It's 5 weeks since the last appointment, now I'm getting scared, excited, happy, apprehensive, worried and impatient. With only days to go before I potentially get the braces off.
I have been looking on the Internet how they remove them, as I like to know what I am in for. I was actually quite surprised at what I saw. The first video was 1.45 minutes long, I thought it must be highlights, but no! It showed in full real time removal of the brace, the dentist just clipped and twisted and the brackets snapped off, shows how easily it can be done.
I know that my orthodontist said it would take half hour to do removal, cleaning and moulds for the retainer, it just seems so quick!
Now, onto retainers. There are 3 kinds, although I don't know the actual names, I can describe them as they were described to me. Firstly there is the plastic moulded wire one (looks a bit like a spider), then there are plastic trays and finally metal bands that are glued to the back of the teeth. He told me that I will have the plastic trays and potentially the metal band depending on how well my teeth stay in place. I am fine with that, even if it is permanent, why would I spend all this time and effort just to have them move back again.
The only thing that concerns me is the time between taking off the braces and getting the tray, I am worried how much my teeth will move. I have read that they will and then you get your retainer it hurts for a few days as they move back. I don't mind the pain, I'm quite used to that now, I am just worried about the movement in general, especially after my set back last month. I saw how quickly they moved, but also how quickly they moved back which does take a little of the concern away.
The only thing that did surprise me was the length of time you have to wear the retainer. I was told as much as you can day and night, for potentially 2 years. That's how long it takes the bones around the teeth to settle down and hold them in place again. I don't mind so much as the retainer will be less noticeable, but I though it would be more like 6 months, then reducing the amount of time down. At least I know what the future holds.
So here we are, in the last 5 weeks I have not bitten anything, I have put my bands on to pull my teeth together every night, I have been extra careful and done everything by the book to hopefully ensure removal this time.......keep your fingers crossed for me!
