Metal Mouth Message Board

Alimommy - Goodluck with your future dental needs! I have a discolored upper central from bumping it when I was 12. Hasn't needed a root canal yet, but it would if I wanted to do internal bleaching...so as far as that's concerned, I'll live with the discoloration. I also have an uneven gumline with ...

My retainer appointment was a month after debanding and my ortho doesn't make any kind of temporary retainer. Perhaps rebuilding bone after teeth move is slower the older you are, but I've never heard of braces causing bone loss. It can cause your roots to resorb a bit though. The roots of my upper ...

I was told to wear my upper retainer every night and my lower retainer 24/7 and eventually I'll be able to just wear it at night. But that's a moot point since I'm getting the lowers rebraced and will be getting a bonded retainer.

alimommy - I'm most concerned about the alignment of my teeth also and once that's straightened out I'll slowly work on the small cosmetic imperfections as I can afford them (like bleaching, gum contouring, and some bonding on my upper right lateral which is shorter than the other one). Since I've s...

I just finished a dental assisting program and passed my boards so I'm certified now (yay), but in my state you don't need to be certified to work as a DA and having the extra certification doesn't mean I'll get paid more (boo). Most offices here care more about years of experience than a certificat...

Yes, that was me! I replied to you in the other thread, but I'll just say it here. My ortho said my retainer could correct the tipping so that will probably work for you, especially with the IPR. The disadvantage is you'll end up with a slight overjet. At this appt. we only discussed correcting my w...

Yup, I'm getting braced again after 8 months of brace-freedom. =/ I have a lower tooth that shifted between my debanding appt. and receiving my retainer. My ortho added a spring to the retainer to push the tooth forward, but it has only moved a little. Today I just went in for a checkup and he asked...

ali - I didn't notice the tipping until the braces were off. I think the wires/brackets kind of disguised it, but when my teeth were naked, it was obvious. At least it can be fixed with your retainer! :wink: sisi - I know what you mean. There will be a slight overjet if the teeth aren't tipped forwa...

I haven't checked this forum in ages, but looks like I came back at a good time. :) So as far as the incisors tipping, I'd say my retainer mostly uprighted them, but I have a whole 'nother issue! My lower right central came out of line during the time between debanding and my receiving my retainer (...

I don't remember having any trouble speaking. I hope your ortho can correct your bite with the retainer.

I think it would be easy to straighten the lateral with the retainer, but I'm not so sure about adjusting the tooth height. My Hawley has a wire added into the acrylic to push on my right lateral because it wasn't as far forward as the left. As far as height, I have the opposite problem, my lateral ...

I have amalgam fillings on all of my lower molars. I don't really mind them so much. If anything, that would be the last thing I would change. I'm afraid that each time I fix one thing, I'll find another area to improve. My ortho also said to avoid cosmetic procedures for 6 months. Before starting m...

That's disappointing that your fluoride varnish didn't taste good, the office I work in uses bubble gum flavor and it's not too bad. In the US fluoride use is a hot topic. In my state the water is not fluoridated and lots of parents are against fluoride use. Some people believe it's poison (and it i...

While I was braced my ortho bent the wire to pull my right lateral down so it would be even with the left. I'm noticing that since my braces were off the tooth moved back up and is short again. I'm guessing there is no way for the retainer to keep it from intruding back up. I'm getting so frustrated...

My braces hygiene regimen was brush morning & night, along with using a waterpik. Attempt to floss daily (but I'd be lying if I said I did). In between meals I swished with water, chewed sugar-free gum with xylitol, and sometimes used interprox brushes. Used a fluoride mouthrinse occasionally. A...