de-braced question

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#1 Post by **michael33** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:40 am

It seems as though my bottoms are progressing faster than the tops. Do they ever remove just the bottoms before the tops and would I wear a retainer right away for the bottoms?

#2 Post by **Chocoholic** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:55 am

Yep, that's exaclty what's happening to me, if you see my other post, my bottom braces are coming off on Wednesday, my ortho says the bottoms usually come off first. While the tops will take a little while longer.

He's already taken a mold of my teeth to make the permanent retainer so he can fit it at the same time he takes the braces off.

Interestingly enough I asked him about the removable vs permanent retainers and he says he never uses the plastic ones as they're pretty hopeless at keeping the teeth in place. Also he said that he gets so many patients from other orthos, who've had their permanent retainers removed after a year or so, at their request, whose teeth have all moved back again. He says the retainer should be permanent and that's it - so hey ho, what to do.

#3 Post by **KJM** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:15 am

Chocoholic wrote: Also he said that he gets so many patients from other orthos, who've had their permanent retainers removed after a year or so, at their request, whose teeth have all moved back again. He says the retainer should be permanent and that's it - so hey ho, what to do.

My son has a clean retainer and he hasnt had any trouble with it ( holding his teeth in place and its been 2 years since he was debanded) it is nice that he only has to wear it at night too. His friend has a regular retainer and he didnt wear his (due to the way it looks/spitting/etc) and his teeth
relapsed.

Dh had a permanent retainer on the bottom when he was younger and it had to be removed about a year ago b/c he had 8 cavities under it ( and he had never had a cavity before, or since)

I think each ortho has their own likes and dislikes and like the issue of ceramic vs metal it is all what the ortho likes to use and compliance of the patient. Each has its pro's can con's.

#4 Post by **Chocoholic** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:54 am

True. Although I suspect my ortho was mainly talking about adult teeth and not using removable retainers on those as they're more prone to relapses from what I can gather.

I trust my ortho, he's highly recommended by all the dentists and even other orthos in the city, so I'm pretty trusting of his opinion. Plus everyone I've spoken to that uses him have no complaints.

I think you have to be careful with how you clean the permanent retainers, and the ortho said I would still have to be careful of what I eat. Obviously if you have something permanently in your mouth and you're not cleaning it thoroughly enough you're going to run into problems.

I'm 30 years old and never had a cavity in my life and it's all down to proper cleaning and not many sweets or sugary things.

#5 Post by **KJM** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:47 am

My hubby didnt have any cavities or anything like that either. I do think that the permanent retainer might not be exactly the same as it used to be. (this would have been 17 years ago that it was put on) His was held on my molar bands on his canine teeth (not glued to the back of the teeth) so this may account for some of the problem. ( some of the cavities were under the bands)

My sons ortho is my ortho, and they have done a wonderful job. I totally trust their opinions or I wouldnt have choosen them ( as there are tons of other orthos out there in my area) I will also be getting a removable clear retainer ( I think they are called Essix but I am not 100% sure) Infact my ortho has braces and told me that he will be using that same retainer for his own teeth- so he must reallt believe in them.

The one thing I think I have learned on this board is that with any appliance, bracket type, etc it is all in what the ortho feels confident in. Just like everything in life, everyone had a different opinion/like/dislike.

#6 Post by **smilezofmetal2** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:55 pm

There isnt anything wrong with my bottoms and they havent been adjusted since october and a retainer has been placed but the ortho is keeping them on until my top is ready for removal. It is frustrating because i want these suckers off

#7 Post by **Chocoholic** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:46 pm

Yeah I think it's down to opinion. But for me permanent retainers are definately the best option, seeing as I talk for a living I can't really be lisping all over the place until I got used to removable ones - that would be disaster. hehe