Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello all fellow braced members and soon to be braced members of the archwired.com community. My name is Tim and I have been on this site for quit some time despite the good times and the bad times. I Figured I would come back here and get some advice from members since I have always felt confident with the suggestions I've received in the past. So here goes my story:

I have had my braces off for well over 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 5 days. Almost immediately following my freedom I enlisted into the United States Air Force. I completed basic training and my training for my job "Security Forces - Law Enforcement" and was promoted to A1C Right out of basic. Fast forward to about a year. Shortly after a deployment I flew home to my home town where my family and friends were "San Diego, CA" I had noticed one night while in town that my upper Hawley retainer had snapped into two. How did it happen I wish I knew so I could avoid it ever happening again. So I figured I was back in town maybe I could stop by the orthodontic office to find out that they had closed there doors. So I haven't had any luck and I had broken retainer that I couldn't use. Fast forward to today, I have been medically discharged from the air force. Return home to San Diego, CA and now I have some issues or concerns I guess would be more like it and would like some opinions.

- I Found out that while I was gone for a year the orthodontist office re-opened. Guess they had a problem with the people they leasing the building out from. So they are back open. Now the question is. I have a new dentist I go to who also specializes in orthodontics. Should I talk to them to see if they think I need braces again or should I go back to the original ortho and see what they say. Meaning if I need re-treatment will they treat me all over again without me forking out another three grand.

Below are current pictures and captions with my concerns.



Front shot of teeth not lined up like they were when the braces first came off.




Lower shot, the front four teeth seem to have shifted a little thus causing it hard to floss in that area once again. Also there was a molar that was removed due to extreme infection causing severe pain. How did it get infected I don't know but it was removed. Now there is a gap where the molar used to be.



Uppers look good except for the molar in the far back right (left in photo) which is tilted quit a bit facing outward.




Closer front view showing the closed bit with the midline not in line like it was once braces were removed.



Midline questions.

If I were you I would want braces again and then an implant to replace the molar. If you can't afford to do that now, just get retainers for the time being. Your original ortho may give you the best deal and they know your case already.

If it were me I'd schedule a consultation with your original orthodontist. And if it were me, I would not be surprised if I needed to pay the full cost of braces again, but would hope for some sort of discount. The only way to find out for sure is by talking with them. I would guess that if you went to any other orthodontist, as far as they are concerned, you would be a new patient and I would think you would definitely pay full cost.

I also agree that you will most likely need an implant eventually. However they may be able to treat you and hold open the space until funds allow for getting one.

If you liked your old ortho office, I would go back to them. If nothing else, they know your history and have your records on file. It wouldn't hurt to ask your current dentist his fees and compare the two.

If it were me, I'd go back to the original orthodontist and see what he says. Since they have all your records already, it will be an easy consult for you. Perhaps, all you need is to wear a retainer to get your teeth back in alignment again.

Best of luck to you!

If I were u I would get several consultations from different orthos in your area and find out what you options are. Maybe use could end up with a more stable bite next time with someone else

Steph in Sac wrote:If you liked your old ortho office, I would go back to them. If nothing else, they know your history and have your records on file. It wouldn't hurt to ask your current dentist his fees and compare the two.

At first I did enjoy his office. The staff was friendly and they even worked with me in financing. The only thing I didn't like was the in accibility to his office when I broke my leg. Had to hop up a flight of stairs and the back down when done. Also he started being a jerk towards the end of treatment and really didn't care for me as a patient. Then came debrace day, he showed me my retainers, shoved em in my mouth had the assistant adjust them and that was all and went to next person. So I may give a call to hem or may check win new dentist/ortho. Anyone else got advice, sounds like majority says go to original orthodontist.

hal2me wrote:If it were me, I'd go back to the original orthodontist and see what he says. Since they have all your records already, it will be an easy consult for you. Perhaps, all you need is to wear a retainer to get your teeth back in alignment again.

Best of luck to you!

That is the problem. I had upper and lower retainers and then one day the upper snapped. So I haven't used them since. Did try to go back to orthodontist to see cost for new retainers but office was closed due to rental aggrement issues on building. They are now reopened but I haven't used or worn retainers for over a year.

did you think of going to a different doc for a new retainer?

Is there a reason you didnt keep wearing the lower if the upper is the one that broke? You can wear just one.

I would start back at the original doc but if you do not like eachother then go somewhere else.

drrick wrote:did you think of going to a different doc for a new retainer?

Is there a reason you didnt keep wearing the lower if the upper is the one that broke? You can wear just one.

I would start back at the original doc but if you do not like eachother then go somewhere else.

I did wear it then was shipped out to Iraq on first deployment well long story short it was lost somewhere in the middle of no where. So yeah I'm an idiot for losing it and bigger idiot for not asking another orthodontist if we could just get new retainers made.

I'm suprised they let you deploy with retainers at all. I think the smart thing would have been sending you to an ortho real quick to have some bonded retainers put in....but I know how hard it is getting them to pay for extra stuff like that.
I'd say go to a new ortho for a consult. Either way you'll be paying the full amount to be braced again. Theres no way the old ortho is just gonna re-treat you for free or less than what you paid the first time.
Good luck.

I would ask both and several others and compare costs. It may be beneficial to go to original ortho but even if you choose someone else they can have your records sent to the new ortho anyway. Good luck!

Thanks for all the replies. I called the Ortho office up and they don't have any record of me being a patient there. Odd well I guess I will just talk to the new dentist/ortho that I'm planning on scheduling an appoint for my annual cleaning/checkup and have a consultation with them I guess.

Go get several consults, including with your old ortho. Then you can make a decision based on the advice you receive, the costs, and the expected length of retreatment. From the pics it almost looks like you have an open bite - some of your front teeth don't touch? Is your bite comfortable? If it's not, then I would definitely do something.

I lost my retainer some time after I had moved to another state, so I couldn't go back to my original ortho. I went to see one my dentist recommended and replaced my retainer through their office. I really wish that anybody getting treated *again* could get a certain amount off, like a pain and suffering discount for having done it once already, but then it's our fault in some cases for losing or not wearing retainers lol.

BTW, it really is worth it to get multiple consults. When I went originally back in 95, I went to 3 consults. The ortho I chose for treatment wasn't the cheapest, but he was willing to treat me without surgery. I have also gone to 3 consults for retreatment.... it just depends what you want and where you're willing to bend on things and where you're not. It never hurts to get all the info you can before you make a decision.