Hey, I am new here and i found this board and thought I would ask this question..

I have had a fixed retainer since I was 17 years old, I am 33 years now so about 16 years. Just recently (last couple days).. one of the teeth it was cemented too has come off. It's still cemented to the other 5 teeth, but not this one. My question is, is this something that is ok for awhile or should I get it fixed ASAP? I am leaving for vacation in a few days, and usually my Orthodontist is pretty busy, so would waiting a month or so really do me any harm? Like i said, it's still attached to all the other teeth but the one. I have thought about actually having it removed, after 16 years is it still necissary to have it?

Thanks

Hi Greg,

I had the same thing happen to me. A small part of the retainer came away from one of the teeth. It shouldn't be a problem for a month or so, so long as it is not bothering you too much. It is unlikely to come off the rest of the teeth in this time. You could ask to have it completely removed, I did in the end as it was bothering me too much. The problem is that your teeth may start to move when the retainer is taken off. I now use a chrome cobalt alloy retainer at night that should last me forever.

Cheers