Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi all,

I haven't been on this site for a little while (it was a great help when I was starting out though!).

I've been having a look around tonight and reading some other posts has left me wondering something.

I went for my first checkup appointment last week and my ortho had a little look around while mumbling "we've a long way to go".

He then told me that in January he was going to replace my top wire with a square wire for added "torque". As far as I can tell these wires are usually used for people who are entering the final stages of treatment.

My top teeth are generally in quite good shape and only ever needed a slight adjustment to the arch.

So i'm wondering... Does this sound to anyone like my ortho is planning to remove my top brace before the bottom one? Does this happen? I was always under the impression that braces come off all at the same time.

Obviously I'll ask him at the next appointment what his intentions are (it didn't occur to me at the time) but I would appreciate any educated speculation.

Well, my ortho said (if I'm lucky) 12 months for my top brace, but at least 18 for the bottom.

So I think that they can come off at separate times. Mine went on a month apart after all.

I've had a square upper wire for 8 months, and there's been significant movement during that time.

Kind of kills the "almost done" theory, hey?

MMG