My teeth are shifting even with retainer wear!!!

[BoSox2008]

I got my braces off a couple months ago. I have been wearing my retainers religiously - essix during the day, hawleys at night. I have not had any problem with tightness, and the retainers still fit perfectly.

I just noticed this today while looking back at my "Debanding" post. Looking at the picture in my post I had an "oh my GOD" moment. I ran to the bathroom and got my camera - I was right, one of my teeth has shifted!!

When I got my braces on, my upper teeth were crowded and my right canine (eye tooth) was wayyy high up, out of line with the rest. It seems to be getting out of line again now, even though my teeth are no longer crowded at the least. This was the main reason I got braces in the first place, and I would be so dissapointed if it moved back. My "retainer check" appt isn't until Oct 1st. I might move it up.

I don't want to freak out, I know some settling is normal, but this is weird and totally scaring me. After going through braces, I don't know if I could have them again. Unfortunately, I don't think any braces alternatives (invisilign, retainers, etc) will work to pull a tooth DOWN. Those, from what I know, primarily move teeth side to side.

Has this happened to anyone else? Did you have to get re-braced? I can't believe I'm breaking my back to wear these retainers, and they aren't even working : (

[Clo]

Hi,

this has happened before. There is always the risk of relapse after the braces
are off. Indeed, a retainer can prevent about all horizontal movements. But is
working not so well for vertical movements.

I remember the story of Fyrelight. She was a very active member some time
ago. She had braces to pull down her canines. It worked well, but after she had
her braces removed, a canine moved up again. Probably not what you want to
hear, but she had braces again for some months. It worked out well and I think
things are going well until now. I found this describing it :

viewtopic.php?t=3948&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://www.ourchurch.com/view/?pageID=164075

A bit the same happened to smile2006 :

viewtopic.php?t=21274&highlight=

BUT, but, not always the braces are installed again. Sometimes they can just
glue some buttons on the teeth and use an elastic to pull it down again. Maybe
that could also be an option for you.

[BoSox2008]

thank you so much for your detailed response!!! I made an appointment with my ortho for next Wednesday - I am going to bring the 2 pictures so he can compare and hopefully agree with me that my teeth have moved.

What is most frustrating to me, is that I was the one who originally asked for permanent bonded retainers!! He told me they were unnecessary and as long as I wore my retainers I would be fine. Turns out - I was right. I hope he can maneuver my teeth without having to brace me again - I'm enjoying the nakedness way too much to go back to braces.

Thanks again - I'll post an update when I get one from the ortho.

[beachrose]

One hour after I had my braces off (June 10), a tooth had shifted, even though I was in my retainer. But that's not the worst of it. About a month after having my braces off, my four front teeth (bottom - I only had bottom braces) became quite loose. The ortho and my dentist said give it time, but yesterday I went to my periodontist and he said there is nothing to be done but implants. He doesn't really think they will tighten up again. Although he said that because I thought my laterals did tighten up a bit, to give it to the first of the year and see if there's any improvement. He doesn't really seem to know why this happened. All the rest of my teeth are tight. Of course, I can't bite anything at all with those teeth, so everything has to be cut in little pieces and put in my mouth. I have worn my retainer, but it was originally extremely tight and I wonder if all the tugging to get it in and out immediately post brace removal might not have been the cause of this.

I am very distraught over this - all the time and discomfort, plus all the money spent, and to now lose four teeth!

If there are any dentists or orthos reading this, I would love to know if you've had any experience with this.

[Tg1theebest]

Completely agree. A second opinion is exactly what'd I get if I found out it was all a waste.

[beachrose]

What a surprise to see a response after five years! To bring you up-to-date - the teeth did tighten up a lot, although not completely. They have shifted more because at my very last ortho appt. she adjusted my retainer (unnecessarily) and it never fit correctly again. She did another adjustment at no charge - still no good, then once again with me paying, but, at that point the retainer was virtually useless. I did try to wear it for awhile, but eventually had to pay for a new one. I got the less expensive plastic one that fits over the teeth. The teeth did not shift terribly, but, enough so I notice, but, not enough that I would do anything about it. My ortho took no responsibility for any of it. I did not fight her because my daughter and granddaughters go to her and she is in my daughter's town. Just not worth it. She did deduct what I paid for the last visit from the price of the retainer. I now wear it two nights a week and everything seems to be holding.