After my initial appointment I went back for the start of the real work- The Spacers.. These are little rubber rings that are inserted between the teeth where the permanent plate will sit. But because the teeth are already so crowded there is no way the metal bands of the plate will fit between them so the spacers are used to move the teeth apart a little to get the appliance in.
Really having them inserted is not much worse that flossing very hard. Of course most people having work done like this will have crowded teeth so it does mean that it’s pretty hard to get the spacers in the non-existent gaps between the teeth but with enough force the dentist was able to push them in. It didn’t really hurt much but I was seeing stars for a moment! I was a little woozy after i stood up but it lasted only a second or two. It was just a lot of force to your jaw and you have to brace against it.
They feel like bits of food stuck between your teeth and it’s really annoying! I kept trying to eject them with my tongue and i had to force myself to stop fiddling or wanting to pick them out with my fingernails!
They are at the back and sides of my mouth but they are black! Why are they not tooth coloured? It looks like you have huge bits of spinach stuck in your molars, and of course no-one really sees there but if you laugh or crack a big smile then they do look ugly. I reminded myself that it was only for 2 weeks and to stop being a baby and ignore them.
Easier said than done…..
Middle Aged Lady with Braces 