I had braces a LONG time ago. This was back in the days of the "Stone Knives and Bear Skins" version of Orthodontia. Well, okay, almost 40 years ago.
When I got the braces off; (which were the full ring band on every tooth, giving me the appearance of the grill of a 1955 Chrysler Imperial.), I was left with a removable top retainer, and a glued-in bottom retainer. The bottom retainer was simply a wire support that ran behind my front bottom teeth. I went back a few times as I only went every 3 or 4 months to get it checked. When I went off to College, it finally came unglued. I took it out of my mouth, and that was that. I don't think they are meant to last forever, and it stayed in 2 years beyond the last time I saw my Doctor. But once it came out, that was it. I never had a problem with my bottom teeth shifting at all.
My question to you is: Do you have a "one price" deal on your braces, and that is what it is costing you no matter what treatment is involved? Or is there a "maintenance cost"?
If he is charging you on a "per appointment basis" to babysit that glued-in bottom retainer, I'd get a second opinion.
I have no idea what braces and maintenance cost now. Mine was an "all-in" fee. No matter what, and no matter how long it took, the cost to correct my teeth was $1100.00.
I guess that's cheap compared to the cost today, but I have to say, my teeth still look great!
2006-11-03 05:46:12
·
answer #1
·
answered by Phoenix 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both.
Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. In the latter case it is better defined as "dentofacial orthopedics". Orthodontic treatment can be carried out for purely aesthetic reasons - improving the general appearance of patients' teeth and face for cosmetic reasons- but treatment is often prescribed for practical reasons, providing the patient with a functionally improved bite (occlusion).
If the main goal of the treatment is the dental displacement, most commonly a fixed multibracket therapy is used. In this case orthodontic wires are inserted into dental braces, which can be made from stainless steel or a more esthetic ceramic material.
Also removable appliances, or "plates", headgear, expansion appliances, and many other devices can be used to move teeth. Functional and orthopaedics appliances are used in growing patients (age 5 to 13) with the aim to modify the jaw dimensions and relationship if these are altered.
This therapy is frequently followed by a fixed multibracket therapy to align the teeth and refine the occlusion.
After a course of active orthodontic treatment, patients will often wear retainers, which will maintain the teeth in their improved position whilst the surrounding bone reforms around them. The retainers are generally worn full-time for a short period, perhaps 6 months to a year, and then worn periodically (typically nightly during sleep) for as long as the orthodontist recommends. It is possible for the teeth to stay aligned without regular retainer wear. However, there are many reasons teeth will crowd as a person ages; thus there is no guarantee that teeth, orthodontically treated or otherwise, will stay aligned without retention. For this reason, many orthodontists recommend periodic retainer wear for many years (or indefinitely) after orthodontic treatment
2006-11-02 19:10:48
·
answer #2
·
answered by shriharshb 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
I have top and bottom retainers that are removable. I only have to wear the retainers when I sleep. I don't know anyone that has a glued-in retainer. I would try to get another consultation with a orthodontist. He might use the glue-in retainer method because he owns the company or has some sort of arrangement that has to do with money for using that type of retainer. Good luck with your braces.
2006-11-03 05:33:41
·
answer #3
·
answered by Bowllynn 7
·
0⤊
1⤋
quick answer, after having braces you teeth can still move, all teeth have a foward movement, ( hence as we get older they start to overcrowd ) so having a permanent retainer will mean that this will not happen to you and the years you have spent wearing a brace will not be wasted....
rest of life is a bit extreme though normally be for a few years if in doubt seek a second opinion
2006-11-02 21:02:35
·
answer #4
·
answered by theresa d 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
You can either have the permanent retainer or you can use the removable retainer. Both do the same thing; they both last as long. Most people just get the permanent retainer because it's "easier" Either one is fine. You don't have to have the permanent retainer if you don't want to...
2006-11-03 02:47:24
·
answer #5
·
answered by doom92556 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
I have a couple friends that have permanent retainers.
2006-11-02 19:04:32
·
answer #6
·
answered by Jaclyn 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
At my dentist's place of work, each and each month there's a draw for a luxurious toy. young children placed their call and telephone volume on a small slip of paper and placed it in a basket. on the best of the month, the dentist attracts a attractiveness.
2016-12-05 12:01:58
·
answer #7
·
answered by vaibahv 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
My cousin had one. He said it was better than having to keep track of a removable one.
If you don't want it, tell him. He can't force you to get one.
He probably does it because it's big and exciting. Maybe he likes glueing stuff in people's mouths. Maybe he can charge more.
2006-11-02 19:11:38
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
1⤋
I would get a second opinion. I have NEVER heard of that before, mind you, I don't have braces, but, another opinion from another orthodontist, would be in order
2006-11-02 19:11:01
·
answer #9
·
answered by cindiloo 2
·
0⤊
1⤋
not sure why he does...but not everyone has a permanent retainer! i sure don't!!!
2006-11-03 15:07:22
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
1⤋