Everytime I go for a wire change and they remove the archwire but my teeth feel so "unsettled", not technically "hurting" but not comfortable either. I actually want the archwire put back in for comfort.

Is that what you "naked ones" feel for awhile or does it feel just normal?

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Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

I'm sure it's different for everyone, but when I got my braces off, I couldn't tell the difference besides my mouth feeling less bulky, in fact, I forgot several times that my braces were off!

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Damon 2's top and bottom, BRACED 02/22/04 and REMOVED 08/29/05. Now in bonded retainers (top and bottom) :4 wisdom teeth surgically removed on 12/22/05:

I haven't had mine off yet, but they've been ready to come off for months now and I've had the archwire taken out quite a few times for adjustments. I remember at the beginning of my treatment, my teeth felt a lot more unsettled when they took the archwire out, but now they've been stabilized in position for so long that they don't feel loose when the archwire comes out.

I'll see for sure on July 5th, but as of now I'm going to say that your teeth will probably be more stabilized by the time that they're ready to come off and they won't feel quite as loose

Eve

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Braced September 9, 2002
Debanding: JULY 5!!!!!!!!

Evelyn...my goodness you've been braced for almost 4 years!

I bet you are counting the minutes until your debanding!

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Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

The more tooth movement that's needed, the more force the braces will be putting on your teeth. When the orthodontist removes the archwire after it's been putting a ton of force on your teeth to move them, it feels really awkward and unsettled because you're so familiar with the pressure the braces put on your teeth. As you get closer to the end of treatment there won't be the same kind of force needed to move your teeth so when the ortho takes out your archwired, it doesn't feel as awkward. I had my braces removed just over a week ago and like johnnys_angel, after I got home I kept forgetting that the braces weren't there! I expected my teeth to feel unsettled but they were fine. I had to wait 5 days to get my retainer and not once before getting my retainer did my teeth feel like they were moving. I guess they must have moved a slight bit because when I got my retainer it fit a little bit tight but nothing major.

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Braced on: June 28, 2004
Debanding : June 16th 2006

To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.
Bono

Great question Chris, as although I've only had one change of wire (upper and lower), I was really amazing at how unstable my teeth felt when they didn't have the archwire in place. I just had to push my tongue against them ... and it was a really weird feeling. I commented about how strange they felt and my ortho replied almost identical to what you're written naomi!

Great to hear that your teeth have become more settled as you prepare for debanding Eve ... as the thought of getting all the brackets removed while they feel like this ... ... well think I'd be asking for prescription drugs and/or laughing gas!

I didn't notice anything uncomfortable about my teeth that I can remember the first time my braces were removed. I only remember being happy to have them removed and they looked great. This time, I notice that it feels quite strange and uncomfortable when the archwire is taken out and I have often thought that it will be very difficult to get used to "naked teeth" when the brackets are gone. This actually has worried me a bit since I am so uncomfortable without an archwire or ties. That said, I DO have never ending tension on the upper and lower and that doesn't seem to change much, even though I have worn the same wire (at least on the lower, for a long time).

Hi Chris,

I know exactly about what you are speaking. I really hate to have my
archwires removed. Feels very unstable. Makes me think I will need this
for life. And in fact, it is a bit true, as I will probably have bonded
retainers that will continue to give some support ...

Ohhhhhh yes, I am SO excited...4 years is a LONG time, so much has changed but it just makes it all the sweeter in the end since I've worked my butt off to get here. I've proclaimed July 5 'National Eve Day' at my house, it's highlited and decorated on everyone's calendar...I really just about am counting down the minutes. I honestly can't imagine what it's going to be like-I don't even have the slightest recollection of not having braces, they've just always been there. 10 more days, 10 more days, 10 more days!

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Braced September 9, 2002
Debanding: JULY 5!!!!!!!!