Metal Mouth Message Board

I have only 6 days left of my refinements, and next week I am having my attachments removed (hooray horray) and two bonded retainers fitted (not so good). I have been told that the fixed retainers will have to be there for at least 5 years. Can anyone tell me what living with them is like as I am quite anxious. Can you feel them all the time?, and are they are nightmare when cleaning your teeth?, and does food get stuck on them ?(urgh). Sorry to ask to many questions, but I am a bit worried to say the least.

Also, although my teeth are now straight, they are a bit uneven. My orthodontist said that he can do some leveling up. Has anyone had this done? Is it painful, I assume they just file the teeth across the top to make them even and then smooth the edges (ooh the thought makes me feel quite ill).

Many Thanks

Leveling is not painful.

I'm curious about the bonded retainer too as that's what I was told I would get at the end of my treatment (a ways off...but already thinking about retainers )

Are there any alternatives to these that could be requested, hopefully for about the same cost, but that's not imerative. I've been thinking about it and really don't want anything bonded to my teeth.

I have a lower bonded retainer and had some leveling done. Levelling is fine, you don't even notice. The bonded retainer is bothersome, I've had it for about 7 months now and still play with it constantly. Food doesn't get too stuck in it though, you can buy a flosser but I dont really use them, just brush as normal.

I'm due to finish my upper trays soon and my ortho wants to put one at the top but my bottom teeth touch the back of my front teeth so i'm worried that I won't be able to shut my mouth properly.

My ortho wanted to me to use my last tray as a retainer for 3 months but i've chewed a big hole in it after 4 weeks so i'm waiting to see if he'll do it early. I let you know!