Twin Block Braces - Any Advice?

[Shar0769]

Hi
First post to Mumsnet, so please bear with me

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.

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

Thanks.

[loulou2400]

My son was issued with twinblock braces on Monday. We were totally shocked and unprepared for this. He looked like something from starwars - his mouth a mass of plastic. He could neither speak, eat, sleep, smile or do anything in general really and in a great deal of pain. I was trying to brave, he was obviously devasted. Monday I was beside myself thinking how are we going to get through the next twelve weeks with these torture contraptions. If I had fitted these to my child I would have been arrested for child cruelty. I thought he would never be able to go to school in them as he would have been the subject of torment. I read all your messages and comments on mumsnet and it did give me hope - thank you. Well six days on (although he had to have some days off school) we have persevered and we are turning a corner. Speech is getting better, dribbling stopped fairly quickly, pain is subsiding. Do not think he will ever be able to eat them which will prove awkward at school as he does not want to be going to clean his teeth in the grotty toilets or get the mickey taken out of him as another boy does. Not sure how you can chew with a inch of plastic between your back teeth. His mouth is actually changing shape already - quite remarkable. He is getting use to the speech issue and gaining confidence and has been absolutely fine at school - no problems from other kids. It can only get better now and looking forward to visiting the orthodontist in June. He is even back on his games console chatting away with his mates.Only issue really is that he keeps flicking bottom brace out with his teeth - not sure if this is supposed to happen. Still to adjust the appliance yet - explanation at orthodontist was a big vague but on the looking at the appliance I think it should be fine. Will keep you posted on progress. Any parents out there - stick with it - after six days we are feeling very positive about the whole process. Thanks mumsnet for keeping my spirits up - I was all for chucking it away on Monday night and footing the bill to the orthodontist.

[Daisybelleblue]

Hi all, its been a while since I've been on here.
So just wanted to update you. The news is great after what was a horrendous start my son has finally reach where he needs to be to have his fixed brace fitted.
I honestly didn't think we would make it this far but we have, so I would say to all of you hang in there its worth it.
P.s I'm now skint ....bribery all the way ;-)

[loulou2400]

Six weeks into treatment - its not easy but son is dealing really well with them. Speech is better but cannot eat at all in them which is difficult at school. He keeps trying to eat but he would probably choke. Getting through loads of toothpaste and mouthwash. He still gets a fair bit of pain especially after the weekly adjustment - which is easy to do with the key (videos available on line if you are not sure). It does get him down sometimes but overall he is quite positive and appears to have had no problems at school which is fanstastic. He does take brace out for PE also. The gap in the brace top plate is getting quite wide with the weekly adjustments. This is now making his lips very sore as they are at full stretch and also his cheeks. Had loads of ulcers and sores in his mouth but he keeps battling on. Bathroom sink is a permanent mess with toothpaste and brace cleaner. On the plus side you can see his jaw is flattening at the front and its easier for him to keep his mouth closed. He says his mouth feels different too and teeth close together differently. He has no overcrowding with his teeth, just an overbite, teeth are quite gappy so we are hoping the gaps dont get bigger. Looking forward to the orthodontist visit to see how he is getting on. Any parents out there - it does get better honestly - its difficult but when you start seeing results its worth it. I must admit he has had lots of rewards for sticking with it. Feeling hopeful. Will keep you posted of any developments

[LIZS]

Interesting , ds has just had his fitted . No adjustments involved here Speech a bit awkward and finding it hard to sleep as they are noisy. Takes them out to eat atm as we were told he'd have to take them out afterwards anyway if he ate with them in to clean. So far so good but early days ...

[CastleofBones]

Daughter due to get her twin block appliance fitted first thing tomorrow morning. What was discussed at last visit didn't sound great but thought I'd better look into it more. Last minute I know! Having read this thread I am more panicked, but also more reassured that it will be ok eventually. Thank you everybody who has posted, I've just read every single one.

I think I need to prepare dd in the morning, she has had a retainer before and I don't think she's at all prepared for this. Me either. I expected to be sending her to school after with her normal pack lunch. Doesn't sound like this will be likely! Please please keep posting anybody else going through this, I feel we may need the support.

[Scotland1234]

My daughter had her twin blocks fitted on the 4th of April and like most mums I was taken aback at how awful they looked. The dentist had given us a leaflet with some information but not enough to prepare us!! Thankfully she was in the second week of her school holidays to it gave us a few days to get used to them. She hated them for the minute they were fitted and crying the minute we got into the car....outside the dental centre. She spent a few about 3 days in constant tears with the pain and no amount of pain relief helped. I would say it was about day 4 before she got used to them. So be patient its horrible seeing them in so much pain. This is our second set of braces she get her train tracks next, but its all worth it in the end!!

[CastleofBones]

Thanks Scotland1234. This has been so different from her last set of braces. It helps to know from others how worth it it is. First day was pretty awful, lots of tears last night not able to cope. She can speak ok, but swallowing difficult for a few hours and eating pretty awful. Been mashed up almost to purée so far, but hopefully will improve as she gets used to it. Orthodontist was quite clear she really had to keep them in for eating, seems impossible when you see her mouth but guess you can use the plastic blocks to chew a bit. 2 days over, hoping will improve over the next week.

[Daisybelleblue]

Does any one why some say keep brace in for eating & others say take it out ?

Hang in there CastleofBones its blooming hard work x

[CastleofBones]

Hi Daisybelleblue. We were told that most of the work is done getting the muscles into the new position, and most of the muscle work is done when eating. Hence will work better when in for eating. Don't know if it's a different type of brace you are encouraged to take out, or different orthodontists who are maybe more realistic about how hard it is to eat with them in, or people just taking them out cause it's easier.

Found out my daughters friend had the same braces for about 5 months, then at night. She kept them in except for cleaning, so we have persevered since day 1 with eating. It's hard, but have gone from baby food mush consistency on first couple of days to soft foods like salmon, baked potatoes and some pasta. Just finished day 6. Still soup or spaghetti hoops for packed lunch! 1st 2 days much sobbing and wanting to stop wearing them, today was 1st day she rated the pain 0 out of 10. Yay!

[Daisybelleblue]

That's brilliant it is such hard work at the beginning.
I didn't think we would ever get there. But fixed braces are going in over 1\2 term hols which falls brilliantly :-)

[Kello4791]

After some advice!!!! My son is adamant that he does not take out his appliance with double blocks but he wakes with one or both of these out in the morning!!!! He's only had it a few days!! Not sure if he is half asleep and flicking it out with his tongue or what is happening!!!

[LIZS]

They shouldn't be loose enough or him to accidentally take them out. ds' are always adjusted so they are a tight fit and the clips need releasing. 9 months in and the difference is remarkable.

[supermodel]

Was good to find this thread. My DD had block braces (didn't even know they were called this till I saw this thread!Orthodontist told her that they were 'magic' braces) fitted this week. She definitely struggled the first few days but improving now although we had to go back today to get them adjusted as they made her mouth sore. Am super proud of her!

[MeganBacon]

So relieved to read this thread. DS (12) had twin blocks fitted 3 days ago. I was horrified and totally unprepared for how awkward they look and the fact his chin juts forward so much changing his appearance so much for the worse. I never thought there was anything wrong with his appearance before so am struggling to see the need for this. He was very upset. He is getting used to it though and the boys at school have not been unkind. He can close his lips better now and speech and dribbling are getting slightly better. I am told it is worth it but I haven't known anyone have this treatment so it's hard to believe at the moment. We have decided to persevere but I was tempted to throw them in the bin on Tuesday. Feel reassured after reading others' experiences so thank you.

[loulou2400]

Brace update. After six months of twinblock hell we are now six months into train tracks. Also had power bands fitted (clear elastic bands under archwire) in Dec and the change was fantastic - amazing teeth - closed gaps in days. No overbite at all. Just a couple of small gaps at the side to fill in. Don't think it will be too much longer now. For any new twinblock/brace wearer and their mums - stick with it - it is worth all the pain and tears

[Almond74]

My daughter age 11has just had twin block braces and was totally horrified at first and felt guilty for putting her through this as to rectify her front teeth that stick out abit,but after reading all these threads on here I feel more confident and know it will be worth it in the end as I keep telling her,we had alot of tears for a start but has really surprised me how quickly she has got used to them,these are meant to be in 9mths but hope it will be sooner then she gets train tracks but even after a week I can see a difference so hopefully a good result when we go for first check up in 9weeks.
She is ok with eating but only soft foods still and manages well at school.
I will keep you updated with her progress. X

[Ebden123]

Hi,
This is my first post . I wanted to share a different experience that we have had with my son and orthodontics. Our dentist advised us to see an orthodontist regarding his slight overbite, due to what they view as an underdeveloped lower jaw . Expressions like "weak jaw line" are bandied about. Being the "good?" parents that we are we dutifully took him along to the orthodontist and it was decided that he should be fitted with a herbst appliance ( Pistons and crowns cemented in that pull the jaw forward) for 15 months.
My son is 12 1/2 , very smart kid . He also experiences sensory issues, anxiety and OCD. Quite severely . We constantly struggle with how far to push him outside of his comfort zone. We travel inch by inch with everything . A bit of change here and there, at a pace manageable for him.
We talked a lot about the process and had the appliance put in last Friday. I think if I had just set up a camera from the moment we left the surgery for the next 30 hours, with a bit of editing here and there we would have had an amazing psycho/horror/ drama.
It became very clear, very quickly , that we had made a mistake . We knew that we were taking a risk , but thought , like every other parent, he will adjust . It will be hell, but he will adjust. And if he doesn't we will take it out .The Orthodontist told us proudly that he'd never taken one out before (bc a kid couldn't handle it) . Well there's always got to be a first.
After 30 hours of a house brimming with tears, rages anger, distress, blame, guilt , pain and hunger, we told our son that we were going to have it removed .
I don't know how we ended up where we did . Sometimes our expectations of his ability to process his emotions in a calmer way are too high . He pleaded with me through his sad teary metal mouth , what's wrong with the way I look . I don't care . I'm happy how I am . Can't argue with that . We took the advice from the professionals , but failed to really consider the impact of all that sudden change on our son.
I don't like tattoos ... On me that is . But I wrote on my thigh in black biro , as he wailed and raged in another room , I am doing my best . I am . He did. Today , 3 days later , it is coming off . No regrets . We will pay it off , bit by bit .
He can keep his sweet overbite and jawline . It's him . If he's happy , we're happy . Orthodontics aren't for everyone , no matter how "strong" you are .
Take heart out there anyone who decides not to continue . Some kids just can't handle it .

[Pickalily]

Hey, my 13 yo got her twin blocks 4 months ago. She was very disappointed with them at first, due to the way it made her jaw stick out, although that is barely noticeable now. She only has two gripes with it, being her inability to chew food with it in, and also her lisp. We were told it would correct its self within the week, but it has got progressively worse. She now refuses to wear it.
Help!!!

[MmeMorrible]

What's made her suddenly decide to stop after 4 months of wearing them? Is she being teased about her lisp? I would book an appointment to discuss the lisp problem with the orthodontist and ask them how much longer she needs the twin blocks. Would be such a shame to undo all the good work done so far - she may only need them for a couple more months / 8 weeks.

My DD is 12 and got her twin blocks just over 3 weeks ago so we're early days in comparison.

[fairnotfit]

DS13 got his twin blocks last week. The pain appears to be dying down, but the lisp is terrible! He's being very stoic about it so far... Back to school on Monday, and fingers crossed he doesn't get a hard time of it.

[LIZS]

Pickalily, what did the orthodontist say at your last review? Ds speech is sometimes less clear but on the whole he hasn't been too lispy. Maybe she needs to move her tongue differently. No point letting her not wear it , can you bring forward next appointment?

[NonDom]

My DD's functional brace was amazing. She only had a couple of days of pain and slobbering.

[Effic]

My son was given them about 3 months ago. They are the most awful things I've ever seen. We were both in total shock. He threw up all over the orthodontist when he put them in. We were told to try and get them in for 22 hours plus a day. They are terrible, look awful and he can't do it. He now can't put it in his mouth without throwing up / retching. And I've decided it's simply not worth this level of anguish over a bloody overbite however severe. Yes his front teeth are more susceptible to trauma - he's already broken the front one years ago and had to have a crown but I don't care. As far as I'm concerned its emotionally and physically torturing my child and Im not doing it.

[LIZS]

You can't see Ds' unless you look hard. Maybe your dd's need adjusting?

[Tinkerbell1068]

My 15 year old son had double blocks fitted on Friday. I was shocked when they were fitted and did not expect what I saw. He has practised speaking all weekend and there is no way he could wear these at school without being teased. Sleeping is troubled. At 15yrs I am now thinking there are more important things than straight teeth, like good day at school, girlfriends. He was told to wear 24hrs a day for potentially a year if not more. He can't speak to friends and they don't understand him on skype, it maybe just a weekend but life is miserable. Please any suggestions?