Metal Mouth Message Board

So, I'm happy with my teeth and the little things I wanted fixed are now fixed and I want my braces removed. But it seems that my ortho has another agenda entirely... how can I make him remove my braces? Or what should I know about getting my braces removed that might be a reason to keep them?

I started my bite setting, which I have no idea what that means, maybe 2 months ago if that is any indication of where I am.

What does your ortho say still needs doing?

Roots move more slowly than the crowns, so even when your teeth look like they are in the right position the braces still need to be on in order to keep them in position while the roots catch up.

On the other hand if you want them off then you can just insist that your ortho takes them off.

BallPointPen wrote:What does your ortho say still needs doing?

Roots move more slowly than the crowns, so even when your teeth look like they are in the right position the braces still need to be on in order to keep them in position while the roots catch up.

On the other hand if you want them off then you can just insist that your ortho takes them off.

He's never really given me a clear answer... I'm going to question him more throughly on the 10th when my next checkup is. As for keeping my teeth in position while the roots catch up... wouldn't that be the retainers job?

Hey,

I'm having the same issue - I just want mine off too. My ortho keeps moving the date when they will come off (it's different everytime I go). Let me know if you find a way to get a straight answer from your ortho - good luck!

I don't remember much from my brace day, but i do remember quite vividly one thing the tech said to me: "Orthodontist are the pickiest people in the world".

Anyway---can't hurt to ask why you are still wearing braces, and if it were me I would literally say: "Why am i still wearing these?".

I too have "fallen out of love" with my brace.

Ah, I remember the early heady exciting days together, when my brace did so much for me, but now it's become lazy and boring (to me) and I want rid of it.

It's funny how patience runs thin towards the end but I guess we'll get there eventually, best to part on the best of terms!

Regards
Joney

Okay, I get that the roots need to stabilize, but did anyone here answer the question: Why can't the retainers do that?
Can't you just wear your retainer 23/7 and have the same effect?

Not to hijack the discussion and make it about me, (ok that's exactly what I'm doing), but I think there's a fine line between laying down the law with your orthondontist and alienating him or her. I am still kind of confused about how they think. Like: I've already given him my $$$, he must have the incentive to get me out of his chair and put some new patient in there. But, I think orthos are perfectionists. And they want to get it right for their own reputations.
Whenever I would ask my doctor about a timeline, he would get really jovial and treat me like a little kid saying "are we there yet?" finally, I reminded myself that I am NOT a child, I am an adult, a professional, and deserve to be treated like one. So, I left him a rather brusque message demanding some sort of "exit strategy" -- which I immediately regretted of course, but...
Anyway, (I think as some sort of compromise) he took out my awful appliance which was supposed to be in for 3 months, so I only ended up wearing it 7 weeks, and gave me a prognosis of 4 months (which I don't believe for a minute of course)
One option would be to say to your doctor: I don't need it to be perfect. Just do what you can in the next 6 months.
Or: Can I switch to Invisalign?
If anyone has any insight about why retainers can't stabilize the roots of your teeth, please chime in!!

It's not just stabalizing the roots, but torquing them into their proper position.

Retainers are not able to do that as this requires grabbing the tooth surface and twisting the roots in or out.

You also posted in your original that you were "starting your bite setting". It sounds like your ortho is adjusting your bite. This is extrememly important and if braces are removed before the bite is right, your teeth will move around even with retainers.

How long have you had your braces? If it's only been a few months, that would seriously effect your result, if it's been 18 months or more you're probably just about done. My teeth looked fantastic after 4 months, but I had my bite worked on for 16 additional months.

Hey, I got the courage to talk to my ortho seriously about this, and they told my my teeth are done (still not sure why I was wearing them if they're done).... so braces are off in 9 weeks! hurray!

I hope you get the courage to talk to your ortho too. Don't let them brush you off.