OK--This was not the plan!

[klobird]

Hey Plug.....I bought the Glide Floss Threaders that I used all the time when I was in braces. Believe me----NOTHING can get thru! The last time I was at the dentist she drilled away what she called "flash"---leftover cement. This time the dentist said that the teeth are just too tight together to be able to get floss thru. I really like having the bonded retainer and if I could just get the floss thru, it would be a whole lot easier than having to wear the Essix on the bottom in addition to the top one I already wear......

[Dee17]

Still having problems with that retainer?

[parsleysage]

Wow... klobird... I read ALL 51 PAGES of your journey in the last three days! It was fascinating. I was glued to it! I even read it at work! I really loved your humor and quirkiness throughout your whole journey and I appreciated all the little details you shared... that is my kinda info

Your results look awesome and it's been a year out of braces for you now!

Like Dee said, any update on the retainers?

[klobird]

It has been a long time since I last blogged. For those of you who asked, my retainers are good now and I wear them only at night which seems to work just fine.

I just wanted to update and encourage all of those who are in the braces process--just starting, in the middle, toward the end....

HANG IN THERE....IT WILL BE THE BEST LIFE INVESTMENT YOU EVER MADE!!!

That's all I have to say!!

[pjade1]

Love this story klobird! I am halfway through and it is inspiring. I get my braces today and I'm from Washington state too. My ortho and dentist are in Gig Harbor. I am 52 years old so yep, definitely one of the older ladies too. I also have an overjet and they also mentioned the forsus but he thought he could do it with bands only so we shall see. I plan to come back here and read the rest of your story. I started reading it yesterday and I am about half way through.

[artificially]

Wow, spacers sound painful. Good luck on the braces journey!

[klobird]

Pjade...if you read this...I live just south of you!

[pjade1]

Are you in Pierce Co?

[bbqmax]

Im getting mine next wednesday

[klobird]

Sorry Pjade!!....haven't been online because I've been moving....Thurston Co....

Keep up all the good work everyone!!! Still can't convey enough how worth it is to go thru all the crap associated with having braces!!!! Worth every minute and every penny!!

[klobird]

Soooo....just an update....my Essix retainer lasted just over a year. It's been cracked and I have to go in and get fitted for the Vivara retainer (and pay for it--another $400). I guess those last a lifetime, I think. Anyway, it's back for molds and the ortho poking around in my mouth again. Just when I pretty much had written them out of my life, it's back I go....

[Dee17]

My orthodontist wants to put a cemented retainer behind my front teeth and some kind of Essix thing for the bottoms. Any thoughts or information about a bonded upper retainer? I've read somewhere that they have a pretty high failure rate?
I'm scheduled to get my braces off on December 8th!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! Am SO excited but then I have to have an implant on my upper right side so there will be another $3,000 or so. I am sure I will be very happy with my new $10,000 mouth when I am finally finished.

[plugnickel69]

I've got bonded upper and lower. No problems whatsoever.

[Dee17]

Good to know, plugnickel69. Thanks for the info. But is it hard to floss? I am looking forward to being able to floss my teeth again without a floss threader.

[pjade1]

Hmm, I will have to ask about the Vivera retainer since my ortho said I would get an Essix one but that is more than 2 years away still. One year is not very long before it got cracked.