Retainer depends on your teeth. This is what my doctor told me. If your braces were put on very tight to meet some kind of deadline, it will have more tendencies to move back. Hence, the use of retainer.
My doctor specifically didn't make my braces very tight. The movements are very slow and gradual, but it also allowed my jaw to expand and adapt.
The plan is to not have to wear retainer for me if possible.

You are really trading money and time here. Wearing braces longer will mean more $$$ and more time, but what you gain is the time you dont have to wear retainer.

Yup, that's how my dentist explained to me.
Because most people said they would experience pain for the first 1-2 days of re-fitting/tightening of braces.
But I don't experience such pain. (less force exerted on my teeth)

Really depends on your teeth like I said. Like some ppl, they dont even have to wear braces that long cos their teeth arrangement only need minor changes.
Im not a dentist, so I can't answer your question.
You can negotiate with your dentist and ask though.

I follow someone who wears retainer on social media.
From what I understand, you can have "cheat days" for retainer.
Not recommended, but I dont think you have to worry that much. It's probably not gonna be the rest of your life lol.
There's also fixed vs removable retainer. Both have pros and cons.

A bit more info.
Apparently my case is a bit experimental.
Traditionally, I would have to remove my teeth before I put on my braces. But my dentist tried to create space by expanding my jaws.
It's working, and she is looking to document the process and maybe present it in conference or something.

For me, I dont have problem with time. Takes longer, but I didnt have to remove any teeth.
I dont think it will add that much time though by doing the process slower.



This post has been edited by nightshade_nova: Nov 12 2018, 12:31 AM

Yup yup.
But be careful. Some dentist are very lazy to follow up. In terms of different phases of aligning the teeth.
So sometimes they would even suggest removing teeth even when you could do it without removing any.
Once you remove, no turning back.

If you can, whenever possible. Try to opt for not removing. It's faster, but a lot of downsides. Crowding issues especially very prone to removal.
Depending on the doctor's expertise also, can opt not to do x-ray.
I didnt do xray, just straight up made mould. Saved a lot of money.

This post has been edited by nightshade_nova: Nov 12 2018, 11:15 AM

I see. All the best.

Im doing my braces with Dr Anitawaty at Subang Perdana. You should meet her before you decide.
My case is one of the pioneers, which doesnt involve extraction.
Today I just put on my power chains, cos I think the gaps made are enough already. (yup, made gaps without extraction)
So, its time to pull the teeth in.

Actually, next Saturday I also have to participate in a mini showcase of how successful the new method is.
She's gonna give a brief or something to fellow practitioners.

From what I understand, the literature (which is a lot of bull) said something about if youre more than 12 years old.
Any attempt on rearrangement of the teeth will result in nerve complications.
It's not really proven, but dentists everywhere have taken it as gospel so they just pull out your teeth.

Sure. I just got back from the clinic. Feels weird having a dozen people staring into your mouth haha.

I dont know the price. But you can actually do braces without x-ray if the dentist is good enough.
Usually x-ray is only necessary if your teeth are really badly arranged, and need a lot of planning.

X-ray record is good to keep if you are changing dentist, so the future dentist to work on you have an overview of how your teeth used to be.
Other than documentation purposes, you can save money if you dont do x-ray.

My dental record only used picture documentation.