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From: brianberghdds
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  • Braces off tommorow!!! Does it hurt? my mom thinks it will?

  • Braces off tommorow!!! Does it hurt? my mom thinks it will?

  • @eden260397 Don't worry, it hurts like a bitch the first 2-3 weeks, but then they are fine and never hurt anymore.

  • BRACES OFF TOMORROW! CAN'T SLEEP :P

  • I get mine off on monday!!! I CAN'T WAIT

    

  • i get mine off tomorrow. :D

  • I get mine off in about 10 days. Can't wait!

  • @erizzable Congratulations!! I'm sure you're excited. -- Dr. Bergh

  • that sean dude is so lucky... i got my braces for 3 days and i'm already feeling this super pain in my mouth :-(

  • @eden260397 Hi eden260397. What you're feeling is normal. If this is your 3rd day, this will most likely be the worst of it. We routinely find that after 3 days, the discomfort starts to reduce. -- Dr. Bergh

  • did it hurt

  • i'm scared, im supposed to have braces tomarrow, its only for 9 months but im still scared

  • Just got my braces off today!(:

  • @christixd100 Congratulations!! I'm sure you're very happy and excited. Remember to use your new smile often!! -- Dr. Bergh

  • @Idragowolf2654 ah its nice not having braces! Lol rnt you just super excited??!?!?!?

  • @tez655 Me too. I want them off already, and I'm so excited when I have to wait 2 more years, when I'm 13 years old.... And have glasses.... I'M SUCH A NERD! A not very SMART nerd, though...

  • AHHH i get my braces off in 2 months! Ima die from excitement before june!

  • @123ceecee1234 Congratutions!! I'm sure you're excited. Have you seen our videos of when our patients take a look at their new smiles for the very first time? Check out our channel, there's over a hundred patient videos there, I believe. Dr. Bergh

  • @123ceecee1234 da worlds ending on may 21 lmao

  • @123ceecee1234 dude there going to take my braces off in july

  • This is why I want to be an orthodontist when I grow up :)

    I love the end result!

  • ......10 years and 4 surgerys later and a wandering tooth (yes 10 long years of mouth jewelry) im finally getting my braces off in 4 days, im really worried though because my gums at the back have grown down to where the brackets are on my tooth so my teeth are barely visable!! im almost dreading it!

    i think im more worried about that il look like without them, i cant remember NOT having braces!! im so nervous!

  • ......10 years and 4 surgerys later and a wandering tooth (yes 10 long years of mouth jewelry) im finally getting my braces off in 4 days, im really worried though because my gums at the back have grown down to where the brackets are on my tooth so my teeth are barely visable!! im almost dreading it!

    i think im more worried about that il look like without them, i cant remember NOT having braces!! im so nervous!

  • i can't wait to get my braces off. Ive only had them a month though:(

  • Im getting my braces off on September after having them for 2 years.. But after they remove the braces as you do in the video, do they remove the glue or whatever they put to stick the bracket?

  • i have braces and right over the brackets r these white spots. what are they and can they come off?

  • my tooth is chiped will they file after

  • I'm getting my braces off in June and I have had them for 2 years. Im 13 now, and I was just wondering how long exactly would you be in there getting them taken off? Iv heard up to 2 hours and as low as 15 minutes so I was confused?

  • Dear Pukser,

    In our office, the entire appointment takes about 50-60 minutes. This includes taking the braces off, polishing the teeth, final photographs and x-rays, retainer impressions and a post-treatment conference.

    Each office has different methods and does a differing amount of work. You should be able to ask you orthodontist how long the appointment will be.

    Congratulations on getting your braces off. I'm sure you're exicted.

    And remember to use your smile often!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • Dr. Berhg these videos are very helpful!! I have a question about elastics. My orthodontist is having me wear triangle elastics. I am supposed to get my braces off hopefully in 11 days. What are the triangle bands doing with my teeth? If it helps I had turbos, or the blue things on top of my teeth. Please comment back asap!!! Thanks and keep up the great work!!! :)

  • Dear 7bballfreak,

    The triangle elastics are generally used to move your upper and lower teeth, especially the side teeth, into a more ideal alignment. These are important elastics to wear at the end of treatment, so wear them as directed.

    Congratulations on getting your braces off soon!! I'm sure you're counting the days.

    And remember to use your smile often.

    Dr. Bergh

  • that took like 1:30 and my appointment to get them off is 2 hours long wtf

  • Hi Tiara8129,

    I accidentally deleted your post, sorry about that.

    We've found that the teeth are sensitive for about 3 days.

    You can take the type of medication you would if you had a headache and that will reduce the sensitivity.

    Good luck with your braces.

    Dr. Bergh

  • @brianberghdds I've had braces fitted, I have blocks on the back of my teeth aswell as rings on my molars with a type of glued in retainer, I had major speech issues and i find it very annouying and embarassing to talk. I've had them in now 3weeks and im desperate to stop treatment as i can't continue with the speech problems :( , Any advice on getting them out quicker (blocks on the back of my teeth and fitted in retainer i have train tracks also)

    Thanks in advance

  • i get my braces off on the 29th of april and im really scared, im near enough crying everytime i get them tightened. when the pressure goes on i feel like their gonna brake my teeth :( any tips to make me more confident in the dentists chaiR?

  • I'm getting mine off in 3 days, I can't wait! I mean come on, I'm watching a video of someone getting their braces off..I'm super excited!

  • does it hurt getting them off?

  • I've watched a few video of dentist and I'm scared off the dentist but now i can see why people aren't scared my dentist is evil

  • Dear Dr. Bergh,  I have bands on top and bottom and i have an ACL bar on the bottom and it scratches my tongue when i swallow and eat. Is this a problem?? I do not go to your dentistry facility, because I like in oklahoma but my orthodontist lives in Kansas, so i don't want to go down there to ask him, so is it supposed to scratch your tongue a ton, or should i get it fixed???

  • @metallover67 yes mine hurt but you get them off in like a week or so and then they feel much better.

    I hated when they popped the brackets off i felt like they were breaking my teeth haha. the worst part was them scraping the stuff off afterwards.. like nails on a chalkboard. eh.

    congratulations though (:

  • You may feel some pressure, like a light squeeze on your arm, when the expander is being placed. This will disappear after a few minutes.

    When you activate your expander, you'll feel pressure for a few days, and then the pressure will go away and you won't feel it again.

    The most difficulty our patients have is learning to eat with the expander, but that goes away after a few days.

    Good luck with your braces!!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • Im so excited to get mine off, ive had mine for 2 years and a half, I finally get them off in Feburary, but now im stuck wearing 4 rubberbands :/

  • I get my braces off on the 21st of january!(:

  • do you have to get a shot for any part of the braces stages?

  • @Beth143055 nope ! no shotts. the only thing the "hurts" about braces is when your get them tightend about ever 6 weeks, and it dosent even hurt, its just a little soree.

  • i get my braces off soon! have to wear a retaner!

  • i get mine off tomorrow!! its been almost two years, and now i've gotta stock up on crest whitestrips :)

  • Congratulations!! Be sure to let your orthodontist know how happy you are.

    You've been given a lifetime gift, so remember to wear your retainers!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • im getting mine off tomorrow :) im so exited

  • Congratulations, Orkslayer.

    A job well done, and I'm sure a lot of effort, commitment and sacrifice on your part.

    Be sure to use your new smile often, and thank whoever allowed you to have your new smile with a great big smile.

    Dr. Bergh

    P.S. Let your orthodontist know how happy you are. It really makes our day when we know our patients are happy with what we do.

  • gahhhhh zomg i want mine off!!

  • I am getting my braces off today!!!!!! yay :]

  • i get mine off December 8

    and you could go to the dentist and get your teeth polished and cleaned or also get like crest white strips or something like that and that should solve your problem

  • What Are The Bands For?? I Think Thats What Its Called!

  • I Don't Know If Im Gonna Get A Expander. But My Sister Gots A Crossbite So They Said She Needed It. I Don't Have A Crossbite, So I'm Not Sure If There Gonna Put A Expander. If I Do Get An Expander How Long Do We Keep It On? Do We Keep It On Til Are Braces Come Of Or They Come Of Before That. And My Friend Does Not Have Braces On ,She Only Has The Expander. Well Let Me Know. Thank You For The Other Question.

  • What Is A Crossbite?

    Does Everyone have to get expanders?

    Cause My Friend Said It Was Painful, And My Sister Said I Didn't Hurt At All. So Pleasee Let Me Know. Thank You.

  • All of the upper teeth are supposed to overlap to the outside of the lower teeth. When an upper tooth is inside the lower teeth, that is called a crossbite.

    Not all people need expanders. Those with crossbites of the back teeth, and those with very narrow jaws will benefit from an expander.

    Our experience with expanders is that you will feel pressure during the first 2-3 days when the expander is activated, then not much after that. Your sister's experience is more typical.

    Dr. Bergh

  • i have a question if your getting a retainor do you have 2 keep ur brace on till they come in because imgetting my off in a monthso please give me an anwser?

  • i have a question, because i am am getting my braces off tomorrow. how is the glue removed? with a special gel, or the drill?

  • Hi hyperburger,

    There are two ways that the glue is removed - either by flicking or scraping it off or by using a dental handpiece - yes the dental drill.

    But don't worry, if the dental drill is used, you'll only feel the vibration on your teeth. We use a very fine polishing bur that removes the glue but doesn't harm the tooth.

    If anything, since cool air runs through the drill, your teeth might get cold.

    Congratulations of getting your braces off. Use your new smile often!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • Dr. Bergh, Do you know anything about the herbst device? Im getting it soon, and It doesnt really seem like you can eat! I have a palate expander and I have trouble eating now. Im wondering if when you get it, how long does it take for your back molars to touch? Thanks!

  • Dear cardcrash2444,

    The palate expander is the most difficult appliance to eat with, since so much of it is next to the roof of your mouth.

    The Herbst won't be as difficult to eat with, but for several days (and maybe up to a couple of weeks) your back teeth won't touch.

    You can still each with your front teeth, so eat things that you don't have to chew much - like soups, applesauce, cottage cheese, etc.

    Good luck, you're on your way to a better smile and a more healthy bite.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Thanks!!

  • Oh! and one more question!

    I have the palate expander in now, and Im pretty sure its staying in when I get the herbst. Im fairly sure that the whole point of the herbst device is to correct your bite and make your jaw grow (correct me if im not correct). When I bite down I bite on my crowned molars because they are the tallest ones. The herbst will correct my bite with the crowns still on, so what I was wondering was, when I get my herbst off will my molars not touch because I was adjusted to

  • the expanders crown?

    Id be reaaally impressed if you got this one :)

    Thanks!

    oh and ps Im also getting braces+rubber bands for another year after the herbst so could the rubber bands fix my question? THANKS!!!

  • You are quite right that your back teeth will not touch when your Herbst appliance is removed. Braces will be placed on those teeth and the archwires will be able to make your back teeth touch again.

    Often times, to correct one problem, we create another issue. The idea is to correct the biggest problem first, then adjust things to correct the smaller problem that was created.

    Most likely the expander will stay in during the Herbst treatment, but could be taken out at some point.

    Dr. Bergh

  • im getting braces on this thrusday ill make a video

  • Cool. Good luck on Thursday. Let me know if you post your video!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • Dear Dr.Bergh when you take the bands off do you twist or do you just pull to get them off

  • Hi Dr. Bergh!

    I was wondering that when you take the braces off, are you twisting at the bracket to make it come off the tooth? Also when you get your retainer, are there choices on what type I can get? Like I've seen the ones that you can barely see (invisable) and my mom has the one with the wires. Am I most liikely able to get the invisable one at mt orthodontist? Thanks!

  • Hi aweseomedancer712,

    Yes, there is a lttle squeeze and a twist to get the bracket to come easily off the tooth.

    Your orthodontist will recommend the best retainer for you - some like the wire type, some like the clear plastic type.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Dear Dr. Bergh, Thanks for the reply comment. It really helped me.

    When you get your retainer, Is one retainer better then the other? Like is the wire type better worse, or do they work at the same rate and quality?

    Thanks! :)

  • Hi I was wondering what does it feel like when yuu are getting braces on?? and how long do they stay on?

  • Im Getting Mine Off October 6th :D

  • im getting my off saturday hahah bitch gaga

  • haha why is he wearing goggles?!

  • for water and stuff like that i think but dr. berg is the professional

  • i am getting braces in less then a month and i am anxious and scared because of the tools some people are telling me about like a drill of some sorte

  • don't worry, it doesn't hurt :)

    i've had mine for three years, tightening is okay aswell.

  • i just got them put on today, and there is no drill. its just a bit of glue, some metal, and some pliers.

    and man, am i waiting for that day when i can get them off. it hurts like hell.

  • Dr.Bergh, Can you post a video on how braces are tighten? I want to see how it looks like, I'm getting braces in a couple of months

  • All they do is remove the wire, put a different one on but tighter. They don't tighten them every visit.

  • Hi Mcfluurybean,

    Thank for the suggestion. I will work on that this week and get one posted.

    Dr. Bergh

  • mine tokae a hour to take off and it hurt like hell it felt like hell like a thousande needles stabing into my teeth i was cryin when they toke them off :(

  • Wow, I'm sorry you had such a difficult time. That is very unusual to have so much discomfort when the braces are removed. I hope now, though, you can enjoy your new beautiful smile.

    Dr. Bergh

  • i want my braces taken off so freakin badly they give me so many f*** sores in my mouth DX!

  • Hey, I was wondering if it hurts when you get them off? Im scarfed cause mine are off tomorrow! Please respond soon!! :D Thanks! - Ali

  • no just pressure

  • Hi Dr. Bergh, im getting my braces removed next tuesday , im really worried because i have a bad gag reflex , is there any way the orthadontist can make it so the mould does not have to be in my mouth for as long ? also what is the procces of removing the brace ? please awnser , thank you !

  • Hi Dr. Bergh, I'm getting my braces in a couple of weeks, and I'm just worried. I was wondering if the application of the braces are painful? I was also wondering if getting braces requires removing teeth? I'm just feeling very worried for the possible pain. Please reply as soon as you can, and thank you !

  • I'm getting braces next week. I heard its only hurts a little for the first 2 days. I also heard you get a lisp for the fist few hours. No sweat, right?

  • Hi crazykris1412,

    Placing braces is NOT a painful procedure. You will feel slight pressure on your teeth when the orthodontist or assistant places them on the teeth (this is to ensure they are on the teeth well).

    Removing teeth is not a part of every orthodontic treatment. This will depend on whether you have enough jaw bone for the your tooth size. Your orthodontist has likely discussed this with you or your parents already. So, just having braces does not mean teeth need to be removed.

  • Hi Dr.Bergh, Iv had my top brace since september and i aint that happy, my bottom brace is cutting my gum which is causing a bad pain, Also theres alot of pressure on my upper tooth and that is causing me not to eat or bite.I would just like to ask why the braces are causing these proplems for me. Please reply ASAP, Thank You !!!

  • i can't wait to get mine off....ive had them like... 6 hours!

  • that would be sooo uncomfortable for me, someone recording me while i get my braces off.

  • so you don't have to drill the glue off? I had to get the glue drilled off my teeth and it hurt like a bitch lol but then again, i eat a lot of candy and my enamel is really thin :P

  • dont you have to put a loosening agent on your teeth to weaken the glue before you remove them, or is that just a rumor

  • does it hurt when your braces come off???

  • no but it feels different

  • does it hurt when you take em off?

  • i am getting my braces off tmrw cant wait

  • Comes off by itself the way they do it, i think. I had mine grinded off, and it hurt :(.

  • i got my braces off about 4 years ago and i STILL have some fucking glue on my teeth.

  • lol

  • im getting mine off tmrw cant wait

  • i don't have an expander since my teeth were to far apart. and i just got my braces today. so will it hurt when i get it taken off?

  • Are US braces diffrent to UK ones? because when i had mine taken off it took an hour, and they took the wire off and then each individual bracket and then the rings then the cement. That seemed alot quicker and less painful ^^

  • I think so. Americans pay for dental care and stuff. So people are more qualified to do it.

  • I don't think it matters which country you're in, it's the orthodontists technique and where he studied that makes the braces different. I live in Australia and mine came off just like in this video. I was amazed how fast it was. Got my braces off 3 days ago!

  • All the brackets are removed at once, in a line. Is this just because the brackets are still attached to the wire? Or is something else connecting them, causing them all to come off at once? The other week I had a single bracket removed, but they took the wire off first.

    Oh, and one more thing.. I have a weird type of braces where the elastics aren't colored, I just get new wires. Does this mean they have to pull them off singularly?

  • probably, those are called damon system braces i have those too

  • Comment removed

  • Hi, I'm getting braces in a couple of weeks and I saw a video of someone getting his braces put on. The Dentist seemed to use this object that gave out a blue light quite often. What is that?

  • Hi DeborahWee95,

    The blue light is what hardens the adhesive (glue) that is used to attach the braces to the teeth.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Oh, thanks!

  • Comment removed

  • Hi DeborahWee95,

    You had left another comment which I accidentally just deleted - I hit the remove button instead of the reply button, sorry.

    Since you asked that other question a month ago, I'm sure you've seen the changes.

    The tooth that was behind the others should be moving forward and the braces will help to align the level of the tooth, too.

    I hope your treatment is going well.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Hi i have one question, my Orthodontist placed these metal things behind my lower front teeth that are called buttons. What do these things do?

  • Wait, are you a real orthodontist?

  • Hi charlotte4,

    If the braces are kept clean and you stay away from soda, you should be fine.

    The white spots are a what we call decalcification - a big word that just means the minerals in the tooth have been "eaten" away. This is usually caused by a strong acid material, like soda, or from leaving the plaque bacteria on the teeth (not brushing well).

    If you take good care of your teeth during your braces treatment, you will never know they were there after they'be been taken off.

    Dr. Bergh

  • does it really take like 2 min to take them off?

  • I have a question i really hope you can help me with.

    It looks like i have 'fat gums' like inflammated. i know it isnt gingivitis, and my orthodontist doesn't mention anything when i go.

    someone told me it is because i have small teeth, and something like the metal is reacting to my gums??

    will this go away when the braces come off? & is that why my gums are like that??

    sorry for the long comment! =P

    thanks[:

  • Generally speaking, the gums get inflamed/swollen because it is harder to brush and keep the teeth clean with braces.

    We do have some patients who may have some sensitivity to the braces, the wires or the elastic (colored) ties that hold the wires to the braces.

    When your braces come off, you can expect your gum swelling to reduce significantly within 1-2 weeks.

    Keep brushing and floss every day. That is the best way to keep your gums healthy.

    Dr. Bergh

  • thank you!

  • i just got like 10 new metal bands put on my teeth today. but one tooth is oddly shaped and it feels like the band isnt on there correctly cuz i can bite on the metal. i asked the ppl and they said i just had a weird shaped tooth. what should i do?

  • It looks like you do good work. My braces are coming off on the 14th. However, my orthodontist said that I have a naturally small tooth. He said that my dentist could take care of that.

  • Dear xomaliaxo,

    Congratulations!! The archwire is what connects them all. I like to leave the brackets all tied to the archwire so it's much easier to take them out all at once.

    Dr. Bergh

  • My friend is asking about something to do with reshaping the teeth or making them shorter. She says it makes the teeth look like they're equal in size, can you tell me more about it please? and what is this treatment called?

  • Dear ArabianRoyalty,

    We call it enameloplasty or re-contouring or several other names.

    It's quite common for the orthodontist to adjust the teeth and make them look better. Often, teeth are worn down because they are crooked or don't touch the lower teeth correctly before orthodontics.

    By removing some of the enamel, a tooth can be adjusted to look better. Doing these adjustments conservatively (a little bit) has no effect on the long-term health of the teeth.

    Dr. Bergh

  • me too

  • does it hurt 2 take off ur braces

  • Dear QueensPrincess08,

    Taking off the braces is generally very easy. You may feel some pressure and a snap or click sound.

    Some people feel the pressure and think it's painful. Generally, the pressure is not great enough to cause any pain.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Just wondering but is there a chance that you can keep them when they come off?

    :D

  • You'd need to ask your orthodontist if that is OK. Some offices say yes, some say no. Just ask before they are taken off so they don't dispose of them before you have a chance to ask.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Oh okay.

    Thanks!

    :DDD

  • Different offices have different procedures.  Just be sure to ask your orthodontist or the assistant before they are taken off. Often time the used braces are put into a container that is sealed shut and can't be opened.

    Dr. Bergh

  • Dear 05goodecm,

    Don't worry, you'll do fine. Getting your braces off is a very easy process, and an exciting one as well. The end to a long and dedicated journey.

    Good luck and use your smile often!!

    Dr. Bergh

  • If i have white marks on my teeth when i get my braces off, is there a way to get rid of them?

  • Hi Lucastehpro,

    Hopefully you won't have white marks. Brushing well and avoiding soft drinks are the best way to keep them from forming while wearing braces.

    If you have white marks on your teeth, some may be able to be polished off by your orthodontist or dentist. Others may disappear over time with application of regular fluoride treatments.

    Like I stated before, brushing and avoiding soft drinks are the best.

    Good luck,

    Dr. Bergh

  • when you have the metal bands placed around the molars does that mean you are nearing the end of the orthodontic treatment?

  • i thought it would take longer than a minute

  • wow , it doesn't look painful ! at all.

  • i think different dentists remove them differently according to how they were taught and how the pationt had them put on, but i could be wrong

  • Dear khrystal1968,

    The glue will not casue damage. Not brushing well during treatment, eating lots of sugary foods, drinking lots of soda can cause white marks/cavities to form. Brush well and watch the foods you eat. You will do fine.

    Adult treatment generally do take longer. We see changes generally around age 30 as to the speed of treatment.

    2 years may seem like a long time, but to get your dream smile it's a short investment of time.

    Good luck and use your smile often!!

    Dr Bergh

  • I am 40 and was braced a month ago. Will that glue damage my teeth? Also, as an adult will treatment time take longer? They gave me an estimated sentence of 24 months.

  • Dear adrian0301,

    Yes, this is the first part of the appointment for getting the braces off and the quickest part.

    There are a couple of differenct ways to remove the remaining glue from the teeth. We use a polishing bur on a dental handpiece and rarely have anyone complain of pain or discomfort. Another way is to scrape, more or less, the remaining glue from the teeth. I've found this method to be more discomforting to our patients and don't use that method any longer.

    Dr. Bergh

  • I'm just very interested on how the whole proceedue goes. I'm getting mine off soon, and just wanna know how it goes :)

    Thanx

  • can u put some more of these cool vids on?!

  • Dear peteypie1244,

    What is it you like most about these videos?

    Dr. Bergh

  • how do they put them on and pleas reply im getting them in about 2 weeks

  • Dear warhead254,

    You can see a way of placing the braces by looking for our video "braces on."

    Good luck,

    Dr. Bergh.

  • The general alignment of teeth usually happens very quickly, so the 8 months you are stating is very normal. Now comes the more difficult and slower movements - closing spaces, correcting how the back teeth come together, etc. I would say you are at least one year from finishing and your treatment will likely will go up to the 24 months estimated. Be sure to keep all your appointments, brush well (dirty teeth take longer to align), and do the things your orthodontic recommends. Good luck!

  • Dr.bergh, just one questoin. I'm supposed to have my braces on for 2 years, but my teeth have move very fast and they are very straight. i've had them on for about 8 months and he's started to put on what i call crosswire's. and where i had to get 4 teeth removed prior to getting braces he put bands on the gaps. how long is it usually after the cross wires go on?

  • i get mine off in 3 days!

  • lucky duck. i get mine off in a month and a half

  • im gettin mine off in 8 weeks i was neovous and dreading it before but now ive wached this im looking foraward to it.

    xx U

  • me to !!!!!! ughh cant wait either lol

  • Ok, um i have aquestion...

    i get my braces off in like a year and i want to know... do retainers hurt?

  • yea, me too princess .

    do retainers hurt ?

  • i got my braces of today i thought it would hurt but it didn't ^.^ and it does feel wierd lol

  • i want my braces off :-B

  • me too..just two more years and there off!

  • me too. its all i've been thinking about lately :p

  • i have a question: What is a tooth? and where can i find one?

  • Dear kayyx27,

    The answer to your question is maybe yes, maybe no. It all depends on how your teeth are.

    Generally, braces are placed on the upper and lower teeth at the same time. Sometimes, especially, if you have a lot of overlapping of the upper and lower teeth, the orthodontist can't place the lower braces until the bite has changed. Otherwise, you would be biting on the lower braces.

    It should be time soon, I would think, that your lower braces should be put on.

    Dr. Bergh

  • i have a guestion

    ive had braces for about a year and i'm supposed to have them on for 24 months

    i still havent gotten my bottom braces on .

    do you know if bottom teeth take less time to straighten ? thankyou

  • dr. bergh thanks so much for these videos. they really take a load off!

    but i've got a question about RPEs. i'm 19 and my orthodontist said i needed to have the appliance in order to complete my treatment but i've read that the sutures in your palate fuse after puberty. i'm a little concerned about it, and my orthodontist didn't mention anything about a surgery or anything. would he have been able to tell if i needed oral surgery by looking at my x-rays?

  • Generally, it is difficult tell if the sutures are closed with conventional x-rays. An MRI would better tell if that were the case.

    Upper jaw expansion like you've described is generally best done during puberty, but can be accomplished during the few years after puberty.

    The best thing is to try and see if it works and then if not, decide whether to continue with a surgically-assisted expansion or to leave the bite as is.

    Dr. Bergh.

  • I have a question. I went to the Dentist and she told me that I had to take out my wisdom teeth soon since I am 18 and also that there was a tooth before the wisdom tooth that was coming in inwards. She recommended me to get ortho surgery to remove that. I was wondering even though it is recommended do I have to do that in order to get braces?

    Thanks in advance.

  • Dear xbambu,

    Wisdom teeth are often crowded and can cause some problems with the health of the teeth, gums and bone in the back of the mouth.  I recommend wisdom teeth extraction for a great majority of my patients, as I feel the long-term health of other teeth can be compromised.

    So, if your dentist is recommending that, I would trust her recommendation.

    As far as your other question, I wouuldn't be able to answer that without seeing what the actual situation is. Sorry.

    Dr. Bergh.