Luck.

[Phantom Muse]

Retainers are for life - but the time spent wearing them each day varies from person to person. I have heard 24/7 for 12 months (I think this is quite the exception) to nights only immediately after getting the braces removed. My ortho has said I can go directly to nighttime wear, and then by 2 years or so, only wear them a few nights a week.

I will have to wait and see how my teeth respond down the line when I am finished with Invisalign, but I am prepared for 6 months 24/7 and then a weaning thereafter. I hate to be disappointed, so thinking this way is easiest for me. My daughter's ortho did say that it takes about 6 months for teeth to "settle" after the braces come off, so I keep this in the back of my mind.

P.S. I think most of us - no matter what sort of braces/brackets we choose - have a period of intense adjustment accompanied by a little bit of "buyer's remorse" after getting braced. Not to worry; it WILL pass!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome PurpleAutumnLeaf!

Extractions are not common any more with orthodontic work, which means that ortho's who choose to extract usually have taken the care to check that this is the only option left. In the 'old days' it was common, but with the memory archwires, the teeth can be moved to a better shape within the existing jaw bone and IPR shaves can be used to shave small amounts of enamel away from between teeth, to produce small amounts of space ... instead of the older style of the standard four teeth removal.

Talk to your ortho about your concerns so that your expert can explain why in your case you need the premolars removed. Also check as to why your wisdom teeth need to be removed. It may be that your ortho is concerned that they will apply pressure to push your teeth forward ... and you wouldn't want that after having braces.

Retainer wear is for life. To begin with it's full time wear, followed by every night and then most patients can go to several nights a week for life. Remember that as long as you're alive your teeth will move, so after having had orthodontic treatment it's important to retain this movement, or you'll find your teeth are back were they were before you started this experience.

About your mouth ... I hope you're feeling loads better by now. Keep well hydrated and rinse your mouth with warm salt water as it's soothing and healing. Also if any brackets are rubbing, cover those brackets with a generous amount of wax, so your mouth can toughen without sores.

Good luck!