Should I say something?

Message

#1 Post by **joney** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:32 pm

My daughter's friend who is sixteen had her brace removed last month (she had it for a year) and wasn't given a retainer, she was told she didn't need one!? My daughter (who has a retainer and wears it religiously) met up with her at the weekend and her friend is complaining because a gap has opened up between her front teeth already.

Having seen a lot of second timers here on archwired I am wondering if I should say something to her mum and tell her that they should insist on a retainer or should I keep my big nose out of their business?

I hate the thought of a year's good work and dealing with a brace having to be repeated for this girl.

#2 Post by **Rickysa** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:57 pm

For sure, say something to the mom (or mum I should say

). She certainly needs a retainer.

Dr. S

#3 Post by **ngbraces** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:29 pm

If I were the friend's mother, I would definitely want to know any opinion on my daughter's brace-off, certainly including the retainer issue. It should be a great help to mother and daughter. Yes, do tell them ...

#4 Post by **Zondrae** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:41 pm

absolutely! I can't believe she hasn't got one.

#5 Post by **Pirate Wench** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:01 pm

I am suprised that you have to say something to this mum....you would think she would notice that her daughter's teeth have moved (I am sure the daughter has said something to her). I know if my mom had put braces on my teeth when I was a teenager that she would be watching me to make sure nothing was wrong after they were removed!

Definately say something!!!!! You don't have to sound like you are minding her business for her. I would just say something like, "I am suprised your daughter doesn't have a retainer. I would be worried that her teeth are going to move back to the way they were before because there isn't anything there to hold the position."

Good luck with that conversation!

#6 Post by **thesallymonster** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:21 pm

One of my friends had braces and headgear when we were in middle school to correct her overjet (her two front teeth stuck out). Her first ortho said she would need to be in braces for two years and wear a retainer 24/7 for at least another two years. When she moved to the Midwest for awhile, her new ortho took off the braces after she'd only had them for about a year and a half, and said she didn't need a retainer.

Six years later, one of her front teeth sticks out (like it did before she had braces) and the other doesn't! She ended up with teeth that are more wonky than they were before she had braces! Needless to say, she doesn't trust orthodontics at all anymore (plus my mother likes to use her situation as an example of why braces are not worth it).

You really should mention to your daughter's friend's mom that her daughter should have a retainer. I don't think this mom spent all that money on braces only to have her daughter's teeth messed up again because she had a stupid ortho who thought she didn't need a retainer. I think the idea that one's teeth can stay in place post-braces without a retainer is absolutely ridiculous. You might be able to save this girl some grief down the road.

#7 Post by **Aquagirl910** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:03 pm

wow! No retainer! I would recommend saying something. I mean, paying all that money and then having braces for a second time would be horrible! Good luck!

#8 Post by **joney** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:07 pm

Just to let everyone know that my daughter's friend is getting a retainer now. She has to go to another ortho as her previous ortho still maintains that she doesn't need one but she and her mum, having seen the movement already are going to get a retainer for her. Shame that she'll have to pay for it (her treatment was free on the NHS) but at least she hopefully won't have to go through a second round of braces in the future.

Regards
Joney

#9 Post by **Delag** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:20 pm

I am so glad to hear this! It would be such a shame to waste all of that time. Did you ever say anything to the Mom, or did she come around on her own?

#10 Post by **joney** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:52 pm

Delag, I didn't actually say anything but my daughter informed me tonight about her friend getting the retainer. My daughter had a chat with her as my daughter is very serious about her retainer wear.

Pirate Wench, to be fair to this girl's mum I must say that prior to my brace journey, before I was educated by archwired, if a professional had told me that my daughter didn't need a retainer I would have been none the wiser either. I think it is a great shame what happened to your friend, hopefully all will be well for my daughter's friend.

Regards
Joney