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Original poster

Twin Block Braces - Any Advice?

440 replies

Shar0769 · 25/01/2012 14:28

Hi
First post to Mumsnet, so please bear with me Confused

Just arrived back from Orthodontist with ds (10) who has had twin block braces fitted to correct his overbite and adjust his jaw. I can honestly say I feel sick/upset, he looks like he's shoved a sock in his mouth; can't speak, can't smile. Im dreading to think how he's going to cope at school. Shock

If anyone has any advice/experience on these braces it would be great. Anything to ease my worries.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
ScarlettDarling · 23/08/2018 20:40

Just incase anyone is still reading, my son finally had his fixed braces removed today and top and bottom fixed retainers fitted. After nearly two and a half years of twin blocks then fixed braces, he finally has a beautiful brace free smile!

I so hope all the other dc who have been through this are getting their wonderful results too. Vjg how is your daughter doing?

vjg13 · 24/08/2018 21:15

Hi Scarlett, that is great news! Does he have a retainer now?

My daughter has her train tracks, she has had the 'elastic band' stage and that is over thankfully. Was always finding them everywhere! She has an appointment next week but will have them for a while longer I think. Her teeth look really straight now though.

ScarlettDarling · 24/08/2018 22:30

Hi vjg, sounds like your daughter is nearing the end too. It's great that her teeth are looking good, makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?

Yes, my son has got fixed retainers top and bottom, they're just really thin wires behind the front six teeth.

Lottiejane15 · 25/08/2018 18:19

Hi everyone Sorry I'm late to the discussion. Hope u don't mind. My son had twin blocks about 4 months ago. He has started chewing really wierdly, really sticking his bottom jaw out as he said he back teeth don't meet together. It's been upsetting me. This is obviously his new jaw position but surely he shouldn't look like he does whilst chewing. Did anyone else notice anything similar. He has the 1st part of the train track fitted soon. (10th sep)

manitz · 04/09/2018 09:42

Dd did this a bit. Blocks pushed her teeth back into her gums. Apparently that’s normal and orthodontist filed down blocks at last Appt. give teeth a chance to come back out of gums. Apptmt tomorrow to check

Lottiejane15 · 05/09/2018 04:31

Aww cool . Thanks. Going to mention it on Monday when we go. Dreading the fixed part now. X

VPjr · 08/10/2018 12:49

It’s been incredibly useful to read these experiences. My 9 year old son is having a twin block fitted on Thursday he has a 12mm + overbite and protruding front teeth.
I was intending to give him some pain relief before the appointment - would anyone have any thoughts on that?
We knew it would be pretty hard on him, but he really needs it.

Lottiejane15 · 08/10/2018 13:21

My son's only hurt for a couple of days. Great news at last visit he can get rid of them next time after just 6 months instead of 9.

Lossie123 · 10/11/2018 19:24

I have had them and the first week is the hardest definitely. I found that we weren’t prepared properly and had no clue on the size of it. Yes there is a lisp that comes with it but it should be understandable in a week. Keep them in as much as possible, ideally only taking it out three times a day to clean after meals. For the first week stick to soft food and keep pain medication handy because it is really sore. Keep up the good work, and keep your child’s motivation up.

VPjr · 10/11/2018 19:37

Update, so far it has been a breeze. No need for pain relief, J is good as gold about wearing the twin block at all times. He has been advised not to eat with it in for now, and also to remove it for sports. He does have a little lisp.
I think the fear of the unknown was our biggest hurdle!!

LacG · 27/11/2018 22:27

We are having problems with Twin blocks it’s been over12wks now. Still talks with a lisp sometimes I cannot understand also they have broke again. 1st time was only two wks in small piece from the back. Could not fix went back told hair line crack due to dropping it ??? Now it’s broke right where the tooth brackets are. I think it’s been badly made or has anyone else experienced this ? Seem ill fitting from the start after 1week both blocks fell out in sleep. This has happened so many times.

MelCairns · 10/01/2019 11:32

Hi, my d (12) is due to start the procedure soon, impressions in 2weeks then twin blocks fitted 3 weeks later (thankfully it’s half term). Our orthodontist has been lovely n explained this procedure has a positive result if patients commit to it. We’v already been told she is to take the twin blocks out to eat, contact sports and swimmimg.
I’m so glad she’ll have the half term to get use to them b4 she has to face school 🙈

VPjr · 10/01/2019 17:32

MelCairns - J had his at half term in October, that week really helped him to get used to things. From 13mm overbite then to 8.5mm last week. Really pleased with the progress (he only takes it out for school breaktimes, sport and eating). Good luck.

MelCairns · 10/01/2019 18:57

VPjr,,,, wow that’s impressive 👍🏼 How was J with pain ? Good luck

VPjr · 10/01/2019 20:00

No pain what so ever. It became normal within a few days. He had to think about his speech, but that settled too. He’s motivated by the fact it’s working. 😁

Theonlyoneiknow · 10/01/2019 22:05

Hi! Would like to join in the brace chat!! DS (9) has seen orthadontist and due to his underbite needs a plate brace (?) which he needs to take out to eat. I have no idea how he will cope as has Aspergers. Any tips? I have never seen a plate brace before. Is that usual treatment for an underbite? Many thanks!

MollyBlack · 21/03/2019 14:35

Thank goodness for this old thread, it has been so helpful!

My son had twin block braces fitted on Friday, now it's Thursday and he has not been back to school yet! He is in a lot of pain and finding eating etc so difficult.

Like others on the thread I had NO idea what we were letting ourselves in for, he is autistic and if I had known how hard this was I'm not sure I would have gone through with it, it seems barbaric!

However things are now getting a bit better and I think he is coping a bit better than me, I would have thrown them in the bin on day one and thought sod that!

There seems very little info and advice about this type of brace out there so I am really grateful others have posted here.

LIZS · 21/03/2019 14:43

To update the thread ds was recently completely discharged and looking back at my original post treatment has taken almost 5 years. Despite his initial reservations he has persevered and now has lovely straight teeth and smile Grin

snoozetastic · 21/03/2019 20:44

Speaking of throwing them in the bin just a word of caution to newbies:

do not do what we did and wrap them in a napkin only for a waiter to clear the table and chuck them in the bin (only to be remembered at bedtime later)!!!

Our orthodontist warned us about this happening but that particular day I was really distracted and we had left the brace box at home

LIZS · 21/03/2019 20:54

And just to encourage those starting out, I looked at one of the few photos where you could see ds teeth before treatment, and one during, and the difference now really is amazing.

TheFunkyFox · 30/03/2019 21:11

Read the whole thread. Thank you so much!!

Dd was measured for hers last week. I’m absolutely dreading it but the dentist told her if she doesn’t do it she will need surgery ;) she’s very very stubborn and if she doesn’t want to do something no amount of money or bribing will make her.

She has a 12mm gap. The orthodontist said she only needs to wear them 18 hours? Would it be ok to make her wear them 24/7? 🙈

MelCairns · 30/03/2019 23:59

Hi, my daughter has had her twin block in now for 5 weeks and OMG what a difference. So many people have commented on her face shape has changed, and she looks older. She, herself can feel the difference with her jaw too. My daughter is so committed with this and has only taken it out for eating swimming n contact sports, then it’s straight back in. She soon got use to the talking, shes only ever uncomfortable when she tightens it up once a week and that’s not for long. I was dreading her going to school with this but has not had any problems there. She’s adapted well to the whole thing and I’m sure seeing postive results so soon has made her more determined to wear the blocks. Good luck to all with the Twin Blocks 😁

JaiSt · 19/04/2019 21:45

My son (11) got twin block retainers for 11mm overbite yesterday. He seems to be in alot of pain and couldn't sleep at all last night. Does anyone know how long the pain will last or how I can help him.

alltheeastereggs · 19/04/2019 22:16

Our experience was soreness for about a week so I just made a decision to give a regular dose of calpol for 3 days then reduced it gradually, dropping one dose at a time. Takes practice to talk with it in and I also recall dribbling for first couple of days.

MelCairns · 24/04/2019 09:57

My daughter went for first check up at orthodontist since getting the twin block,, she’s gone from 11mm overbite to 5mm,, we are really pleased with the results. She’s done so well with the twin block and has been so committed😬

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