I just went for my 2nd appointment today. Doctor installed lower jaw for me. Before installing, he asked me whether I want it installed today or some other time. Without hesitating or further question, I said today.

After installing, he said he has to install bite stopper for me else the teeth at my upper jaw will bite off the newly installed brackets at my lower jaw. That's the consequence of choosing to install lower jaw today. But... he did not tell me that earlier, else I would have think twice. Now my upper and lower jaw cannot touch at all. How to eat? Can someone share with me on how to eat with bite stopper? And anyone know how long the bite stopper will be there?

Besides, I asked doctor if it is advisable to extract my wisdom tooth. I have 1 wisdom tooth at my lower jaw. He said yes and it will make my face smaller as well. However, normal price for wisdom tooth extraction is RM650. Discounted price will be RM500. Is it really so expensive at some other dentists as well? I'm seriously considering to extract my wisdom tooth but hopefully with a better price. Any recommendation?

This post has been edited by karynkhoo: Jul 23 2009, 12:29 AM

I'm using damon 3. I'm not using innovation C bcoz doctor said ceramic gives slightly slower result. my main concern is fast results. that's y i'd rather choose metal damon 3.

doctor said, for metal, damon 3 and innovation c give same results. as for ceramic, have to go for innovation c.

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Added on July 23, 2009, 5:55 pmso cheap? where's aman suria btw? mine is RM6k for damon 3.

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Added on July 23, 2009, 6:00 pmmy ortho advice me to extract my wisdom tooth. he said it will express up my progress and definitely make my face smaller. however, he quoated me RM500 to extract a lower wisdom tooth. i'm still considering... any cheaper place to get wisdom tooth extracted?

This post has been edited by karynkhoo: Jul 23 2009, 06:00 PM

I'm going to Dr. How at Bangsar. He said normal price for extracted wisdom at lower jaw is RM650. RM500 is discounted price already... I only have 1 wisdom at, which is at lower jaw. I'm thinking whether it's possible to get my wisdom tooth extracted at some other place with better offer.

Btw, for those who have experience with bite stopper. May I know normally how long it needs to stay there? After having it on for 1 day, I can't stand it anymore. It affects my pronunciation. I can't stand my own pronunciation now. Help!!!

This post has been edited by karynkhoo: Jul 23 2009, 11:28 PM

OMG! Nikki... you mean you have been having bite stopper for... 8 months??!! Dr. How did not remove it for you? May I know how did you survive with it? Cannot chew/bite at all right? coz upper and lower teeth cannot touch.

Nikki, can you teach me how you crush your bite stopper? I want to crush mine as well

huh?! you installed screws? like how ken did? but i remember ur teeth is not that bad. why do you need screws?

my wisdom tooth at lower jaw, grown nicely in position, Dr. How quoted me RM500, already discounted price... sigh...

My main concern when i was considering whether to do braces or not was extraction of healthy teeth. The reason I chose Damon system is because it doesn't require extraction for my case. My mom says if i extract my healthy teeth, I'll regret during my old age when I don't have enough teeth to chew...

I keep all my teeth extracted since small...

I agree with Nikki that whether to extract teeth or not, it depends on your condition. It's not dependent on the brand of the braces. I'm using Damon 3MX without any tooth extraction, because my crowded problem is not very serious. Please seek professional consultation of this.

Btw, Nikki, I finally managed to crush part of my bite stopper. I din do it in purpose la. It was an accident, yet I feel so happy and satisfied. Hope I can crush the rest of the bite stopper

It's my 8th week with braces now and I have yet to notice any obvious movement for my teeth. Getting impatient...

welcome to the bracesians club!

how come u all can get damon 3 at so much lower price? i got it for 6k Which ortho r u going to?

I just went for my 3rd visit yesterday. Dr. How refused to remove my bite stopper And... he put separator for me. I counted, there's 17 of them. I have 17 separators in my mouth (

It's quite painful as compared to previous 2 visits to put on the brackets. Sigh... even more difficult for me to eat now...

this forum is a good place to share experience and ask questions, for sure u won't feel alone.

wow! u can c ur teeth move already?! i haven't seen any movement in my teeth although it's my 9th week already. How i wish my teeth can move faster... The numb and pain are normal. u'll get used to it after a few days to 1 week time.

I used to have the same concern as well, until I saw my fren of my age did braces last year. I decided not to hesitate and drag anymore. Just do it and no regrets.

Fyi, I'm 27 yrs old and it's my 3rd month with braces on.

they are almost the same, unless u get the transparent type

I think the damon system shown in the photo above is Damon 3. If I remember correctly, Dr. How said that it is not good and he's not using it anymore. Damon 3MX is the better 1 but it looks slightly bigger than Damon 3 because part of Damon 3 bracket is transparent while Damon 3MX is fully metal.

Please refer to the links below:

Damon 3
Damon 3MX

This post has been edited by karynkhoo: Oct 24 2009, 11:01 AM

It's my 5th months having braces on. Dr. How put 17 separators in my mouth >3 months ago. I still have 10 of them remaining in my mouth now. I wonder when will they come off completely. Anyone here has the experience of having so many separators? I guess I need so many because I'm doing Damon 3MX without extraction.

This post has been edited by karynkhoo: Nov 20 2009, 12:52 PM

Although the discomfort is gone, but sometimes food stuck at the same place with the separators, I accidentally removed a few when trying to floss my teeth. Not sure whether it will affect my progress.

Besides, I feel that the pain of the treatment during each appointment is getting serious. Last week, I went for my 5th appointment, Dr. How put a power chain for my upper front 4 teeth. I tried very hard not to cry, but ended up, still couldn't stop my tears. Sigh... Cannot imagine what is Dr. How going to do in future appointments. Will it get more n more painful?

I've seen friends who did not wear retainer after debonding. The teeth slow moved to original position. Although it's still much better than original, but it's not as perfect anymore.

Better get yourself motivated and wear it before you regret. I heard the only solution is to go through the painful process of putting on braces from beginning.

Thanks to Nikki and Ken for the assurance.

coil springs? what's that?