I had my braces removed in January and my ortho gradually decreased the time in my retainers. I have now been discharged but he told me to wear my retainers once or twice a week if i want to keep them straight. Do i have to wear them for the rest of my life?!
2006-09-07 00:43:56 · 12 answers · asked by ducky 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Heres a radical idea for you Colin ******!! Why are you even on here if you dont think people should ask Qs you eejit.
2006-09-07 00:51:51 · update #1
Hey, here's a crazy radical idea - why not ask your orthodontist?
And I never suggested people shouldn't ask questions. But what's the point of coming away from the orthodontist, and then asking the public how long you need to wear the brace for? Do you expect them to know things about your mouth that your orthodontist doesn't???
2006-09-07 00:46:51 · answer #1 · answered by Colin S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I dont understand why people are being so mean to you about asking this question!! If they dont want to spend their time answering questions then why are they here??!
Anyway...basically the answer is no, but it is definitely worth wearing them once/twice a week for at least a few months, or your teeth will gradually revert to the way they are. I wasnt given such advice when I got my braces removed, and as a result my teeth arent straight, and I have to either live with it or pay hundreds to get braces again. Not fun.
You could even just wear your retainers at night, if you didnt want others to see them.
Hope this helps!
2006-09-07 02:45:07 · answer #2 · answered by clairelouise 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with bobbi b. The older you were when you had your treatment the more likely it is you will have to wear the retainer on and off for the rest of your life.
Adolescents and teenagers jaws are still growing so the bone accepts the new shape.
With adults undergoing orthodotic work, the ligaments holding the tooth into the socket are like super tight elastic bands and if you let it lapse ( wearing the retainer) they will snap back into their old alignment.
But as everyone has said- give your orthodontist a call- they can tell you how long you may have to wear it for.
2006-09-07 02:52:02 · answer #3 · answered by Claire M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was told to wear mine at night while I'm sleeping for the rest of my life. That will insure that they will stay in place after 3 years of braces. But just ask your orthodontist next time you go see him. Or you might be able to call and ask the receptionist to check in your chart for what the ortho. said to do.
2006-09-07 02:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by brittme 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes if you want your teeth to be straight for the rest of your life!!!
it is not uncommon - especially in America for orthodontic patients to have their night retainers for ever. If your retainers break or wear out your dentist or orthodontist will be able to make you new ones.
2006-09-07 09:59:52 · answer #5 · answered by moo moo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends.
Without knowing exactly what treatment you had, how old you are and a whole host of other bits and pieces it's impossible to answer accurately.
But the older you were when you started the more likely it is that you will need long term retainers.
2006-09-07 02:01:44 · answer #6 · answered by bobbi b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your orthodontist but many people have to wear retainers for the rest of their life to keep the teeth from relapsing. Good luck!
2006-09-07 07:46:59 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how old you are. If you are above 20, then you are probably wearing them the rest of your life.
2006-09-07 01:50:00 · answer #8 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No...you will have to go back and ask your dentist for a persific time frame but its normally 6 months and you start wearing it less and less until finally not at all...
2006-09-07 00:47:48 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go get him scoop, the cheeky scumbag. Are you my spy?
2006-09-07 01:01:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋