I got off my braces and my teeth were straight. I wore my retainers like I was supposed to for about six months. Then I stopped wearing them, and its been a few months and I feel as if my front teeth are starting to JUT OUT a little bit. I decided to put my retainers on once again, and am wondering if it is already too late. The retainers are really tight, and when I put it on, a little bit chipped off of the top one, but barely. Will my teeth go back to the way they were when I got my braces off again? Is a little chip in the retainer a big deal?
2007-07-05 18:20:06 · 3 answers · asked by Tymin Dymin 1 in Health ➔ Dental
That is why they call them retainers! After teeth have been moved into places with braces, they need to be held, or RETAINED there, because the teeth do have a tendency to move back to where they were. The retainer may be needed for several years, or for the rest of your life. The guy who gave you the retainer should have provided you with this information. You never should have stopped wearing them.
Your teeth might be get very sore if you try to force them back with the retainer. Or they may adjust. It depends on how much they have moved. You may even need to go back into braces to correct them again.
Is the chip in the retainer a big deal to you. Do you care where your teeth will be. If you do...you may want to speak to the dentist that did your braces in the first place.
2007-07-05 20:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by Dave F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi.... first, the chip in the pink part of the retainer is no biggie. That's just to give it support and has nothing to do with holding your teeth in place so don't worry about it unless you keep playing with the spot with your tongue 'cause it's rough....then it just needs to be polished. Second, you made a grave error in removing your retainer. You will probably need to wear this until your late 20's to really prevent any relapse in your teeth. Yes, I said LATE 20's but only at night then...sorry. And no, it won't hurt if you leave it out for a night or two periodically. Now, the reason your teeth are hurting is they are being forced back into position (which they don't particularly like) just like when you had your braces adjusted. As long as the retainer will go to place just keep using it and they will be fine. Just be thankful that it still fits or you would be needing braces again!
2007-07-06 06:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by docgobbler 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
you might want to go back to the orthodontist to get a new retainer. trust me i've already had one that i had to take out. but now i've got a permenent wire behind the teeth that they had to straighten.
2007-07-06 01:30:54 · answer #3 · answered by k_ry4321 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋