Final Appointment Before Debracing - What Happens?

[miluti]

Howdy, folks!

I have an appointment on June 18th that'll be my last (hopefully) power-chain change. The following appointment will be where they get things all "prettied" up...from what I understand, this means grinding some areas (corners, etc) so things fit better, and whatever else needs to be done before debracing, permanent retainer mounting, and essix (clear tray) retainer fitting at the NEXT appointment.

So, this:

• June 18: Power-chain change, hopefully permission to stop wearing rubber bands at night

• July ?? (assuming): grinding corners, etc

• Aug/Sept ?? (assuming): take these dang suckers off, put in my permanent retainer, fit me for essix retainers

My question to you guys is:

What did you have happen at that second-to-last appointment? Did they grind corners? Did they smoothe anything and/or move brackets? Did they mess with your wires and/or elastics? What did you experience?

Thank you!

[sloth1204]

My second to last appointment was just like every other appointment. Then two weeks later the braces were removed and that’s when my top teeth were reshaped with the grinder.

[miluti]

My second to last appointment was just like every other appointment. Then two weeks later the braces were removed and that’s when my top teeth were reshaped with the grinder.

That's what I assumed would happen, but at my last appointment the D.A. came out with the plan in my post. She said that the "pretty/fine tuning" would be done appointment after next, and then the following appointment SHOULD (because we all know that plans can change with this process ) be debracing.

I was gonna say that I don't see how they could grind properly and look for black triangles with the braces still on, but then I remembered that the wires/power-chain come off. *sigh* Gonna be a long day.

[djspeece]

I was fitted for retainers at my next to last appointment -- my ortho could make an Essex even when the impressions were made with braces on (archwires removed). I got the snot scared out of me as well. As the tech was taking out my wires, she said "Uh oh" in that way that I used to think to myself as a nurse when things went south. Anyhow, a small gap had opened up in the front. My ortho wrapped ligature wires around the brackets on the offending teeth to pull them back together, and i then proceeded to get the impressions. He did that final touch up work on the edges once the brackets were removed at the last appointment. I had a few follow-up appointments after that, the last one being a year later. Quite memorable. Congratulations to you and best of luck!