Coil thingie on braces?

Question

I have a coil thing on the front of my braces. My teeth had gaps, and they are makin the gaps wider so they can put fake teeth in. The coils are on my wire. They are where the two gaps are widening, on either side of my two front teeth. Why do they do that? And why the heck does it hurt so much?!!? And when it gets closer to my ortho appointments, I notice thats its very much looser than when they first put it on, does that mean my teeth are movin?!!?

Answer 1

The spring is to gradually open a gap between your teeth. it is used in orthodontics because it is an easy and comparatively un-painful way to create gaps in you teeth.

three spring types are used - expanding springs (like you have), contracting springs (which close gaps in your teeth) and maintaining springs (which stop a gap from changing in position)

if the spring feels looser that means it has less stress on it than it originally had, which means your teeth have moved.

the pain your experiencing is also because your teeth are moving. while they are moving they are more sensitive to pressure.

the pain will reduce gradually as they move to where they are meant to go and stay there. hopefully less than a week after you got the spring on.

until then try panadol or other paracetomel pain relievers.