I've recently had my braces removed (May 2009) and now have an Essix retainer for my bottom jaw (to wear at night) and an Hawley retainer for my top jaw with false tooth attached (to wear during the day).

Starting in Aug/Sept 2004 I had Damon type 2 brackets, then In-ovation brackets (replaced March and May 2006) and seven In-ovation brackets without clips (with elastic ligatures).
Total time in braces = 4 years and 8 months!

NB: All treatment is through the NHS apart from implant work done by Mr Ziff which is private.


Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Emergency appointment! Goodbye Damon, hello In-ovation

I have lost a spring from my pre-molar gap.
I also noticed the wire for my top teeth is going through the wrong bit of a top back bracket.

I got seen by Mr S and told him one of my back springs have come off.

He had a look, removed my other back spring for my pre-molar gap and told me the wire was going through the wrong bit of the bracket and has caused my tooth to twist the wrong way.

He cleaned my top brackets using vinegar to help dissolve the plaque and put the wire back into the correct hole for the back bracket so that tooth will realign properly.

He also put new tubing next to my top spring and replaced some of my Damon brackets with In-ovation brackets.

In-ovation brackets are self-ligating like Damon brackets.
Mr S changed my brackets as the "doors" on the Damon braces get clogged up too easily (well on mine anyway!).

Find out more about In-ovation
here
. (<< see link)

Mr S told me I can't have my false tooth yet (even though Miss M got it ready) as the new wire he put on is rounded and would mean the tooth would just keep moving around the wire and not stay put.

He said once my back tooth is back in line, he'll replace the wire with a more squared wire which will stop the false tooth from moving.