Achy Teeth in Retainer

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

#16 Post by Chris »

Well, I'm still waiting for the settling to occur. :roll: Meryaten..did the ortho mention how long it would take to "settle" and bring the premolars together post braces?

For me it seems strange that in the morning my teeth come together better and within an hour or so they open up for the rest of the day. Go figure.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

MB Chick
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:09 pm
Location: Manhattan Beach CA

#17 Post by MB Chick »

I didn't have my braces for too long (this time around!), about 10.5 months for tops and 9.5 months for bottom. I got retainers for both in January (earlier than I was expecting) and my Ortho said we'd finish everything up with retainers.

Just had another check-up today and I have to say my retainer check-ups are almost as eventful as with braces. There is always something he is doing and the "settling" process does change things, and seems to play out over (from my understanding) probably about a year.

So, while I know that post-braces we think we should be "done" (and also feel it will be harder to make adjustments!) but for me I definitely have had lots of change, and expect more to come. Just more of the amazing technological advances since I did this 30-odd years ago!

As with everything else in the process, feel free to talk with your Ortho. Your teeth, your money!

Good luck.

Hulah
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:19 am
Location: UK

#18 Post by Hulah »

Hi - This site has been really useful to me over the 15months i have been in braces. I now have clear essix retainers (for the last week) which i was told to wear 24/7 for the first 3 days then evenings and weekends only. I am finding that a few of my teeth (the ones that moved the most with the braces) are really tender and a bit wobbly. Is this normal?? The first day i didn't wear my retainers they were mega tight when i put them back in so am trying to wear them as much as possible. Any advice welcome as I don't have any more appointments scheduled with my Ortho!

Lou

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

#19 Post by Chris »

So, while I know that post-braces we think we should be "done" (and also feel it will be harder to make adjustments!) but for me I definitely have had lots of change, and expect more to come. .
Boy isn't that the truth! I can't believe I still have achy teeth being out of braces for 10 weeks now. I think that the lower hawley puts pressure on my lower teeth when I talk and my tongue hits up against the acrylic because some of those teeth ache very badly intermittantly...especially after I've done alot of talking. :roll: I wonder if the essix would be better.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

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

#20 Post by Chris »

I am finding that a few of my teeth (the ones that moved the most with the braces) are really tender and a bit wobbly. Is this normal?? The first day i didn't wear my retainers they were mega tight when i put them back in so am trying to wear them as much as possible. Any advice welcome as I don't have any more appointments scheduled with my Ortho!
Don't you have retainer check appts?

As for the tenderness (from my posts you can see its normal for me), as for the wobbling..perhaps the ligament surrounding your tooth is still stabilizing. Thats the reason for the retainers too, to stabilize not just the tooth but the surrounding bone and ligaments my ortho said.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

Hulah
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:19 am
Location: UK

#21 Post by Hulah »

I'm not sure if it is UK thing but my regular appointments with my Ortho ended when i had my fixed braces removed. I'm sure i could go back if i needed to but will probably cost!

I'm just trying to wear my retainers as much as i can until they settle down a bit and that seems to be working. Is reassuring to hear that it is not uncommon though.

Thanks.

Lou

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jennielee81
Posts: 2144
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:31 pm
Location: The Old Line State

#22 Post by jennielee81 »

My upper front 2 teeth are still a little tender and I've not been able to bit into anything as hard as a Hershey's bar. It's been 2 1/2 months now.

As for my lowers, they are in a "bio-form" retainer...much like an essex as far as I can tell, my ortho's tweeked it to straighten a few bottom teeth and when I take it out in the morning to eat, my teeth are PRISTINE! Then after eating, and brushing, they're twisted again :twisted:

I pop it back in and wear it until lunch, take it out for about 30 minutes. Put it back in and then at dinner I take it out again and my teeth have not gotten back to where they were the night before. :roll:

I think there's something between the upper Hawley and that lower bio-form that really fit together nicely. When I'm biting down and keeping my mouth SHUT for 7 hours the teeth settle. They only difference between night and day is that my bite is closed tight all night.

I am a teacher by day, so keeping my mouth shut by day is not an option!

I go back in on the 10th...we will see how that goes.

Maybe I will TRY to keep my mouth shut ALL DAY on the 10th...I will tell my students about my experiment and I'll bet most of them will think it's a fun idea...they'll ask the next day how it went.
"Life is an occasion; RISE TO IT!" --Mr. Magorium
I wore Damon 3's and Opals for 20 months at age 42. Braces off January 2007
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3535 a little more about me here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 961130.htm

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

#23 Post by Chris »

I am a teacher by day, so keeping my mouth shut by day is not an option! Maybe I will TRY to keep my mouth shut ALL DAY on the 10th...I will tell my students about my experiment and I'll bet most of them will think it's a fun idea...they'll ask the next day how it went.
If you could get the students to keep their mouths shut all day that would be even better! How peaceful the day would be! :lol:
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007

User avatar
jennielee81
Posts: 2144
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:31 pm
Location: The Old Line State

#24 Post by jennielee81 »

If you could get the students to keep their mouths shut all day that would be even better! How peaceful the day would be!
OH MY YES!!! :dance:
"Life is an occasion; RISE TO IT!" --Mr. Magorium
I wore Damon 3's and Opals for 20 months at age 42. Braces off January 2007
http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3535 a little more about me here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 961130.htm

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