First Night with Clear Retainer on Bottom Teeth

The first night with my clear retainer was fine.

It was a bit fiddly getting it in place and fixed down without forcing it, but once it was there, I couldn't feel it.

This morning, I managed to get my nails under the edge at the back, but it seemed to be stuck by suction! Anyway, at last I got it free. However, the notes said that I had to be careful not to flex it at the front too much as it might weaken it.

I suppose that with all things, it will become easier with practice!

Tomorrow I have to clean it with Retainer Brite!

Clear Retainer on Bottom Teeth Today! New wire for Incognito brace.

Today I picked up the clear retainer for my bottom teeth. My orthodontist showed my how to put it on gently and take it off by getting my nails under the edge at the back and releasing it. It felt weird at first and quite hard. He said that it should feel better after a few days because my teeth may have moved slightly since the imprint was taken, and are being moved back to their rightful places. I suppose that means that it's doing its job!

He suggested that I have a go and wear it this afternoon for an hour or so. It was a bit difficult getting it in the right place to fit it on, but once it was there it felt quite comfortable. I also managed to get it off again easily.

I feel a bit guilty because my daughter had a similar protector when she used to grind her teeth, and I had no idea what it felt like, but she didn't grumble, even though she used to chew right through hers! Thanks goodness she doesn't do that anymore!

I have to wear mine every night for a year and then perhaps every other night, and of course I'll be wearing the one I'll have for my top teeth as well.

My orthodontist also said that he'll order another wire from Germany for my top Incognito brace as my teeth are still not quite straight. That means that it will be easier for him, and less uncomfortable for me, to adjust them. I think that it's a good idea! My next appointment is in September when it should be ready.

Just noticed that in this photo, I haven't got it pushed down properly. Make sure that you do!

Inspire Ice Brace OFF Today!

My bottom Inspire Ice brace is OFF and it wasn't bad as I thought it would be.

First of all I was asked to bite on a piece of soft wax, I suppose to hold my teeth in place, then there was a tiny sharp pain as each tooth was nudged, and a snap, as the bracket came off. Afterwards the glue was polished off with a buzzing attachment, but it wasn't painful except for one or two sensitive areas. And that was it, apart from the photos to show my brace-free smile, and a quick impression of my bottom teeth to make my plastic retainer. Of course, I still have the top Incognito brace, which is hidden behind my front teeth, but no one will see that on my daughter's wedding day.

However, my orthodontist has given my top teeth another tweak to help to get them completely straight, and it will be another two months before I go back and see how they are getting on, apart from picking up my plastic retainer next week.

I had a lovely surprise when I left, the receptionist presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I didn't know what to say, but she said that although I haven't finished my treatment yet, they were giving me them because of my daughter's wedding. Wasn't that nice?

Inspire Ice Clear Brace off TOMORROW!!!

I can't believe it, my Inspire Ice Clear brace is coming off my bottom teeth tomorrow after fourteen months! It's gone so quickly.

I don't know how I feel. Quite nervous, I think.

I hope it's not too painful.

I've been looking at some videos on YouTube. Everyone one looks quite happy. Have a look at Margaret below. But what they don't show you is the 'polishing' off of all the glue. Some people say that is really uncomfortable. Anyway, I'm up for it tomorrow and I'll post a new blog then to tell you what it was like, and show you a photo of my lovely straight teeth.

http://www.orthodonticpartners.net/blog/2011/02/margaret-gets-her-braces-off

Incognito Top Brace on for One Year! Inspire Ice brace off bottom teeth in two weeks!

I can't believe that I've had my Incognito brace on my top teeth for one whole year!! Look at the difference! I'm so glad that I did it. Even though it's been painful at times, and it's not quite ready to come off in time for my daughter's wedding, my teeth look so much better. However, they have a little way to go, so I'd rather they were perfect than rush to have it off.
Mind you, I did have a dream one night that they went boi-oing, and sprang back into place!
The Inspire Ice brace has also been great on my bottom teeth, and is ready to come off in two weeks, so in two week's time I should be sitting here blogging - with it off. I can't believe that either, because at first, fourteen months seemed so long!
They already have the permanent retainer fixed to the back, so I just need a plastic retainer made to wear at night, by making a mould of my teeth. I should pick that up a few days later, and that's my bottom teeth finished! Hooray!
Just remembered that they need a little 'polishing' as my orthodontist calls it, to make a perfect line across the top. . . It's not too bad really, it's just the thought of it!