Getting braces on tomorrow!

[Manhattan Maniac]

Hey everyone, I'm getting braces on tomorrow and I have a couple questions.

1. I have a deep overbite; it's so bad that you can BARELY see my lower row of teeth. Will I need Jaw surgery?

2. If not jaw surgery, then will I need headgear?

3. How is life with braces?

4. Will I look different with a correct bite instead of an overbite? Dare I say better looking?

5. Will having braces hurt?

6. How long will I have to wear them?

Thanks for answering my questions. BTW, this is my 1st post =D

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum Maniac!

Has your ortho discussed jaw surgery with you? Jaw surgery is not necessary to correct most deep overbites, but it is for some. Your ortho would usually discuss this with you before you begin treatment.

Headgear is not used a great deal in treatment now, and if it is needed, then it is usually discussed with the patient before treatment begins. Archwires can do most of the work to correct deep overbites, coupled with the use of elastics. Please ask your orthodontist what is planned for your treatment, as this is the only person who knows what is best for your teeth/bite.

Life with braces is basically how you want it to be. Most people learn to live with braces very quickly and they have no impact on their lives. If you choose to make them a non issue, then mostly that's what they'll be.

You bite will change, which often means the way your lips, cheeks and chin look, may also change. What you or other's consider to be good looking, or better looking is a totally different thing. What you do have to look forward to, is a bite that functions better and causes less stress on your jaw joints.

Having braces should not hurt. There is usually a short period of adjustment, from one day to a few weeks, but as long as you take great care of your mouth during this time, it will hopefully pass quickly and easily. Using wax generously to help your mouth toughen and keeping your body well hydrated will help.

Only your ortho can answer that question and even then it will only be an estimate, as many things affect treatment ... how your teeth move, how well you follow the instructions of your ortho, oral hygiene etc.

Please have a good talk to your ortho and ask heaps of questions. Good luck with getting your braces on and remember to wear plenty of lip balm.

Take care!

[mikeg]

welcome maniac

Sunny answered yoru qeustions very well..

I recommend you start your blog on here and you can track your progress as well as we can offer you advice along the way.

http://www.bracesreview.com/forums/blogs/

[Manhattan Maniac]

Ouch.

I just got back from the dentists and I had to have 4 teeth removed.

I got the top brackets put on, had 2 teeth pulled from the top and bottom, and now I have to wait a couple weeks before they put the wire in for the top brackets.

After that I need to wait 4 months before they but the bottom brackets on.

[Denise]

I went through something similar. I had all my brackets put on, and my lower wire put in the first day. A week later I had two teeth pulled, and then this past Tuesday I had my arch wire put in.

Far as pain, yes you'll feel some pain. It seems like everyone does, and boy did I! Your teeth will get more sensitive and painful for a few (3-4) days after getting the wires put on. Don't be surprised if you can't chew even the softest of foods. It was well over a week before I could even bite through an olive. But I promise that it DOES get better. By day 15 all my sensitivity was gone.

I had my arch wire put on Tuesday and sure enough, yesterday was sore and today is even worse. I'm taking 800mg of ibuprofen and it helps a lot - don't be ashamed to take meds to help relieve the pain!

Also, make sure you keep wax or something on your brackets for a while as they will tear up your cheeks. In the first week I cut my cheeks, my lips, and the tip of my tongue.

Overall I'd say just hang in there, it's a rough go at first and there will be times when you will question your choice to do this, but it will get better and in the end everyone is glad they did it, and I'm banking on the same result.

Good luck and remember that we're all here and have all gone through it ourselves, so we all know how you're feeling!

[Sunny]

Great your teeth are out and your mouth is now getting used to the upper brackets. Most people agree that brackets without an archwire are harder to get used to, but with wax and good hydration, hopefully it goes ok for you.

Here's to your 'real' treatment starting soon, when the archwire is added. Take care!