BracesForum.net
English => Orthodontic Treatment => Topic started by: Retainer101 on 31. August 2020, 02:16:21 AM
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Just got top and bottom hawley retainers. Thought my teeth were shifting and my fixed retainer broke years ago and was a pain. Thought the clear retainers would need to be replaced too often or I would lose them so I tried the hawley retainers. Didn’t contemplate the lispyness! Pretty embarrassing talking to people. Got them on Thursday so been pretty weird weekend trying to get used to them. Not sure I made the right decision but too late now. Have to wear them full time for 6 months then just at night. Anyone else had Hawley retainers in their 30s or older?
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show us how it looks on you :)
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I’d have to email it to you. What’s your email?
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How do you like them? What was your original treatment and how long have you had retainers?
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They are ok. Didn’t really expect them to be so big. Been hard getting used to them Over the weekend. Talking is weird. Only had them since Thursday. Glad there are similar people to talk to about it. I had sagitall removable brace when I was younger but this time just braces so not had anything like these retainers since I was 8!! Did you have anything at an older age?
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Very nice. I'll message you
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Update. Been pretty good so far. Wearing them pretty much full time. Not when I have meetings but working from home which has made it a lot easier. Just take them out if I have a video call. Not what I expected but my teeth will be straight so that’s the main thing.
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Well the inivitable happened and I broke my retainer. Going in to see if it can be fixed if not I have to get a replacement one! Irony is I chose Hawley ones as I thought it would work out cheaper but that was on the proviso that I didn’t lose or break them for a few years >:(
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Well the inevitable happened and I broke my retainer....
How on earth did you break a retainer?
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How on earth did you break a retainer?
Well when the dentist says always keep it in a box when it’s not in your mouth she says it for a reason!
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How on earth did you break a retainer?
In fairness, I could easily envision Carrie doing the same! ;D
This is why we have spares...
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In fairness, I could easily envision Carrie doing the same! ;D
This is why we have spares...
I didn’t even know spares was an option. I went for Hawleys to save in the long term but that does involve not losing them or breaking them! Now not such a cheap option!
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Yeah, my wife tends to lose things, so we got her a spare set of Hawleys just in case. Was only $150 from her ortho, so now she has one set of Essix (rarely worn) a two sets of Hawleys.
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Yeah this will be £150 replacement. At least they have my moulds already so just need to get it made again and go get it in a couple of weeks. Lesson learned!
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Had to get a replacement retainer. Got it today. Just a like for like so not much to say really. Still a bit weird going in to get it but I fully stand by my decision to get Hawley ones. They haven’t been a problem at all other than slightly embarrassing getting them. At home they are fine and have caused me no issues. Wish I hadn’t broken the last one as really as a cost thing they would have been way better than the Invisalign which need to be replaced every year 18 months.
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I’ve had my retainers for nearly a year now and they have been a lot better than I thought, no issues and wear them every night with no problems. I have seen a few people buy braces from this site called the braces shop And I was really intrigued by this. I’ve decided to try it out myself which I’m slightly nervous about whether it’s risky or not. When I was younger I always wanted twin block braces as two of my friends had them so thought I’d give this braces shop a go. Not sure if that’s mad or not or how good quality they will be but I did the impressions and sent them off. Anxious and excited at the same time. Does anyone have any feedback from this site? Is it risky? Last thing I want to do is cause damage to my teeth/jaw but was so interested hearing other people have done this so i thought it was worth trying and seeing what twin blocks feel like. Has anyone had good experience with buying braces like this? If they come back and fit perfectly then it would be pretty crazy to even be able to do it
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@retainer101 I bought a hawley retainer from bracesshop and then got a modified twin block with herbst. The quality and fit is great! You won't be disappointed! You'll have to share some pics when you get your twin blocks!
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@carking thanks for the info. Will wait and see. Not sure the impressions were any good but have to wait now and see. If I can figure out how to link pictures I will. Think it will take a while. It’s mad that you can actually do it yourself
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I just had an email saying my twin blocks and headgear are now made and will be sent to me! They also sent a picture of the braces and I have to say I am really surprised by the quality of them. They have really done a great job. I now can’t wait for them to get here! Prob be another couple of weeks :'( . I’ll try and figure out how to link in a photo of them. If someone has an idiot guide to how to do it please let me know
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Deleted the link
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Wow, your lower arch is really shifted. Perhaps you will end up in real braces like me ;D
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My AV didn't like the site to start with, then it says there's a virus in this file....
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Thanks for letting me know. I’ve deleted it! :-
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Wow, your lower arch is really shifted. Perhaps you will end up in real braces like me ;D
I think it’s slightly the angle but also I was worried the bottom impression was too tight but they said it was fine so we will have to see when I get them if they fit or not! If not back to fixed braces like you say
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https://dereferer.me/?https://* c e n s o r e d */ft4BPfJ
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Twin blocks arrived! And headgear! They fit really well. No discomfort, just a big lisp!
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https://dereferer.me/?https://* c e n s o r e d */vQYK3zM
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Very nice!
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Has anyone else used the bracesshop to get a custom made brace? I’ve had my twin blocks for a few weeks now and I have to say they are really well made. I wear them going out and about with no discomfort at all. I used to bite my nails but with the braces in I can’t do it so it’s helping me stop that too which is a bonus. I would recommend the bracesshop to any of you who have wanted a type of brace you might have been to nervous to get. It’s pretty discreet, not bad value and the only annoying bit is the wait but that’s expected. I’m really happy with my twin blocks, anyone else had anything from There?
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I have an appointment with my dentist next week. The twin blocks were just a bit of fun but actually I realised I couldn’t bite my nails when I had them in. Obviously can’t really wear them for any length of time so I asked my dentist if I could modify my retainer to have occlusal coverage (think that’s what it’s called). She said she couldn’t do that on the retainer because if it might break if I had a nail habit. She said she can make me a new retainer with occlusal coverage which should work and can be worn all the time to see if it curbs my habit. It’s a horrible habit so if this works it will be well worth it. I tried all the gels and other tips and tricks but nothing has ever worked so fingers crossed this does. Have to have impressions taken again and then wait 3 or 4 weeks and then get the appliance.
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Had my appointment today. Went well. The dentist was interested to see if it would actually work as a habit breaker and I promised them a bottle of champagne if it did work! She also said that as it has occlusal coverage it can affect the bite as it is more of a brace than a retainer but I said I don’t have the habit when I sleep so I’ll wear my retainer at night and the brace sporadically during the day during times I normally bite my nails like watching tv or driving. She said I need to go back every 3-4 weeks to make sure it’s not detrimentally affecting my bite which I agreed to but she was intrigued to see if this works. Will go back to get the appliance in a few weeks when they call me in. Not sure if any of you bite your nails but if this works I shall keep you posted. If it does it will be the best investment I have made, if it doesn’t it’s not the most expensive thing to try.
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Dentist called to say my appliance is here so I have booked my appointment for tomorrow! Slightly anxious about it now but also hopeful that this works. If it does it will be the best decision ever. If it doesn’t it will be a big waste of money. Fingers crossed
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Looking forward to seeing it!
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This is the new appliance. It annoyingly doesn’t fit properly as the brace only touches one bottom tooth at the back so it will affect my bite if i don’t fix it. Have another appointment tomorrow to try and fix it or else will need to take new impression, this time too and bottom, to make sure they make it so it fits properly against my bottom teeth
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Very nice
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I had to go back in today because it wasn’t fitting properly. They shaved a bit off but it’s still not right. I didn’t have the courage to ask them to do the moulds again but with the bottom set done too so they could better fit it to the bottom teeth. Will just see how I get on but I’m terms of working to stop me biting my nails it is already working which is good. If I can keep it up and it stops the habit fully I will be really happy. Just hard as I have to wear it during the day. I just wear my normal retainer at night because I don’t bite my nails at night. Will update in a few months if it’s worked just in case anyone else has this habit and has tried everything else that hasn’t worked. So far so good
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Just thought I’d update on progress as this brace is working wonders. A week in and I have nails for the first time in 30+ years. It’s still early days but having tried everything else I really didn’t think a removable brace would be the thing that worked!! I know this is a braces forum and not a nail biting forum but if anyone else has the habit and wants to stop I really would recommend this. You can wear the brace when you know you normally bite your nails so you can manage most of the time to not have to wear it in awkward situations. I’ve been wearing it out a few times but not with friends or family and I don’t wear it at night or in meetings. It’s really not as much trouble as I thought it would be. Id love to hear if anyone else has this habit and would consider the same treatment. I would recommend it as a last resort for sure. It’s only been a week or so, so don’t want to get ahead of myself but it’s really shocking how much it’s worked.
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It seems to be an effective device and certainly a good looking one. Congrats!
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I am also an avid nail biter ever since I remember (and I remember biting my nails back when I was 4 or 5 y/o). My parents tried everything back then without any success.
Having started my treatment with removable braces half a year ago and having gotten occlusal coverage (and quite a hefty one at that) I also noticed that I couldn't bite my nails anymore.
Over six years ago I got a night guard for my top teeth (~1mm occlusal coverage but on all teeth including the incisors) which was constructed in such a way that all teeth met the guard. I tried wearing that during the day when I'd normally bite nails. But all it took was a few days for me to find a spot where I could continue biting my nails...
Only now with just posterior bite planes I'm really unable to do so. I cut my fingernails for the first time ever a few weeks ago! That was such a crazy thing! The open space also reduces my lip biting a little, although not completely.
Unfortunately, as soon as I don't have the braces in, I instantly go back to subconsciously biting my nails. For example if I don't instantly put back in my braces after having finished eating and start working on stuff, I lose all fingernails again in the matter of an hour :( That's also why it took half a year for me to cut the nails for the very first time and why it'll probably about as long until it'll be able to cut them for the second time. I wish you more luck in that regard!
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That’s really interesting to hear. I’ve had the brace about 6 weeks or so and I now have nails. The hardest part I am finding is cutting them as it’s not something I’m used to. I also have to file them or I would try to bite them again and i hate filing nails! I’ve also started picking the skin more and with nails it hurts a lot more so that is a negative side affect I also need to overcome but I’m
So impressed how well the brace has worked for me. I don’t wear it at night or in meetings or when eating, I manage to wear it out and about where I know I won’t bump into people I know. So going to the shop or to get a coffee is fine to wear it.
It still doesn’t fit perfectly which is annoying but it is doing the job so I’m ok with it at the mo. I wish they had molded it more to my bottom teeth. I might ask next time I go back. But on the whole it seems to be working really well and I’ve not bitten a nail now for 6 weeks which I have never done before so it’s really something worth considering if you have the same issue. You just have to be quite good at wearing it at times you know you normally bite your nails and keep it in.
So far so good. I’m really really happy and surprised.
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As a warning to make sure that it won't happen to you: Due to my strong clenching, the posterior occlusal coverage intruded all of my molars resulting in a posterior open bite. My bite planes were removed from my lower plate and an anterior bite plate added to my top one to extrude the molars again.
Even that one resulted in my incisors intruding quite quickly, which means my ortho now told me to only wear my braces at max 12 hours per day. RIP my fingernails, which are suffering strongly since then.
Although my ortho said that she has never seen anything like that in her whole career before, as a word of advice, if you notice that your teeth / molars not fitting together perfectly anymore, be sure to make an appointment and let your ortho check it as soon as possible.
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If you simply want to stop your nail biting (yeah, ok, I realise that was simply the EXCUSE!!) then a pair of simple Essix retainers will stop you biting your nails! Not as nice as a fancy removable appliance though :-(
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Essix are easily breakable. I was offered that first ad discussed with the dentist but I thought they would break too often and be more expensive in the long run.
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If you add up the time wasted with non fitting Hawleys, the essix is probably no worse!
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I still have the same retainer though, so it’s hopefully going to be cheaper. Fingers crossed it won’t break whereas, having spoken to the dentist, the essix one would be more prone to breaking and easier to lose it so could end up costing more. Hawley Retainer felt like the stronger and last longer
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I’ve got an appointment with my dentist next week just a checkup but I’m going to ask her to shave a little bit of the occlusal coverage off my brace as it’s not the most comfortable at the minute. If that doesn’t work I might ask her to make a new one. Currently my teeth don’t all touch the occlusal part, just the back ones and it’s making it hard to wear. Also finding it hard to speak still and it’s been 6 months. Other than that it has been working wonders so I’m really happy about that.
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I chickened out asking for a new retainer. The one I have is ok it is doing the job and although slightly uncomfortable I can live with it. I figured as long as it is working and not adversely affecting my teeth/jaw then it’s ok. I wish I hadn’t chickened out though as there was no harm in asking for a new one. It’s for another 12 months so I would have been ok to ask. Anyway I haven’t bitten my nails and that is the first time in many years so I am happy with that. I would recommend it to anyone who has the same habit as me who has tried all the other things and it’s not worked. It’s not an ideal thing to do because it’s obviously embarrassing to wear a retainer like this but it has worked and is the only thing that has done so each to their own but it does work so if you do have the habit it is worth a try.
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I asked for a Schwartz brace top and bottom from my dentist and she said no. The retainer with occlusal coverage is ok and has 100 percent stopped me biting my nails but becuase of my bottom back tooth it means I can’t bite properly and so it’s very uncomfortable. I suggested if she makes a top and bottom brace but effectively would be the same as the retainer only with a screw I think they would make it better, maybe make it in congunction with my bottom teeth better. She was having nothing of it sadly.
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My retainer with occlusal coverage doesn’t sit right and my bit is more open than it needs to be. As my dentist won’t go with my idea of asking the lab to make a schwartz brace top and bottom with occlusal on the top I’ve decided to go to another ortho to see if they will do it. My appointment is today. The reason I think this will work better is they will make both appliances together and hopefully take more care than when just making the retainer. I might be wrong, in which case it’s a waste of money but if I’m right it will really help as I’m not wearing the retainer because its so uncomfortable
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My new dentist is happy to do what I asked for so I’m going in for moulds on Tuesday. Upper schwartz with occlusal and Hawley wire and lower schwartz with Hawley. She was so nice and understood why I was asking for it. Made me feel so at ease. The appliance my last ortho gave me didn’t sit right and I can’t wear it so it’s not going to work to stop me biting my nails and she won’t do the schwartz so I went to this new ortho. I’m convinced making a schwartz with both top and bottom they will make it better fitting and I can actually wear it!! My ortho seems to get it and completely understood why I was asking for this. Slightly nervous for Tuesday though!
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Had the appointment to get my moulds and photos done and all systems go now. Have my appointment to get the braces fitted on the 10th Aug assuming the appliances arrive in time, if not might be a wait as the ortho is on holiday for a couple of weeks after that.
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@Retainer101 Looking forward to hearing how the appliance is and seeing some pics
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Was supposed to have my appointment on Wednesday but they made the braces without the occlusal coverage so they had to be sent back and now my ortho is on holiday so have to wait 4 weeks until 7th September. Bit annoying but these things happen.
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Just had my appointment to get the new braces with occlusal coverage. Was very nervous going in but again my ortho made me feel a bit more relaxed by the end. Very hard to talk in these, the bottom one randomly feels particularly bulky
https://dereferer.me/?https://www.imagebam.com/view/MECRTGW
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Very nice!
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I’ve never had an expansion screw on the lower appliance before and it really makes it a lot bigger which is why I think it’s so much harder to talk. I wasn’t expecting that. The ortho noticed I had two small misalignments on both upper and lower teeth that she said she can correct both by amending the labial bows but she said I need to wear them both full time in order to do that. I was sort of fine with that at the time but now having to speak with them it’s really difficult. I am trying to wear them full time but I don’t really want to go out and about because of my speech
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You'll get used to them fairly quickly with practice and no one will notice
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Thanks, I’m sure you’re right. I’m going to the local pub tonight so going to see how that goes
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Luckily the pub was quiet but still got asked by the bar staff twice about my braces. It’s so weird. Has anyone else had braces like these as an adult? Feels so weird being so old with removable braces. I know it gets easier but such a strange thing to go through
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Excellent new braces! I guess they have to be fairly bulky to accommodate the expansion screws. Will the screws be activated as part of your treatment?
Do you have to wear the braces 24/7? if you do, I imagine your speech will adapt pretty quickly.
Did you have a choice of acrylic colour? My first hawley retainer after fixed braces in 2012/3 was clear and it got stained with coffee drinking. When I got a replacement after losing it on holiday, I asked for transparent pink. By that point I was on nighttime wear only so I suppose staining was not really an issue anyway.
I went for a new retainer late last year and was told I had had some relapse and some loosening of two teeth through intermittent wearing of my retainer . So I have had to wear a new retainer 24/7 for 6 months to correct the relapse then for retention and now I am gradually reducing my daily hours of wearing it down to 12 by the end of 12 months. The acrylic is pink again. There was no discussion of choice of colour but I am happy with pink and would not want a more obvious colour. I guess if I had a bite plane or occlusal coverage, I might have asked for clear as being a little more discreet. i have not drunk tea or coffee with this retainer in, but have worn it whist drinking beer at the pub.
I remove the retainer for eating and presume you do the same?
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I wasn’t actually given a choice of color. She said they only provide these types of appliances in clear color. I’m ok with that as it’s bit more discrete.
I have to wear them 24/7 except when playing contact sports, eating and swimming. I mentioned a few meetings I would find it hard to wear them and she was ok with that. She said drinking was fine but I didn’t ask about tea and coffee, thank for the heads up on that.
She said it was likely I would need a turn on the screws but would need to be gradual and probably only one or two and then the labial bows will be used to straighten everything.
Your retainer sounds very similar to what I have but I think you are right that having the screws definitely makes it thicker.
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How is your speech after a week with your new braces?
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Actually not as good as I thought it would be. It was way worse than I expected when I first got them but I did think I’d get used to speaking with them better than I have. I have got used to having them in my mouth but Still have a big lisp. I’m getting braver wearing them out in public so hopefully with more practice my speech will get better. I have to go back on Tuesday as the occlusal isn’t moulded very well to my bottom teeth so only my back left tooth touches which keeps my jaw open more than it should which might be why it’s still hard to speak, will see if they can fix it
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Had my appointment today. But disappointed as I thought they would redo the top brace But she just shaved some of the back part of the occlusal off and it does sit a bit better but not perfect. That’s it now, will go back in 9 months and get all the occlusal shaved off and then can keep wearing the top brace as a retainer at night.
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So will you not have any supervision during minor straightening of your incisors? I didn't during the brief period my retainer was resolving relapse. for most of the time, I have been wearing it solely for retention and am now down to part time wear..
Did your ortho turn or ask you to turn your expansion screws?
Do you mind if I ask you how much you have paid this ortho?
All the best with your modified retainer. I hope your speech is improving.
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To fix the two crooked teeth I’ll need a few turns still, but they will be like quarter turns. Then small tweaks to the labial bows. She won’t be doing anything more with the occlusal part. I was hoping that she would make the brace again but instead just shaved it a bit and now that it sits better she said that will do. I’m still not happy with it but I’m not the ortho so will listen to her.
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2 months in and all going ok. Fairly used to them now but it’s still quite embarrassing! Talking much better. Had my 2nd adjustment, slow progress but progress being made. Still not quite used to the concept of having removable braces but I’m definitely more comfortable than I was. 2nd adjustment was to activate the appliance and adjustment to the labial wire. Was slightly tender after but not too bad.
To answer @embracer they cost about £400 each brace so £800 in total.
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Happy new year everyone. I never though 2022 Would be the year I got a brace but 2023 I’ll have the complete smile, wishing you all a prosperous 2023 and straight smiles :)
I have another appointment in Jan for the ortho to make some more adjustments. Still a while to go wearing the brace but I’m really used to having it in now. I won’t agree with people who say you barely notice you are wearing them after a while because you definitely do notice them, but it is much less noticeable.
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@retainer101 Glad you took the jump and looking forward to seeing your progress throughout 2023!
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How did you choose removable over fixed braces ? I am wearing braces myself but I preferred fixed as I can't cheat and also easier to handle I think
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Have you activated the screws yet?
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How did you choose removable over fixed braces ? I am wearing braces myself but I preferred fixed as I can't cheat and also easier to handle I think
definitely easier to handle in that you don’t have an option. It was the appliance my ortho suggested would work best. The occlusal coverage is the important part that she can adjust to align my molars. I generally take her advice right or wrong.
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Have you activated the screws yet?
my ortho does it rather than me as she I’m only doing 1/4 turns and not many of them so she is controlling it. It’s hard to expand the jaw at my age so this is only creating a small bit of space so the labial now can be adjusted to make the minor changes needed on my front teeth, the real bit is addressing my molars which the occlusal coverage is doing
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definitely easier to handle in that you don’t have an option. It was the appliance my ortho suggested would work best. The occlusal coverage is the important part that she can adjust to align my molars. I generally take her advice right or wrong.
I see and how do you feel about it wearing it non stop ?
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I see and how do you feel about it wearing it non stop ?
At first I was so scared and wasn’t too happy at all but if you throw yourself in and get passed the first week or two then it does become slightly easier and while still very embarrassing it is amazing how much you grow in confidence with it in. Eating with them is still tricky and so having to wear them full time for that is pretty annoying! Sometimes I can’t manage so just take them out.
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When i got mine, quite a few years ago now, (through choice, not for treatment), I decided to wear them full time from the minute I got them, just for the experience.
At first, eating was very strange as I could feel nothing in the roof of my mouth due to the coverage of the large top plate. Each time I ate anything, I was very conscious of the appliance, but that was exactly why I wanted to get them.
It was quite a few weeks before, one day I realised that I had eaten a full meal and had completely forgotten that I was wearing the retainer. Again, somehow that was what I had been looking forwards to...ie, it was now part of me.
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When i got mine, quite a few years ago now, (through choice, not for treatment), I decided to wear them full time from the minute I got them, just for the experience.
At first, eating was very strange as I could feel nothing in the roof of my mouth due to the coverage of the large top plate. Each time I ate anything, I was very conscious of the appliance, but that was exactly why I wanted to get them.
It was quite a few weeks before, one day I realised that I had eaten a full meal and had completely forgotten that I was wearing the retainer. Again, somehow that was what I had been looking forwards to...ie, it was now part of me.
What type is of brace did you have? I’m still not used to eating with mine! Think it’s because of the occlusal coverage as it means I can’t chew molar to molar, I’m chewing acrylic to molar so it makes it harder and feels unnatural! Not a fan. For softer foods it’s ok but for main meaty meals it’s nearly impossible!
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I have a few !
The most extreme is the activator (my avatar pic), but of course I dont wear that full time. (Cant eat with that but can drink).
The ones I wore continuously for some years were Hawley style. The the first one was extra thick and deep, front to back but then I got one with a thick bite plate which comes to the lower level of my front teeth so all biting and 'chewing' is with my bottom front teeth to the plastic bite plate. It is also slightly longer and very tight.
My molars dont touch. Interesting but fine and almost forgettable once you get used to it.
Same with speech. Speaking with it now is virtually normal and it actually helps with clarity of 's' sounds but its very difficult to speak clearly for some time if I take it out.