No-More-Braces Anniversary

Exactly one year ago today I was freed from my braces. After 14 months of the In-Ovation C braces treatment, I finally had the perfect smile I've always dreamed of. I still don't regret getting adult braces, not even for a second, as I love my smile now and I can't say that I'm not flattered by all the nice comments I get.

Life has been good post braces. I can eat what I want again, and I don't feel self-conscious about my smile anymore. Magically, I didn't put the weight back on that I lost during my braces treatment, which is weird, because I'm back to snacking around the clock again.

A week after my braces came off, I got clear retainers which was supposed to be worn all day (except when eating), but I had a really hard time with that because I'm a teacher and I was just spitting and drooling all over the place with those in my mouth. So eventually, after a few months, I only wore them when going to bed.

clear retainers

After a year, I'm now technically allowed to only wear them when going to bed, and I'll have to do this for the rest of my life (or my teeth will move back!). I went to the orthodontist a few weeks ago for a checkup, and she said everything was perfect. She basically just checked if my permanent retainers (the wires behind my front teeth) were still intact, and whether my retainers still fit how they should. They did! (thankfully!) I didn't tell her that I've only been wearing it at night when I go to bed.

After my braces were removed, I also had to get two wisdom teeth extracted. I guess that the braces had moved my teeth so much that there was suddenly space for those suckers to come out. Luckily they grew out straight and the dentist only had to pull them out. No stitches required. 

I'm very strict with myself regarding dental hygiene, and try to brush my teeth after each meal. I also wear my retainers religiously at night, as I have an irrational fear that my teeth will move back to their original spot during the night if I didn't wear them...

I brush the retainers every night before putting them in, and twice a week I'll soak them in Polident to properly clean them. I'll have to wear these retainers at night for the rest of my life, but it's totally worth it to have the straight teeth I have now. I don't even notice them anymore.

You can read about my 14-month In-Ovation C braces treatment here. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.