Do retainers move teeth?

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#1 Post by **Sweet Escape** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:28 am

One of my tooth was a little pushed back and they said the retainer will help move it?
It's the clear mouth guard type retainer - top and bottom.

Also, I haven't been wearing as often as I should. Prob 18 hours a day. It's only been a month since braces came off. If I wear it consistently now, will it ensure my teeth are back in the same way as the day the braces came off or has the damage been done irreversibly'?

#2 Post by **Thathrill** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:07 pm

I don't think retainers are designed to change or move teeth positions. Its job is to keep or retain the bite you had when your braces came off. I have the same type of retainers

#3 Post by **FuzzyPants** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:58 pm

It may help the tooth move back if your essix retainer is made of a thicker, less flexible material.

I do know that Hawley retainers can be adjusted to move teeth when small adjustments are needed.

#4 Post by **ckrobyn** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:19 pm

I have to respond to this question, because from experience Essix retainers CAN move teeth.

I have been wearing my top Essix 24/7 (except to eat) for the past 7 days. I went to my Ortho a week ago because a piece of the bonding had come off my upper bonded retainer and my lateral incisor had moved slightly and there was space between it and the next tooth and I was freaking out! My ortho said I must wear the Essix all the time, and it would in fact move my tooth back into position. I got my braces off in February, so they haven't totally settled - my tooth was back in it's perfect position within 12 hours of wearing the Essix and I am thrilled with the results.

My ortho said Essix retainers are the same as invisalign braces - and they do move teeth, I am proof.

#5 Post by **lav1** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:02 pm

Just curious ckrobyn, What kind of retainers do you have? Do you have more then one for the top and/or bottom. I am looking into having a bonded for the upper and lower, but I am thinking about asking for a second retainer for the top. Thanks for any help!

#6 Post by **ckrobyn** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:00 pm

lav1 wrote:Just curious ckrobyn, What kind of retainers do you have? Do you have more then one for the top and/or bottom. I am looking into having a bonded for the upper and lower, but I am thinking about asking for a second retainer for the top. Thanks for any help!

I have a bonded retainer on both top and bottom teeth. I have Essix clear retainers as well for the top and bottom teeth. I was told I do not need to wear the Essix retainers unless something were to happen to the bonded retainers - and as my post above states, something did happen and a piece of the bonding popped off!! I would think that all ortho's would give you a back up retainer just in case??? Good Luck!!!!