Gap opening after debonding

If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.

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nahky
Posts: 548
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:43 am
Location: Australia, , braced on 8 MAR '05 - Debraced: 28th FEB '07

Gap opening after debonding

#1 Post by nahky »

I've been wearing my retainers. Yet a gap has opened between my two front teeth. I'm quite sad about this.

Pre-braces, it was the only gap i had. Pre-braces, the two front teeth flared out and and apart from each other. One week after debracing, i see a parellel gap between the front teeth. Not noticeable really. But i see it. Its .5 of a millimtre

I used to floss when i ahd braces and it would be tight. Now when i floss, its really loose and theres no friction.

Anyone else had this problem?

I will make an appointment next week to talk to the ortho. I hope it can still be fixed...

As for the retainers, im reading all these posts... i dont even know what brand my retainers are.... i ahvent found them comfortable at all. As much as i practice, i still slightly lisp, especially after i take them off to eat. My tongue has no where to rest. They are bulkier than the braces.

Bonded retainers behind the teeth woulda been ncie if those still existed.

Ok, thats my rant.... Im still very happy with my naked teeth... but dont wanna be worrying it moving after i paid a great deal of money and invested so muhc time into it.
Nahhs, Jaw Surgery 'n all<
Progress Pictures on Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 Debracing/Teeth Whitening Pictures on Pg 16

Lower JAW Surgery: May 2006 Debraced: March 2007

victory1
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:52 pm

#2 Post by victory1 »

I start with a huge gap on the top front 2 teeth; so when my braces where removed, my ortho put a bonded retainer on the upper 4 front teeth. I still have to wear another retainer top and bottom.

nahky
Posts: 548
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:43 am
Location: Australia, , braced on 8 MAR '05 - Debraced: 28th FEB '07

#3 Post by nahky »

Thankyou for replying victory.

This bonded retainer, what does it look like, is it behind the teeth?
Nahhs, Jaw Surgery 'n all<
Progress Pictures on Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 Debracing/Teeth Whitening Pictures on Pg 16

Lower JAW Surgery: May 2006 Debraced: March 2007

mtbrncofn
Posts: 1040
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 9:39 pm
Location: Bigfork, MT

#4 Post by mtbrncofn »

I had it happen after time too and having a different bonded retainer put on. To make a very long story short, it all went to crap and I had my braces put back on for what I thought was only going to be a couple of months. I'm now 4 months in and I swear, they look worse now.

I just want them back like they were when I was first debanded and my ortho can't seem to get that through his head. :evil: This is a long, drawn out process that doesn't seem to be working in my favor.

I hope you have better results, nahky.
Full upper and lower metal braces put on May 12, 2005.

Braces free as of April 18, 2006!

Temporarily rebraced Nov. 21, 2006. ( I think I've moved past temporary. )

Brace free again - July 26, 2007.

embraced3
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:10 pm
Location: NJ, USA

#5 Post by embraced3 »

when i had my braces taken off and got my hawley for the top, my ortho told me there was a possibility a small gap might open up between my two front teeth (even though there never had been, before or during my braces!). i guess sometimes that just happens with certain cases? but i'm surprised your ortho didn't mention that possibility.

i had asked what would happen if a gap did open up, and he told me that i would come in for an appt and he would bracket the top 2 teeth only and use something like a powerchain to close it and then remove the brackets so that i would only have to have them on during the visit. i guess then he would maybe put on a bonded retainer on my uppers to prevent it from happening again (though he didn't mention that to me...i only assume this because i already have a bonded retainer on my bottom teeth). i was surprised that a gap could close that quickly during just one visit at the office, but anyway, i have been lucky enough that a gap hasn't formed.

let us know what happens at your appt and what your ortho suggests about fixing that gap! good luck.

victory1
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 6:52 pm

#6 Post by victory1 »

nahky wrote:Thankyou for replying victory.

This bonded retainer, what does it look like, is it behind the teeth?
It's just a thin wire on the back of the 4 front teeth. I still wore Hawley's retainers 24/7 for 3 months and now I'm on night time wear with the Hawleys.

JayC
Posts: 201
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:54 pm
Location: Vancouver Canada

#7 Post by JayC »

when i get debraced im gonna be getting bonded retainers for both top and bottom and im damn glad for that.. i hate the thought of having to take off retainers before eating and having the wire be seen from the retainers...

nahky
Posts: 548
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:43 am
Location: Australia, , braced on 8 MAR '05 - Debraced: 28th FEB '07

#8 Post by nahky »

Thanks for replying everyone

Thanks for the info embraced3, i don't feel overly paranoid now, I'll make an appointment today. haven't had time in the last week.

thanks for the info victory, maybe i could get something similar

sounds like you did it tough mtbrncofn, hope it all works out in the end.

Jason
Nahhs, Jaw Surgery 'n all<
Progress Pictures on Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 Debracing/Teeth Whitening Pictures on Pg 16

Lower JAW Surgery: May 2006 Debraced: March 2007

nahky
Posts: 548
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:43 am
Location: Australia, , braced on 8 MAR '05 - Debraced: 28th FEB '07

#9 Post by nahky »

Went to the ortho, he hadjusted my retainer no problem. They are much tighter now and more comfortable (i said comfortable and retainer in the same sentence????)

The gap closed instantly. Its much tighter than ever now, and im very happy about it. Shoudlnt have worried about it.
Nahhs, Jaw Surgery 'n all<
Progress Pictures on Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 Debracing/Teeth Whitening Pictures on Pg 16

Lower JAW Surgery: May 2006 Debraced: March 2007

heather0289
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:38 pm

uhhohs

#10 Post by heather0289 »

I've had my braces off since December and have worn my retainers religiously. I had to have two teeth bonded (teeth next to my two front teeth), and after that happened my upper retainer didnt fit, the orthodontist anticipated this but regardless couldnt schedule me for a new retainer for about a week and a half later. I have a bar on the back two teeth and its not doing much. My upper retainer is just acrylic.

My upper two teeth actually hurt (even with the retainer in! i know they're moving!)


I'm actually quite nervous to go to the orthodontist at this point. i do NOt want braces on again. i blame them for this, making me go nearly two weeks without retainers. boo :(

mtbrncofn
Posts: 1040
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 9:39 pm
Location: Bigfork, MT

#11 Post by mtbrncofn »

nahky wrote:Went to the ortho, he hadjusted my retainer no problem. They are much tighter now and more comfortable (i said comfortable and retainer in the same sentence????)

The gap closed instantly. Its much tighter than ever now, and im very happy about it. Shoudlnt have worried about it.
So you must have a Hawley? I have Essix, so I guess that's why that wouldn't work for me?

I am rather sick of this rebracing period, I must say.

Glad to hear it was so easily fixed for you!
Full upper and lower metal braces put on May 12, 2005.

Braces free as of April 18, 2006!

Temporarily rebraced Nov. 21, 2006. ( I think I've moved past temporary. )

Brace free again - July 26, 2007.

Chris
Posts: 2326
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:18 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: uhhohs

#12 Post by Chris »

My upper two teeth actually hurt (even with the retainer in! i know they're moving!) :(
Funny how I thought all my teeth aching would quit after debanding...I still have aching in some teeth on and off with my retainer.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

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