Long ago, after years of wearing braces and expanders to correct some pretty severe problems, when they came off I received what I now know is called a fiberotomy on my top teeth only. I was also instructed to wear top and bottom retainers.
I was... less than loyal to my retainers.
After a period of time, my bottom teeth reverted partway back to their original positions -- today, they aren't even close to straight. My top teeth, however, remain perfectly straight to this day, almost 20 years later.
However, I've noticed that every single person I have ever spoken to who had dental work done has never heard of this procedure. It strikes me as odd because the procedure was quick, simple, and apparently with excellent outcome.
My questions are:
- The lack of awareness of this procedure leads me to believe that it is not that common. If this is true, why is it so? Are there risks? Is the success rate not high?
- The procedure seemed to entirely negate the need for a retainer, for me at least. Is this typical? If so, why would retainers ever be recommended over a fiberotomy? Are there only certain cases where the procedure is effective?
- Is there any reason, related to the questions above, why the procedure wasn't done on my bottom teeth?
Or is there perhaps some more modern alternative to both fiberotomies and retainers that has appeared in the last 20 years?