Debanding date is FOUR days away.

[mzachary]

I am FREAKING OUT because my deband date is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. The reason that I am afraid is because I don't think my teeth feel stable enough to be released yet. It was only March when I posted this rant and I definitely want to make sure that my teeth are in the perfect position: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... 13&t=44275

I've read some of the other posts here and it seems that x-rays are standard operating protocol prior to debanding. That's NOT what my orthodontist did. He just told me to bite down at my last appointment and told me that I was ready. I'm scared and I'm seriously considering pushing the deband date to June...just to be safe.

[MrsCharisma]

I read your last post. I think it's easy for us (the non-professionals) to think linearly. A then B then C. And like someone else commented there, there's no real way the ortho can *know* what will happen and in what time frame. You plan for one thing and the teeth do another.

With that said though, you have control over when you're debanded. If you're not ready, don't get them removed. It's exciting to think about the end of wearing braces but really, if the teeth aren't "done" and in correct position, etc then it's best to push back being brace-free.

Good luck!

[kennyandrew85]

Teeth are never stable in braces.

As long as they are in braces, they are being forced into a position they might not want to be.

For most patients, retainers are now being advised to be worn every night for the rest of your life for this reason.

If you are happy with the position of your teeth then get them off, the retainers will put any movement back and staying in braces won't really help stability.

[bmueller]

I'm not really sure getting X-rays is an indicator that you're done. I never had x rays taken just before getting braces off... only after I was done.

Again, its up to you. If you feel something is off, make sure you get it addressed before being done.

Teeth are never in a final stable position, even in braces. I was wearing elastics, then told I was done with them and after a week of not wearing them, the teeth reverted to where they were a month prior. Now I'm back in elastics again. Just because you're in braces doesn't mean teeth are not mobile.