Urgent help regarding functional double block brace

[CosyLulu]

dd had one fitted last Tuesday and has coped (apart from eating which she finds totally impossible) since then but now school looms on Monday and she is so self conscious about how weird it makes her face look - her bottom jaw pushed right forwards. She wants to take it out. I want her to persist with it.

Everyone says it gets easier after 1-2 weeks but does that also mean it stops looking so odd?

Any advice to help her keep going?

I posted early on in your thread, and I'm going to do so again just to contrast your experience for anyone reading.

My dd got her block braces on a Friday morning and was asked a question by orthodontist as soon as they were in.
I couldn't understand her answer and loads of drool just fell out of her mouth and down her chin.
She looked so different, I was shocked but hid it.
We left for school after the "wear them constantly" talk, but as soon as we got in the car I said she could leave them that day and start at 4 when she got home, as she was pretty upset.

We did just that.
She talked constantly for 2 days, and had to learn how to swallow but by the Monday was left with a small lisp only.

There was some jaw ache, eased with paracetamol, and a couple of ulcers too, but on the whole it wasn't too bad for her at all.

We took photos every 4 weeks and the difference between each was HUGE and a massive motivator.

She did 6 months block braces and then onto train tracks which are due to come off mid-december.
These too have caused mild discomfort at each tightening for 2 days.

I'm sorry your dd has struggled so much, but I just wanted to offer the other side of the experience.

A huge well done to your dd for continuing with her treatment!

Congratulations and a huge well don't to your daughter for sticking it out.

I never got chance to have braces as a child and as a consequence I am now facing double jaw surgery in my 30s to fix my over bite! Definitely worth sticking it out.

Yes I do agree with sticking it out ultimately but it's been pretty tough. I think in many ways it would be easier with a younger child as the teenage years are so self-conscious.

Hi Cosylulu my daughter had double blocks fitted on Wednesday and it has been terrible so far. Her whole profile has changed and like you said about your daughter, she looks like she is gurning! Just wondered whether that side of things have settled down?
Obviously the impaired speech is really upsetting her but the way she looks as well.
Also like you mentioned a little bit of warning may have helped her (and me!)
I expect your daughter has now stopped wearing this brace and it all seems like a distant memory.
Appreciate any advice you can give.

My DD had twin blocks fitted about 5 months ago. She struggled for the first couple of weeks and then it's been so much easier. The speech sorts itself out very quickly providing she's wearing them most of the time. It's strange but after a while the 'gurning' look goes as well.

My DD's overjet as shrunk by 7mm in 5 months - it's really worth it.

If you search in google 'Rachel twin block brace youtube' you'll find a video diary of a girl about 12 yrs who had them fitted. It was really helpful for my daughter.

Sorry I missed these posts. Yes dd is now out of the double block, a bit earlier than the orthodontist had hoped but I explained that she couldn't cope with it at school any more. She's already really shy and she had virtually stopped speaking in class because her speaking never really improved although, like others have said, we did get used to them. She now has a full set of 'train tracks' which come with their own miseries, i.e. lots of food restrictions and everything gets stuck in the brackets. But a lot better than the double blocks. Hope things worked out for you Taragrace68.