Full time retainer?!

[hae703]

I was so excited to get my braces off a few weeks ago although I have to say honestly I was a little disappointed that there were still some things I didn't feel straightened out well enough. But the doc said my retainers would still do some movement. What I was not expecting was to find out when I went for my retainers that he wants me to wear them full time for at least the next few months! I thought the braces and palate expander were bad, but these retainers are horrible! I can't speak, I can't put my teeth together at all and my gag reflux between the saliva and my tongue feeling like it's pushed back further in my mouth basically has made it impossible to wear both the top and bottom at the same time. So I'm alternating as it's the best I can do.

Nighttime is the worst and I'm really afraid to wear them both because I already have sleep apnea and the feeling of my tongue being pushed back towards my throat makes me worry it's going to further worsen my apnea. I was totally not expecting this part to be so difficult.

I think it's bothering me more because I'm very pregnant with twins and so I feel horrible all the time and feel like I look horrible and now I have to talk like I'm slow or something. And the gagging/breathing thing is probably much worse because both are already pregnancy issues I've been having.

I can't help but wonder why he didn't just leave the braces on longer (they were only on 16 months which is 2 months shorter than what they expected) and go to just night wear. Is this normal?

I'm also a little nervous about the fact that they took after pictures the day I picked up my retainer when I really don't feel my teeth are where they should be for being "done." They are much better, but I'm not happy with my front teeth at all.

Just so bummed getting the braces off was not a happy ending to this whole experience. I feel like I'm starting all over again.

Guess I just really needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

Heather

[bedazzlemouth]

awe, I would be bummed too! I remember when my daughter got her retainer, there was a portion of it designed to push one of her teeth forward since the smile wasn't just right and I wondered why they didn't just leave her braces on as well. Good news is that the retainer worked its magic and she is satisfied with her smile. I guess when all the other teeth are right there is no sense risking movement while working on one stubborn tooth, so perhaps it was best to retain them and use the retainer to work on that one tooth. You should make an appointment with the ortho to tell them just how difficult this is for you so they can hopefully make some sort of adjustment for you. It is so important to wear those retainers and after all this bracing stuff you don't want to let your teeth shift because you can't wear the retainer. Good luck and keep us posted on how the retainer issue whether you eventually get used to it or if the ortho adjusts for you. We will all be in retainers soon enough and therefore interested in this.

[TumbleDryLow]

First off I want to say that it's very common for orthos to take off braces and let the retainers do the final tweaking. I'm really sorry you are having such a hard time with yours. Definitely speak to your ortho and tell them it's impossible for you to wear them full time. If they understand the severity of the issue they are more likely to take prompt action. You don't say what type of retainers you have--Essex or Hawley. Perhaps you can switch to the other type. I have Essex retainers and they are quite comfortable. (Those are the clears ones that look like an Invisiline tray). Many people think that Essex cannot move teeth, but that's not true. My retainers were moving 3 of my teeth into their final positions.
Good luck!