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.
I had some crossbite fixed when i was 12 years old. I needed night time retainer only for 6 months. And the teeth have stayed in their new places. But i guess they are blocked by my bite to their positions.
I was quite suprised to hear that some people have to use them forever...
I'll have to wear retainers for life although I'm not sure how often. I know it'll be 24/7, then nights only. It might be less than that after a while but I don't know for sure. I know that I'll always have to wear them at least some of the time though. It's a small price to pay though; the difference in my teeth and bite has been dramatic, and I wouldn't want to lose that for he world.
Metal upper and lower: 6th Sep. 2005
Quad helix in: 1st Dec. 2005
Quad Helix out: 31st March 2006
Surgery (upper/lower/genio): 11th Nov. 2006
Braces off: 17th March 2007
Under chin liposculpture and fat transplant to cheeks: 20th October 2007
When I first heard that I had to wear a retainer then I was surprised, but now I know that popping a retainer in my mouth a couple nights a week is much better than having bad teeth!
When I first heard that I had to wear a retainer then I was surprised, but now I know that popping a retainer in my mouth a couple nights a week is much better than having bad teeth!
*Raises Hand*
Sentenced to nighttime retainer wear for life, starting tonight.
I'll definitely do it for the first year, and then a few nights a week thereafter.
But for life....yeah, I'm not too sure about that.
I may alternate monthly wear or come up with another schedule that works for me down the line.
Top Ceramic Braces: July 2004 - Self-Eruption of an Impacted Upper Right Canine
Bottom Metal Braces: December 2005 - Crowding
Debanded: December 2006 The story
Unless you want to relapse, you need to wear your retainer. After a year or so, you can probably adjust to only wearing it about 3 nights per week. That's what I do at this point.....a couple of years after my braces came off.
I'm the owner/admin of this site. Had ceramic uppers, metal lowers ~3 years in my early 40's. Now in Hawley retainers at night!
My sister-in-law had braces as a teenager. She is now in her early 30s and still wears her retainers EVERY night. She has truly gorgeous teeth and a fabulous smile. Once I am done with braces I am definitely following her example!
Expander in 8/9/06
Lowers on 11/30/06
Uppers on / Expander gone on 1/31/2007
Class III elastics added 3/14/2007
Expander #2 - 6/27/2007
20-24 months w/ fixed metal braces
My ortho told me I will wear mine "full time" for 1 year, after that I can wear it nights only for a year and then I can wear it about 3 nights a week.
My daugher wears hers 3 nights a week and after 18 months debanded, her teeth are still beautifully straight
I was not advised by my ortho that I would need to wear retainers for the rest of my life yet I have heard it on this forum quite alot. My ortho said 2 years maximum, but I guess the longer you are prepared to wear them then I guess the less chance there is of your teeth slipping back out of place
(Sagging boobs are enough for me - no need for me to have sagging teeth as well!)
I will forever now associate my retainer to my bra!!
But you do make a good point.
Top Ceramic Braces: July 2004 - Self-Eruption of an Impacted Upper Right Canine
Bottom Metal Braces: December 2005 - Crowding
Debanded: December 2006 The story