appointment for Xray etc. tomorrow, excited, but also have a question!

[Carolina]

Hi every one,

I´m going to the ortho tomorrow morning for moulds, Xrays etc...I was very excited to finally start the whole process and then I thought of something...
At the moment, I´m still wearing a bonded retainer at the back of my upper front teeth..My teeth shifted anyway, but I like to think that the wire is still doing all it can, to keep my stubborn teeth into place...I´m a bit scared that the ortho will take it off tomorrow for the moulds...Then I´ll be without any protection from even worse tooth movement than I already experienced...And..with the waiting for the clincheck and then the aligners...my teeth could be in a different position when the aligners get in!They wont fit and my alignment will be worse....
I´m actually getting pretty worried about it...Is it absolutely neccessary to remove the bonded retainer?

Carolina

[Phantom Muse]

Some people have moulds taken for refinements while still wearing their attachments (that will be removed for the new trays), so I suspect it is possible to leave the bonded retainer in for the moulds as well. X-rays shouldn't be a problem. Express your concerns to the ortho, and good luck!

[Carolina]

Thanx phantom! That's hopefull!
I know it's a bit of a weird question, but the last 10 years I've been watching my teeth slowly drift with retainer, so I just don't want to take the risk!
How is your treatment progressing?

[Phantom Muse]

Carolina,

I am very happy with my progress. I have finished my lower trays (I had 7), and I am currently on tray 10 of 12 for the uppers. I expect refinements, but probably at most only a few trays on the lower. I am unsure about refinements for the uppers, but I'll have a better idea in a few weeks. My ortho thinks I'll need a few, but not many. Fingers crossed!

I had braces as a teenager and didn't wear my retainer so this whole journey for me is really my own fault! However, if you are having relapse with a bonded retainer, it is probably a good idea to have a heart to heart with your ortho about the best method of retention for you. Some people use removable retainers only, and others use bonded and removable together.

By the way, you should get your aligners in under 6 weeks (mine were ready in 2), so it is unlikely you'll experience much relapse during that time, and your new aligners will put things right back into place either way!

Good luck, and let us know how your visit with the ortho goes!

[Carolina]

So I went to the ortho today for moulds an X rays, Xrays were taken and then they casually said they would remove the bonded retainer and take moulds...I asked how long I had to wait for the aligners to come in after that and they mentioned they would close for holiday so it would be august before I could start treatment..I decided then I would go back for moulds in july, because there would be to much chance for more relapse in two months....They were not convinced about that, but they couldn´t give me any warranty for its "a human body so you can't predict anything"

I mentioned the retaining and they immediately said they NEVER use bonded retainers...I don't know why...I felt like I was in some orthodontic factory actually, I think he was helping 5 people at the same time..When he spoke to me, he was putting spacers in someones mouth...So..more delay...I'm bummed about that...And about the feeling I have about the ortho...But here, you can't really pick..He's the only provider of invisalign in the country that is experienced...

[Phantom Muse]

I am sorry to hear that you don't have another ortho to choose from for treatment. Would it be a big inconvenience to consult with other orthos that might be less-experienced using Invisalign? My ortho is experienced with Invisalign, but he wasn't always - but he has had good success from the time he began using it.

It sounds like you are not comfortable with the one you saw today. For me, I really need to work with someone that I can trust, is encouraging, and that I can call with my questions. A simple question about retention should be answered clearly for you, in my opinion. There are so many differing views on it that it is a logical and pertinent question.

Either way, it sounds like a good call to wait to have the moulds done. You will rest easier that way! Keep us posted...

[Carolina]

Thanx phantom! I was really in doubt this afternoon..I want to start the treatment asap now...well, all good things take time I guess...And I'm sure I would be so worried about possible relapse (I had a REALLY bad bite before first time in braces)that it would affect my own holiday...so good decision..I think...

About the ortho....I called some other ortho's in the region today to doublecheck my internet research and they didn't even know what invisalign was...One of them strted laughing and told me they don't do "ikea orthodontics"(ikea being a well known in Europe furniture store which is known for being cheap)

The whole thing made me doubt if I should go for the metal brackets....I really want invisalign, but the ortho and his (non) service, until now is not really what I need, being the inquisitive, *bit* control freaky person that I am...
I would really like some one to take the time to sit down with me and explain what they will be doing, what it will take etc. etc....I asked them about the mentioned invisalign lite program, but they can't tell me how much it will cost, if refinements are included..retainer is not included with both invisalign options actually...I've read in other posts that many ortho's do include it...hmm..Well, now I've got another month to decide...

Bit of a rambling...Giess I'm organizing my thoughts at the same time...

thanx for reading!

[Phantom Muse]

Carolina,

I know this "research" phase of treatment can be frustrating! Most importantly, however, is that you feel confident with your provider. There will be times during treatment - no matter which route you go - where you will need to have answers to your questions. If I were you, I would make an appointment with a few other orthos - even if they don't do Invisalign. The more information you have about your particular situation, the more confident you will feel during treatment.

I do hope you can find an Invisalign provider that will make you comfortable. It's a great system...but so many have had good luck with other types of braces, too!

Take care, and do keep us posted!