Usually just a week or two, as I understand it, depending on how quickly your teeth move.

When I had spacers, they had me make 2 appointments, 1 week apart.  1 for spacers, 2nd for banding.

The spacers are on!

I went in this morning and signed the paperwork. After that they took me back for records, which consisted of photos of me smiling and a profile shot. Then the photos were in the chair. They had hand held retractors for each side and took pictures of every angle they could, even some with a mirror in my mouth to get each arch.

Next was impressions. They had me bite down on a piece of wax that was u shaped to see how my teeth meet (in my case don't meet). Next was the impression paste of the lower, then upper jaw. I had to keep my mouth open with my chin downtrying not to drool on the hands of the lovely assistant/tech.

 Next, the spacers/separators went in. They are baby blue but only noticeable if I yawn. They have only been in an hour , but I feel the pressure already. It is not bad just noticeable. I find myself biting down softly to feel them move and even running my tongue against them.

I uploaded pictures on my Instagram. The name is Tin_man_80

The braces go on in 12 days, the 16th of august.

Feel free to share comments and questions. 

I am 100% excited. Partially because I've waited so long and also because these spacers are really annoying. So many people have told me the spacers are worse than the braces. The metal cannot come soon enough for me.

I had to replace my own spacer last night. It had come loose after eating some Chinese food. I could feel, and when I got home, see the center hole as it hung down between my molars.  I decided to take it out and try to replace it as today is my busiest day of the week.

I removed it with tweezers. Next I put two pieces of thread through opposite sides to stretch it enough to make it fit again. It worked well enough but I noticed that it was worn down at one point of the loop. It will be interesting to see if it lasts another week.

It felt so good to have it out for a few minutes.

Best of luck! I'm sure it'll go perfectly smoothly.

Definitely record some videos, if for no other reason than your own review when it's all over.

They are on!
It took just over an hour. I took a farewell video of my naked teeth and went into the office.

I brushed and used the bathroom to put some protection on in case my excitement spilled out.

The assistant removed spacers on each molar testing band sizes for each before repeating the process. Then she removed each band to glue it in place. Next was the etching on each tooth. After that the head orthodontist came in to position the brackets. She admitted to being a perfectionist. (I hope so!)

After she left the assistant cured the glue with the blue light gun.

Then came the archwires and my choice this first time silver ligatures.

I got the brushing instructions and the foods talk and scheduled my next appointment 8 weeks from now on Oct. 10th.

Pictures and vids are on Instagram. Tin_man_80

Congrats on making it happen!

Wow, eight weeks to your next adjustment? Seems like a long time. Carrie only goes six weeks between adjustments.

I was surprised about that too. I don't know if it wok always be that long in between.