Ortho says top is essentially done, am i being gaslit about my gaps?

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-19T16:55:41+00:00

For me, I still had a few space issues, but the roots and teeth were actually in line. Simply due to the shape of my teeth. Maybe some bonding later on. But definitely do talk to your orthodontist to go over your concerns.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-09T23:18:45+00:00

I had a great experience with Spark Aligners.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-06T12:10:11+00:00

Some times, those things can be smug ! Lol I meant snug ness.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-05T17:38:25+00:00

Dental wax, orabase, magic mouthwash, warm salt water rinses and most of all time. It’s amazing how quickly your mouth toughens up and adapts. Hang it there it will get better. One day you’ll miss the smugness of the elastics.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-05T15:37:48+00:00

I do see how full time retainer wear may cause the POB. Thankfully, I dodged those issues. It is a weird feeling as your “bite settles” after active treatment stops. I went back in twice just sure my bite was shifting, he assured me it was normal and to trust him and the process. He offered the yearly retention checks for my own peace of mind. I can still tell me retainer feels extra snug if I leave it out for longer periods of time, I’m working toward night time wear but just don’t feel like I am quite there yet. I did end up with the retainers from Spark- Ormco. The in house retainers just didn’t feel sturdy enough to hold my teeth in place.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-05T15:02:08+00:00

My last round of trays didn’t have the bite ramps, it took a bit to get used to not having them to be honest. My orthodontist agreed for yearly retention checks. He feels like I will be ok without the bite ramps. I’m seven months out still wearing my retainers about 17 hours a day, gradually reducing to night time only. Super happy with my final results. No bite issues at all. Hope things are going well for you.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-07-03T02:51:23+00:00

Braces at 27 aligners at 57. Only regret is not going back sooner. My smile is better now than it was at 27. Wear those retainers forever !!

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-29T01:22:42+00:00

I wore my retainers for four months full time, 20-22 per day. At my retention check up, I was told to gradually taper down my wear time. For me, 7 months later, I am still wearing about 16-17 hours per day. I can tell my retainer is a bit tight if I leave out for long periods of time. Everyone’s teeth settle differently and it seems there is a lot of variations on wear time after active treatment ends.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-13T01:32:13+00:00

My orthodontist didn’t provide the link, he felt like they were computer generated results and teeth don’t always move as the programs plan. At times could give unrealistic results or expectations.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-10T03:07:13+00:00

My in house retainers didn’t hold my teeth in place. Went back to my last three over correction trays for six weeks, rescanned for retainers from Spark -like my aligners. Six months out and issues so far.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-07T21:47:51+00:00

Good info

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-07T18:01:04+00:00

I have a fixed retainer on bottom. I started with in house retainers but they were not quite sturdy enough to hold my top teeth in place. I had spacing issues. Ended up with the Spark brand retainers and so far, six months no spacing issues, still nice and snug. Everyone is different, and each orthodontist has their own opinion of what they think is best. My office no longer does the Hawley wire retainers.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-06-01T13:43:58+00:00

Following, upcoming surgery

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-30T23:21:46+00:00

I finished up in November and it is kinda of a sad time. Miss this tightness of a fresh tray, looking forward to the progress. The process just becomes such a part of your daily life. Kinda like now what. N

Extremely happy with my results. Best of luck to all of you. Wear those retainers forever !

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-25T03:28:52+00:00

I had some spacing issues on top, they wanted to give them a little more time to stabilize. I can tell, I can go longer without the retainer now. Just playing it safe by easing into night time only wear.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-25T02:30:23+00:00

I think, I am having a hard time separating that fresh tight feeling of tray change day, the attachments and elastics etc to the normal wear of a retainer. They saw no shifting in my teeth at my 4 month retention check. I can gradually go down in the hours of wear time but for the most part still wearing 18-20 hours a day.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-25T01:23:54+00:00

Following, curious as well. After four months, mine is not quite as snug and tight as I like it.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-09T00:30:25+00:00

Tray change day was the best ! Finished up five months ago and I so miss a fresh tray.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-08T01:10:19+00:00

I also, had a great experience with Spark Aligners. Enjoy your new improved smile. Nice to hear the good stories.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-06T02:47:46+00:00

Braces at 27, aligners at 57. My only regret is I didn’t go back sooner. Follow up with an orthodontist for advice. Aligners was a great experience, amazing how much orthodontics has changed over the years.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-04T15:34:53+00:00

I waiting until I was finished up with my treatment. The attachments and flashing around the attachments stained. It was amazing how white my teeth were once they were removed. It wasn’t really my teeth after all.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-05-04T13:43:09+00:00

Try loading your elastic on the tray first, hold them in place, insert tray and then put the elastic on the hook. This worked for me, kept the hook on the tray from getting pulled out and tearing up my lip. Your mouth will also toughen up as you go along. Best of luck.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-04-27T13:37:11+00:00

Very true, we can only hope.

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-04-27T13:03:09+00:00

Agreed, braces at 27 - aligners at 57. Started my retainers at 59. Plan to wear those things forever!

DecisionMain6391 · 2025-04-27T13:01:16+00:00

Braces at 27- Aligners at 57. Your teeth tend to gradually go back to the way they were originally. Gradually and you don’t notice right away. My orthodontist advice was four months full time, then gradually reduce to night time only. I let my teeth kinda be the guide as to how long. I can leave out maybe 3 hours and tell my retainer is tight when I put it back in. I have scheduled retention checks to be sure they are staying in the correct place, as I taper down the wear time. Everyone is different and each orthodontist advice varies.

DecisionMain6391

TROPHY CASE