Can retainers help fix any minor tiny shifting that having braces on a little too long causes?

Question

I will be getting them off in the next month, and they say my case is severe because of an underbite so I'll need a retainer for 24/7. Do retainers help shift your jaw too?

Answer 1

nope. you would need to have your braces still on so you can get rubber bands to make your jaw shift. thats what i have to get.

Answer 2

A retainer is put on after you have braces to "retain" the position your teeth are now in. The braces did all the moving, so now you need to keep the retainer on for as long as the orthodontist advises, otherwise all that time and money will be going dow the drain because your teeth will change position without the support.

I used to have perfectly straight teeth at the front, my back teeth weren't touching when I ate though. At the end, when the braces and retainer came off I now have crooked front teeth that nothing will fix except for braces. Oh it's not too noticeable, but I know it's there. The orthodontist has since passed away so there's nothing I can do. But perfection and beauty is found in one's flaws I say, that's what makes them unique.

Answer 3

What retainers do is help maintain the position of the teeth after the braces come off.
The principle of braces work such that when you apply gradual pressure to the teeth, they will slowly move to the new desired, straightened position (the alveolar bone in your jaw that the teeth is embedded into & the periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone gradually remodel themselves to accomadate the gradual shift of the tooth's position)

Hence once, after you remove your braces when your ortho is satisfied with the position/straightness/alignment of your teeth, the teeth still tend to be a bit lose because the alveolar bone & periodontal ligament still haven't fully grown/modelled around the teeth in the new position. Hence, having retainers help keep your teeth straight in the new positions til the teeth position is more secure (alveolar bone & periodontal ligament firmly securing teeth in position) Retainers also help secure the teeth in position in case the positions may be disrupted by the eruption of the wisdom teeth.

I don't think retainers alter your jaw bones. I know of some people who've had surgery to move their jaw because of their severe underbite.

Answer 4

Did the Orthodontist suggest having jaw surgery? That is the only thing that will correct the overbite. A retainer will only hold your teeth straight. My daughter had jaw surgery last summer and has a gorgeous smile. She was told she is to wear her retainer at night for the rest of her life as once you stop your teeth go back crooked.

Answer 5

no but they keep the teeth from shifting and if you don't wear them the teeth will move and just go off track. and pleaseee wear yours i had to get braces back on for nine months. just bc of that.

Answer 6

retainers are supposed to keep ur teeth straight and it shouldn't be shifting

Answer 7

i don't know cause i still have braces

Answer 8

Why dont you ask your dentist, he of all People should know!!!