This is the place to post general questions and comments about all areas of orthodontic treatment. Before you post a question, use the forum's SEARCH tool to see if your question has already been answered!
New Members: YOU MUST MAKE A POST WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REGISTERING OR YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED. In other words, don't sign up unless you plan to actively participate in the message board immediately. This is necessary to keep out spammers and lurkers with bad intentions. Of course, you can read most forums on the board without registering.
DO NOT POST FULL-FACE PHOTOS or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.
Got my braces off over 15 months ago and initially wore my retainer religiously! Then had a baby 10 months ago and due to night waking and becoming a 1st time Mum the wearing of my retainer went out the window, it wasn't my priority at the time! Anyway.... I noticed a small gap occurring a few months ago and I tried my retainer over night, it hurt badly but the gap closed but then opened again during the day. Due to the pain which is allot like having braces again I haven't tried wearing the retainer again until tonight, it's a tight squeeze but still fits oh and it's painful and my gums are sore!!!
So......
If I wear the retainer religiously day and night for a month then wear at night every night there on after will this close the gap and stop it from re opening?
Anyone else been in this situation of not wearing retainers and then starting to wear them again?
Does the pain go away?
Do your teeth go back to the correct position?
Make an early appointment with your ortho! They will have heard this story many times and shouldn't be judgemental- it is extra business for them.
They will be able to advise better than anyone here whether forcing your retainer on might damage your teeth because they have moved too far. If they have moved too far, your ortho will probably be able to get them back in place easily enough with a few clear aligners.
Alternatively, if your teeth are not too bad, you could choose to accept them as they are and get a new retainer to stop them moving further. You might also explore the possibility of getting a bonded retainer.
Your ortho will advise how long you will need to wear a retainer in future, but after your teeth have stabilised you should think about wearing your retainer every night indefinitely.
Good luck,
Jem
Sectional brace with Damon clear brackets fitted to front 6 upper teeth 3 January 2012
Brackets added to premolars 2 April 2012
Estimated treatment time originally 6-9 months. Brace removed on 22 July 2013 after 18 months and 19 days
Now enjoying bonded upper retainer plus part time essix/hawley( I have both)
