Molars don't touch :(

[cata]

I got my braces off about 9 months ago. I had a lot of things wrong with my bite- class III (edge to edge), anterior open bite, crossbite... My orthodontist said my results weren't going to be perfect because I was likely a surgical case, but I didn't want to go the surgical route. After 30 months of braces, my bite was nearly perfect. Open bite was close, all teeth aligned properly and touched. 3 months after I got my braces off, the molars on my left side started to not touch. This didn't really bother me, and I was told to call the office if I had any concerns. Now at 9 months, none of my molars touch. I recently may have cracked a molar (darn almonds), and my dentist is concerned that my bite may have contributed (I'm not sure how as my molars don't touch, but what do I know. I'm no professional lol). Of course, this now has me extremely concerned. Has anyone else had this happen and what was done about it and is your bite stable now? By the way, I have an essix retainer for top and bottom that I wear nightly... wonder if it's the cause? I'm mostly venting here... I have an orthodontist appt in a couple days.

[sandiego88]

the plastic retainers have a tendency to intrude your molars, at least from what I've read experienced. I think moving to Hawley retainer where your biting edges touch all the time may improve it although it's weird that only your left side changed.

[cata]

^It's actually both sides now.

[sneed1o1]

the plastic retainers have a tendency to intrude your molars, at least from what I've read experienced. I think moving to Hawley retainer where your biting edges touch all the time may improve it although it's weird that only your left side changed.

Thanks for the affirmation about the essix retainers. I had them my first time around, and a few years down the road, I noticed I had an anterior open bite. I know it was because of tongue thrust, but I'm wondering if a little of it had to do with the retainer. I didn't have the Hawley option, just the plastic and permanent one. My new orthodontist will be giving me the Hawley and plastic, with an additional permanent for the bottom (but I will only be wearing the Hawley out of fear of my bite opening again). Let me know what your orthodontist says regarding the retainer!

[FlyByNight]

I had the exact same problem for months. I was given Essix retainers. My molars touched before braces were taken off. My ortho had to grind some spots down around the canines and my bite got a little better. It became better when I went to nighttime wear.

[cata]

I've been on nighttime wear only since 3 days after getting my braces off. So a little update... my orthodontist cut my upper essix so that my molars are no longer being held, and it has already made a difference in 4 days! They still don't touch, but the spaces are noticeably smaller. I have a followup in 10 weeks. Hopefully, it continues to get better.

[Tyrantblade]

Glad to hear; I started with a bad Anterior Open Bite as well as a crossbite, I'm nearly done with braces and hope I don't have any problems in retention.