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Post-Braces update
It's been three days since I had my braces off. I wanted to just show you guys my orthodontist was right about the fact that my bite will close on its own. My right side bite is already closing. The difference is quite significant for just three days. This really makes me feel good about my decision for getting them off when I did and following his advice. I'm confident that it will close entirely over the upcoming days!
Braces are OFF!!! 16 Months (1 yr 4 months)
I got my braces off yesterday!!!!! I was at work all day after, and just got home this morning (midnight right now)..
I was SO excited when he told me he was going to take them off. At first, I was concerned because my right bite had not closed all the way through. As excited I was, I wanted to make sure I wasn't rushing it. He told me it's best if we take them off now and they will shift and close more with my retainers. He said he didn't want to try and bend the wires more to close the bite because we're probably going to end up moving and shifting the teeth more than we need to. So, he thought it was okay to take them off at this time and I'm not going to complain.. I'm really happy with how they're looking right now!!!! I included a lot of pictures, be sure to check them out.
I'm going to walk you guys through the removal process.
First, they placed my permanent lingual retainers behind my lower 6 and upper 4. This ensures the teeth do not shift without braces.
This took relatively small amount of time, it was painless. My orthodontist got the wire, bent it to fit my shape. The assistant then glued it in and used UV light to bond them in place.
After the permanent retainers were in, it felt odd to feel them back against my tongue but I'm used it already now. I barely notice them.
Then, time to remove braces!
She squeezed the brackets, and they pop right off. It didn't hurt, just felt a little bit of pressure at times.. But it was not bad at all.
I then rinsed my mouth.. And looked at myself in the mirror and smiled wide and I was amazed. I felt so excited, so happy. I couldn't stare at myself for long though.. So I went back to my chair. She then took the cement off my teeth by using a machine that basically vibrates and scrapes it all off. It didn't hurt, just makes a nasty sound.
Then I rinsed again.. And they feel so smooth. I have not stopped feeling my teeth ever since lol .. It's such an odd feeling to not have braces at all. At times, while I was eating today.. I didn't have to worry about food getting stuck in my mouth. Although, I still checked several times to make sure it wasn't.. Out of habit by now.
Anyway, then .. They took impressions of my teeth. Just the icky plaster stuff in your mouth. I will be getting Essix retainers in about two weeks.
They said my gums looked fabulous after the braces were removed. They're in good health. Brush your teeth hard while wearing braces people!!!
Then they showed me how to floss with the wire in the back of my teeth ..
Finally, they sent me home and my mouth was tired from all the work. I just had to keep it open for all this time.. But it was very happy. So I'm not complaining. They gave me a huge cup of candy too and it feels great you guys.
Okay, well that's all.
So.. Few words.. I'm very happy that I decided to get braces and I'm so much more confident now. It's all worth it. It doesn't even feel like a long time has passed. I got done in 16 months and my projected was 18.
My best recommendation is to wear your elastic bands all the time. Don't slack off on those. Also, make sure you're cleaning your teeth vigorously while wearing braces.
If you guys have any comments/questions.. I'm more than happy to answer. I will probably update on my retainers soon ..
I hope my brace journey has helped some of you out there to maybe hang in there or build up the courage to get braces yourself. Do it!!!
Happy holidays and happy new year!
I was SO excited when he told me he was going to take them off. At first, I was concerned because my right bite had not closed all the way through. As excited I was, I wanted to make sure I wasn't rushing it. He told me it's best if we take them off now and they will shift and close more with my retainers. He said he didn't want to try and bend the wires more to close the bite because we're probably going to end up moving and shifting the teeth more than we need to. So, he thought it was okay to take them off at this time and I'm not going to complain.. I'm really happy with how they're looking right now!!!! I included a lot of pictures, be sure to check them out.
I'm going to walk you guys through the removal process.
First, they placed my permanent lingual retainers behind my lower 6 and upper 4. This ensures the teeth do not shift without braces.
This took relatively small amount of time, it was painless. My orthodontist got the wire, bent it to fit my shape. The assistant then glued it in and used UV light to bond them in place.
After the permanent retainers were in, it felt odd to feel them back against my tongue but I'm used it already now. I barely notice them.
Then, time to remove braces!
She squeezed the brackets, and they pop right off. It didn't hurt, just felt a little bit of pressure at times.. But it was not bad at all.
I then rinsed my mouth.. And looked at myself in the mirror and smiled wide and I was amazed. I felt so excited, so happy. I couldn't stare at myself for long though.. So I went back to my chair. She then took the cement off my teeth by using a machine that basically vibrates and scrapes it all off. It didn't hurt, just makes a nasty sound.
Then I rinsed again.. And they feel so smooth. I have not stopped feeling my teeth ever since lol .. It's such an odd feeling to not have braces at all. At times, while I was eating today.. I didn't have to worry about food getting stuck in my mouth. Although, I still checked several times to make sure it wasn't.. Out of habit by now.
Anyway, then .. They took impressions of my teeth. Just the icky plaster stuff in your mouth. I will be getting Essix retainers in about two weeks.
They said my gums looked fabulous after the braces were removed. They're in good health. Brush your teeth hard while wearing braces people!!!
Then they showed me how to floss with the wire in the back of my teeth ..
Finally, they sent me home and my mouth was tired from all the work. I just had to keep it open for all this time.. But it was very happy. So I'm not complaining. They gave me a huge cup of candy too and it feels great you guys.
Okay, well that's all.
So.. Few words.. I'm very happy that I decided to get braces and I'm so much more confident now. It's all worth it. It doesn't even feel like a long time has passed. I got done in 16 months and my projected was 18.
My best recommendation is to wear your elastic bands all the time. Don't slack off on those. Also, make sure you're cleaning your teeth vigorously while wearing braces.
If you guys have any comments/questions.. I'm more than happy to answer. I will probably update on my retainers soon ..
I hope my brace journey has helped some of you out there to maybe hang in there or build up the courage to get braces yourself. Do it!!!
Happy holidays and happy new year!
Update
So this morning I noticed a gap in my lower arch while brushing my teeth. I previously had a gap here before. I called my orthodontist and I was able to get an appointment. He basically put a power chain on my lower arch to ensure the gap will close by my next appointment- if I were to get the braces removed.
The picture I included isn't that clear.. Sorry! But it's there!
The picture I included isn't that clear.. Sorry! But it's there!
Provider Review
Dr. Kearns
He is really genuine, and honest. He cares about his patients and enjoys his career. He answered all my questions.