Clear Wire Question

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#1 Post by **Temps75** » Fri May 15, 2009 4:02 pm

Hey all! Haven't been around in a while. Treatment is going great. The only thing is, I'm headed to Italy on September 7, and going to be there for 9 months while studying abroad. My ortho said this wouldn't be a problem, he would just tie down my braces and we'd pick back up where we left off.

Only problem for me is--I'm a vain person (partially why I wanted braces in the first place). I have considered just getting them off early, but I think that would be unwise. I do have the clear braces, but I still have metal on the bottom, and the metal wire with clear brackets on the top.

What I think I'm going to do, which is probably the most realistic option to hide the braces as much as possible (i really don't want my pictures from my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have braces in them), is request a clear wire. My orthodontist doesn't have or use the clear wires, so what do you guys think would be the best way to request it?

He's an amazingly understanding guy, so I'm not too worried about his reaction, but how would I go about requesting a clear wire? I'm definitely willing to pay an extra price to get those special ordered, but I know they aren't rare, and my teeth will not be moving at all while I'm over there anyways, so what do you think his reasons would be for me to not get a clear wire?

Anybody had anything like this happen before?

I've been doing some research and clear wires can get really expensive, but if it's just a wire to be holding my teeth in place, couldn't I just get the basic clear (or white) archwire?

Opinions? Experiences?

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Fri May 15, 2009 5:54 pm

I don't have first hand experiences with white wire, but I have read other posts here and one of the complaints was that the white coating chipped off after awhile. IMHO, that would look worse then just sticking with the plain old silver wire. But it sounds like you have done your research so maybe there are other types of wires that are not coated. As for how to ask your ortho---just ask, and explain your case. I don't see why he would have a problem with it.
As for my opinion, if it were me (and I also have clear brackets on my upper 6), I would opt for wire ties all the way around. Two reasons. First, I would be worried about ligs holding up for 9 months. At worst they would be horribly discolored and second I would be paranoid about them coming off somehow. Wire ties would definitely not discolor and it would take some effort for them to come off. You say that your ortho is going to "tie down your braces", so maybe this is the plan anyway.
No matter what you choose, have a great time, and don't worry about your braces in the photos. Unless all your photos are extreme close-ups, clear brackets are nearly invisible from a distance---especially in photos.

#3 Post by **Andromeda** » Fri May 15, 2009 6:06 pm

When I first got braces I asked about the tooth colored wire and he hadn't seen them before but he said he'd check into it for me. He had no problem finding it and ordering it for me - no extra charge. Then I moved across the country so I had to get a new ortho and he only uses a specific type of bracket and wire so I didn't have a choice. It's probably just up to the ortho. Did you consider getting the braces off and having retainers for the time you are gone since it's a pretty long time and then getting rebraced when you come back??

#4 Post by **Temps75** » Fri May 15, 2009 6:39 pm

Thank-you both for your input!

Andromeda - I have contemplated that option (braces removed, retainer, braces back on), but my insurance only covers braces once, and I think that would probably screw it up. I would love to do that, but it would be very, very expensive I think.

TumblyDryLow - The two types of wires I found: one was clear, so it didn't have paint on it, so it's pretty much invisible. the other was one with a white paint but it's the kind that doesn't chip (didn't know those existed.) Anyway, I think it would be doable, as I could order either one of those myself, but we would have to see what he would let me do. He was planning on using wire ties, so it might be a moot point, but we'll see. I'm just weighing my options right now.

#5 Post by **Temps75** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:07 am

i believe it's called the Biomer wire?

#6 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:27 am

katiathegreat wrote:i believe it's called the Biomer wire?

OOOOH!!!! I sooooooooooo want this!!! I've been DREAMING about a 'see through' wire, but NEVER thought it could exist, so didn't even google it. I doubt my ortho uses it and I doubt I have a chance to get it, but I'll still ask her. Can't hurt...except when she crushes my new-found hope. LOL

#7 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:31 am

PS Some pics...how AWESOME is this?

http://www.clear-wires.com

#8 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:35 am

Oh shoot...just read this. Might still work for you, though, . .!!

"Clear Wire is available only in round profile. This limits the wire to mainly the initial phase of orthodontic treatment. Round wires can also be used in the final phase of orthodontic treatment but this is dependent on your treatment plan. A rectangular wire is most commonly used in the middle phase of orthodontic treatment. You should speak to your doctor to learn more about the use of round versus rectangular arch wires. Please note that the rectangular Clear Wire will become available in mid-2010."

#9 Post by **Temps75** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:44 am

Newsboygrl777-You know, I think my ortho is using a round wire on me, but I can't be positive until I ask him. I feel like I've seen only round wires going on my top teeth (not sure about bottom.) He told me my top teeth would be ready for debanding it's just my bite is still a little off, and my bottom teeth still need work, so I might have a round wire on the top.

I went to Panera the other day and the cashier asked me if I had clear braces. I said yeah, and was kinda hesitant about it, but then i realized he did too! HE HAD THE CLEAR WIRE! It was amazing! And i was insanely jealous. But it also means that an orthodontist in my area treats patients with clear wires... good sign?

Has anybody ever special requested or ordered a new product that your orthodontist didn't have?

#10 Post by **Zephyr** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:29 am

I had a clear wire for my first month of treatment, it really is quite unnoticeable but towards the end of the month the cream coating on the wire started to chip and the metal wire underneath started to show and I thought it looked tacky.

#11 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:52 am

There are two products in this category. One is a metal wire that is coated with a white color. The other is an actual clear wire (a newer product) made of a polycarbonate-type material instead of metal.

I would not recommend the clear wire. I discussed this product with my orthodontist. He knew about it and showed it to me. It "crazes" very easily and also breaks very easily. For this reason, I think that although a clear wire, made of some sort of polycarbonate, is an interesting idea, it does not have the properties necessary to be successful in orthodontic treatment.

The white wires, on the other hand, are probably OK. I have heard, however, that the coating tends to come off after a period of time. Personally I would not want that in my body. I would rather opt for a regular metal wire, especially if the wire wasn't going to be changed for a long period of time.

Ceramic brackets with clear or white ligatures are not very noticable, however the ligatures tend to stain badly, which IMO looks worse than regular metal braces or ceramic braces with another color lig on them.

I would advise you to just try to get over the "I don't want anybody to notice my braces" syndrome and do what's best for your teeth. I mean, the braces will be on your teeth and people will notice them, no matter whether they are clear or white or some other color. I wouldn't spend too much emotional energy trying to change that. Just try to accept it and move on if you can.

#12 Post by **Temps75** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:46 pm

bbsadmin--you're right. and actually since i posted that I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I might as well just keep going with my orthodontist's plan. He's a nice guy and he clearly knows what he's doing. He's had other cases like me, so I'll trust him.

One question--I can't find what wire ties look like with ceramic braces! I've looked everywhere. Can somebody help me out?

#13 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:04 pm

Hi Katie,

I have ceramics and have had wire ties during most of my treatment. Check out my www below I have pictures throughout my story. I believe that I have a slideshow on page 16 (the beginning through to 15 months).

You'll be very happy with wire ties. I'm a coffee drinker and I've been wearing clear powerchains since last July and I'm having them changed in between appointments which is every 2 weeks.

B

#14 Post by **newsboysgrl777** » Sat May 16, 2009 10:41 pm

katiathegreat wrote:bbsadmin--you're right. and actually since i posted that I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I might as well just keep going with my orthodontist's plan. He's a nice guy and he clearly knows what he's doing. He's had other cases like me, so I'll trust him.

One question--I can't find what wire ties look like with ceramic braces! I've looked everywhere. Can somebody help me out?

Also, this is me with white wire ties...very unnoticeable and never stained at all after one full adjustment period (6 weeks) and then I had new ones for another 6 weeks and no staining again!

#15 Post by **Temps75** » Sun May 17, 2009 4:38 am

Both the silver and white wire ties look great! I might see if I can get wire ties at my next appointment. i'm not sure if they'll let me, but I can always ask!

It'd be great to get those white ones, but I'm not sure they carry those.