Gaps from molar bands? Did they close up?

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#1 Post by **almost50** » Mon May 24, 2010 10:23 am

My braces might be removed in a few weeks.

If you had molar bands (in my case I have 6 of them, 2 on top and 4 on the bottom) did the gaps close up after the braces were removed.

I asked my ortho about this. He said they usually close up on their own. Sometimes they don't but it doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Just curious to hear opinions from those that have been debraced.

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Wed May 26, 2010 9:12 am

I haven't been de-braced yet, but am soon to be. My orthodontist was just talking to me today about closing the gaps between molar bands. I have bands on all my molars. She said that what she is going to do at my next appointment is remove the bands on all of my first molars and then powerchain my whole arch to my last molars which will close most of the space created by the bands. I think the retainer will do the rest when the other band is removed.

#3 Post by **smiledoc** » Wed May 26, 2010 6:28 pm

Good question!!!!

The spaces may remain after your braces are removed and retainers placed.

If they do then your doctor should/will close them post-treatment.

This in a nutshell is one the best things about bonding brackets instead of bands to all molars, sweet!!!!!

#4 Post by **almost50** » Thu May 27, 2010 6:37 am

Thanks for the replies.

From what my ortho told me I don't get the sense he's going to do anything to close up the space. He said most people aren't bothered by the space if it doesn't just close up on it's own.

If the braces are off and the space doesn't close up, can anything be done? Are there any issues if it doesn't close up that I should know about? Am I worrying for nothing? I don't want to find out 5 years from now that I should have done something.

#5 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu May 27, 2010 7:24 am

It sounds like this bothers you enough to warrant bringing it up to your orthodontist and maybe even insisting he address it. Maybe he can tweak your retainer to close that gap. Even if the gap remains, I don't think it will cause you any problems b/c it's going to be pretty darn small.

#6 Post by **smiledoc** » Thu May 27, 2010 9:21 pm

Food impaction is the main problem/complaint from unclosed small spaces in the posterior post ortho. Have a great weekend!

#7 Post by **wearetheborg** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:35 am

Mine did not close the gaps (and they still remain). I had not thought of this problem when I was debanded; else I would have brought it up.
Food getting stuck is the main problem, but it hasnt bothered me too much. Since the space is moderate, it sometimes works in my favor (I think) in cleaning --- small nasty food particles cannot get stuck, only big veggie/meat pieces get stuck, and they are easy to remove.