Diary of My Braces (Part 5): Farewell Braces! :D What's Next?

Hello everyone! I'd like to welcome my new followers ^___^ Hopefully you'll enjoy my blog!

For my old followers and my loyal readers, supposedly all of you have known that I used braces since February 2012 :) and FINALLY my braces have taken off last month :'D

INTRODUCTIONS...

It's such a long journey (long enough for me).. I used these lovely braces for around 28 months, doing monthly control routinely and this is the result of my effort :'D

My braces was taken off on 18 June 2014..

I took few hours to write down this post, because it becomes slightly longer than I've expected. LOL.

Please continue to read if you're interested ^^

Since I didn't record anything during the braces removal, I will show you its process from Youtube ^^

How to take braces off:

How it feels? Personally for me, the process itself was quite fast and not painful at all :)
It was done easily by Bracket Remover Tool.. The process was like... pressuring and pulling activities.. LOL. Overall, I have no complain about the braces removal process ^__^

Before show you the result..I want to remind you how I used to be..

(just in case you forgot it XD)

You may read my previous post to understand the whole process better :)

If you have any question, please read these posts first.. Maybe those answers were on these posts already..

PART 1: Finally I got my braces

PART 2: Teeth Extraction

PART 3: Current Progress

PART 4: Year 2013

(PS: Sorry for my awful English grammars >__<)

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

Are you ready? ;)

. . . . . . . . .

THE RESULT

I've waiting for this moment! Finally it came! ^____^

Farewell braces.. I'm not gonna miss you ♥♥♥

I'm thankful for all process and it succeed enough :)

HELLO RETAINER

You might wonder.. what is retainer? Let me introduce you... :)

Orthodontic Retainers are custom-made devices, usually made of wires or clear plastic, that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method realigning teeth. They are most often used before or after dental braces to keep teeth in position while assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums to changes in the bone. Most patients are required to wear their retainer(s) every night at first, with many also being directed to wear them during the day - at least initially. There are four types of retainers typically prescribed by orthodontists and dentists: Hawley, Essix, Zendura, and Bonded (Fixed) retainers

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retainer_(orthodontics) )

1. Clear Retainer

credit: http://www.neonbrite.com/retainers.html

It also called as Invisible Retainer or Vacuum Formed Retainer. Clear retainer is thin braces made from a sheet of clear plastic, which looks similar to a gum shield in shape. It reminds me with Invisalign :p My orthodontist didn't recommend me to use this clear retainer, because it's not as effective as the steel wire retainer, and can be broken easier.

2. Steel Wire Retainer

credit: http://www.millenniumdentalpractice.com/p/hawley-retainer/

The most common retainer that patients often use. Steel wire retainer or Hawley Retainer is a removable braces made from plastic and stainless steel wire. This retainer is used to keep teeth straight after the orthodontics braces are removed.

3. Bonded Wire Retainer

credit: http://www.planetbraces.com/about-orthodontic-retentions.php

A bonded wire retainer is a small wire glued to the inside of the top or bottom front teeth, it's glued permanently to retain or hold the shape of teeth. Fixed retainer needs extra care when cleaning teeth and wire retainer.

4. Bonded Fibre Retainer

credit: http://dental-studio.ro/

A bonded fibreglass retainer is a tooth coloured strip of material fixed to the inside of your bottom or top front teeth. The bonded fibreglass retainer works as a support to the teeth to prevent them moving out of line after the removal of a brace. The fibreglass adds strength to the composite filling material that is used. It makes it rigid enough to hold the teeth straight.

The bonded fibreglass retainer will not cause any damage but poor dental hygiene around the retainer will. Poor cleaning and too many fizzy drinks can cause permanent decay marks.

Above all options, I used steel wire retainer, in order to retain the shape of my teeth in current shape :)

With retainer on, I can't talk properly >___< Haha.

My orthodontist recommend me to use retainer at day and night, but mostly I only use these retainers at night. Why? Because it's so inconvenient to use at day.. I can't talk properly with my friends or co-workers '___' and I can't eat with retainer on.. It's quite not comfortable to use retainer during office hours.. So yeah, that's why I only use these retainers at night XD

My orthodontist also highly recommend me to wear this retainer diligently for around 2-3 years..

Anyway.. retainer tastes bad T___T I feel like eating plastic stuff!

Finally I'm getting used to wear it after 3 days.. x_x

Yes, my teeth have become straight, neat and tidy now! :) I'M SO HAPPY!!

Frequently Asked Question:

(PS: I'm just gathering some information that might be useful ^^)

1. Question: I want to align my teeth, but those braces seems bring much troublesome. Can Orthodontics Retainer replace Orthodontics Braces role? 

Answer: It surely CAN'T replace braces role. It's only retaining the shape, not moving the teeth :)

2. Question: Are retainers removable?

Answer: Steel Wire and Clear Retainers are removable, but Bonded Fibre Retainers and Bonded Wire Retainers are permanent.

3. Question: Can I eat with retainers on?

Answer: No, you can't. You should remove the retainers first before eating

4. Question: How long will I need to wear it?

Answer: At least one year following the braces removal. Many orthodontists now recommend wearing your retainer until 2-3 years following the braces removal.

5. Question: What will happen if I don't wear the retainer as recommended?

Answer: Your teeth will almost certainly move if you don't use your retainer as recommended

6. Question: What is the advantage and disadvantage of steel wire retainer?

Answer: It's removable, and more durable compared to clear retainer. The only disadvantage of steel wire retainer is, it makes you can't talk properly :p haha.

7. Question: How do I clean my retainer?

Answer: You should use a toothbrush and soap. Do not use toothpaste as some products can damage the plastic of the retainer. If you are cleaning the retainer over the sink, as a precaution put water in the sink in case you drop the retainer. Proprietary cleaning agents are available.

*****

Well.. is it really the end? My lovely teeth, do you still need another treatment after this 2 year braces installation? *talking to my teeth*

And my teeth seem replied.. "YES"

*take a deep breath*

DEAD TOOTH + GUM RECONSTRUCTION

I still have another problem.. like I've said in this post, I have one dead tooth (or called as non vital tooth).. During these 2 years, this dead tooth was hided by bracket and become less noticeable..

After the braces taken off, my dead tooth definitely become more noticeable..

I'm sure that you can see clearly.. which the dead tooth is.. ;____;

In order to make my teeth become perfect and more appealing, my orthodontist advised me to do Gum Reconstruction right before Dental Crown installation.. :( Because if I do gum reconstruction now, the discoloration of my dead tooth will be more visible.. 

Alright, it's become more complicated now..

A dead tooth is simply a tooth that no longer has access to nutrients and blood flow. Our teeth are composed of three layers: the enamel, the dentin and the nerve or “pulp”. A healthy tooth has living cells and tissue inside.This living tissue plays a role in the development of the teeth. The nerve is the part of the tooth that can sense temperature, when you drink or eat something really cold or hot. It can also sense how hard you are biting into something, and feel pain.

All the blood vessels and nerve fibers are located in the pulp and this means that when the pulp is dead, then the tooth is dies as well. What can happen if a tooth becomesnon vital, and why does it die?

What cause tooth to die:

1. Tooth decay or a bacterial infection, when left untreated, will begin to invade deeper into the tooth eventually penetrating through enamel and into the second layer, the dentin. When the decay or infection reaches deep inside the tooth, the cells of the pulp try to fight it off by triggering the inflammatory process. This includes action by the white blood cells. Pus develops when some of the white blood cells die during the battle against the infection. If the infection is not treated at this stage, all the white blood cells will die and the blood flow will stop completely.When this occurs, tooth sensitivity is usually the first sign of trouble and this sensitivity will eventually reach the pulp and results in a severe toothache.

2. Dental Trauma – This can occur from traumatic injuries, falls, severe grinding and clenching, biting into very hard objects, and sometimes idiopathic internal resorption (a tooth self destructs from the inside out for no apparent reason) . When dental trauma occurs, the blood supply can be severed immediately, resulting in the pulp dying off. Sometimes it is a slow progressive breakdown as teeth wear and crack from bad oral habits. Prevention is the key whenever possible. This is why sports mouth guards are recommended for all contact sports activities. Nightguards are recommended for clenchers and grinders. Extremely hard foods should be avoided such as popcorn kernels, corn nuts, and the mouth should not be used in place of tools such as scissors or a bottle opener. 

(source: http://drperrone.com/blog/signs-of-a-dead-non-vital-tooth/)

I assume that my tooth died because tooth decay.. it was left untreated before I get my braces :((

If you meet me in person someday, you should've know why this tooth is darker than other teeth :(

I can hide the darkened tooth in front of camera, but it's hard to not laugh widely in real life, and surely everyone can see my dead tooth..

For aesthetic purpose, my orthodontist advised me to install Dental Crown.

credit: http://www.summitdentalcenter.com/dental-crown-down-low-what-they-are-and-should-you-get-one/

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth - to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength and improve its appearance. Dental crown is different with Dental Bridge. Dental crown can be applied to broken or dead tooth, while Dental Bridge is applied to missing tooth.

For illustration purpose, Dental Crown is different with Dental Bridge:

credit: http://www.biodentalcare.com.au/crownandbridge

credit: http://www.smilecliniq.com/dead-tooth-black-tooth-discoloured-tooth.php

To be honest.. I really want to do something with my dead tooth :( :(

I feel quite insecure with my visible dead tooth T___T It's so less appealing.. 

What should I do next? Anyone has experience regarding dead tooth treatment and dental crown?

WISDOM TOOTH

Aside of dead tooth, my other concerns is wisdom tooth '___'

Finally they woke up! O___O

*SFX: godzilla's roaring*

As you can see.. my two wisdom teeth have waken up and disclosed their crowns..

Gladly, it doesn't hurt! I almost didn't feel any pain :'D I was quite terrified when heard some people suffering due to wisdom tooth growth. I only feel like.. something wrong with my gum.. little bit uncomfortable and I keep licking my gums to check if I got any gum sprue or something, LOL >___<

Somehow, I'm worried these wisdom teeth will press my aligned teeth and make them become crowded.

So far, it doesn't really becomes my concern

.. I still have retainers to guard my teeth shape :P yay!

If there's no problem, I think I don't need wisdom tooth removal surgery. *pray hard*

*****

At least for now, diary of my braces has end here.. 

Thanks God everything is over! ^____^

Few days ago when I dig out my old photos, I realized how unattractive I was.. '____'

I remember the hard moments of the past 22 years, when I had no confidence to smile widely due to my crowded teeth. I used to smile like this:

Early 2012 photoshoot

I'm grateful that I have a chance to "reconstruct" my teeth with braces installation ^_^

I thank God for my supportive mom, who has allowed me to wear braces ♥♥

Mid 2013 Photoshoot

Before - In Progress - After

I think.. My face structure somewhat changed after my braces taken off, and it helps a bit to reduce the appearance of my chubby cheeks XD What do you think?

TIPS: if you are planning to install braces someday.. you shouldn't skip monthly control!

Monthly control really help to make this process faster and succeed in expected time :)

Remember that no pain, no gain!

Hopefully this post will encourage you to install braces (if you really need!) ^__^

You should discuss it with your parents properly :)

If you have any question regarding braces and retainer, please do comment!

Thank you guys ♥

UPDATE 04/06/2015: After a long consideration, I think dental veneer is much better than dental crown. I'm eyeing to do a dental veneer installation now, but since it's pricey I'm still saving money to do that >_< Or maybe anyone want to sponsor me? LOL :P
Thanks for reading all!

Sources:
http://www.millenniumdentalpractice.com/
http://drperrone.com/blog/signs-of-a-dead-non-vital-tooth/
http://www.neonbrite.com/retainers.html