I’m really hoping that like so many things in life orthodontics is one of those processes when things get worse before they get better. This last two weeks have defiantly been a lot worse and I have no idea why. My cheeks and tongue are totally shredded again just like they were at the beginning and i’m having to use the wax all the time again. I can’t wear my splints at night anymore as they don’t fit over the brackets and so my TMJ problems have returned and my neck has locked again and behind my shoulder blade has gone into spasm once more.
Now my front teeth have moved forward I notice that my lips don’t close over my mouth when I relax and so i’m starting to end up sleeping with my mouth open which is just totally gross and dries out my mouth and furs my teeth. I have that slack jawed appearance of the mouth breather!! AND to top it off I dribble!!
I’m not really selling this am I??
Naturally i’m going to stick it out, and I’ve paid for it so i’m not going to back out with no refund, but I’m hoping any of you out of there are having a better time of it than me.
Hopefully things will settle down again and I can stop whining!
Middle Aged Lady with Braces 
Ack! Hang in there! I think things do get worse before they get better. I’m sure it will be smooth sailing once the appliance is gone….
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I’m so sorry to hear that things are going so poorly with your orthodontic journey. I have different problems with mine (7.5 months in now), no TMD that I am aware of, but I was hoping that as my bite improved (and it is much, much better after four months in elastics) that I would stop grinding and clenching my teeth, but I have not. I am afraid it is going to be a lifetime habit, and I can tell that I have worn down my crowns. I never did this before I fractured my jaw, but it’s easy to do a lot of damage in a short time if you grind all day long! I have made a hand-made splint I use off and on during the day to help with it, and I’m actually looking forward to my clear retainer at the end, as that will protect the teeth from the grinding. Anywho, I hope things get better for you soon. I’m betting they will, but this is definitely a journey of one step forward two steps back sometimes.
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