First few visits summed up into one

[mzkimx3]

so i started this late as i just found out about this awesome site with good information. I am a 20 yr old going thru the process of braces. I just got my separators out after just getting use to eating with them in lol. now I have Bands in my upper and lower not sure which molars but the cement is killing me it seems like there is alot of excess but i'm seeing him in a few weeks so i figured i'd get used to it. I had my mold done for my palate expander, which im not looking forward too and that piece is going in one October 1st, with my surgery for wisdoms coming out and palate opened on the 2nd of September.

Any suggestion on what to do with the excess cement should i throw some wax on??? also what should i expect pain wise with the expander activated and wisdoms out. I may mention i do have a tongue ring and my orthodontist is up in arms over whether it should come out or not and im talking to 3 different piercers I've used and i am awaiting an answer. The expander doesn't have acrylic on it they told me so thats why they are sure. Not sure if you guys could help. Also when the expander piece goes in my ceramic bottoms are going on as well to speed up the process.

Also for lip balm is there any type i should use or avoid. My orthodontist has these small samples but i didnt really like them, I've been using burt's bees replenish it has a red cap and the orginial i think it is with a yellow cap are these good???

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome to this forum mxkimx3!

Where is the excess cement? If it's pushing on your gum, then you need to contact your ortho to have it removed. Are the cleats no the inside of the molar band annoying your tongue? If they are, wax will help, but it's easiest to ask your ortho to have them flattened, or removed.

The three ortho's I work for are all anti tongue rings. There's a few reasons, but one important one is that people with tongue rings seem to push at their teeth quite often and of course this will undo all ortho work in the long term. Good luck with finding out what's best for you.

The expander won't do a great deal until you have surgery to open your palate. Due to the bones being fused, it can only push your teeth in your jaw bone, as your bones can't change. Some adults find this pressure makes the roof of their mouth and sometimes part of their nose feel a bit achy. Over the counter pain meds usually help with that. Hope it all goes well for you!

Lip balm ... I think the Burt's Bees one is a good one. Best to use one you like, as then you'll use it regularly.

It's really important to keep well hydrated as this helps your body to function at it's best. It also means that your mouth will be 'well lubricated' to deal with the hardware that's in it. Wax would be the next most important thing. Never try to 'toughen it out', as all that results from that is sores and time spent feeling miserable and sorry for yourself. Instead be proactive and if something rubs, cover it with wax and let your mouth toughen with the wax. At times this may seem like it will never happen ... but it does and usually quite quickly.

Rinsing with warm salt water is also great for the mouth. It is soothing and does have healing properties.

Good luck with all treatment and I look forward to following your story.

[mzkimx3]

yeah i am having the expander surgery a month after having it placed, during that surgery they are pulling out my wisdom teeth too

as for the cement the bottom molars have it on the inside and outside, its more the outside of my lowers that is bothering me it seems like its got a sharp edge or something but i have put wax on it. And ive been doing Salt soaks, i use sea slat and warm water

Now my other question is I have a nickle allergy which i told my dentist about, last night i had a like itching sensation and my tongue felt weird. it happened with the band too and realized my tongue ring had nickle in it so i switched it out, but the bands and cement have no nickle right???

[Sunny]

I don't think there'd be nickle in band, and there shouldn't be any in the bonding, but best to check with your ortho, coz the feelings you describe are similar to allergy ones.

The outside of the bands have a bracket and usually a hook on them. Check that the hook isn't the bit that's annoying, as if it is, it can be pushed in a little by your ortho. Hopefully be using wax until your mouth toughens, it will be all good in a few days to a week.

Good luck!

[mzkimx3]

So it doesnt bother me except on the left lower when i chew and wen i sneeze it hurts and it seems a lil weird im headed to the ortho again to get spacers put back in by my canines to make another space for the expander