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Original poster

Twin block braces- should we persevere?

50 replies

Luckye · 18/04/2013 08:36

Help I am really worried that my dd is going through hell with twin blocks and that it's maybe not necessary. Are twin blocks used purely as a cosmetic treatment to improve profile? My dentist referred us to nhs as she has overbite of 10mm but her profile looked ok before the twin blocks were in place. I'm just worried that we've put her through an ordeal purely for a minor cosmetic improvement. My main concern is that she will loose confidence as her speech is so impaired - it is only day 3 so I am hoping it gets better. Is there a medical reason for jaw to be aligned. Her overbite up til now has not caused her any problems. Any advice please. Also how long will she need to wear the twin block? Dentist has been very vague on this point. My dd is coping with her brace quite well considering she can't eat, sleep or talk well but I don't think either of us will cope if it goes on for too long!

OP posts:

clicketyclick66 · 14/05/2014 19:30

I'm sorry for bringing up an old thread, but I'm so relieved to find this. My dd aged 11 got twin blocks today. She is a little distressed at the moment, however the orthodontist said she can take them out when at school for 2 weeks then she must wear them 24/7.

She is struggling to talk and is feeling a bit of pain where the wire wraps around one of her back teeth. I gave her Calpol. I hope it gets better!

clicketyclick66 · 14/05/2014 20:47

I wish I could wear her twin blocks and suffer her discomfort instead! She's whinging and my heart is going out to her. She is such a good girl and understands why she has to wear them and will not rebel against wearing them (like I know my ds would!). But I'm nearly in tears myself.
However, I've been reading this thread out to her (twice so far!) and we know it will be much better in a few days.

Rhinosaurus · 14/05/2014 21:03

Yes yes yes!! It is so worth it - show your daughter my son's before (left) and after (right) impressions. He had to wear twin blocks at 12 for 18 months then train tracks for two years, he is now 17 and still has perfect teeth.

At first he struggled with saliva and dribbling, and jaw ache (give paracetamol) bit after a week he barely noticed he had them in.

Tooth hygiene extra important and no sugary drinks as the teeth are more susceptible to decay when wearing braces.

Please show her the pics - she will see it's worth persevering!

clicketyclick66 · 14/05/2014 21:51

Rhinosaurus, I just cannot thank you enough for your post! Wow, I can't believe the difference they made to your ds's teeth - my ds says it looks like he could be very handsome :grin:

She has read your post and taken it all in!

Rhinosaurus · 14/05/2014 22:04

An even more impressive view!

When he had his first, the orthodontist had a similar set which he showed my DS which was a huge motivator.

They had initially thought they might need to extract teeth and even surgically break his jaw, but there was no need because the twin blocks worked so well.

Also tell her, this would cost her thousands if she was over 18!!

Rhinosaurus · 14/05/2014 22:05

The orthodontist gave me the impressions and they have sat on my desk for two years now lol I knew they would come in handy....

Mrsmorton · 15/05/2014 12:33

Great pics rhino

EllieFredrickson · 15/05/2014 20:17

Clickety

My DD had her twin blocks when she was 12 and the first few days were truly awful. Lots of tears and she struggled to get them in and out and to go to sleep with them. I felt really bad and wished we'd never started. However they do soon get used to them I promise and if worn all the time have a dramatic impact quite quickly. Your DD (like mine) sounds sensible and you have to sell it as the more you wear the quicker you'll be free of them.

I assume she'll be moving onto twin tracks. In my DD's opinion (and mine) these aren't as bad as the twin blocks so hopefully this will be the worst bit.

Good Luck!

clicketyclick66 · 16/05/2014 13:43

Thanks Ellie! I'll get her to read your post when she gets home from school. She wore them in bed last night and surprisingly slept well, but I took them out for school (as instructed by her orthodontist). She will move onto train tracks in about 18 months.

So day 3 today, I'll see how it goes/

Can I ask what your dc ate in the early days while wearing the twin blocks? She tried once and got so distressed I had to remove them, so she hasn't eaten with them on yet!

Sallystyle · 16/05/2014 16:43

My son had them for almost a year.

The first two weeks were hell. He was weepy, uncomfortable and self conscious. After two weeks he forgot he had them in most of the time.

He did always have to take them out to eat as he couldn't manage to eat with them in like they wanted him to. It made the world of difference to his face.

Rhinosaurus · 16/05/2014 17:21

I believe they are meant to take them out to eat, and clean their teeth after eating, before putting them in so that food doesn't get stuck in them and cause decay.

Sallystyle · 16/05/2014 19:24

my orthodontist said he wanted DS to wear them to eat as it might delay treatment but it was impossible and yeah, you would keeping them in while eating would cause more problems.

clicketyclick66 · 16/05/2014 22:32

That's great to know, dd tried again this evening and she just couldn't chew or swallow! Her orthodontist said he wanted her to keep them in while eating, but I'm pleased to know all your dc got great results after taking them out to eat!

DD is pleased too!

clicketyclick66 · 16/05/2014 22:33

This thread is going to be my bible!

clicketyclick66 · 17/05/2014 19:55

Day 4 today. My dd is taking out the twin blocks every time she has to eat which has been 3 times today so far - I'm wondering will that wear down the enamel on the teeth the wires connect to?
I won't be seeing the orthodontist until 6 weeks time, I'm sure he will see if any damage has been done. But can I ask you if your dc's teeth remained ok with all the removing and replacing?

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 17/05/2014 19:59

DD was supposed to leave hers in to eat but didn't manage. No damag happened ffrom the taking them in and out. She's completed her treatment since I last posted on this thread and has the most fantastic teeth, unbelievable the difference it has made.

clicketyclick66 · 17/05/2014 20:28

Thanks for your reply, Wynken!

Mrsmorton · 17/05/2014 20:47

Three times a day won't damage the enamel clickety don't worry about that side of things.

EllieFredrickson · 17/05/2014 21:39

Clickety

Sounds like it's getting better already - great to hear.

My DD was told to take hers out to eat. Soft food at the start as her jaw ached. Same now with the twin tracks - soft food for the couple of days after a tightening.

One thing I don't miss is the smell of the box they went in and the regular disinfecting! Think the ortho gave us some expensive steriliser tablets for braces but found normal steradent for false teeth just as effective and much cheaper.

Renniesmum · 31/07/2014 18:26

Hi,
My 14 year old ds has recently started wearing these. Problem we are having is he keeps breaking the lower one because he is constantly flicking it against his bottom teeth. We are on our second one which lasted two days. The ortho is on holiday and place is shut for two weeks. My own dentist's lab repaired it of me and that lasted a day before he broke it in a new place this afternoon. He says he can't stop flicking it, despite us constantly on at him. Has anyone else had this issue? Also, I presume there is no point in him wearing the top one on its own?

Thanks!

Daisybelleblue · 30/04/2015 19:36

Hi all I haven't posted for ages, just to say we've done it and the next visit to the orthodontist is to have his wire braces removed,
don't ever give up. It's worth it in the end :-)

Saltysailor · 19/07/2016 09:20

Twin blocks for kids. My young daughter will be fitted with these in 5 days . What should I expect lots of tears and fears?worried...

Saltysailor · 19/07/2016 09:23

Can any of you post pics of before and after of your kids twin blocks?

Carodl · 07/10/2017 16:29

My 13 yr old dd has just been fitted with twin block braces and like everyone else describes is on day 2 and really struggling. She has a 10mm overbite. I had the same mouth as her as a child with the SAME overbite. So I guess my question is why the need for this type of brace? Why have a 13 year old girl who is already embarrassed by her mouth, go through something which makes her look 10x worse and has already resulted in teasing at school? They managed to fix my mouth with railway braces and elastics in the 80's with absolutely no need to be put through this type of procedure first. I am feeling quite angry about it and on the verge of asking for a second opinion as I am walking proof that you should not have to go through this - in fact using this procedure plus railway braces afterwards adds on an extra 9 months to the whole procedure and I am often complimented on my smile so the result from the 'normal' braces were fabulous. Can anyone explain the rationale behind this procedure to me? Many thanks :)

PoppyPopcorn · 08/10/2017 09:48

We've been through the twin blocks with DD and are out of the other side.

They do take some getting used to. You need to encourage her to give it longer. Yes her speech will be "weird" but this will improve, and from my experience she will be feeling more self-conscious than anything else and other people barely notice. The excess saliva will calm down. Taking them in and out will get easier too.

If your DD has qualified for her treatment on the NHS then yes it's not purely cosmetic as the NHS does not fund cosmetic cases. Having twin blocks at 13 when many of her peers have them is much easier than at 23 or 33 when they don't, and she'd have to pay for it herself.

Keep going. Back to the orthodontist if she's really struggling but encourage wearing them at all times and that will minimise the overall time she has to wear them. DD had hers for six months only.

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