Serendipity's Freedom - They're Off!

If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.

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serendipity
Posts: 141
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:13 pm
Location: New South Wales, Australia

Serendipity's Freedom - They're Off!

#1 Post by serendipity »

Hi Members,

Yesterday I got my braces off - It's the day that everyone of us look forward to. After a ton of adjustments, a stack of pain killers, and a million pieces of floss...15 months later... I'm naked. The debanding let me tell you is not the most pleasant experience. The braces came off easily he seemed to just snip the uppers and lowers off in about 4 clips. The sanding off of the glue was horrible ! That nasty cold sensation on your teeth makes me shiver not to mention to noise and nasty burning glue smell. The good news is though is only took 20 mins and I was done! I've been given essix retainers which are invisible and quite comfortable to wear. I have a slight lisp (not as bad as expected though) but my orthodontist said that is sure to go in 2-3 days. I'll be wearing my retainer 24/7 (excluding brushing and cleaning) for 8 weeks then just for sleeping.

When I went back into the office to get my retainers I said that eating was a dream. I explained it like driving a new car...of course driving an old car still gets you from A-B but woah when you get a new one you can really drive in style and comfort. He cracked up and said that was a good one

It feels really stange to be naked - good but weird at the same time. My teeth are sensitive and sore at the moment but I'm sure that will past. Oh an intresting thing the orthodontist said to me that it takes a couple of days for your teeth to "set" after debanding so your teeth look even better after a few days. Anyone heard of this? Didn't make sense to me.

Hope you all like the pictures...please note I'm WEARING my retainer (reason why I can't bite down completely in the second photo)...HEllo shiny teeth

~serendipity~

Before Braces:

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After Braces:

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"Welcome to wherever you are - this is your life, you've made it this far..."

In Braces for 15 months - Debanded Feb 07
Am I Enjoying It? "Hell Yes!"

sjsarre
Posts: 670
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 5:07 am
Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands
Contact:

#2 Post by sjsarre »

Your teeth look fantastic - what great movement in such a short space of time....

Congrats!
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Tasha0313
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 7:21 pm
Location: Georgia

#3 Post by Tasha0313 »

Congrats on getting your braces off! Your teeth look awesome!! :D

victory1
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:52 pm

#4 Post by victory1 »

They look nice, congratulations!!

LithpingLitha
Posts: 149
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:18 pm

#5 Post by LithpingLitha »

Your teeth look beautiful! :jump:
22 months in treatment (upper ceramics, gelb on lower arch and then self-ligating brackets), hawley retainers
LithpingLitha's Braces Story

Epyx
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:44 am
Location: Melbourne, AU

#6 Post by Epyx »

Congratulations Serendipity, that's an excellent result! I'm curious about what your ortho said about teeth setting - did you end up experiencing that? It sounds weird an counterintuitive.

I know what you mean about the sanding and the cold feeling - urrghhh. Not fun.

serendipity
Posts: 141
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:13 pm
Location: New South Wales, Australia

#7 Post by serendipity »

Epyx - I not sure about my teeth setting :? . I know they have settled down since being debanded (my gums were alittle inflamed and my teeth were sensitive). I'm abit disapointed to notice that my midline has shifted since being debanded :cry: . It's not a drastic change but I didn't do anything to deserve it. I'm really particular about wearing my retainer and can confidently say I did (and still do) were it about 23.5 hours a day. I'm sure why this has happened my teeth still fit in my retainer perfectly... :?

~serendipity
"Welcome to wherever you are - this is your life, you've made it this far..."

In Braces for 15 months - Debanded Feb 07
Am I Enjoying It? "Hell Yes!"

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