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I know I don't post here a lot, and never post pictures, but I just wanted to post about my debracing. I went in today and they just popped those suckers right off, no problem. Then they scraped the excess cement off, and then used some kind of electric sander thing to get the rest of the cement off. Then I had impressions made for my retainers. The assistant asked the ortho if they would be Essix or Hawley. He said Essix. I kind of wanted Hawley because I heard they are better. When I asked about this, they said Essix was good, and basically they only give Hawley's to people whose gums are very swollen when they get their braces off. Anyway, the ortho said I could also use the Essix as bleaching trays, which is great. I wanted to do whitening, but didn't want to pay the high prices. I already have the whitening gel, so with the Essix retainers, I can just do it myself. Anyway, I go back tomorrow to pick up my retainers. I wasn't real excited about getting the Essix, but I am now looking forward to it so I can start my whitening right away. I was worried they would get cloudy looking, but who really cares since I only have to wear them at night anyway. I will post a picture as soon as I get around to taking one! I am so attached to this site after 15 months, I know I will continue to read it!
Hurray! I am hoping this is me in a few months. Let us know how you like the essix. I am supposed to get essix on top and hawley on the bottom. I think I have to wear them 24X7 though ....
Spacers: 1/26/05; 2/6/06; 3/15/06; 4/24/06
4 First Bicuspids removed: 2/2005
Metal Braces, top and bottom: 3/1/05; Debanded 7/26/07
Hawley retainers top and bottom
Thanks for all of the good wishes everyone. Well, I have used the whitening gel for two nights in a row now and have not noticed a difference. Hopefully it is going to work. Have to admit though, I'm not loving the Essix retainers. When I take them out in the morning, it feels like my back teeth do not meet when I bite down. This goes away after a few hours. I think I will ask about getting Hawley retainers, although I'm sure I will have to pay for them. Then I can just use the Essix for whitening purposes.
