Time frame between impressions and permanent retainers?

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#1 Post by **mudderfly77** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:54 pm

Hello!

I'm scheduled to get impressions on Thursday for my permanent (metal bonded to back of teeth) retainers. They will be for both my top and bottom teeth, and I will still have my braces on during the impressions process. My orthodontist is a man of few words. He has not told me when the braces will come off, and has given me no indication as to how long it will take to get the permanent retainers made...I'm so excited and I need to know! I would greatly appreciate anyone who can give me their personal timeframes for this, I know they will vary!

Thank you,
Leslie

#2 Post by **BoSox2008** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:51 pm

first of all - congrats!!

I'm sure all orthos are different, but here is my experience: my appointment for impressions is on July 25th (with the braces still on) and my appointment to deband, attach permanent retainers, and get my removeable retainers is the following week on August 2nd.

My advice - call your orthodontist and explain that you have set up the appointment for impressions, but also need to set up a debanding appointment due to summer scheduling (or something like that) - that way you will know how long you have to go!!

Best of luck : )

#3 Post by **mudderfly77** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:42 pm

Thank you so much for responding! I would be absolutely elated if I could get these suckers off a week from this Thursday. I will be following your advice about fishing out a "time left" response. What a great idea!

Thanks again

#4 Post by **joplin** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:50 pm

I had my bonded retainer (on lowers) put on immediately after the braces were off. When I went in to get debanded they had the lower bonded retainer ready: the lower impression was done at the appointment before that.

The upper bonded retainer was put on the next day after I had expressed my own worries about not wearing one, taking into consideration how badly my lateral incisors were rotated in the beginning of the treatment.

Good luck and congratulations!

#5 Post by **mudderfly77** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:11 am

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I just called my ortho and the receptionist said it just really depends on the person how quickly they will deband after impressions. She said occasionally they will put the bonded retainers on and still have you wear your braces a while (better not try that with me!) Other times it is just a week between impressions and debandment. So basically it'll be one to six weeks...geez. I have so many events coming up in July that require lots of photographs. I'm hoping for a miracle.

I will find out tomorrow...and I'll let you know!

#6 Post by **mudderfly77** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:18 pm

Update: I went to the ortho today for the impressions. Being the talkative and informative Dr. that he is (not!) he simply told me, "We're going to have bonded retainers made from these impressions." Then he just walked away and started working on the next patient. Of course I knew what the impressions were for; I wanted to know WHEN are these suckers coming off?! I told the assistant that I really wanted the braces off and was hoping to get them removed within two weeks. She checked with him, and he reluctantly agreed. She said he was trying to put me off because he's afraid of getting his schedule too packed. (There were several open debandment slots for the next few weeks). Jerk!

So if anyone else ever wonders about the time frame between impressions and debandment, the answer is, whenever you want it to be! (pending the ortho has a slot open for you!) Sometimes you've just gotta put your foot down.

I don't think orthos realize how much we agonize and how excited we get when we are nearing the end. It is so cruel to not give us any type of update or game plan.

Good news is...I'm getting them off in a week! I'll post pics!