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Hello all,
I have ordered a blue Activator with tongue crib, headgear tubes and pelottes (plus combination headgear to accompany it) from the Braces Shop which I am ooking forward to receiving (Ive yet to get the impression kit though due to Christmas break). To be honest, it actuall looks more like a Frankel appliance with all the wires in front of the teeth (which is good!
)
I thought all was fine until I have chatted on this forum and, subsequently also undertaken some internet research... I have been told that functional appliances (e.g. Activator) are generally only used in children and teenagers until growth has stopped (late teens). My internet research has, however, uncovered two or three "real" orthodontic practices spread around the world who DO advocate the use of functional appliances in certain adult cases.
My worry is that I have ordered something that, if worn in public, might appear unrealistic(?). I realise that 99.9% of lay people would not even know what a functional appliance is let alone what age group it should be used on but, being a perfectionist, I am nevertheless slightly concerned.
I am wondering if I should alter my order; trouble is I really like the look of the Activator especially if (as I have requested) the Braces Shop replace the spring and, instead, cover the entire roof of mouth with plastic plus add teeth clasps to keep it firmly in place. I don't want fake brackets (had them before and the brackets / wire is not that realistic as it moves around when you talk and especially when you eat). That really only leaves all the removable and largely functional appliances that are generally not worn by adults (albeit, I've found a few places on the internet that disagree with the common view).
Any thoughts on what I should do?
I have ordered a blue Activator with tongue crib, headgear tubes and pelottes (plus combination headgear to accompany it) from the Braces Shop which I am ooking forward to receiving (Ive yet to get the impression kit though due to Christmas break). To be honest, it actuall looks more like a Frankel appliance with all the wires in front of the teeth (which is good!
) I thought all was fine until I have chatted on this forum and, subsequently also undertaken some internet research... I have been told that functional appliances (e.g. Activator) are generally only used in children and teenagers until growth has stopped (late teens). My internet research has, however, uncovered two or three "real" orthodontic practices spread around the world who DO advocate the use of functional appliances in certain adult cases.
My worry is that I have ordered something that, if worn in public, might appear unrealistic(?). I realise that 99.9% of lay people would not even know what a functional appliance is let alone what age group it should be used on but, being a perfectionist, I am nevertheless slightly concerned.
I am wondering if I should alter my order; trouble is I really like the look of the Activator especially if (as I have requested) the Braces Shop replace the spring and, instead, cover the entire roof of mouth with plastic plus add teeth clasps to keep it firmly in place. I don't want fake brackets (had them before and the brackets / wire is not that realistic as it moves around when you talk and especially when you eat). That really only leaves all the removable and largely functional appliances that are generally not worn by adults (albeit, I've found a few places on the internet that disagree with the common view).
Any thoughts on what I should do?
bdave
Silver Member
Hello
I am very satisfied with my purchases on braces-shop and I envisage new purchases.
I ordered a facemask on EBAY, I would like to know if it is possible to add on a Frankael or on an activator of solid hooks to fix the elastics of the facemask?
Has anyone ever tried ?
Thank you
I am very satisfied with my purchases on braces-shop and I envisage new purchases.
I ordered a facemask on EBAY, I would like to know if it is possible to add on a Frankael or on an activator of solid hooks to fix the elastics of the facemask?
Has anyone ever tried ?
Thank you
Hi Radian,
just to add - from distances where you don't recognise clear braces as braces, clear braces often look like dirty or damaged teeth. If you come close enough to the braces wearer to see that's it's not damaged teeth, you see that it's clear braces. So you only have to decide - if you want to hide your braces, forget it and choose all metal. If you're goal is that you prefer the look of clear braces over the look of metal braces to be seen on you, then choose clear upper braces. My personal opinion - I would choose full metal.
Good luck for your braces journey ;-)
Dominik
just to add - from distances where you don't recognise clear braces as braces, clear braces often look like dirty or damaged teeth. If you come close enough to the braces wearer to see that's it's not damaged teeth, you see that it's clear braces. So you only have to decide - if you want to hide your braces, forget it and choose all metal. If you're goal is that you prefer the look of clear braces over the look of metal braces to be seen on you, then choose clear upper braces. My personal opinion - I would choose full metal.
Good luck for your braces journey ;-)
Dominik
surfreak
Platinum Member
Hi Radian!
I had clear braces on top and metal ones on my lowers when I was in my teens.
You can see them anyway, does not matter if clear or metal. Only the clear ones tend to look dirty very fast. So I would recommend a full metal installation.
Good luck and lots of fun with your braces.
I had clear braces on top and metal ones on my lowers when I was in my teens.
You can see them anyway, does not matter if clear or metal. Only the clear ones tend to look dirty very fast. So I would recommend a full metal installation.
Good luck and lots of fun with your braces.
Thanks for all the answers !
I am in the final straight line. After almost a year between the decision and all I had to do, the appointment to put the braces on is scheduled on the start of december.
I am still hesitating between clear on top/metal on bottom and 100 % metal.
I think the second option is the best because I do not want the braces (the elastics arround exactly) become yellow but I am not sure to assume 100 % metal smile, mainly because of my age (36) and my job (I talk regularly in front of foreign people).
Please give me some advice to help me to make the good choice. Without talking about a thing for braces, would you really assume metal braces in your situations ?
I am in the final straight line. After almost a year between the decision and all I had to do, the appointment to put the braces on is scheduled on the start of december.
I am still hesitating between clear on top/metal on bottom and 100 % metal.
I think the second option is the best because I do not want the braces (the elastics arround exactly) become yellow but I am not sure to assume 100 % metal smile, mainly because of my age (36) and my job (I talk regularly in front of foreign people).
Please give me some advice to help me to make the good choice. Without talking about a thing for braces, would you really assume metal braces in your situations ?
mrmajestic723
Gold Member
It’s all what you make of it. That said, if you need advice let me know
Braceface2015
Platinum Member
Most of the people here have had or would like to have braces. Those that have braces got them by choice, not everyone because they really needed them. Many of us to have a fascination with braces. If you do not feel comfortable here, I apologize for that. There are many people here that can give you advice about how to get through your time in braces.
libtech
Platinum Member
Good for you to finally move forward and get it handled. I remember when i jumped on the train to fix my underbite at age 25 in which i ascertained my 3 set of braces and a very intense jaw surgery. I was wired shut for about 3.5 months and it was rough. It was hard to even breathe the first week or 2 and the pain was gnarly. Finally after a while I adapted and time flew by, I also got sick and tired of liquid diet.
I am elated with how my jaw turned out and the results over all after all the suffering. Just keep reminding yourself that it will end and things will be great to where you will have no regrets. How old are you if you dont mind me asking?
I am elated with how my jaw turned out and the results over all after all the suffering. Just keep reminding yourself that it will end and things will be great to where you will have no regrets. How old are you if you dont mind me asking?
I found this site to commiserate with fellow brace wearers, but it seems like this site is more for fantasy and kink? I'm quite surprised.
I have TMJ/TMD and an impacted canine, and braces were recommended to me to fix those problems. I'm about to lose the baby tooth that is below the impacted canine and that's pretty much the only reason I decided to go ahead with braces, though the chance that it will work is slim because of my age.
Braces are so expensive, and I just got them on and I'm miserable. I'm in so much pain and I can't eat. My mouth is all cut up, and I'm already sick of mushy food. It's going to be a long two years :'(
I have TMJ/TMD and an impacted canine, and braces were recommended to me to fix those problems. I'm about to lose the baby tooth that is below the impacted canine and that's pretty much the only reason I decided to go ahead with braces, though the chance that it will work is slim because of my age.
Braces are so expensive, and I just got them on and I'm miserable. I'm in so much pain and I can't eat. My mouth is all cut up, and I'm already sick of mushy food. It's going to be a long two years :'(
Video of tenth adjustment now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A19MjP9Homk
Warning - it's almost 30 minutes long!
Warning - it's almost 30 minutes long!
Carrie had another adjustment (her tenth) on the evening of Friday the 26th. Not a whole lot of changes, but some interesting things happened.
- The ortho made some more tweaks and bends to her archwires, but kept the same sturdy rectangular stainless wires.
- He told her to continue wearing her elastics in the current asymmetric pattern (Class 2 on the right and a triangle on the left) to continue work on midline and overbite.
- He did some initial shaping and polishing of her upper front teeth, with more to come once her braces are removed, to get her closer to the “Hollywood smile” ideal.
- He estimated a mid-January removal date.
- We discussed retainers. He prefers to use Essix, so I told him I wanted to get Carrie a set of both Essix and Hawleys. He thought it was weird, but of course anything is possible with money!
- She went with silver ligs.
So we have a tentative removal date, which causes mixed emotions for me. While I’d obviously prefer she stay in braces longer, I can tell that her smile is going to be absolutely deadly when the braces come off and the ortho does the final shaping. I am oddly excited about seeing that killer brace-less smile.
I’m also looking forward to playing with Hawley retainers! She already understands that she’ll need to wear her Hawleys at all times when I am around, though I will give her special dispensation to wear the Essix on dressy occasions (like the symphony, for example).
I did the usual video, but we took a trip to Flagstaff over the weekend and I haven’t had a chance to edit it just yet. I hope to get to it tomorrow. I’ll post here when I upload it to YouTube!
- The ortho made some more tweaks and bends to her archwires, but kept the same sturdy rectangular stainless wires.
- He told her to continue wearing her elastics in the current asymmetric pattern (Class 2 on the right and a triangle on the left) to continue work on midline and overbite.
- He did some initial shaping and polishing of her upper front teeth, with more to come once her braces are removed, to get her closer to the “Hollywood smile” ideal.
- He estimated a mid-January removal date.
- We discussed retainers. He prefers to use Essix, so I told him I wanted to get Carrie a set of both Essix and Hawleys. He thought it was weird, but of course anything is possible with money!
- She went with silver ligs.
So we have a tentative removal date, which causes mixed emotions for me. While I’d obviously prefer she stay in braces longer, I can tell that her smile is going to be absolutely deadly when the braces come off and the ortho does the final shaping. I am oddly excited about seeing that killer brace-less smile.
I’m also looking forward to playing with Hawley retainers! She already understands that she’ll need to wear her Hawleys at all times when I am around, though I will give her special dispensation to wear the Essix on dressy occasions (like the symphony, for example).
I did the usual video, but we took a trip to Flagstaff over the weekend and I haven’t had a chance to edit it just yet. I hope to get to it tomorrow. I’ll post here when I upload it to YouTube!