![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
With braces, as of this morning (ignore the circled area...I was concerned about it for no good reason!):
![Image](http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/lilzoya3/March22.jpg)
And after removal this afternoon, here is my bite with nothing on, except my permanent retainer bonded behind my lower teeth, which you obviously cannot see.
![Image](http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/lilzoya3/Bite.jpg)
And this is with my essic retainer on top...barely noticeable! WOOT!
![Image](http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/lilzoya3/Retainer.jpg)
Now I just wear the top retainer for 3 months 24/7 except for eating, and then have a checkup with the ortho. After that, it will be top retainer only at night! Very happy!
For those just starting or in the middle: do not worry...it seems to take forever, but before you know it, you are bracefree!!
And one more note: the removal of the brackets was painful! Be prepared! It felt like they were cracking my teeth! Although, the ortho explained that it sounds/feels MUCH worse than it really it. Enamel is stronger than your bones...it is the strongest substance in the human body! Fascinating!!
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)