Metal Mouth Message Board

How many hours should one wear the Essix retainer? The ortho assistant told me I can only wear it at night but I'm afraid to do so. Therefore I've been wearing it 24/7 except when eating/brushing.

Thanks for the replies, I now feel even better about my decision not to sign up. What's even more upsetting with this package is that it is "only available" at the start of my retention phase. The assistant told me to read and sign. After I said I'll think about it, I can feel the sudden i...

My ortho is offering the following retention upgrade package, for $1,330: 1. 2 sets of clear retainers 2. 1 set of wire retainers 3. 3 years of follow-up visits 4. 50% discount on replacement retainers for 3 years 5. 50% discount on re-treatment fees for 3 years I'm thinking of declining it since it...

My debanding date is 12/14.

For those who had bridges/crowns done, did you went to a prosthodontist (someone who specializes in teeth replacement) or to a cosmetic/general dentist? And why?

I can definitely relate to the mix-bag reactions. All my friends are supported and all my family members are not. Heck, they did not even give me any response when I sent them my after pics.

I have the magic bullet and another kind similar to the ones used in Starbucks. I use the magic bullet much more than the big one but mainly just to mix protein shakes. When I want to blend say chicken breast then I use the big one. I blend my dinner when I'm too lazy to eat/chew.

I have a waterpik that I haven't used in years. Hate it. What a waste of money.

Can't remember exactly. Totally slipped from my mind. Though at 4 weeks the stitches were getting really annoying. It broke into several threads and sometimes they go between my teeth. The first time it happened, I thought I was a klutz and left my dental floss so I pulled it! I immediately knew it ...

Washington DC, genioplasty only:
surgeon fee: about $3300
hospital fee including anethesia, outpatient: about $2300
insurance paid: $0

Estimated treatment time: 18 months
Treatment time that has elapsed: 28 months and counting!

Oh wow, great job Meryaten. I only wished I saw your pics earlier so that I could have documented my progress in the same way.

Does anyone know what happens to the broken jaw/chin after the surgery other than they are attached with plates and screws? Do the bones fuse/grow together and become one piece again?

Thanks for the kind words. I am happy with the result and think this is one of the best decisions I ever made.

Only the doctors can tell whether one needs surgery. I had a really bad overbite where my top teeth covered 95% of my lower teeth. The ortho was able to fix it just with braces though.