I had Orthodontist threatment when I was about 12 or 13. Then at the end of my treatment he stongly glued/cemented a piece of metal to the back of my teeth. When should this come out? Do you know what metal is usually used for this? It has kept my teeth in place but I haven't been to the dentist in years because I haven't been able to afford it. Im 20 now and it's been in a long time and it really annoys me when I floss my teeth because I can't do the bottom teeth because of this piece of metal. Any advise anyone?
Thanks
2007-05-24 11:16:35 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
This is called a bonded retainer. I have two of them. They are intended to be permanent. Only people who take excellent care of their teeth should have them because plaque does tend to form in the spaces you can't reach and also food. It is, however, pretty easy to floss them. You need a packet of Floss Threaders. You can buy at the pharmacy in the dental section. It's a thin plastic loop you thread like a needle with floss then thread it between your teeth. Easy!
Right now, however, you probably have quite a build up which could be causing you decay between your teeth. You really need a professional dental cleaning. If you have a dental school in your city you can get quality care there for cheap.
2007-05-24 11:24:42 · answer #1 · answered by artgal1285 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you have is a piece of thick-gauge nickel silver orthodontic wire bonded to the back of your lower anteriors. Its purpose is to act as a splint to keep your lower teeth straight.
These days, splinting is not done as frequently because it does indeed make it difficult to keep your lower front teeth clean.
Have a dentist or orthodontist evaluate it-- You might be able to use a removeable retainer (worn at night while you sleep) instead, which would make cleaning your teeth easier. If a retainer is an option, the splint can be removed.
If the splint is necessary, you might want to use a floss threader to floss between the splinted teeth.
Hope this helps, and good luck.
2007-05-24 11:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by thddspc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to take it out. Just make sure you floss and go to the dentist for regular cleanings. If you have them take it out your teeth will start moving. Trust me, I've had braces twice. Once when I was about 12 and again when I was 27. I had them twice because my top teeth started moving again as I got older. My bottom teeth were fine because of my permanent retainer. Leave it in, there will be no harm to your teeth!
2007-05-24 11:24:07 · answer #3 · answered by City Girl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HELLO CHRISSIE,
YOUR ORTHDNTIST PLACED A PERMANENT LOWER RETAINER FOR YOUR TEETH. HE MAY HAVE CONSIDERED THAT THIS WOULD BE OF BENEFIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CASE.
TO FLOSS BETWEEN BUY SOME SUPERFLOSS, AVAILABLE AT MOST PHARMACIES IN THE DENTAL SECTION, AND GUIDE THE STIFF SHORT END UNDER THE WIRE BETWEEN YOUR TEETH.
2007-05-24 11:28:32 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the orthodontist or dentist right away! that thing has probably rotted the back of your teeth! it should've been out in 2 or 3 yrs.
2007-05-24 11:23:08 · answer #5 · answered by Cutie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why don't you ask your dentist. He/She should know what it is. Ask em how to solve your flossing problem.
2007-05-24 20:42:08 · answer #6 · answered by Sherr 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋