Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello All,

I came to this board in 2004 looking for all of the information that I could in regards to getting braced. This board guided me through my two year journey. I had my braces put on Feb. 2005 and removed May 2007. I received my retainer and was off to grin and smile in everyone's face. Six months ago, I misplaced my retainer!!!! After wearing it for years, the same one, being so responsible, I could not find it. Three months pass with no change in my teeth. I was SO happy. Until one day, I woke up, and my stupid gap was trying to resurrect it self. That day I found my retainer. I was so happy, until...I walked out of the bathroom while my 3 yr old was using the bathroom. Big mistake!!! SHE BROKE IT!
I was braced originally in California and now I live in Pennsylvania. I went to several ortho's and was told that since I was not braced in their office I would have to be remolded for a retainer and that it would cost me $800 - $1200!
After changing insurance to get the best orthodontic coverage I could find, (both HMO, PPO, and my FSA) I am going to the ortho tomorrow to get my treatment plan ready to be re-braced. I have a gap in the front and some spacing between my molars after 6 months of no retainer. A retainer at this point would not help tighten up the spaces.
I can only blame myself, but at least this time I know exactly what to expect and it shouldn't take as long to adjust.

Thanks for listening!!! (Reading!)

Oh well, on the bright side your treatment wont be as long as the last time. good luck!

I wouldn't want to go a second round. You deserve a speedy treatment and I hope all goes well. I will not do this a second time so I am planning to store my retainer in a firebox

To make you feel a bit better I am on my 3rd set of braces!! I had braces for 4 years when I was younger, then 2 yrs later had them put back on the top only as my teeth had shifted. I actually complained and refused to pay for the second round of treatment. Even after my second set and wearing the retainer consistently for a long time, as soon as I stopped wearing it they moved again.
My 3rd set of braces is not to fix my moving teeth again (as I dont care anymore) its actually to fix my open bite combined with surgery. I have had health problems which has given me no choice but to do it. Why they did not fix my narrow palate when I was younger I do not know, the orthos I have seen recently cannot believe it wasnt fixed the first time!
Sine my whole surgery journey started so many people have told me that they have had braces twice, I am finding its very very common.....

This whole process has really changed my opinions on getting braces on while young. If my children need them I would really consider not putting them on until their late teens or early 20's once they stop growing