Braces off...teeth shifting

[Cris2u]

I got my braces off about a month and a half ago. My ortho confirmed that I had a large gap before taking the braces off and gave me a Hawley for the top and essix for the bottom with directions to only wear them 12 hours a day. A small gap reappears daily but goes away after wearing the retainer. I inquired about getting a bonded upper but she doesn't offer that at all for upper. Will the gap eventually stay closed or should ask to be referred to another ortho that will apply a bonded retainer?

[Juliebrynn1]

I am not sure why ur ortho does not offer bonded retainers. Thats one good thing that my orthodontist gives to all the patients. That's about the only good thing.

[FlyByNight]

I'm having the exact same problem. My gap in my upper top teeth is very slightly opening up during the day. But when I have my retainers in overnight, I wake up and it's closed. I don't like the idea of my teeth constantly moving but I'm going to see my ortho in a month.

[jem]

Upper bonded retainers are not suitable for everyone. In some cases your bottom front teeth will clash with them; it depends on how deep your bite is. I have an upper bonded retainer and it works well. But I still wear a hawley at night too. I believe that gaps between upper central incisors are particularly prone to re- opening so a bonded retainer is advisable where possible.

If your gap keeps re-opening after wearing your removable retainer for 12 hours, your teeth are obviously not yet stable and you should wear your retainer 24/7 until they are properly stable. That could be a few months or maybe more.

I wonder whether orthos would do a better job by leaving fixed braces in place for a few months after our teeth are straight to enable them to gain some stability before we go into retainers?

Good luck to you both.

Jem

[sandiego88]

Agree with previous poster that not everyone can wear an upper permanent retainer. the first ortho I went to didn't even offer bottom permanent retainers. If I was you, I would wear the top retainer 24/7 for the first six months or so.

[BlondeCam]

Upper bonded retainers are not suitable for everyone. In some cases your bottom front teeth will clash with them; it depends on how deep your bite is. I have an upper bonded retainer and it works well. But I still wear a hawley at night too. I believe that gaps between upper central incisors are particularly prone to re- opening so a bonded retainer is advisable where possible.

If your gap keeps re-opening after wearing your removable retainer for 12 hours, your teeth are obviously not yet stable and you should wear your retainer 24/7 until they are properly stable. That could be a few months or maybe more.

I wonder whether orthos would do a better job by leaving fixed braces in place for a few months after our teeth are straight to enable them to gain some stability before we go into retainers?

Good luck to you both.

Jem

That's something I've thought about too, especially after being in braces for the second time. Like when I get to the end! Just leave these suckers on until the teeth tighten up. Cam