Retainer to correct bite?

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#1 Post by **Brooke** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:27 pm

I am just wondering if its possible to correct minor bite problems with retainers? I had braces and now have a hawley retainer and i wanted to know just in case my bite does reopen, what my options are. I know that retainers can help straigten slightly crooked teeth but what about bites? How do retainers help keep your bite in place?

#2 Post by **hannah164** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:27 pm

Brooke,

My ortho was unable to completely correct my bite using braces alone, so he made me a special lower Hawley retainer to help fix my bite. My bottom teeth are slanted inwards because he had two teeth extracted!

I'm not exactly sure if your retainer could fix an open bite but I know it keeps your bite in place and can correct slight imperfections with your bite.

~hAnnah

Top Braces: April 28, 2004
Bottom braces: November 16, 2005
Retainers: November 8, 2006

#3 Post by **Attagirl2** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:29 am

Hi Brooke. My orhtodontist put me in a bite positoner to finalize my bite. I notice if I go without wearing it for a few days my very back teeth don't seem to meet. I think it is because they are starting to slant back to there original positons. So, if this is the case an upper and lower Hawley could well work. I don't happen to have a lower Hawley, just a permanent wire acorss the bottom front teeth, so the need to wear the postioner for a short time (every other day, now). My two cents, here...