will retainer help my jaw stay in the same position?

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#1 Post by **melani** » Sun May 30, 2010 3:56 pm

I have only one year left for my ortho treatment, and my ortho is trying to correct my jaw plus my crooked teeth , she did some correction in the jaw by putting elastics, then she puts elastics in different position to correct something else and my jaw is shifted back again, meaning it looks a little to the right , just like before, I wonder if after treatment everything will stay correct way I am so worried.
Will the retainers help to keep my jaw in the right position????

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Mon May 31, 2010 6:49 am

There is a constant tug of war going on during ortho treatment. Since you still have a year left (which is actually a long time) I wouldn't start worrying yet. Everything will come together in the end. (Yes i know sometimes it does not feel that way.) Retainers are meant to retain. So if you wear them as directed, they should keep things pretty stable. You will (usually) continue to see the ortho for retainer checks after your braces are removed. If anything does move, they can address it.

#3 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Mon May 31, 2010 7:58 am

The best retainer is a well set occlusion. Still, retainers are important part of keeping tooth alignment.

To a certain extent, they will help keep the jaws in place, but the determining factor is whether you are still growing (making no assumptions about age here!). If you are still in a stage of growth, or have increased or decreased hormonal levels, it is possible that the size of the jaw will change, leading to a shift.

#4 Post by **melani** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:52 am

Thank you for the replies , I appreciate it. You are right I am worried , because if later they start moving I do not want to get braces again. I want to enjoy my life do not want to wear those braces all my life hate them already.