A gap when braces are supposedly coming off?

[White Fang]

Hello forum!

My braces are supposedly coming off next week HUZAAAAAA!!!!! Sorry that just slipped out. But I am concerned, because in the three weeks since my last appointment, a gap has developed on two sides of one tooth in my lower arch, towards the front (see pic -- there is a matching gap on the other side of that same tooth.)

I already have a call in to the ortho about it, but wondered if this has the potential to delay removal... probably??!?

[Ciara]

It might but your ortho can hopefully get it (them) closed pretty quickly. good luck!

[JumpTheDitch]

I just wondered if you're wearing your 'final wire' in this pic? It looks like one of those 'cable' types wires, comprised of several smaller wires twisted together, like a coaxial cable?

I had one as my starting wire, the ortho said he used it as an initial wire because it flexed, getting the teeth ready to move. My final wire was a thick, sturdy rectangular wire; I wonder what purpose the coaxial cable type wire serves in finishing?

Im just interested to see different uses of the same tool

[White Fang]

Yes, it's supposed to be the final wire. She put it on maybe two months ago. I had a thick regular wire prior to that. I don't know why she selected that wire for the big finish, maybe because the teeth were already close to being in place? But it could explain why I'm seeing movement...

[kreyFL]

I HAD THIS, I HAD THIS!

I freaked too because I didn't have a space that big during my treatment - EVER! It showed up about 2-3 weeks before my braces came off and I do not recall why it happened, or if my ortho did something specific to get rid of it. I am 100% that it was the EXACT same spot too. It wasn't a big deal or I would have remembered more details about it - and I most certainly do not have any gaps like that now.

Nonetheless, I think it's the last hoorah for your teeth

Congrats on your de-brace day!

[White Fang]

Wow kreyFL -- thank you! That is so funny it happened to you too!

My heart just sank when I noticed this gap forming so it's really reassuring to know it happened to someone else in the final stages of treatment and was fixable. I haven't had a space this big during my nearly-two-years of treatment, also, so it was pretty freaky to see (not good freaky either)

I'll report back after I talk to my ortho!

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Maybe you're getting a hawley retainer? They can be tightened over time to fix that.