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I started with a very large diastema up top but very little off with my bite. So he's warned me that my teeth REALLY want that gap there. So bonded on top only, Hawleys top and bottom.
That's how he does it I suppose! He says he wants to ensure its a perfect fit. So I got a mold for my upper arch, went back to get the bonded retainer. Went back for complete molds, the lab that makes the retainer will digitally remove my brackets and form the retainers. He will remove the braces and fit the removable retainer.
Your teeth look great!!! How is it having the top retainer? I had a frenectomy done to help keep my gap from coming back but my ortho still wants to put a bonded retainer on my top teeth. I declined and went with the essex. I did so because im really excited about being able to bit into things freely again and to floss really good. My gums have come down so much and become so squishy that all i want to do is floss freely. Sorry for rambling. But how is it going for you having that behind your top teeth? He said i could come back and get one anytime i feel like i cant handle wearing my retainer all day everyday
It was very noticeable for about 4 days but now I don't even think about it. I did not need the frenectomy but may get it later.
This is my second round of braces as an adult. I've spent over $10,000 now completely out of pocket and will gladly wear permanent retainers if it means I will not have to do this again!! I stopped wearing my retainer 24/7 after about a month the last time I had braces. It was no time before that space reopened and was right back to where it was, and probably a bit worse. Meh!
I prefer the Hawley over the Essix since I'm a "nighttime for life" retainer wearer. I deal with plastics failures for a living and know that I would be replacing the Essix more than the Hawley!
