I wasn’t actually given a choice of color. She said they only provide these types of appliances in clear color. I’m ok with that as it’s bit more discrete.

I have to wear them 24/7 except when playing contact sports, eating and swimming. I mentioned a few meetings I would find it hard to wear them and she was ok with that. She said drinking was fine but I didn’t ask about tea and coffee, thank for the heads up on that.

She said it was likely I would need a turn on the screws but would need to be gradual and probably only one or two and then the labial bows will be used to straighten everything.

Your retainer sounds very similar to what I have but I think you are right that having the screws definitely makes it thicker. 

Actually not as good as I thought it would be. It was way worse than I expected when I first got them but I did think I’d get used to speaking with them better than I have. I have got used to having them in my mouth but Still have a big lisp. I’m getting braver wearing them out in public so hopefully with more practice my speech will get better. I have to go back on Tuesday as the occlusal isn’t moulded very well to my bottom teeth so only my back left tooth touches which keeps my jaw open more than it should which might be why it’s still hard to speak, will see if they can fix it

So will you not have any supervision during minor straightening of your incisors? I didn't during the brief period my retainer was resolving relapse. for most of the time, I have been wearing it solely for retention and am now down to part time wear..

Did your ortho turn or ask you to turn your expansion screws?

Do you mind if I ask you how much you have paid this ortho?

All the best with your modified retainer. I hope your speech is improving.

2 months in and all going ok. Fairly used to them now but it’s still quite embarrassing! Talking much better. Had my 2nd adjustment, slow progress but progress being made. Still not quite used to the concept of having removable braces but I’m definitely more comfortable than I was. 2nd adjustment was to activate the appliance and adjustment to the labial wire. Was slightly tender after but not too bad.

To answer @embracer they cost about £400 each brace so £800 in total.

@retainer101 Glad you took the jump and looking forward to seeing your progress throughout 2023!

Have you activated the screws yet?

Have you activated the screws yet?

my ortho does it rather than me as she I’m only doing 1/4 turns and not many of them so she is controlling it. It’s hard to expand the jaw at my age so this is only creating a small bit of space so the labial now can be adjusted to make the minor changes needed on my front teeth, the real bit is addressing my molars which the occlusal coverage is doing

I see and how do you feel about it wearing it non stop ?

At first I was so scared and wasn’t too happy at all but if you throw yourself in and get passed the first week or two then it does become slightly easier and while still very embarrassing it is amazing how much you grow in confidence with it in. Eating with them is still tricky and so having to wear them full time for that is pretty annoying! Sometimes I can’t manage so just take them out.