Metal Mouth Message Board

similarly, I am wearing an essix 24/7 for three months, then night time only, lower bonded. Hmmm, hope it retains! What are the 'ortho' guidelines???? 12 months full time retainer wear?

thanks for that. It was only pulled down a couple of mms and was already well and truly exposed, however, I will ask at my next appointment about retaining it long term. I think my ortho is planning to give me a hawley after my next appt which isn't until July. No talk of bonded on uppers. Thanks ag...

Hello having had my braces removed in mid March, I am now wearing an essix retainer 'full time' on my upper teeth and I have a fixed bonded retainer on the lower front six. At the end of my time in braces, the ortho pulled one of my teeth down a bit in the front. I don't think it's creeping back up,...

Wow Delag Congratulations!! I had no idea you were even close to getting it done, and I have been incommunicado for a few weeks (long story). The swelling will go down soonish! You are so brave, well done. mmh xx

Hello again, Elspeth That's what I would do - I'd get the braces arranged but before you get the braces put on, get an estimate from your orthodontist/ oral surgeon regarding length of time before surgery. If s/he thinks it will be 9 months, I'd wait a few months before you get them put on - it woul...

Hello Elspeth I have had braces (top and bottom) and jaw surgery (in Australia). I had top hospital and major dental cover through HBF health insurance. I have had insurance for years and the coverage is very good for the hospital and oral surgeon, but not that great for braces. My total cost for br...

My ortho told me to wear my essix 'full time' except when eating or drinking (anything but plain water). I'm guessing lots of patients leave it out for hours at a time during the day and put it back in at night. I am trying to wear it as much as possible during the day (and of course at night). I ha...

Thanks for all the congratulations, and yes, it is great. It is funny though, lots of people haven't noticed and it doesn't worry me, it just means I guess that they didn't really notice my teeth that much, full stop, the whole 16 months I had braces!! Surprise surprise, I am not the centre of every...

Oh dear, you poor thing, this does sound difficult. If it was me, I would definitely get another opinion as soon as possible. If you've got some before pics (from the ortho perhaps?) or even xrays, take these with you. Good luck, it would be very unfair for you to be unhappy with the result after th...

Good luck, ssspidermom! I recommend for comfort after surgery lots of pain relief - make a note of what you have and when (keep it handy) and read the packets to make sure you're not having too much. Ask your dr if s/he can prescribe you complementary pain relief (that you can take without overloadi...

Yes, it's official, they're off... On 23.11.06, surgery 17.11.07, off 12.03.08. Yippeee. Fixed bonded retainer on the bottom (six) and essix clear retainer on the top (24/7 for 3 months, then night time wear, probably followed by an upper hawley forEVER!!) The joy of getting the braces off was prett...

Well what fantastic advice, Arvensis. You are very wise! Arvensis is right about the one month being nothing in the greater scheme of things, but I can so relate to the frustration of waiting to get into see the specialist you want to, ssspidermom. Everyone good seems to have a waiting list, I am in...

Delag, That's good at least that you're back to considering options again. See what your OS says and that may help you to decide. I think any surgery is pretty invasive, so I guess you need to decide what outcome you would be happy with and go with that. Although I thought I was very prepared for wh...

Hello I have two kids now, and it took me quite a few weeks to get back to what I could call remotely full strength. Maybe if I didn't have kids I would have been back to full strength sooner (more sleep, rest etc). It's been nine weeks now and I am not taking any pain relief whatsoever, but I would...

Hello Arvensis you look great, no bruising and I don't think you look very swollen at all!! I had my surgery on 17 Nov and I think I'm still more swollen than you. My husband is the same - "I don't think you look that different", yet we almost had to get the paramedics in at my work to han...