Metal Mouth Message Board

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??!?

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

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

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...

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!

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!

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