Braces OFF! Pictures and some Questions, PLEASE LOOK!

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#1 Post by **instantclassik** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:28 pm

So after 2 years and 2 1/2 months of braces, I finally got them off! Only have a clear temporary top retainer at the moment, still waiting on the final ones. Over the last 3 months or so, I've noticed a little bump in my gums between my teeth, as pictured below. Does anyone know what this could be? I'm kind of worried, but my orthodontist didn't say anything when he was smoothing my teeth (He must have noticed it). Thanks for any replies to my question.

#2 Post by **oceanblue** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:28 pm

That bump in your gum could come from not brushing 100% faithfully while you were in braces. Sometimes gums "grow" between brackets/bands like that due to braces. Maybe give it a week or two of really good brushing and see if it gets better? Or, if it hurts, I'd go to a dentist to have them take a look ......

#3 Post by **joney** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:33 pm

I don't know what the bump is but just wanted to say that your teeth look nice. I imagine the ortho isn't too concerned about it our they would have mentioned it, maybe it will settle down. You could also mention it at your next dental check up.

Curious about what they were like when you started out.

#4 Post by **Tasha0313** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:42 am

instantclassik -

I had a bump in my gums similar to the one you have, but it was right at my front teeth. I talked to my dentist about it and he said that sometimes the gums can get puffy from movement of the teeth and that if it didn't go away in 6 months after braces removal, I could have it removed, but it would be considered cosmetic. I got my braces off in January and it's gone now. When you go in for you next cleaning, you might want to mention it, but it will probably go away once your teeth settle.

#5 Post by ***Denise*** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:29 pm

Great pic and midline!

#6 Post by **instantclassik** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:37 pm

Thanks for the replies, anyone else have any idea what the bump is and what it's called?

#7 Post by **MsViola** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:44 pm

Congrats on the removal!!!

Try not to worry too much about your gums. If it doesn't get better it can be fixed. My gums are very healthy, but I have 4 very "puffy" looking areas (both sides of 2 teeth) which actually come down below the bracket. It is not painful, but I don't like it. My Ortho says I have about 2mm of excess gum tissue that will probably need to removed if the problem doesn't get better by the time the braces come off. So for now I use the waterpik, floss (sometimes

). brush and use mouthwash. The tissue over my front teeth has receded and looks much better now so I am still hopeful.

Take care!

#8 Post by **instantclassik** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:00 pm

Hey guys thanks for the replies. Got my final retainer today, trying to get use to talking in it. Is it normal to ONLY have a top retainer?

#9 Post by **instantclassik** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:54 pm

#10 Post by **instantclassik** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:54 pm

Also, he told me I can wear either my Essix OR Hawley retainer but suggested I wear Essix during day at Hawley at night. I found that they both fit differently, for instance if I wear the Essix for a while, the Hawley will be tight when I put it on, and vice versa. Is this normal?

#11 Post by **lildave** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:28 pm

I had the same gum inflamation in the exact same spot when I got my braces removed about a year ago. It went away in honestly a few weeks or upto one month but it will go down. My ortho told me that it was caused by my teeth moving and my gums moving along with them. But don't worry, it will go away with no problems. And as for the retainer, mine fit me in different ways as well so I just stuck with the metal one (forgot which one that was called) and wore them not as religiously as I should, but my teeth haven't moved so I guess that's a good thing! I wore mine about maybe 12 hours a day for the first three to four months then I just switched to wearing them at night. Now, if I may go a few days without wearing them but they're in great shape still!!!

BTW you're teeth look great! Congrats!

#12 Post by **lildave** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:29 pm

I had the same gum inflamation in the exact same spot when I got my braces removed about a year ago. It went away in honestly a few weeks or upto one month but it will go down. My ortho told me that it was caused by my teeth moving and my gums moving along with them. But don't worry, it will go away with no problems. And as for the retainer, mine fit me in different ways as well so I just stuck with the metal one (forgot which one that was called) and wore them not as religiously as I should, but my teeth haven't moved so I guess that's a good thing! I wore mine about maybe 12 hours a day for the first three to four months then I just switched to wearing them at night. Now, if I may go a few days without wearing them but they're in great shape still!!!

BTW you're teeth look great! Congrats!

#13 Post by **instantclassik** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:06 am

^ Thanks. Hopefully it goes away soon..