kellyb's story (belatedly)

[jem]

Hi Kelly,

So is the lower retainer a "hawley" type? I have the impression ( pardon the pun) that they are more robust than the clear aligners so will last much longer. And as you say, visibility will not be a problem if you are only wearing it at night. So you may well be getting the very best combined option.

I would be interested to hear what advice your ortho gives on cleaning and flossing with the bonded retainer.

I would be a bit nervous about only having a bonded retainer as some people say they have a tendency to fail and you may only find out too late when you see your teeth starting to move. A second retainer to wear at night seems a good belt and braces option (switch on pun filter at this point).

I am starting to get desperate to get rid of my brace now and one of the things I am really looking forward to is biting into apples again. I suspect this may be a challenge to a bonded retainer. Did your ortho say anything about any limitations on eating with a bonded retainer?

For all that I am concerned about the reliability of a bonded retainer, I would really like to get one so that I will not have the invisalign type issue of retainer removal and cleaning every time I eat, or the hawley problem of removing and cleaning AND still having the appearance of a brace.

Apologies for this whinge. I should appreciate that I am getting off lightly compared with most people here. Perhaps if I had been given an original estimate of 18 or 24 months, I would be a bit less anxious about finishing.

Jem

[Dee17]

HI Jem,
I can understand your anxiousness to get your brace removed. If you were originally told 6-9 months and you are now looking at 12, I think that is very understandable. As for me? I've only been in my braces for about three weeks and already I can't wait to get them removed! I guess that with this game, patience really is a virtue.

[jem]

Thanks for those words of comfort, Dee. I'm afraid patience is not my strong suit. Perhaps I will learn some patience from this experience.

Jem

[kellyb]

Regarding the retainer I will be getting, I have no idea what type it is. I will have to ask the ortho when I go in to see him on Friday.

I also need to find out more about the bonded retainer and how secure it is, how long it lasts etc.

Hang in there Jam, I can't see you having your braces on for more than 12 mos. Sorry you had to exceed the top end of your estimate but look on the bright side, you are approaching the end. Like you what I miss most is biting into an apple. I still have the occasional apple cut up in pieces but it is just not the same. With regards to watching what you eat with the bonded retainer, I don't think this is necessary. The only thing the ortho said to me after the lowers was removed was that I should still be careful with what I eat as remember I still have braces on the uppers.

Plsd to say the swelling of the gum is definitely going down.

[jem]

Thanks Kelly. Glad to hear your gum is settling. Maybe you will post more pics when it is back to normal?

Jem

[kellyb]

Hi Jem, yes indeed I will post a couple more pics when they are settled. Hopefully over this coming weekend.

[Dee17]

Hi Jem,
Alas, unfortunately for me I have never been a very patient person either. I think this whole ordeal will probably end up teaching me a very valuable lesson in that you can't always rush things. I hope you will get the news you're waiting for soon.
As for you, Kellyb, I'm glad to know that the swelling has gone down a bit. Must be resassuring for you to have that happen.
Nothing much going on here except that one of my front teeth is very sore this morning. Can't really figure out why that would be the case but it is what it is, I guess.
Take care!

[Angel269]

Hi Kelly

Your lowers look great, you must be pleased

I had my adjustment today (nearly 5 months now). Have updated story & pics

[kellyb]

Hi Angel

Yes I am ever so pleased. Now I can't wait to complete the whole treatment. I will definitely head over your topic now to check out your progress

[kellyb]

Hey guys,

Went to the orthodontist on Friday as planned to get my retainer fitted. It was a very quick visit. Also had my powerchains on top changed as I had a curry the night before because I knew I was going to the ortho the day after

As mentioned because, seeing I have the bonded retainer fitted as well, I will only need to wear this other retainer at night. I am so pleased with that as I would definitely struggle to speak properly with this thing in my mouth.

Also, my ortho did say my uppers could come off at my next appointment in January, however as I also need to get some bonding done on my front tooth that is chipped and I am abit skeptical about getting my dentist to do it, I have asked him to recommend somewhere I could do it and ideally I would like to get a consultation before the braces is removed, more than likely the braces will be off in February. As my gum at top is a little bit inflamed, he will be referring me to a gum specialist who can also do the bonding. Not sure I will get an appointment before January as I will be out of the country for 3 weeks from mid December. I will keep you'll posted.

herebelow pic of me wearing the retainer. jem, it is indeed the hawley type. not sure if i will get the same on top or the other type



below is week 10 (the day when uppers were fitted) vs week 46 (y'day). It's like a totally different mouth!

[Dee17]

Oh wow, Kellyb,
Lookin' good!! You're right, it does look like a totally different mouth. Can't wait to see the absolute final product when your upper brace is removed. Keep us posted. More good things to come!

[kellyb]

Thanks Dee
I will definitely keep you posted. I will see my ortho agin in abt 3 wks just to change my wire and powerchain before i go off on holiday.

Jem, re the flossing with bonded retainer, the ortho recommends superfloss for that area as it will be impossible with ordinary dental floss. I will buy some tomorrow.

[Dee17]

Hey Kellyb,
I hope you have a fabulous time on your holiday. Where are you going? Some place exotic, I hope.
I updated my thread: Closing a Large Diastema today. Also updated my blog. Today is my one month anniversary so I felt like I should take some photos so that I can document the changes. There haven't been that many. Whatever. I wish my teeth would hurry up and start moving. Even though it's only been a month I'm starting to feel impatient. Maybe it's because winter is starting to settle in. I really hate the cold weather and that may be affecting my mood.
Anyway, I hope you have a great and relaxing time.
Dee

[Dee17]

Forgot that I wanted to make a comment about using Super Floss.
I purchased a number of boxes of that floss back in early November. I don't think it's that great. Certainly not worth the price I paid. I usually end up just using my floss threader to get the floss in. I always start off with the Super Floss but by the time I'm finished, I'm using a floss threader. The stiff end doesn't stay stiff long enough to floss both arches completely. It always starts to bend and twist. So if you're going to buy some I'd recommend that you buy only a small amount so you can try it to see if you like it. It's pretty expensive. I'm probably not going to buy anymore once I've used up my supply.

[kellyb]

Hi Dee

I bought a box of superfloss when I had first gotten my braces and like you I struggled with it. I just could not get it between some of my back teeth. Eventually I gave up on it and started using regular floss again. It was when I ran out of regular floss a few months later I decided to try the superfloss again and while it was abit fiddly, it was alot easier to get between the teeth than previously. Maybe my teeth had just lossened up abit, who knows. I agree it is on the pricey side. I have floss treaders and tried one tonight but wasn't too keen. I will buy a small box of superfloss tomorrow and see how I get on.


I will be going to Jamaica (home):D