x2k

So my treatment is now over - and more or less just 1 year from when it started!

My final tray was in use for an additional month on top of the usual 2 weeks per tray. Although during that time my dentist checked my progress on 3 occasions. This week I visited for the last of these check ups, not actually knowing that there was more in store for me then I thought.

First of all, a small wire was shaped to fit flush against the back of my top set. Then various fluids were painted on the back of my teeth, the wire placed against them, and that little hairdryer device with the blue light at the tip was brought out again to set everything in place.

The result? A fine wire running across the backs of my top set from canine to canine, running through a small cement blob on the back of each tooth. This is apparently called a bonded retainer. It felt a little odd for the first day, but nothing more unusual than the sensation of feeling the back edge of the top Invisalign tray against my teeth.

Next came the bib, which meant dribbling time - nice. Then it all happened quite quickly. Out came the drill, and he really went to town on the attachments. Some of them were really quite stubborn, but all of them (top and bottom) were quickly sheared away. There's still a little roughness on some teeth, but that'll be sorted when I next see the hygienist.

Finally, came the dreaded impression tray full of putty, ready to be squashed onto my top set, and play Russian Roulette with my gag reflex. Determined not to throw up all down myself again, I slowed my breathing through my nose, and thought my way through the lyrics of a song that was stuck in my head. After the longest minute ever, it was over.

I was told to come back in 2 days' time to collect the moulded retainer that goes over the bonded retainer. I collected it this morning, and it actually resembles an Invisalign tray. The main difference is that there are no bumps to accommodate the now absent attachments - so it truly is invisible to others.

The only issue for me is that, unlike Invisalign trays which cover just the teeth, this has a little excess plastic which hugs about half a centimetre of gum too. This, touching my palette slightly, causes a mild lisp for about 5 minutes after fitting it each time. Typical, a whole year of Invisalign and no lisp, 5 minutes of retainer and bingo! Ah well, I can live with this given the results

I now have to go back in 2 weeks to have a bottom set retainer fitted. My dentist mentioned that he wants to make me a special retainer - intriguing... Until then, I've been told to keep using my final lower tray. Funnily enough, without the attachments, it's not very tight, and I can prise it up with my tongue alone. Not long to wait though.

The final surprise came as I was leaving. At the front desk, I offered to make another payment towards my bill, at which point I asked when the deadline for the balance was. Apparently it's when the final retainer gets fitted. So that gives me 2 weeks to scrape together the balance. Luckily that's just after pay day

My next update will be after I've had the final retainer fitted & paid off my debt! I might even be ready to share the before & after photos with you