Metal Mouth Message Board

Hey all,

Hoping somebody can offer some advice on this.

I had 2 upper bicuspid extractions prior to getting my braces. I got the braces taken off last Wednesday (the 12th) & had permanent retainers fitted onto my front 6 teeth, top & bottom. I was then told to come back in 2 weeks to get my removable retainer impressions done, to allow my back teeth to 'settle' into a more natural & comfortable bite.

Less than 24 hrs after de-bonding I noticed where I had my extractions a tiny little gap had appeared again. It wasn't visible from the outside but I could feel no contact between the teeth while flossing. Fast forward to now, a few days later, and there is now a visible gap between the teeth. Not much, but it's there.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Was it fixed with removable retainers? I don't know at this point how a removable retainer would close the gaps, especially if the impressions are done AFTER they have appeared.

I emailed the ortho the day I first noticed the space and he said a 'slight' easing apart is normal and to be expected, and should reverse itself, but they will check them when I go back. At this point, 2 weeks feels like a long time to wait to have it checked.

I think it is normal to have some gaps appear. Your teeth were held together by a wire so of course they had a tighter fit...once the wires are removed, the teeth will relax a bit. I wouldn't stress out over it. You'd be amazed at what retainers can do. I think we see a tiny gap and feel like it is the size of the Grand Canyon. Also, as the day goes on, your teeth relax quite a bit. Try looking at your teeth in the morning and then compare at night and you may see a huge difference.

Its interesting that they didn't take impressions right after your brackets came off...when your teeth were 'perfect'. I had two impressions done when my brackets came off: one for research models, one for removable retainers. I picked up my upper Essix retainer later that day and had my lower bonded retainer installed. Then went for another impression for a lower removable retainer. I got my first lower retainer a week later, then went in 4 weeks after that to have photos done and another impression for a lower Hawley.