Bonded Upper Retainers - Not on canine?

[samjamesldn]

Hi Guys,

I've just had my braces off, and I've had bonded retrainers fitted. I'm super happy with my results, however I have realised the upper bonded retrainer is only on my 4 top teeth, it is not placed on my two canines. The reason for my worry is, I had braces to fix relapsed canines which has sunk out of place from childhood braces and I am super worried they will now begin to sink back again if they are not held in place!

My dentist is now closed until Monday, is it normal for the canines to be left without any upper bonded retainer? I have to wait 3 months for a removable retainer so the fixed one is meant to do the job in between me getting a removable retainer.

As you can imagine, after all this work, I do not wish for my teeth to sink backwards!

Hoping you can provide some guidance!

Thanks,
Sam

[oldfart]

Why do you have to wait three months for a removable retainer? Most offices can at least crank out an Essix in an hour.

I know there is some concern with upper bonded retainers around the canines and concerns that the lower teeth can hit the upper retainer when you bite down. Could that be the case?

[samjamesldn]

They said to wait 3 months, as they want my "bite to settle in" at the back.

I managed to e-mail my dentist, he said it's fine and is not standard to attach to canines as it is difficult to bond on. But if I would feel more comfortable with the canines bonded he can do it next week, hopefully they dont move within a week!

[Jethro]

My canines are not attached to my upper bonded retainer, but they are on the bottom. Given you concern for upper canine relapse, including them with the bonded retainer sounds like a good idea.

All the best.

[gglass]

You should be concerned, If your chief complaint was your cuspids drifted towards your gums there is a high chance for relapse. Letting your bite settle with no retention? They could make you a retainer that wraps around your teeth (wrap-around Hawley) that would allow your bite to settle but still hold everything in place except for the vertical movement of your cuspids. the only reason they couldn't put the fixed retainer to the cuspid is if you would bite on it.