Got my braces off today!

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Schumi

I'm going to just treat my full mouth of teeth as a sign of alpha-maleness.......

I have 2 extra teeth, behind the Wisdom teeth!

So, yep, I'm an Alligator

[cgarr]

What a relief when my wife got her braces off!

[porsche4life]

Well talked to th GD today. Him and the ortho both don't seem to think the wisdom teeth need to come out yet. They are there in the xray but don't seem to be a problem.


Retainers are devices of the devil.

What teeth whitening system would you guys recommend?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Well talked to th GD today. Him and the ortho both don't seem to think the wisdom teeth need to come out yet. They are there in the xray but don't seem to be a problem.

Get this in writing! This was my mistake. My dentist told me that my teeth would not have to come out. Fast forward many years and they did. I reminded him that he had told me that they would be OK - his response, "Did you get that in writing?".

[Schumi]

I've been using that Listerine Pre-Brush whitening mouthwash a lot and it really does work. I eat that &%# up however, usually using it twice in a row while brushing. It is probably 75% hydrogen peroxide, as it tastes exactly like it.

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by slodave

If the wisdom teeth have to go, get them out ASAP. The older you are, the more difficult it is. It's not nearly as bad as everyone says! I was eating Taco Bell burritos within 24 hrs.

As long as you have a good oral surgeon the wisdon teeth/age thing isn't that big of a deal... in my book.
I was 35 before I had a cavity.
About 40 when the wisedom teeth were pulled. Nice happy drugs and a good surgeon made it a not too unbearable experience.
Good luck.

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I must say after almost 3yrs with metal in mouth it feels quite odd to be without. I like it.

Metal braces? ugh.. I couldn't at my age so chose Invisalign, basically the same but you can't tell there is something wrapping your teeth and you can take off for eating. Pretty slick.. It's been two years and should be done in a month, then I'll just wear the appliance at night.. wohooo!

[Schumi]

Alright I'm going to show some knowledge deficiency here and ask:

What does wearing a retainer at night after braces are taken off actually do? I've seen these things before from kids back in school... they just look like some plastic and paperclips. What's that gonna do?


I could look it up but I've got about 8 tabs open right now researching various topics on inertial reference sensors... so mind is kinda occupado..

[Mr.Puff]

Ugh, wisdom teeth. I'm one of the lucky ones who still has theirs.

[Oracle]

Originally Posted by Schumi

Alright I'm going to show some knowledge deficiency here and ask:

What does wearing a retainer at night after braces are taken off actually do? I've seen these things before from kids back in school... they just look like some plastic and paperclips. What's that gonna do?

These are different kind of retainers, they're custom made for the teeth and no metal parts:


the theory is that teeth have memory because there are fibres that may pull back the teeth out of new alignment so the retainer is to prevent that from happening.. I asked the dentist for how long I should wear them at night and she said its basically forever.. what!? then she said at some point become a non-issue anymore so it's ok to wear them occassionally but the benefit is that at night you protect your teeth from grinding.. She explained that theth wear is mostly at night during our sleep not food or during day.. so it's a good way to keep your teeth sharp.

After 2 years sometimes I have to roll my tongue to check if I have them on cause they're part of teeth almost and I can't tell if they're on. Basically nobody can tell if I'm wearing the appliance they're truly invisible.
Pop them out before food and back when done.. that simple..

[cgarr]

Three of my kids have a retainer for at night they also have a bonded in permanent one on the lower teeth and they have no problem with them.