When to Stop Seeing Ortho

[JillD]

It has been over a year since I got debanded. I have to pay $45 as a retention fee whenever I see my ortho now. I feel $45 is too expensive for her-less-than-5 minutes with me. All they do is just checking my permanent retainers. Is there a way I can check them myself?

[jem]

Hi Jill,

I am at about the same timing as you and will not see my ortho again. I will rely on my twice yearly check up with my general dentist plus having a good look at my bonded retainer once a week with a dental mirror.

I also wear a hawley at night. I have recently increased the hours of hawley wear back to about 10 after it started to feel tight when I had dropped down to 6 or 7. I cannot see any evidence of the fixed retainer having become unstuck and believe that there must be a certain amount of "give" with the bonded retainer. I must say that having a removable retainer as well gives me reassurance that my teeth won't be shifting if my bonded retainer has come unstuck without me noticing.

Jem