Retainer Qs

[LewisS]

So on Monday I finally get my braces off after 2 years. They almost feel a part of me and I feel so nervous about being without them. It's almost like a comfort blanket knowing they are keeping my teeth perfect.

Anyways here's my questions. When I get my braces off I really want to have my teeth filed and whitened. Will having them filed effect the fitting of my retainer? I also have a chipped part of my tooth that may need to be replaced once my teeth are whitened, again, would it still fit?

This is my main worry because if I did all that and they didn't fit, I then risk my teeth moving back, which would be devastating.

[JillD]

Why do you want to file your teeth? Teeth move to settle after braces are removed. My molars moved after the braces were removed. If you could, I would say wait at least for six months before you have your teeth filed.

[LewisS]

Why do you want to file your teeth? Teeth move to settle after braces are removed. My molars moved after the braces were removed. If you could, I would say wait at least for six months before you have your teeth filed.

Because some of them are slightly longer in length and I would like them to filed down to line up with the rest of them. I understand that I should probably wait before having anything like that done, but my question still remains, will my retainer still fit if I were to slightly change the shape of my teeth?

[Jethro]

Hey LewisS, congrats on the upcoming debanding! As for your question, yes, your retainers will still fit whether they are Hawley or Essix style, since only a tiny amount of enamel is removed. Some ortho's perform this service at debanding, while others do not.

You should be able to do the whitening right away as long as you teeth/gums are not sensitive after debanding. For some reason mine were, which I don't think is typical, so I did the whitening 2 weeks later.

Again, congrats on the new smile.

[LewisS]

Hey LewisS, congrats on the upcoming debanding! As for your question, yes, your retainers will still fit whether they are Hawley or Essix style, since only a tiny amount of enamel is removed. Some ortho's perform this service at debanding, while others do not.

You should be able to do the whitening right away as long as you teeth/gums are not sensitive after debanding. For some reason mine were, which I don't think is typical, so I did the whitening 2 weeks later.

Again, congrats on the new smile.

Thank you! Soooooooooooooooo excited. Will post pics in my braces story thread.