Dear Mari

i understand about not wanting to add difficulties to bed time, also. but the retainer is for a limited time, with a permanent benefit. as far as i know retainers are usually prescribed for 6 months to 1 year, and serve the purpose of rendering permanent the work that the braces did.

the reason they give a retainer when braces come off is because the teeth have been moved about by the braces and are easy to move about. after some time of being "kept still" they settle.

after all the time and hassle in the braces you invested in the braces, it would be a shame if the bite problem came back because the teeth were not given a chance to "set" in their new placement.

and that is the risk, if the dentist felt a retainer is necessary, and you do not wear it.

the sleep issues existed before and will exist afterwards. the intervention on the teeth is not done yet, but it will be in a very limited amount of time.

i like your food plan. i rejoice with you over the ability to pick and choose your foods again.

~ waves ~