My INVISALIGN disaster. [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

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fezident

07-01-2008, 06:24 AM

Well... about 6 weeks ago, I went to a few orthodontists to research & correct a few problems with my teeth.

I originally asked the Ortho for traditional metal braces because I thought Invisalign was intended for mild cases. Dr Noor ASSURED me that he could treat my case with Invisalign. I repeatedly told him that I had NOOOO problems with having a mouth full of metal but, again, he assured me that he could treat my case with Invisalign.
Why not, right?

I went through the process and eventually received all 39 of my numbered aligners. (you put in your new trays every two weeks but you do get them all at once.)

Now, what they don't tell is this:
Yes, the trays are clear. (my own mother did not know I was wearing 'em) but, the doctor has to attach several white enamel "buckles" to certain teeth. This is so the aligners will snap in to place. The buckles feel strange, foreign, and bizarre in your mouth. You can feel them stabbing into your cheeks. During the adjustment phase, you very often bite and pinch your cheeks until your muscles re-learn how to chew. It's a week or so of pain and awkwardness. Oh well... at least there's only a small number of 'em, right??

On my first visit, they installed about 8 little buckles. They were almost all in the back of my mouth and while they really weren't noticeable to the public, I definitely knew they were there. I thought "oh well... part of the process" and happily began my therapy.

Now... you can't eat with these trays in your mouth. So... before you eat or drink anything (except water) you have to take 'em out. If you're in a public place, you have to excuse yourself or... just say "screw it" and take them out at the table. This is kinda gross as there is often a few strands of stretchy saliva. If you let the trays dry out, they get a disgusting film on them. When you're home, you can just let 'em sit in a glass of water while you eat. At a restaurant... this is not at option.
Before putting them back in your mouth, you HAVE to brush your teeth. This makes sense because the trays will lock any & all food particles in to your teeth and gums.
Basically... this means you're ALWAYS carrying a toothbrush & paste and you're always excusing yourself to the bathroom to either take 'em out or to brush and put them back in.

It's a drag.

You're entire eating schedule is affected by this.
You can never just grab a little something to eat. You can't eat on the train. You can't just grab a cookie or an appetizer or whatever. Or eat some popcorn during a movie etc etc.

You absolutely HAVE to wear these trays for 23 hours a day or they really won't do their job so, you don't have the option to leave them at home while you go out to dinner.

NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS!!

At the end of week 6, I went for my scheduled appointment. This is when they check your progress and see how you're doing.
This is also when they installed about 16 more buckles.... to the inside of my teeth!!!

THIS WAS NEVERRRR EXPLAINED TO ME.
At no point, did anyone at that office tell me that I would have close to THIRTY of these little buckles on my teeth. Having them on the tongue-side of my teeth was totally f'ing unacceptable!
The sheer volume of food and particles that got stuck in there was amazing. Your tongue takes a beating! And... it makes removing the aligners next to impossible. All the pictures of the pretty blonde easily taking the aligners in & out with two fingers are a complete and total lie. You need three hands and long, strong fingernails.
Additionally, my teeth/mouth were unable to fully meet/close. This meant I was unable to fully chew my food. The buckles create a little "shelf" that makes it impossible for the sharp edges of your teeth to make full contact with each other (and your food!)

I called Dr. Noor in a state of absolute RAGE.
I was furious.
This was NOT what I signed up for.
This was not what the ads & commericals depicted.
This was not what I took out $9000 loan for.
This was not "convenient" in any way, shape or form.

I went into that office in a fury. I damn near threatened him with violence and had him remove every single buckle from my mouth and I demanded that metal braces be installed. I also demanded a cash refund of the difference in price between metal & invisalign.
I'll leave out some of the more colorful threats I threw their way but, let's just say, in the end.... they agreed to give me everything I asked for.

So, this is my cautionary tale for all yall.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are no free lunches in nature. And the same can be said for medicine. Ya gotta do things the hard way or, it just ain't gonna work for ya.

THE ADVERTISEMENT:
http://www.davidfieldsdmd.com/invisalign2.jpg

and
THE REALITY:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/tucker71/teethspikes.jpg

There are many more buckles that you can't see in this photo but... you get the idea.

EDIT: I just realized that this post probably belongs in the "HEALTH" section. Ooops

ravn816

07-01-2008, 06:47 AM

Oh, my God, just those 4 on the bottom inside teeth look HORRIBLE! I would have been in tears. No wonder you screamed.

drjoek

07-01-2008, 06:51 AM

As an orthodontist let me respond. First off I am certified in Invisalign. Your experience does not seem typical. I have done ~ 30 cases with invisalign and have never used the amount of "buckles this Dr Noor put on you two or three tiny ones should do the trick, those things in your mouth are horrendous. Is this guy new to Invisalign?Is he a board certified Orthodontist? It really is a good treatment mode in certain cases. Your teeth should be able to be straghtened with them without this brutal mess. The keeping them clean and inconvenience of eating with them is absolutely true.

One thing to note about Invisalign. It was devloped by a corporation and marketed to the public NOT a treatment modality perfected in Academic Orthodontic Institutions then presented to the public. So basically your not dealing with all the scrutiny that goes into academically tested treatment modes.
The training program is ~ 8 hours ,a weekend seminar nothing hands on. So its basically trial and error on your patients Plus it is not just limited to Orthodontists, General Dentists or any Dental specialist can do it. General dentist like to do it because you really don't need to do all that much. and can charge what ever you want. The public is willing to pay more for this although there really is no intrinsic need for it to cost more if anything its less expensive for the doctor now.

While in Orthodontic training the most telling advice I got was from a Profeesor who made the point
We are paid to finish cases NOT to start them.

My advice
Do what you origanlly thought find a different orthodontist and get regular braces placed. There are nice clear braces that can be put on your top teeth that are aesthetic and it is only 18 months or so.
PM me if you have any questions.
Sorry for the way my colleague treated you

mikeyboy

07-01-2008, 06:59 AM

Thebazile78

07-01-2008, 07:09 AM

You still have to adjust to the metal in your mouth with regular braces and your orthodontist will recommend that you carry a brush & toothpaste with you so you can brush after every meal.

These sound like the worst part of having braces (weird things poking your tongue, gums and insides of your cheeks) and the pain in the ass of having retainers.

As for the removal issue ... couldn't they issue you a retainer case at your orthodontist? If not, I think that one of the denture-cleanser companies was issuing a "travel cleaning case" thing a while ago ... I used to plunk my retainers into a cup with denture-cleanser while I ate. They didn't dry out and they were clean (you do have to rinse or else you get a soapy taste in your mouth) ... win-win situation. (Well, sort of. My sibs were all grossed out by them.)

As for the discomfort from the anchors ... they didn't give you wax or anything? My orthodontist gave me packets of food-grade wax to stick to my braces (wires, anchor clamps, etc.) to help me adjust to them without cutting up the insides of my cheeks. Since it breaks down and brushes away, and it's cheap, it shouldn't be a problem. You might want to check with your regular dentist for that, though.

Thebazile78

07-01-2008, 07:13 AM

There are nice clear braces that can be put on your top teeth that are aesthetic and it is only 18 months or so.

Has anything changed in the last couple of years with those?

Because the people I knew in grade school (early '90s) and beyond (my stepfather had them about 8 years ago) weren't able to keep them "clear" ... they ended up yellowing after a couple of months and actually made their mouths look really scary.

MrPink

07-01-2008, 07:20 AM

I had a somewhat similar issue about 10 years ago when I was 12. I had a dentist that said I needed retainers, no braces just retainers. Well the retainers did nothing except cost a lot of money. Then about 2 years after that I went to an orthodontist recommended by a different dentist, and he worked wonders on me. Braces sucked, but they're worth it. My only gripe is that I wore them for 4 years, but so far I've been wearing retainers for the past 4 years. I'm not embarrassed to wear retainers at night, but making out with a girl with them in is weird. At least he doesn't charge me for the yearly visits to make sure that everything looks good.

JerseyRich

07-01-2008, 07:23 AM

Has anything changed in the last couple of years with those?

Because the people I knew in grade school (early '90s) and beyond (my stepfather had them about 8 years ago) weren't able to keep them "clear" ... they ended up yellowing after a couple of months and actually made their mouths look really scary.

It's a small price to pay for a couple years, when in the end you have a nice looking mouth for the rest of your life.

drjoek

07-01-2008, 07:44 AM

Maybe we need a "Ask drjoek" forum as well. :happy:

Would I get all the rights and priveledges of being a MOD? 401k? staffroom key? open tab at Bar9?
Im in?

Donnie Iris

07-01-2008, 07:46 AM

39? Jesus man... I got invisalign a few years back but had just ten and only two buckles that were forgotten nearly immediately after leaving the ortho office. Other than the occasional soreness due to the shifting of my chicklets, I thought it was a breeze. Sorry for your troubles....

Well... about 6 weeks ago, I went to a few orthodontists to research & correct a few problems with my teeth.

I originally asked the Ortho for traditional metal braces because I thought Invisalign was intended for mild cases. Dr Noor ASSURED me that he could treat my case with Invisalign. I repeatedly told him that I had NOOOO problems with having a mouth full of metal but, again, he assured me that he could treat my case with Invisalign.
Why not, right?

I went through the process and eventually received all 39 of my numbered aligners. (you put in your new trays every two weeks but you do get them all at once.)

Now, what they don't tell is this:
Yes, the trays are clear. (my own mother did not know I was wearing 'em) but, the doctor has to attach several white enamel "buckles" to certain teeth. This is so the aligners will snap in to place. The buckles feel strange, foreign, and bizarre in your mouth. You can feel them stabbing into your cheeks. During the adjustment phase, you very often bite and pinch your cheeks until your muscles re-learn how to chew. It's a week or so of pain and awkwardness. Oh well... at least there's only a small number of 'em, right??

On my first visit, they installed about 8 little buckles. They were almost all in the back of my mouth and while they really weren't noticeable to the public, I definitely knew they were there. I thought "oh well... part of the process" and happily began my therapy.

Now... you can't eat with these trays in your mouth. So... before you eat or drink anything (except water) you have to take 'em out. If you're in a public place, you have to excuse yourself or... just say "screw it" and take them out at the table. This is kinda gross as there is often a few strands of stretchy saliva. If you let the trays dry out, they get a disgusting film on them. When you're home, you can just let 'em sit in a glass of water while you eat. At a restaurant... this is not at option.
Before putting them back in your mouth, you HAVE to brush your teeth. This makes sense because the trays will lock any & all food particles in to your teeth and gums.
Basically... this means you're ALWAYS carrying a toothbrush & paste and you're always excusing yourself to the bathroom to either take 'em out or to brush and put them back in.

It's a drag.

You're entire eating schedule is affected by this.
You can never just grab a little something to eat. You can't eat on the train. You can't just grab a cookie or an appetizer or whatever. Or eat some popcorn during a movie etc etc.

You absolutely HAVE to wear these trays for 23 hours a day or they really won't do their job so, you don't have the option to leave them at home while you go out to dinner.

NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS!!

At the end of week 6, I went for my scheduled appointment. This is when they check your progress and see how you're doing.
This is also when they installed about 16 more buckles.... to the inside of my teeth!!!

THIS WAS NEVERRRR EXPLAINED TO ME.
At no point, did anyone at that office tell me that I would have close to THIRTY of these little buckles on my teeth. Having them on the tongue-side of my teeth was totally f'ing unacceptable!
The sheer volume of food and particles that got stuck in there was amazing. Your tongue takes a beating! And... it makes removing the aligners next to impossible. All the pictures of the pretty blonde easily taking the aligners in & out with two fingers are a complete and total lie. You need three hands and long, strong fingernails.
Additionally, my teeth/mouth were unable to fully meet/close. This meant I was unable to fully chew my food. The buckles create a little "shelf" that makes it impossible for the sharp edges of your teeth to make full contact with each other (and your food!)

I called Dr. Noor in a state of absolute RAGE.
I was furious.
This was NOT what I signed up for.
This was not what the ads & commericals depicted.
This was not what I took out $9000 loan for.
This was not "convenient" in any way, shape or form.

I went into that office in a fury. I damn near threatened him with violence and had him remove every single buckle from my mouth and I demanded that metal braces be installed. I also demanded a cash refund of the difference in price between metal & invisalign.
I'll leave out some of the more colorful threats I threw their way but, let's just say, in the end.... they agreed to give me everything I asked for.

So, this is my cautionary tale for all yall.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are no free lunches in nature. And the same can be said for medicine. Ya gotta do things the hard way or, it just ain't gonna work for ya.

THE ADVERTISEMENT:
http://www.davidfieldsdmd.com/invisalign2.jpg

and
THE REALITY:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/tucker71/teethspikes.jpg

There are many more buckles that you can't see in this photo but... you get the idea.

EDIT: I just realized that this post probably belongs in the "HEALTH" section. Ooops

drjoek

07-01-2008, 07:48 AM

Has anything changed in the last couple of years with those?

Because the people I knew in grade school (early '90s) and beyond (my stepfather had them about 8 years ago) weren't able to keep them "clear" ... they ended up yellowing after a couple of months and actually made their mouths look really scary.

The braces themselves are stain resistent (Usually porcelain). Its the elastics that hold the wires into the brackets that stain and get nasty. They have tried for stain resistent elastics to no avail
Depends on foods and drinks you eat that stain them.

fezident

07-01-2008, 07:53 AM

It's important to know that I didn't make this decision lightly.
The first Ortho I visited (2 years ago when I was living in Toronto) told me that my case was too severe for Invisalign. I got the xrays (panaramics?) and was jussst about to start the metal braces process when my marriage suddenly ended and I moved back to NYC.

I went to another consultation and the Doctor told me that many advances have been made with Invisalign and it's not out of the question for me.
About 6 months later, I saw an ad for Dr. Noor ("Dental Pride" on 36th and Park Ave) and the ad stated that he was "the leader in treating difficult cases with Invisalign".

I went to his office and talked to him about it. Of course... he said he could treat me and that he anxious to take on my case.
I went to another Ortho in Nassau County (who had treated a friend of mine) and suggested metal braces.
So... I was on the fence.
One guy said Invisalign... the other suggested traditional.

I thought, "well... might as well go with the invisible treatment". Either way... I was gonna have to borrow money, right?

I have been fixated (read: fuckin' obsessed) on my crooked teeth for many many years and I was extreeeemely anxious to FINALLY get it taken care of. YAY!

When I went back to Dr. Noor, I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was not opposed to getting the the metal. I bothers a lot of people but, not me. I truly didn't care. I just wanted to get my teeth fixed and eventually... my overbite ("overJET"??) corrected.

After thinking about it for another few months, I succumbed to the suggestions of Dr. Noor. He really did an excellent job of promising the world to me.
He showed me before & after photos of cases similar to mine.
He played video testimonials from previous patients.
And... he showed me the Quicktime animations of my teeth and their projected movements.
Seeing the finished product sealed the deal. Yep... I fell for it. Seeing MY mouth go from "Patricia Arquette" to "Matthew McConaghy" really motivated me. I was ecstatic.
Seriously, I never slept so soundly as I did that first night after I got my Invisalign. FINALLY, I was dealing with a major source of my insecurities. My teeth.

I don't know exactly how to check into a Doctors reputation. All I knew was, there were plenty of letters, videos, and testimonials from previous patients.

I once sat in Dr Noors waiting room with Casey Affleck who, I can only assume, was there for Invisalign since that was a year ago and Casey doesn't have a mouth full of metal. Now... I don't exactly consider Casey to be an A-lister but still......

LaBoob

07-01-2008, 08:23 AM

I'm not embarrassed to wear retainers at night, but making out with a girl with them in is weird.

EWWW!!! I would never make out with a guy who wore a retainer WHILE he was making out with me! For some reason this is grossing me out beyond belief... maybe it's because I wore a retainer and I know how gross they can be.

Fezident... I'm sorry you had a terrible experience. Up until the second part of your post it didn't sound unlike my own experience with braces. They're extremely difficult to live with and are really uncomfortable. Plus, I had the pleasure of wearing one of these:
http://www.orthodontics.org/headgear.jpg so cool!!!

Now that you're getting regular braces, there's a trick after you eat called "swish 'n swallow" you can do instead of brushing. Just swish around your mouth with water to get anything that was trapped in there out.

Thebazile78

07-01-2008, 08:23 AM

The braces themselves are stain resistent (Usually porcelain). Its the elastics that hold the wires into the brackets that stain and get nasty. They have tried for stain resistent elastics to no avail
Depends on foods and drinks you eat that stain them.

One of the people was a coffee drinker, so that makes sense.

But it really seemed like it was the actual braces, not the elastics. (I had standard braces with regular elastics and rubber bands. They were fun.)

I would suspect that whatever you'd have to do to make the elastics stain-resistant would affect their elasticity and tensile strength.

Jujubees2

07-01-2008, 08:38 AM

The braces themselves are stain resistent (Usually porcelain). Its the elastics that hold the wires into the brackets that stain and get nasty. They have tried for stain resistent elastics to no avail
Depends on foods and drinks you eat that stain them.

Drjoek? Are you from Rhode Island? I thought only us Rhode Islanders referred to rubber bands as elastics?

fezident

07-01-2008, 08:57 AM

LaBoob... you had to wear the full-on headgear??!!
Wow.

I feel for ya.

How many hours a day??

Badinia

07-01-2008, 09:13 AM

WOW! My bottom teeth were WAY wonkier than yours, and I only have four buckles down there!

I am finishing up my Invisalign program and I have loved it. LOVED IT! I never would have gotten metal braces.

I'm sorry to hear about your invis-malignment!

LaBoob

07-01-2008, 09:14 AM

LaBoob... you had to wear the full-on headgear??!!
Wow.

I feel for ya.

How many hours a day??

Pretty much whenever I wasn't in school. I usually cheated and only wore it to sleep at night because it literally tasted like metal and was so gross and uncomfortable. I had to wear my nightbrace for about 4 years.

I only had braces for two years though, because most of the work was already done with the nightbrace and my retainer.

But it was well worth the discomfort because now I have perfect teeth! :thumbup:

drjoek

07-01-2008, 09:52 AM

Fezident
FYI
Dr Noor is NOT an Orthodontist. This would have been your first mistake. Sorry. You did not go to a board certified member of the American Association of Orthodonics Orthodontist must complete 2-3 years of advanced training beyond Dental School.Anyone can claim to do Ortho but only an Orthodontist can limit therir practice to Orthodontics.

Find an ORTHODONTIST to take care of your teeth. You wouldn't ask a plumber to rewire your house would you? Don't be star strucked by someone who brags about himself to this point.
Again PM me if you have any questions

http://www.braces.org/locator_search.cfm Orthodontist finder

IMSlacker

07-01-2008, 09:57 AM

Maybe one of RonFez.net's fine sponsors could help you out.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s25/IMSlacker/vampireteeth.jpg

Jennitalia

07-01-2008, 10:02 AM

getting braces were probably 2 of the worst years of my life. i had to have 10 teeth pulled, i was in constant pain, especially after the tightening sessions, and to this day i have this big awful braces scar on the side of my mouth from where the braces would rub against the inside of my mouth. and i ended up having to have them on an extra 4-5 months because my douchebag father was not paying his share of the bills, and the dentist would not take them off until the bill was settled. i still have nightmares where my braces have been left on and i'm trying to pull them off by myself. i feel your pain.

fezident

07-01-2008, 10:10 AM

Shit.

K.C.

07-01-2008, 10:12 AM

One thing to note about Invisalign. It was devloped by a corporation and marketed to the public NOT a treatment modality perfected in Academic Orthodontic Institutions then presented to the public. So basically your not dealing with all the scrutiny that goes into academically tested treatment modes.
The training program is ~ 8 hours ,a weekend seminar nothing hands on. So its basically trial and error on your patients Plus it is not just limited to Orthodontists, General Dentists or any Dental specialist can do it. General dentist like to do it because you really don't need to do all that much. and can charge what ever you want. The public is willing to pay more for this although there really is no intrinsic need for it to cost more if anything its less expensive for the doctor now.

Is that kind of like the laser-eye surgery thing, where anyone can be certified to perform it?

INVISALIGN looks like it'd be a bit of a cock tease. I just know, if it was me, just being able to pop the thing out means I'd be popping it out all the time, regardless of what I was told, which means it would essentially be a waste.

But I'm sure they pre-screen and determine what method of ortho work is best for each patient.

Badinia

07-01-2008, 10:13 AM

[QUOTE=K.C.;1777846]INVISALIGN looks like it'd be a bit of a cock tease. I just know, if it was me, just being able to pop the thing out means I'd be popping it out all the time, regardless of what I was told, which means it would essentially be a waste.
QUOTE]

Well- you have check-ups and they will BUST you for not keeping it in. You'll stay on your first aligner for months!

fezident

07-01-2008, 10:26 AM

I gotta say, the fact that he's not a proper Orthodontist, for me is neither here nor there.

Even with hindsight, I can say; he is a licensed dentist and legally allowed to administer (for lack of a better word) Invisalign.

Yes, this was a botched job BUT... this is NOTHING like having a plumber do electrical work. It's more like having a plumber do terrible job at installing a new shower or something.

My anger stemmed from the fact that I was completely mislead. At no point was it demonstrated to me that I would need all these attachments to my teeth. Even if he was a proper Orthodontist... I still would've been mislead.

As stated in your previous post, it doesn't take a proper Orthodontist to supply Invisalign.

I'm not defending the guy. I'm still ssssuper angry at how this whole thing turned out. I was researching Invisalign, and he is (supposedly) one of the leaders in that field. I don't really care what's on his business card. In fact... the fact the he is such an Invisalign specialist was what made me feel like he was the man to go to.

Or to make another analogy; if I wanted a massage... I wouldn't care if the therapist was or wasn't a proper Medical Doctor. "Is he a licensed Massage Therapist?... He is?? Okay then."

http://www.dentalpride.com/cosmetic_dentists_new_york/dr_noor.html

drjoek

07-01-2008, 10:59 AM

Alot of good points but wouldn't you feel more comforable knowing that the doctor took 2-3 years of training and not just a weekend course? That is all it takes to be an Invisalign provider.

Good luck with everything

fezident

07-01-2008, 11:11 AM

Of course... I agree with YOU.
But, at the consumer level, one does not know what takes 2 years to master and what takes 2 days.

Oh how I wish I was armed with the knowledge that you've shared with me in this thread BEFORE the Invisalign plunge was taken.

As a sidenote, I did, in fact, attempt to PM you several months ago but I was unable to reach you. I think you had the PM feature turned off or your inbox was full or somethin' funky like that.

nukinfuts

07-03-2008, 05:30 PM

LaBoob... you had to wear the full-on headgear??!!
Wow.

I feel for ya.

How many hours a day??

My daughter is 13 and had her braces put on in February, I was amazed at the fact that now kids can choose colors for their braces as opposed to the nice mouthfull of just shiny metal and that they don't do headgear any longer. There is an appliance they can put on your molars that eliminate the need for headgear but he said that with good rubber band usage most of the time there isn't a need for that appliance at all. I always believed that invisalign was for mild cases and it is a LOT more costly than traditional braces. My daughter's braces are costing us like $4700 over the next 3 years and that is nearly half the cost of invisalign.

Kris10

07-03-2008, 06:43 PM

I'm so glad my days of braces are over! I didn't like wearing the rubberbands so I had to have my braces on for 4 yrs and cried when they took them off, I felt like I was naked without them.

My 4 yr old is probably going to need braces, DrJoe.... do you offer a RF.net discount?

Alice S. Fuzzybutt

07-03-2008, 06:58 PM

A few years ago I went to an orthodontist b/c one of my front teeth was overlapping the other. I asked about Invisalign and she said a retainer would do the same thing and be much much cheaper (about $750). So I got the retainer and it fixed the problem.

SatCam

07-03-2008, 06:58 PM

My 4 yr old is probably going to need braces, DrJoe.... do you offer a RF.net discount?

Yea -- when he puts you under he doesnt violate you

britneypablo

07-03-2008, 07:41 PM

i had metal braces and i had to wear rubber bands....i think its the best way to go...of course im obsessed with my teeth so i dont drink dark colored drinks (well sometimes but i carry a straw with me everywhere) and i brush my teeth 3 times a day at least....

all im sayin is nothing comes easy....the invisalign thing seems not bad (assuming u got a piece of crap ortho...then we see its bad) but im an advocate of the metal....and if they say wear ur rubber bands then damnit wear them and it will all end fast like it did for me

of course i wear a retainer almost every night bc im so scared of mine moving...
and to my surprise all guys are child molesters because they love the idea of doin me with a retainer in....BIZARRE

so two things to learn
1. awesome metal braces
2. spice up ur sex life with a retainer

scottinnj

07-03-2008, 08:14 PM

For those with the traditional braces-I can't recommend enought to go to the local pharmacy and buy a water-pik. It's the best thing ever to clean out between the brackets and behind the wires.

drjoek

07-03-2008, 08:15 PM

scottinnj

07-03-2008, 08:17 PM

I didn't like wearing the rubberbands...

I didn't either, so after eating lunch I'd pull them out of my mouth and shoot them filthy food covered torture devices at kids who made fun of my braces. I showed them.

britneypablo

07-03-2008, 08:20 PM

LaBoob

07-04-2008, 07:50 AM

I accidentally threw my retainer out with my lunch in the school cafeteria twice :sad:...

fezident

08-18-2008, 08:02 AM

Whatever happened to headgear?

Did anybody here actually have to wear that contraption?

QUESTION FOR DR. JOE:
Does the headgear lessen the number of months that the patient needs to wear braces?

In other words... I have metal braces now. I'll need to wear them for two years.
If I elect to wear the crazy headgear at night, will I be done with braces in say.... 16months??

drjoek

08-18-2008, 08:17 AM

Headgear is going the way of payphones.
Headgear worked but kids never cooperated with it so Orthodontists had to come up with something that kids did not have to do anything with.
Headgear is most effective on growing kids and becomes less helpful on an adult such as yourself. It may speed up the process but not all that much. I wouldnt expect it to help all that much to shorten treatment in an adult. It can't hurt, but its a question of results for the amount of effort required. Alot of effort will yield small amounts of return for an adult. For kids a little effort with a headgear and you would see huge benefits.

Good luck.

fezident

08-18-2008, 08:51 AM

For the record, I am absolutely AMAZED at how much my teeth have shifted in the two months since I had braces "installed". I couldn't be happier.

The progress really is astounding. Perhaps they've improved the orthdontic technology, or perhaps my case is just a good candidate for braces but... without a doubt, my teeth are starting to straighten out. I'm so pumped to see my smile in 22 months.

drjoek

08-18-2008, 08:53 AM

:thumbup::thumbup:

LaBoob

08-18-2008, 09:45 AM

i didnt mind the rubber bands bc the pain they caused, it hurt, but its like i kinda liked it at the same time....same way if i dont wear my retainer for a while it hurts a little in the morning and i kinda like that feeling...

i also liked my rubber bands bc they doubled as hair ties ...never can have enough hair ties!

I used to like it too! After an adjustment I used to take a warm, wet washcloth and bite the shit out of it and just chew it up. It felt so great.

fezident

08-18-2008, 10:01 AM

I used to take a warm, wet washcloth and bite the shit out of it and just chew it up. It felt so great.

Ummm... wha?
Am I gonna suddenly acquire a taste for terrycloth?

drjoek

08-18-2008, 10:04 AM

Ummm... wha?
Am I gonna suddenly acquire a taste for terrycloth?

Actually it will work even, if they tell you not to, chewing a little gum or chewing on something after an adjustment will increase blood flow to your teeth and make them feel better

fezident

09-25-2008, 07:52 AM

I'm about 3 - 4 months into my metal braces and, I'm elated.
The progress I've made is staggering. At this rate... I can't believe it's going to take another 2 years of treatment. I kinda feel I should be "done" in half that time.

I just got my bottom braces yesterday and I have little elastic bands that connect my top and bottom teeth. It makes it kinda difficult to speak but... I'm sure I'll get used to it. Lots o little cuts and sores in my mouth from all that metal but, again... I'm sure I'll acclimate.

Question for Dr.Joe,
What is it about TODAY'S braces that are so effective? Are they using different metal wires or somethin'? I almost can't comprehend how or why some of my friends needed braces for 3 - 4 years back in the 70ies and 80ies.
I gotta admit, all that metal and elastic looks a bit antiquated but DAMN if it isn't working! It's almost unbelievable how much my teeth have moved in just a few months.

EDIT,
They also installed a "reverse wire" across my top/front teeth yesterday. I now have two wires running parrallel across the front. What's THAT all aboot?

Dougie Brootal

09-25-2008, 08:20 AM

Lots o little cuts and sores in my mouth from all that metal but, again... I'm sure I'll acclimate.

this thread is useless with out pics.

drjoek

09-25-2008, 12:30 PM

Orthodontic wires are now siperelastic meaning high flexibility abd therefore rapid initial movement of teeth So you will see quick alignment compared to the old type, Be patient with how long it will takeN If theysay 2 years it may take that long.
To insure timeliness Do everything you're told with elastics etc, go to all your appointments as scheduled nmore often won't help but missing and rescheduling appt will dwlay, don't break stuff that will keep things moving. Good Luck