Terrible Turbos

[kaylaa]

Hey everyone

So I have hit the 2 week mark today! Yipee! I have noticed that when my teeth rest againt my turbos, sometimes they sit on the very edge of them and when I open my mouth, my bottom teeth just ache! I have noticed this especially in the morning and early in the day. Should I talk to my ortho about taking out these Terrible Turbos and replacing them with molar build up? What is the difference between the two?

Thanks,

Kayla

[Sunny]

Definitely tell your ortho what's happening kaylaa, but your bite may be better with the turboes than the molar buildups. Your ortho will be best to advise you.

Good luck!

[kaylaa]

Thanks for your response Sunny

It just so happens that I broke a bracket last night trying to eat some celery it was the last one, so guess that's not so bad.

I called today and she got me in for tomorrow and 11:50, so we will see what the ortho says. He might re-position these turbos, he might do the build up...

The turbos are resting on my bottom teeth in a way that I think it's pushing a tooth back. :/

Well we will see tomorrow. I will keep you guys updated.

[Denise]

Turbos are the WORST!! My ortho calls them 'speed bumps'. I had one for 2 months when I first got my braces on. They were so painful!! Every now and then I'd bite down super hard on it while I was eating and it would hurt so bad it would make me cry. I was in absolute misery every single day I had them. I realize they were necessary and looking back the 2 months went by really fast, but the memory is still there. Good luck and just remember that they'll be off soon for good!

[josie]

I'm going to ask a naive question here: What is a turbo? ! I tried to google it and just got lots of car engines up! Whatever they are, they sound painful and I hope I don't need them!!

[kaylaa]

You can see a picture of bite turbos here.

Brace Yourself

Bite turbos help prevent you from biting off your bottom brackets and help open up the bite, when treating an overbite.

They are quite annoying, but not bad. I just think that they may be placed in a funny spot.

[josie]

The turbos are the white bumps on the back of your teeth? OMG, I am feeling comparatively lucky, seeing the contraption you have under your tongue!1 Has it affected your speech in any way?

I do now have another question though - what is a power chain!!? LOL! I think there needs to be a glossary with this site!

[kaylaa]

They are more like triangles on the back of my teeth... But they are there neverless. The other thing in my mouth is actually on the roof of my mouth, not under my tongue. It's a quad helix expander and I hate it too. It does make eating an adventure though

And both of the extras do affect my speech. I can't say s's, and things like that, it gives me a big lisp. Ah well, what do you do?

[Sunny]

Josie if you use google you'll find many references, plus search this site, as you'll find discussion threads about these topics also. And it's always ok to ask, as this site is here to help!

A powerchain is basically a row of ligs joined together. So instead of each lig being on it's own and going around only one bracket, they're joined and they go over a bracket, then the bracket next to that, and sometimes over all brackets on an arch, or it might be only over two or three or the number needed to achieve the work needed. Powerchains are used for a few different things, but mostly to help get the teeth beside each other and keep them there. I think I've had them since I hit the seven month mark ... and they helped close gaps, rotate teeth and now they help keep those teeth in alignment.

Kaylaa's bite turbos do look like white lumbs behind her upper front teeth. Sometimes they're silver ... it just depends on what the ortho prefers to use. Some people have lumbs of bonding moulded on there first molars to keep those teeth apart ... it really depends on what area needs the attention and how the ortho is doing the persons treatment. The main advantage is to stop teeth being damaged due to biting on brackets and also to prevent brackets from being 'bitten' off.

[josie]

Wow thanks! I hope I don't need either power chains or bite turbos!!!!

[Sunny]

Your ortho would probably have told you about the turbos or molar buildup, as they're mostly added on the day you have your lower brackets put on on.

Powerchains are fantastic and do an outstanding job. One of my favourite 'things' when it comes to ortho treatment, due to the progress they make happen!

[kaylaa]

So I went to see Dr. Ortho and he said that the turbos were fine the way they were and hopefully my teeth move enough by next appointment so that he can take them off.

He said that turbos were better than molar buildup because molar buildup would create too much pressure on certain spots and would delay movement possibly.

So I will just have to keep conscious about where I rest my teeth and just deal with it at night.

I also was told that the bracket could be left for until my next appointment.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Bite turbos can be created free form or they can be used with a shape template, varying in size. They tend to help intrude the anterior teeth, whereby opening up the bite.

Some patients do not tolerate them as well because the distance from the jaw joint is much greater than if molar buildups/occlusal bonding are placed. They are also more difficult to place and remove, since they are on the lingual surfaces of the teeth. Still, they definitely work and are much less bulky than removable bite plates that were commonly used prior to improved bonding techniques.

[momwithbraces]

Wow thanks! I hope I don't need either power chains or bite turbos!!!!

Powerchains aren't that bad. I'm in month 3 and just got them because I had a space forming between 2 front teeth that wasn't there pre-ortho. I'm assuming I will have them on the rest of the journey to keep them together. I can't believe how quickly they work....space is almost gone less than 1 week with powerchain.

[Saranac]

This website is really helpful. I am glad I found it.
I am an adult on day 3 with terrible turbos and like others have posted, am really miserable and considering bailing on treatment.
Mine are behind my 2 front teeth and I have no contact between any top and bottom teeth at all.
The turbos feel like swords. My tongue is a mess and has no where to go. I am trying to take heart from what some others have posted.

Also, I am lisping badly - not good for a university professor... Have people experienced this and does it improve???

[Sunny]

I've not had turbos, but some of our patients have them.

Cover your turbos with wax to help your tongue and rinse often with warm salt water to help soothe and heal your mouth.

The first few weeks with turbos or molar buildup can be hard, but it will get better. Keep trying to chew and practise talking and singing ... it will get better!

Good luck with your treatment!

[lasvegasann]

I love powerchains. With my teeth, I have seen the most progress with the powerchains. I like the way they hold the teeth. Also I know pretty quickly when one has broken. So I go to my dental office and get another one. The assistants always smile and tell me you are very aware of the things happening in your mouth. Some patients don't even notice if part of their powerchain has snapped lose or broken.

[Louise6]

Powerchains aren't that bad, they haven't caused much difference in pain compared to normal ligs.
I'm still puzzled why I have them on my top teeth as I've never had any gaps.
I've had them for the past 3 months...

[Sunny]

Louise powerchains are used for many reasons and in your case it will be for something other than gaps. If you want to know, ask your ortho.

[Saranac]

Thanks so much for the encouragement and suggestion re rinsing with salt water. I don't seem to be able to get wax to stay on the turbos but will keep trying.
Practicing talking and singing sounds good if my tongue can manage. This is going to sound weird but I think that in my attempts to keep my tongue away from the swords (aka turbos) I have been holding it in strange positions, it feels really tired! A tired tongue, geez, who knew? Thanks again.

[Saranac]

Turbos are utter torture.
Happily, mine fell off and my orthodontist did not think I needed to have them replaced.
Woo Hoo!!!!
Good thing, as I had a speech all prepared asserting that if turbos had to be part of my treatment plan, I was going to refuse treatment.
Happily, it did not get to that and I am hopeful for a healthy and cosmetically appealing result.