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I have finished my first month with braces and go for my first adjustment next week. When they put my braces on, I was in cheek retractors the whole time, I suspect a ploy to not let me talk. I took them out to ask a question and the hygienist was not too happy with me. Resorted to writing on paper.
Question: will they put in cheek retractors for the adjustments also?
Any advice on how to talk / ask questions while they are in? When they put them in, they never say what they are going to do next so I never know when is the right time to start talking.
Also is there a way to search threads on this board using only the message subject?
I never had that torture device except the days they put my braces on. So I would have to say no based on my experience they do not use them for adjustments.
They use the retractors when putting the braces on because your teeth have to be dry and prepared for the glue to adhere well. That's why they spend all that time preparing your teeth. By removing the retractors you made the assistant have to do her work over again.
You wont have them for regular adjustments unless you break something or unless they didn't put all your brackets in the first time.
cvn wrote:They use the retractors when putting the braces on because your teeth have to be dry and prepared for the glue to adhere well. That's why they spend all that time preparing your teeth. By removing the retractors you made the assistant have to do her work over again.
You wont have them for regular adjustments unless you break something or unless they didn't put all your brackets in the first time.
This is absolutely correct. The bonding process is extremely technique sensitive. It requires perfect isolation of the teeth from the tongue, cheeks, and saliva. Any slight contamination will compromise the process.
Dr. Jason Tam
Toronto Invisalign, Scarborough braces, and Markham Orthodontist
Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider
Thrice Published in the Invisalign Case Gallery
I'm pretty sure I've had to put the cheek retractors in at each adjustment....the last one for sure, but one of my brackets loosened, so that was why. I didn't realize cheek retractors were so different. At my ortho office, they use the old timey ones that you have to hold in place yourself. Some of the ones I just saw through a Google search look downright painful! I usually don't talk once they start examining my teeth and appliances. I try to ask the questions that popped up beforehand, and if others pop up later, I just ask after the fact. Sometimes the ortho assistants talk to me though as if I can talk back...that always confused me because I thought you were supposed to be quiet when they're doing their job, lol
Braced (upper and lower): 10/29/08
Debraced: 3/17/10
Now sportin' a permanent bottom retainer
Alternate clear retainers every 12 hours
