...and they're off

[plugnickel69]

Got my braces removed. Longest appointment yet, but no pain, just a very dry mouth. Can't say it was comfortable, but really not a very big deal.

The results are amazing. For those worried about getting spots where the brackets were and being afraid to use whitening products with braces, I think it's a lot of unnecessary worrying. I whitened my teeth before being bracketed and used a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash throughout the process (Crest 3D White and/or Colgate Optic White). Braces came off and it looks like I just had them whitened!

Retainers: Upper and lower bonded, upper Essix. Eight teeth are included in the lower, six in the upper. The lower bonded is barely noticeable, the upper a little more intrusive, but not bad. My speech is not affected. Also, a wire was bonded between my canines and premolars in all four corners of my mouth -- on the outside. Not too happy about that, but not permanent. As the canines and premolars had a lot of twisting and tipping, there is great concern about relapse, so ortho is doing everything possible to keep them in place.

He said there was no reason to have a lower Essix as everything is totally stabilized. I thought I was looking at at least 3 months of 24/7 wear for the Essex, but first they told me 8 weeks, then I was told 3 weeks would be sufficient as everything is pretty much wired in. There is no pressure or pain from the upper Essix, so nothing is moving around. Note that they placed the permanent retainers before they removed the brackets, and had the Essix ready in a couple of hours. Ortho says Hawley is not a good idea as the wires would go between teeth that were moved the most and could cause problems.

I go back in 8 weeks at which time I believe they'll remove the bonded wires on the canines/premolars and take final impressions and pictures.

It's so nice to be able to eat again without food caught everywhere!!!

[JeniK]

Congratulations!! I am sure you really enjoyed your first real meal!! Good for you!! Thanks for the tip on the whiting toothpaste. I have been using it about once a day.

[plugnickel69]

I use the whitening toothpaste and mouthwash every time I brush.

[Matilda]

Congratulations on your new smile, plugnickel69.

[plugnickel69]

Thanks, it's all worth it in the end!

[plugnickel69]

Am going next week for some bonding on my upper laterals in an attempt to camouflage my "black triangles." Hope it works successfully.

Eating and cleaning up afterward is so much easier without braces!

I find that the lingual retainers are absolutely no problem. I can barely feel the lowers and am not aware of the uppers unless I'm totally unabsorbed. Gives me something to play with if I'm sitting bored at a meeting. The linguals sure seem to be keeping my teeth in place, but flossing does take a few minutes longer.

Lastly, where is everybody?

[ortholabowner]

the fixed appliances are great. was each tooth cemented to the wire?...or only on the canines? you can get slight rotations of the teeth that are not cemented, but its usually very minimal. your ortho sounds good. good luck

[plugnickel69]

the fixed appliances are great. was each tooth cemented to the wire?...or only on the canines? you can get slight rotations of the teeth that are not cemented, but its usually very minimal. your ortho sounds good. good luck

All teeth are cemented in and all contacts remain tight. My ortho wants to do his best to ensure no relapse.

[paulhawkins1971]

Congratulations

[plugnickel69]

Got my black triangles bonded. It took my dentist two tries to get a result we were both happy with, many trips back and forth between dentist and ortho. But now all is well and I'm pleased with the results. Hope the work lasts for a long time.

[SJB1138]

That's awesome, we gotta see pics!

[Realizingadream]

Hey Plug Nickel:

I've been busy with school but am back now and am soooo glad for you that the braces are off! I, too have the black triangle thing (sounds like something from a Johnny Depp pirate movie, I don't know) and I am hoping there will be a fix for that, for me.

Supposedly he'll take the braces off in January 2014. I'm not sure about that, my teeth are still moving and I thought they needed to be done moving, and then 6 months from that, the braces come off. But what do I know?

Anyway, it is great that you made it through and are happy with all of it.

Real

[upthemillers]

Hey Plug .. great news well worth it in the end eh !

[plugnickel69]

I was happy with the bonding but part just broke off and I'll have to return to the dentist. He was concerned as to how well the bonding would hold. I doubt anyone will notice.

I took a look back at my before pictures and there was no sign of any black triangles, but I think they began to open up right at the beginning of my treatment as soon as my teeth started to move.

[plugnickel69]

Hey Plug .. great news well worth it in the end eh !

Yes, my teeth would have gradually gotten worse, more out of alignment, and more worn down, so it was well worth it. Eating and keeping everything clean was somewhat bothersome, but not that big a deal. The social stigma that many of us worry about beforehand was not an issue. So far I don't mind the retainers.