Metal Mouth Message Board

I am a 46 yo male and have braces for my third time.Twice in my 30s.First time for 2 years,then again about a year later due to relapse.This time mostly due to lower front tooth that just won't stay put! Have 8 clear brackets on top & 8 metal on bottom.Dr.says 10-12 months, will be some form of elastics at some point.This time he will use permanant retainer on bottom,not sure about top.

Not sure I'd call it dedication or fear of long term problems,but am glad ? to hear Dr is going to try perm retainer. Have heard and read pros & cons but just ready for teeth to stay put! Thanks for your post KK.You seem to be lots of help to everyone.

Good to hear you will have a permanent retainer. Hopefully you won't have another relapse. 3rd time in braces must be annoying...but you have to do what you have to do

Good luck with you treatment and you will be out of the braces in no time. 10-12 months isn't bad at all.

Carzfrm60s, did you wear retainers after the previous treatments and still have relapses, or weren't you told to keep wearing them? I thought the retainers would keep things in place, but maybe not if work is done past childhood years? I'm new to this board also, older & don't have braces yet, and wondering if it's worth it all if it could relapse afterwards!

Wore hawley retainers first for several years. They didn't hold bottom very well.Went back into braces for a year then did the clear retainers.About six months ago had to have 2 crows on bottom back couldn't wear retainer for about 3-4 weeks.Thats when the pesky bottom front tooth decided to show it's strength and moved forward again.Dr. tried to use a hawley to pull it back,but no go,so here we are again with braces! Hopefully with permanant retainer Third times a charm!

Wow -- you've sure got a strong-willed tooth there! Good luck this time around!