Re: Braces off Wednesday!!!!

November 17, 2003

Hi ,

Forgive me for not keeping track of everything but what was your

surgery to correct? Did you have upper & lower? That is amazing

that you are getting your braces off so soon! Is your OS fine with

this?

Congrats!!!

~

> Hi all!

>

> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit to

> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to

take

> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2

cm)

> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>

> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>

> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

can

> live with that. :-)

>

November 17, 2003

Hi ,

Thanks for bringing that up. I assume my OS will be fine with it but I

just left a message at his office to warn him.

My surgery was for upper, lower, and genio and according to the OS,

everything is healing just fine. I have also been unbanded for 3 weeks

and chewing gently for 2 and there hasn't been any shifting or

movement.

The ortho did a great job of lining everything up so my bite would be

perfect (or close to it) at the time of surgery and because of

scheduling issues, I have actually been in these heavy final wires

since April, so my teeth should be pretty stable by now. Hopefully my

surgeon won't have any objections. No more movement needs to be done,

it's only a matter of keeping things in place, and hopefully the

retainers can do that job on their own.

I've got my fingers crossed that my surgeon won't veto it. :-)

> Hi ,

>

> Forgive me for not keeping track of everything but what was your

> surgery to correct? Did you have upper & lower? That is amazing

> that you are getting your braces off so soon! Is your OS fine with

> this?

>

> Congrats!!!

> ~

>

>> Hi all!

>>

>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

> visit to

>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to

> take

>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2

> cm)

>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>

>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>

>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

> can

>> live with that. :-)

>>

>

November 17, 2003

Follow-up on that-

My surgeon called back and he said " go for it. " He's pleased with how

everything is healing and sees no problem with me getting the braces

off this week.

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!

> Hi ,

>

> Forgive me for not keeping track of everything but what was your

> surgery to correct? Did you have upper & lower? That is amazing

> that you are getting your braces off so soon! Is your OS fine with

> this?

>

> Congrats!!!

> ~

>

>> Hi all!

>>

>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

> visit to

>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to

> take

>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2

> cm)

>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>

>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>

>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

> can

>> live with that. :-)

>>

>

November 17, 2003

,

That is absolutely fabulous! Congratulations! I only wish something like that

would happen to me! Good luck on Wednesday.

Sharon

November 17, 2003

Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my ortho said

she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need to take

an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I dont

seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

Tony S.

At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>Hi all!

>

>I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a visit to

>take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to take

>everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

>shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2 cm)

>but I'm definitely not complaining.

>

>I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>

>Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I can

>live with that. :-)

>

November 17, 2003

Wow, . This is great news! Congratulations!!

Smooches

Braces off Wednesday!!!!

Hi all!

I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a visit to

take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to take

everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2 cm)

but I'm definitely not complaining.

I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

afternoon to pick up my retainer.

Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I can

live with that. :-)

November 17, 2003

I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they will

need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later that

day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which may

be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been able to

brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

which was really disgusting.

I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck and

jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past year

is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow. I

doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my ortho

> said

> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need to

> take

> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I dont

> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>

> Tony S.

>

> At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>> Hi all!

>>

>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a visit

>> to

>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to take

>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2 cm)

>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>

>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>

>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I can

>> live with that. :-)

>>

November 17, 2003

Nooooooo!! No more impressions! I would rather keep my splint than do another

impression...retainer or no!! I've just lost my desire to get rid of my splint

and braces. Please, don't make me...I'll die!!! :-(

Smooches

Re: Braces off Wednesday!!!!

I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they will

need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later that

day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which may

be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been able to

brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

which was really disgusting.

I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck and

jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past year

is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow. I

doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my ortho

> said

> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need to

> take

> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I dont

> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>

> Tony S.

>

> At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>> Hi all!

>>

>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a visit

>> to

>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered to take

>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was pretty

>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens 2 cm)

>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>

>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>

>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I can

>> live with that. :-)

>>

November 18, 2003

Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

Annie

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

wrote:

> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

will

> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

that

> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

may

> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

able to

> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

> which was really disgusting.

>

> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

and

> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

year

> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

I

> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>

> > Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho

> > said

> > she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

need to

> > take

> > an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

I dont

> > seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

> >

> > Tony S.

> >

> > At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

Annie

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

wrote:

> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

will

> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

that

> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

may

> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

able to

> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

> which was really disgusting.

>

> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

and

> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

year

> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

I

> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>

> > Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho

> > said

> > she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

need to

> > take

> > an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

I dont

> > seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

> >

> > Tony S.

> >

> > At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

Annie

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

wrote:

> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

will

> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

that

> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

may

> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

able to

> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

> which was really disgusting.

>

> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

and

> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

year

> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

I

> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>

> > Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho

> > said

> > she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

need to

> > take

> > an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

I dont

> > seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

> >

> > Tony S.

> >

> > At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

I actually have no idea what the retainer will be like. I had braces

20 years ago and it was very different then. I think this one will be

like clear trays that fit over my teeth, somehow with my fake front

teeth attached, but I haven't seen one yet.

I'll find out tomorrow and let you know... It should be an interesting

(though hopefully not painful) experience.

> Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

> removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

> retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

> something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

> i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

> Annie

>

> In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

> wrote:

>> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

> will

>> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

> that

>> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

> may

>> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

> able to

>> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

>> which was really disgusting.

>>

>> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

> and

>> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

> year

>> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

>> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

> I

>> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

>> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>>

>>> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

> ortho

>>> said

>>> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

> need to

>>> take

>>> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

> I dont

>>> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>>>

>>> Tony S.

>>>

>>> At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>>>> Hi all!

>>>>

>>>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

> visit

>>>> to

>>>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

> to take

>>>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

> pretty

>>>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

> 2 cm)

>>>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>>>

>>>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>>>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>>>

>>>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

> can

>>>> live with that. :-)

>>>>

November 18, 2003

I actually have no idea what the retainer will be like. I had braces

20 years ago and it was very different then. I think this one will be

like clear trays that fit over my teeth, somehow with my fake front

teeth attached, but I haven't seen one yet.

I'll find out tomorrow and let you know... It should be an interesting

(though hopefully not painful) experience.

> Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

> removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

> retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

> something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

> i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

> Annie

>

> In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

> wrote:

>> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

> will

>> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

> that

>> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

> may

>> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

> able to

>> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

>> which was really disgusting.

>>

>> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

> and

>> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

> year

>> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

>> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

> I

>> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

>> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>>

>>> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

> ortho

>>> said

>>> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

> need to

>>> take

>>> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

> I dont

>>> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>>>

>>> Tony S.

>>>

>>> At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>>>> Hi all!

>>>>

>>>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

> visit

>>>> to

>>>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

> to take

>>>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

> pretty

>>>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

> 2 cm)

>>>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>>>

>>>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>>>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>>>

>>>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

> can

>>>> live with that. :-)

>>>>

November 18, 2003

I actually have no idea what the retainer will be like. I had braces

20 years ago and it was very different then. I think this one will be

like clear trays that fit over my teeth, somehow with my fake front

teeth attached, but I haven't seen one yet.

I'll find out tomorrow and let you know... It should be an interesting

(though hopefully not painful) experience.

> Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

> removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

> retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

> something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell me

> i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

> Annie

>

> In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Southworth

> wrote:

>> I am a bit nervous about the impressions. I'm pretty sure they

> will

>> need to take them to make the retainer, which I will pick up later

> that

>> day. At the moment, I can only open about 2 fingers width, which

> may

>> be barely enough but I don't know yet. I've only recently been

> able to

>> brush my wisdom teeth and found some old sutures stuck back there,

>> which was really disgusting.

>>

>> I am getting a massage tomorrow to specifically loosen up my neck

> and

>> jaw muscles. The massage therapist I've been using for the past

> year

>> is great at working those muscles rather gently without actually

>> touching my jawbones, which I'm sure I will appreciate tomorrow.

> I

>> doubt I'll walk out of there suddenly able to open wide but even a

>> slight improvement before Wed. would be greatly appreciated.

>>

>>> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

> ortho

>>> said

>>> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to

> need to

>>> take

>>> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because

> I dont

>>> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>>>

>>> Tony S.

>>>

>>> At 11:15 AM 11/17/2003 -0500, Southworth wrote:

>>>> Hi all!

>>>>

>>>> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

> visit

>>>> to

>>>> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

> to take

>>>> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

> pretty

>>>> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only opens

> 2 cm)

>>>> but I'm definitely not complaining.

>>>>

>>>> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back Wed.

>>>> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

>>>>

>>>> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but I

> can

>>>> live with that. :-)

>>>>

November 18, 2003

The took impressions on me immediately after they removed my braces.

And it was well worth putting up with a set of impressions --

although I don't have as much trouble with them, mercifully, as some

of you do.

Then some months later, I had an odd wisdom tooth with an extra cusp,

and I was biting the dickens on the scar tissue in my cheek, which

kept it more swollen. The solution was to grind off the extra cusp.

But-- you guessed it, before they could do that, they had to do a set

of impressions, so they could study the lie of my mouth and figure it

all out. Bring out the goop.

I think I'm learning to be a pro at this.

Cammie

> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho said

> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need

to take

> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I

dont

> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>

> Tony S.

November 18, 2003

The took impressions on me immediately after they removed my braces.

And it was well worth putting up with a set of impressions --

although I don't have as much trouble with them, mercifully, as some

of you do.

Then some months later, I had an odd wisdom tooth with an extra cusp,

and I was biting the dickens on the scar tissue in my cheek, which

kept it more swollen. The solution was to grind off the extra cusp.

But-- you guessed it, before they could do that, they had to do a set

of impressions, so they could study the lie of my mouth and figure it

all out. Bring out the goop.

I think I'm learning to be a pro at this.

Cammie

> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho said

> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need

to take

> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I

dont

> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>

> Tony S.

November 18, 2003

The took impressions on me immediately after they removed my braces.

And it was well worth putting up with a set of impressions --

although I don't have as much trouble with them, mercifully, as some

of you do.

Then some months later, I had an odd wisdom tooth with an extra cusp,

and I was biting the dickens on the scar tissue in my cheek, which

kept it more swollen. The solution was to grind off the extra cusp.

But-- you guessed it, before they could do that, they had to do a set

of impressions, so they could study the lie of my mouth and figure it

all out. Bring out the goop.

I think I'm learning to be a pro at this.

Cammie

> Same kind of thing happened to me. 7 weeks post op now and my

ortho said

> she would take them off the 2nd week of Dec. Are they going to need

to take

> an impression for the retainer. That could be a problem because I

dont

> seem to be able to open my mouth very wide.

>

> Tony S.

November 18, 2003

Noooo, you won't die. And you wouldn't really rather keep the splint

and braces forever, honest.

Your doc and his techs will help you, and then you'll be free.

Besides, you're not that far along yet, are you, Smooches? I confess,

I lose track. But I had the surgery at the end of June and didn't get

free of the braces (the splint went off much earlier) until October.

I think it's rare that the braces come of as soon as 's are to.

Cammie

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only

opens 2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back

Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but

I can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

Noooo, you won't die. And you wouldn't really rather keep the splint

and braces forever, honest.

Your doc and his techs will help you, and then you'll be free.

Besides, you're not that far along yet, are you, Smooches? I confess,

I lose track. But I had the surgery at the end of June and didn't get

free of the braces (the splint went off much earlier) until October.

I think it's rare that the braces come of as soon as 's are to.

Cammie

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only

opens 2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back

Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but

I can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

Noooo, you won't die. And you wouldn't really rather keep the splint

and braces forever, honest.

Your doc and his techs will help you, and then you'll be free.

Besides, you're not that far along yet, are you, Smooches? I confess,

I lose track. But I had the surgery at the end of June and didn't get

free of the braces (the splint went off much earlier) until October.

I think it's rare that the braces come of as soon as 's are to.

Cammie

> >> Hi all!

> >>

> >> I went in to see the ortho today for what was supposed to be a

visit

> >> to

> >> take the hooks off and change the wires and instead he offered

to take

> >> everything off this week. I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I was

pretty

> >> shocked (I would say that my jaw dropped but it still only

opens 2 cm)

> >> but I'm definitely not complaining.

> >>

> >> I go in Wed. morning to get the braces off and then go back

Wed.

> >> afternoon to pick up my retainer.

> >>

> >> Of course, it means I have the hooks on for another 2 days but

I can

> >> live with that. :-)

> >>

November 18, 2003

There are quite a few different types of retainers, Annie... And

isn't it exciting that you're close enough to be wondering about that

question!

Mine are little acrylic things, vacuum molded to the impressions of

my teeth after the braces came off. (I suspect that they're pretty

much like the Invisaligns.) They're sposed to be particularly good

for keeping rotations, and they're also sposed to last about two

years.

Some people have " permanent retainers. " These are wires, and far as I

know they're bonded in behind the front teeth. Sometimes lower only,

with one wire across, roughly from canine to canine, behind the

lowers front teeth. Sometimes there's an upper one, also bonded to

the teeth, behind the uppers.

Some people get " Hawleys " or other similar types, which are

essentially plastic plate-like things, with little wires that clasp

onto the back teeth and go around the front ones. The ones I've seen

go on the outside, and are more visible than the other types.

There are also positioners, which have an evil reputation for being

painful and obnoxious. They're like hard rubber mouthpieces, with

impressions of the two arches in them, and grab the teeth (sometimes

urging them into the last bits of movement that perfect the bite).

There may be other devices, as well. These are all that i know.

(Where are you, Cyn? Didn't you once make these things?)

My retainers are invisible, and generally not irritating at all,

although one of 'em has a sharp edge (developed after a year) that's

irking my tongue at the moment. They're soooo much less intrusive

than the appliances, and so much more comfortable!

Best,

Cammie

> Hi , fantastic news about you getting your braces, hooks etc

> removed. Lucky you.......Forgive me for being naive but what is the

> retainer like? Is it like a removable brace? My Surgeon mentioned

> something about it but i can't remember. God i'd love them to tell

me

> i was getting my brace off and right before xmas too....fabulous!!!

> Annie

>

November 18, 2003