Spacers before Braces?

Question

I am getting on braces in about a month, and spacers put on in about 3 weeks. First of all, what are spacers? Do they hurt and can you still eat, brush your teeth, etc.? Thanks

Answer 1

First of all congrats on your upcoming braces! Spacers are the first part of it all. They are these tiny, donut shaped elastic rubber bands that are stretched out very thin and slipped in between the molar teeth (like floss except left there) to create a space there. They are usually left for a week or two. These back teeth are where the bands will be placed. The bands are a metal ring that go around the tooth, and have a tube on the side of them that leads the arch wire through working as a guide. The spacers create a space in between your back teeth for band to slip on the tooth without having to be forced down. You may have some sensitivity after these are placed. The spacer give you the sensation of having something stuck in between your teeth very similar to what you get after eating BBQ Ribs. The only problem is you can't go floss! I usually tell the ortho patients to use Advil or Motrin for discomfort on the first day or two and to eat soft, cold things, like ice cream or smoothies. After that start slowly going back to your usual diet. Just don't chew gum or eat really sticky stuff like carmel or starburst candy. You'll need to do the same when you get your braces on next week. You can brush as usual but only floss the ones without the spacers. You should look at any discomfort as they're working, making that space for your bands to be placed! Before you know it, it'll all be over with and you'll be getting your braces on! Hope I've been of some help, good luck!

Answer 2

Spacers are usually little rubber-like bands that get wedged between your molars so that wires can be places between them.

Putting them in doesn't hurt at all. It won't hurt untill maybe 5-10 hours after they are put in. You can eat and brush your teeth, but don't floss the teeth with spacers in them. Everyone is different, some get dull aches and some unbareable pain. This can go on from 3 days to a week. Buy soft food like jello, pudding, mashed potatos, and applesauce because you might have difficulty eating.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm a dentist.

Spacers are basically rubber-like rings that they put between some of your molars in order to make space for the bands that they will place on those molars (i.e. the bands that will serve as a major anchoring point for your ortho therapy).

You might have some soreness, of course, because these spacers do push the teeth slightly, but not much. And of course, you can still brush. I don't know about flossing, though. I'm not an orthodontist.

Answer 4

spacers can be a pain. they are little rubberbands that they but between your back teeth to make space for the metal thing that holds the braces on your back tooth. the metal thing acts as a brace for your tooth to keep your braces sturdy...haha a brace for your braces. thats kinda funny.

www.sexsonorthodontics.com/spacers.JPG

the blue things are the spacers...obviously. i got braces in the 6th grade and didnt get them off untill the 8th now im in 9th! good luck with them! ♥ gus

Answer 5

To be honest..my spacers hurt rly bad..i dont know if it was just me but they hurt me more than the braces did..and one of mine fell out and i had to go back so they could put it back in..im sure u will do fine though..GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

Spacers are used to keep the space for the tooth that is suppose to come in that place. They shouldn't hurt and you can eat and brush and you'll be fine

Answer 7

My spacers never really bothered me that bad! I guess I had the urge to floss my teeth or to try to remove it for about a day or two. After getting used to them, you don't really even notice you have them in your mouth.

Luke | http://therockforddentist.com/winnebago-invisalign/

Answer 8

yes