Tx, Soaper Gal. Our orthodontist also leaves in a bottom bar - he did that with our older three sons. They still have them in! I am thinking of getting them to ask our new holistic dentist if that is a good idea. If they remember, I will get back to you on whether it is something that should be left in or not. I had braces and did not have a lower bar left in and my teeth did not shift a lot.