Lost retainer - HELP!

[dcdude20]

Hi, I lost my retainer and I'm freaking out. I've been frantically searching for it for the last week without luck so I am sure it's gone now. To make matters worse, I have about 10 days to get the new retainer done, since I'm moving to Europe to a place where I don't speak the language - and obviously I can't get started on this until Monday because of the holiday.

I got the molds for my retainer done by my ortho about 2 years ago in another state. So I was thinking about calling them, asking them to make a new retainer based on the last one and then just shipping it to me. What really worries me: Do orthodontists keep usually keep the molds they used to make retainers? If so, it will be no problem getting a new one. But if they don't, I'll have to get new molds. I'm worried that because my teeth have shifted since the last time I wore a retainer (I can visibly see the gap in my front teeth has reopened) just making a new mold with an ortho here will not close my growing gap. Or maybe there's a way for them to shape a new retainer so it closes the gap that has since opened up?

Any advice? Should I call them saying this is an emergency? I'm freaking out and don't know what to do!

[haywire]

can't you go to any orthodontics office and just ask for a retainer? they take new molds and make a new one

[dcdude20]

Yeah I could but wouldn't the new mold be of my teeth as they are now? Right now there's a gap between my two front teeth again because I hadn't worn the retainer for a week. Will they be able to close that with a new retainer?

[ashesgap]

If you get Hawleys they can tweak them to close the gap/gaps. I think it would work in your favor to get new molds done.

[MyLittleTeeth]

I agree with ashesgap, I'd just get new molds done and have a new retainer created from them. I would think that any movement that has occurred within a week could easily be corrected by tweaking the Hawley.

I can't speak for all orthos, but I don't think mine saves molds. He offers them to his patients upon completion of treatment; if they decline, I believe he pitches them.

Hope you're able to get a new retainer made before your big move! Best of luck.

[BracesDude]

The previous ortho rarely would keep an old retainer model and almost always needs a new impression. Don't forget, the process of making a retainer can destroy the model to some extent. You're gonna have to pony up for a new model and new retainer.

[TumbleDryLow]

Call around. Some orthodontists have in-house labs making the turn around time from molds to retainers hours rather then weeks.
Essex retainers can also do minor corrections.

[drrick]

You need new impressions.