I wore braces for a little under a year, mostly to close a gap between my two front teeth. I had the braces taken off yesterday and this morning when I woke up, you could see that the gap had opened again slightly. I get my retainers tomorrow. My question is whether the retainer will close the little gap back up?
2007-10-30 01:42:18 · 17 answers · asked by aguill7 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Yes, the retainer should help close the space, but I would call your Orthodontist and let them know the space is starting to open up again, maybe they can put a "rush" on those retainers. You will have to wear the retainers all the time only taking them out to eat and to brush usually for several months and then they will reduce the time to night-time wear. Good luck~
2007-11-01 07:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the gap will close again after wearing the retainer a short time. This is a very common complaint that arises once the braces are removed since the teeth do drift slightly.
The retainer is made from an impression that is taken as soon as the braces are removed, once it's placed, the teeth will have a slight pressure pushing them back into their post ortho position.
It will take time for the teeth to become solid in the bone, this is the purpose of wearing the retainer; so the teeth don't drift back to their pre-ortho position.
You will need to wear the retainer 24/7 for several weeks or months depending on what your orthodontist advises.
You may even want to consider a permanent "fixed retainer" which is attached to the lingual side of the teeth making it unnoticeable when smiling or speaking and it eliminates the possibility of loosing the retainers since they are attached.
Be sure to wear them as your orthodontist advises to keep that beautiful straight smile.
2007-10-30 09:49:03 · answer #2 · answered by HeatherS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time, the dentist will have put springs on the retainers to keep pressur against those teeth to keep the gap closed. The gap should close back up with the retainers. Gaps reopening is very common. check with your orthodontist to see if you have room for a permanent retainer to hold that gap together.
2007-10-30 08:53:07 · answer #3 · answered by Helen DDS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't get my retainers until a week after the braces were taken off. They should pull them back together... I go sometimes 3 nights without wearing mine after 2 years of having them and I still notice gaps. You just have to be consistant when wearing them and you shouldn't have any problems.
2007-10-30 11:34:48 · answer #4 · answered by ant8949 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will be a little painful for a few hours but you'll be fine. Make sure you wear your retainers like they tell you because if you don't the gap will come back!
2007-10-30 08:50:11 · answer #5 · answered by Donnao 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had my braces off for about 6 years and I still wear my retainer at night.
2007-10-30 09:12:35 · answer #6 · answered by Stefani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THe retainer is supposed to help your teeth set in place, but if that doesn't work go see your orthodontist again.
2007-10-30 08:45:34 · answer #7 · answered by Dolphinace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it will.
Under a year is a short time though.
You may need to wear the retainer longer than a year.
2007-10-30 08:45:14 · answer #8 · answered by Mom of 2 great boys 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
where your retainer or they will go back they way they were. Mine did and my son didn't wear his and the orthodontists had to fix his teeth again.
2007-10-30 08:46:12 · answer #9 · answered by cirtus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after braces come retainers that you have to wear for a certain period of time.
2007-10-30 08:50:11 · answer #10 · answered by butterworth1812 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋