Re: Time to vent... opting out & Brace Relief

[Guest guest]

It's true, you can opt out. It may not be the best idea, but it's

still a valid possibility. I could have lived with my problems the

rest of my life. It was my choice to carry on with surgery.

Everyone's case is different, but for many of us, it's not life-

threatening surgery and it is a choice we can make. Sometimes there

are other options, even if not as effective.

Ray, I had probably the worst problems of anyone I know with the

braces cutting up the insides of my mouth. Wax didn't work. At times,

even the elastics would cut - I devised a program at that time (no

braces, just removeable ALF appliances) of putting a wedge of a first

aid cotton bandage in between my cheeks and the offending part,

liberally soaking in vitamin E oil. It helped, but looked a bit

strange to have bits of soaked white bandage peeking out as I talked

to colleagues in the office ....

Then I discovered Brace Relief. It was so wonderful I bought two

cases of it and shared with my friends (sorry, I've given it all away

now that I'm post-op and brace-free). It's silicon, doesn't fall off,

even when you're eating, and it really cushioned the braces so they

didn't tear up my cheeks. Having said that, post-op was a challenge

to get in at my teeth for the first week. Not moving my lips (not

talking, using the whiteboard) was my main strategy for some weeks at

home.

Anyway, you can order this stuff from Orthodontal Supply of Canada

(they are in Woodbridge, do a google search). Or if you're lucky,

your ortho might have some (mine gives it out as samples).

Also, Orabase is something available in the US that you can paint on

the sore, it helps with healing. Unfortunately it never survived more

than a couple of hours for me, but it was better than nothing.

Hopefully these hints will help others.

It's only a living hell if you think it is, Ray.

> > But if it's really bugging you, you can opt out of it all, you

know.

> > Choice is up to you : )

> >

> >

>

> To say I hate them doesn't even begin to describe how hateful I am

> towards my beloved braces... It's been 22 months. 22 long months.

> 22 months of living hell. They cut my lips, I have to wear wax

almost

> 5 out of 7 days. I've talked about that with my ortho and he said

my

> mouth is too small (or was, since the surgery). After the surgery,

I only

> wear wax 24 / 7 in the front, lower jaw, because of the surgical

hooks.

>

> However... Last year, I got like 3/4 of an inch close of

> cutting these da... thing. My friend stopped me. In fact, the said

> I had the wrong cutter and that I would probably have hurt my gums

> more than fix the problem... ;-)

>

> Later, a few months after that, I discovered a way to make the

little

> hooks (where the wire passes through) unglue from my teeth... That

> was cool! I could get " pressure-free " for a few days. For those

> interested, sugar stuff (especially chocolate bars) makes the glue

> very fragile. I can't say it works for everyone, but it worked for

me..

> I let a few pieces of Aero melt on one tooth... and a few hours

later,

> the hook unglued.

>

> To quote , " you can opt out of it all " , I tried that. My ortho

> was really willing to stop the treatment and forget about the

> remaining money I owed him. I took a few days to think it over. He

> came to realized the braces didn't go well with me. I hated them,

and

> apparently, they hated me as well...

>

> I came to realize this would only delay the inevitable. I need

braces

> I need them to eat normally, to look normally, to cure some health

> issues (stomach problems). In fact, as much as I hate them, I need

> them badly.

>

> So I talked to my ortho again. We sat down for an hour and discuss

> the alternatives. Surgery / no surgery, regular or shorten

treatment,

> etc. At the end, I was convinced on the braces.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

> It's true, you can opt out. It may not be the best idea, but it's

> still a valid possibility. I could have lived with my problems the

> rest of my life. It was my choice to carry on with surgery.

> Everyone's case is different, but for many of us, it's not life-

> threatening surgery and it is a choice we can make. Sometimes there

> are other options, even if not as effective.

>

> Ray, I had probably the worst problems of anyone I know with the

> braces cutting up the insides of my mouth. Wax didn't work. At times,

> even the elastics would cut - I devised a program at that time (no

> braces, just removeable ALF appliances) of putting a wedge of a first

> aid cotton bandage in between my cheeks and the offending part,

> liberally soaking in vitamin E oil. It helped, but looked a bit

> strange to have bits of soaked white bandage peeking out as I talked

> to colleagues in the office ....

>

> Then I discovered Brace Relief. It was so wonderful I bought two

> cases of it and shared with my friends (sorry, I've given it all away

> now that I'm post-op and brace-free). It's silicon, doesn't fall off,

> even when you're eating, and it really cushioned the braces so they

> didn't tear up my cheeks. Having said that, post-op was a challenge

> to get in at my teeth for the first week. Not moving my lips (not

> talking, using the whiteboard) was my main strategy for some weeks at

> home.

>

> Anyway, you can order this stuff from Orthodontal Supply of Canada

> (they are in Woodbridge, do a google search). Or if you're lucky,

> your ortho might have some (mine gives it out as samples).

>

> Also, Orabase is something available in the US that you can paint on

> the sore, it helps with healing. Unfortunately it never survived more

> than a couple of hours for me, but it was better than nothing.

>

> Hopefully these hints will help others.

>

> It's only a living hell if you think it is, Ray.

>

>

First thing I'll do, tomorrow morning, is search the web for that

company (Orthodontal..)! Thanks a lot!

As for the living hell, I do think it is, but I still can manage it. There are

times when I'm reminded I have braces (especially when speaking English,

which I do almost 30 hours / week, at work) or when I eat certain foods

with small bites (rice and brocoli comes to mind). For the rest of the day,

I've came to " endure " them, as they are, and not to think of them too often.

If, and it's a big if, all goes well, I shouldn't have braces for long now.

My intial schedule was 12 months pre-op of braces, surgery, then 12

months post-op braces. To conclude this, 10 years of retainer (a small

wire, at the bottom back of my teeth).

Since then, I was ready for surgery at 10 months (2 months earlier),

surgery went better than anticipated (more teeth are meeting), and I

will meet my surgeon Thursday. I'll learn then how many months I will

have to wear braces again. I expect 10 months, but it could be less

(according to my surgeon).

So, the living hell is coming to an end... As all good things do... ;-)

Ray

[Guest guest]

Here's a link to them: http://www.orthodonticsupply.ca/products.html

Someone told me they only sell to orthodontists, but I was able to

buy by the case (I remember it was about $30, small price to pay,

share with your friends here!). You could also ask your ortho to

order for you.

Infalab is the company that makes the Brace Relief product, here's

their link: http://www.infalab.com/ You could also order from this

site, I think.

The big clear plastic box is what I ordered (can't remember how many

in a case) but without the antiseptic gel (my ortho gave me a tube of

the gel), the smaller boxes at the bottom of the " Magic Touch " page

are the freebie size my ortho gave me.

Good luck! hope your term in braces is shorter than expected, but as

long as required.

> First thing I'll do, tomorrow morning, is

search the web for that

> company (Orthodontal..)! Thanks a lot!

>

> As for the living hell, I do think it is, but I still can manage

it. There are

> times when I'm reminded I have braces (especially when speaking

English,

> which I do almost 30 hours / week, at work) or when I eat certain

foods

> with small bites (rice and brocoli comes to mind). For the rest of

the day,

> I've came to " endure " them, as they are, and not to think of them

too often.

>

> If, and it's a big if, all goes well, I shouldn't have braces for

long now.

> My intial schedule was 12 months pre-op of braces, surgery, then 12

> months post-op braces. To conclude this, 10 years of retainer (a

small

> wire, at the bottom back of my teeth).

>

> Since then, I was ready for surgery at 10 months (2 months earlier),

> surgery went better than anticipated (more teeth are meeting), and I

> will meet my surgeon Thursday. I'll learn then how many months I

will

> have to wear braces again. I expect 10 months, but it could be less

> (according to my surgeon).

>

> So, the living hell is coming to an end... As all good things

do... ;-)

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

Lordy, I can remember what a time Miz Fiddly had. And yes, it

was the worst I can remember, for anybody. Not just sore, not just

being poked, but actually bloody as a result of almost anything and

everything they stuck in there.

She shared the silicone stuff with me, and hers was better than

either the wax, or the silicone stuff (made by OralB) that my doc

gave me. (The latter is available on a website called J.A.W. -- if

anybody wants to know, I'll find the link.)

I think that perhaps Brace Relief is not available, except to

orthodontists, in the U.S., but am not sure.

I was sore. I was poked. I tried all sorts of things, and was

fortunate that wax worked pretty well for me, and Brace Relief worked

even better. (although I did not find that the latter stayed in place

while I ate -- I suspect that a substantial portion of my diet was

Brace Relief. You reckon that's why I gained all those pounds, Miz

? Even if so, it was worth it!)

But I had nothing like the troubles some others do. I did find that

the elastics on the home stretch gave me more irritation than any of

the other stuff -- except maybe the retainers, which, alas, are

keeping my tongue pretty irritated, along with the changed bite.

Gotta go see the ortho again about that one.

Talk with your docs, always, about the troubles you're having. They

may be able to relieve at least some of your difficulties. Once

again, it's a question of risks (difficulties) vs. benefits, and it

is always your choice. But the trouble is, you can't always see the

long-term difficulties headed your way.

Cammie

> It's true, you can opt out. It may not be the best idea, but it's

> still a valid possibility. I could have lived with my problems the

> rest of my life. It was my choice to carry on with surgery.

> Everyone's case is different, but for many of us, it's not life-

> threatening surgery and it is a choice we can make. Sometimes there

> are other options, even if not as effective.

>

> Ray, I had probably the worst problems of anyone I know with the

> braces cutting up the insides of my mouth. Wax didn't work. At

times,

> even the elastics would cut - I devised a program at that time (no

> braces, just removeable ALF appliances) of putting a wedge of a

first

> aid cotton bandage in between my cheeks and the offending part,

> liberally soaking in vitamin E oil. It helped, but looked a bit

> strange to have bits of soaked white bandage peeking out as I

talked

> to colleagues in the office ....

>

> Then I discovered Brace Relief. It was so wonderful I bought two

> cases of it and shared with my friends (sorry, I've given it all

away

> now that I'm post-op and brace-free). It's silicon, doesn't fall

off,

> even when you're eating, and it really cushioned the braces so they

> didn't tear up my cheeks. Having said that, post-op was a challenge

> to get in at my teeth for the first week. Not moving my lips (not

> talking, using the whiteboard) was my main strategy for some weeks

at

> home.

>

> Anyway, you can order this stuff from Orthodontal Supply of Canada

> (they are in Woodbridge, do a google search). Or if you're lucky,

> your ortho might have some (mine gives it out as samples).

>

> Also, Orabase is something available in the US that you can paint

on

> the sore, it helps with healing. Unfortunately it never survived

more

> than a couple of hours for me, but it was better than nothing.

>

> Hopefully these hints will help others.

>

> It's only a living hell if you think it is, Ray.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Actually, the Brace Relief was so comfortable, I forgot on a number

of occasions that I was wearing it, and either ate or brushed my

teeth right over the silicone! It's food grade silicon, whatever that

means, so if you swallow it, it's not going to kill you.

One correction: never any blood, Cammie. I never bled on the inside,

at least not that I noticed, other than some blood post-op.

And I think the second link I gave, to the Infolab site, allows one

to purchase individual packages of the product. It's well worth the

price, I think something like US $3.33.

We bought some silicon ear plugs originally, thinking we could try

that instead, but it's not as maleable (sp?) as the BR, and we ended

up using it to temporarily plug a hole on the deck of our sailboat.

[Guest guest]

> Here's a link to them: http://www.orthodonticsupply.ca/products.html

> Someone told me they only sell to orthodontists, but I was able to

> buy by the case (I remember it was about $30, small price to pay,

> share with your friends here!). You could also ask your ortho to

> order for you.

>

> Infalab is the company that makes the Brace Relief product, here's

> their link: http://www.infalab.com/ You could also order from this

> site, I think.

>

> The big clear plastic box is what I ordered (can't remember how many

> in a case) but without the antiseptic gel (my ortho gave me a tube of

> the gel), the smaller boxes at the bottom of the " Magic Touch " page

> are the freebie size my ortho gave me.

>

> Good luck! hope your term in braces is shorter than expected, but as

> long as required.

>

>

I was planning on actually finding the product and asking my ortho

to order them for me, especially after he hurt me really bad before

the surgery, I believed he owe me one ;-)

Short story, he had to sharpen the surgical wire to make it fit in the

boxes around my teeth, after me telling me 7 times that the wire

was too big... Before the surgery, he had to remove it to install the

surgical hooks, but couldn't because it was fit in there with too

much strenght. Now, he'll have to cut it and remove it with only

God knows means.. !

I just know, it's going to hurt... !!

Thanks again!

Ray

[Guest guest]

Ray, I can relate again - my upper archwire actually slid around so

that it was coming out of the " box " attached to my next-to-last molar

on one side, and poking through it on the other side - a fair bit was

sticking out, not just a teensy poke!

It's amazing how much those pointy wires can hurt, isn't it?

I agree, he owes you one.

> > Here's a link to them:

http://www.orthodonticsupply.ca/products.html

> > Someone told me they only sell to orthodontists, but I was able

to

> > buy by the case (I remember it was about $30, small price to pay,

> > share with your friends here!). You could also ask your ortho to

> > order for you.

> >

> > Infalab is the company that makes the Brace Relief product,

here's

> > their link: http://www.infalab.com/ You could also order from

this

> > site, I think.

> >

> > The big clear plastic box is what I ordered (can't remember how

many

> > in a case) but without the antiseptic gel (my ortho gave me a

tube of

> > the gel), the smaller boxes at the bottom of the " Magic Touch "

page

> > are the freebie size my ortho gave me.

> >

> > Good luck! hope your term in braces is shorter than expected, but

as

> > long as required.

> >

> >

>

> I was planning on actually finding the product and asking my ortho

> to order them for me, especially after he hurt me really bad before

> the surgery, I believed he owe me one ;-)

>

> Short story, he had to sharpen the surgical wire to make it fit in

the

> boxes around my teeth, after me telling me 7 times that the wire

> was too big... Before the surgery, he had to remove it to install

the

> surgical hooks, but couldn't because it was fit in there with too

> much strenght. Now, he'll have to cut it and remove it with only

> God knows means.. !

>

> I just know, it's going to hurt... !!

>

> Thanks again!

>

> Ray