Metal Mouth Message Board

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:18 am**

Well, today marked the beginning of the end of my braces journey. I just returned from having impressions made for a bite positioner. I asked about what it looked like, becuase I was invisioning a hinged contraption that covered all my teeth. It does not look like that at all. It is a one piece elastice appliance that covers both top and bottom teeth.

To make it they use the impressions of my teeth to make plaster casts. Then they cut the individual teeth from this cast and reposition them to the best possible positions - then they make the positioner. When I get it, I will be wearing it pretty much 24/7 for the first 4 days and then a few times during the day and all night. (Oh, by the way, my braces come off at this time!!! - October 18th, 2006)

The following week (October 25th, I go for impressions to get my Hawley Retainers made (well, this is what I asked for anyway)

And on November 1st, I pick up my Retainers.

After 1 year, 23 months and 1 day, I wonder if I will miss these little buggers... - NOT

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:10 am**

That is fabulous! Congrats! I wonder if I could benefit from a bit positioner. What is it about your bite that still need solving? Or is it just to maintain what you have?

I would love to see "after" photos if you get a chance! Oh, and a picture of the bite positioner!

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:13 am**

Great news, Attagirl

Look forward to seeing the "after" pics if you have any.

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:24 am**

Thanks folks. jc, I asked the assistant a couple of visits back about why I was getting a bite positioner and she said that my orthodontist puts all his patients into bite positioners at the end of treatment. It allows for fine tuning of the bite, plus it will correct the molar spacing where I had to have the bands placed. He is a very detailed and thourough orthodontist - good guy all around, as is his staff.

Lisa, The appliance is made by Allessee Orthodontic Appliances, so maybe you can check on line. I am not able to post pictures, other than my Avatar - maybe, what I will do is take a picture of it in my mouth when I get it and change the Avatar...

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:56 pm**

Congratulations Attagirl! The bite positioner sounds interesting. I'm glad that you had a good experience with your ortho & his staff.

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:01 pm**

Awwwww yay!!! Im so excited for you!!! I get mine off at my next appointment, which is the day after yours. I get my molds done for my upper hawley, I get my bonded retainer put on, and then off comes the braces. I go back 4 days after to get my retainers. Im surprised your braces are going to be off so long without retainers.. I guess its probably common though. Congratulations!!!

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:31 pm**

That is fantastic news, Attagirl!

I will be interested to hear about your bite positioner. I remember having a positioner post braces the first time around (25 years ago) and wonder if they are similar, or the same. You must be so pleased to be so close to the end of being braced! Congrats.

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:27 pm**

That's such great news!

I'm jealous!

Posted: **Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:21 pm**

Congratulations! So happy for you!

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:29 am**

Wow, great news Attagirl2, congratulations !

Does that mean we loose here again someone who was braced in 2004 ?
Weeeep, I am going to be the last here

...

It is awesome that your ortho is such a perfectionist. I know now all about
bites. So it is just great how your ortho does the finishing job.

Again, congratulations !

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:33 am**

Thanks everyone.

Samantha, I will be two weeks without a retainer, but I have the bite positioner to wear. The first week, as much as possible, then I go in for the retainer impressions. By then my bite should be excellent - assuming I do the bite positioner exercises! I will continue to wear it some during the day and at night, so there shouldn't be too much movement. If I find there is, I will just try and wear it more.

Congratulations to you, too!

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:58 am**

Congratulations, Attagirl!!!

And Clo:

Does that mean we loose here again someone who was braced in 2004 ?
Weeeep, I am going to be the last here Crying or Very sad ...

You're going to be stuck with me

Started my journey with the RPE in 2004, got braces in 2005. No signs of getting them off any time soon.

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:29 am**

Oh wow, this is wonderful news!

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:06 am**

Does that mean we loose here again someone who was braced in 2004 ?
Weeeep, I am going to be the last here ...!

I'll still be here, Clo.

Posted: **Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:34 pm**

Congratulations Attagirl! I'm so excited for you!!

Eve

Metal Mouth Message Board

Finally !!!

Finally !!!