Discontinued Using Retainer

asked 10 months ago by rumana in hyderabad,india
Latest answer by Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD
Question viewed 364 times
Tags: discontinue, options, retainer

I had an orthodontic treatement 3 yrs back.i used the retainer for a period of just few months and discontinued it.Now i feel there is a change in the position of my teeth from the time of treatment.If i again start wearing retainer will it help me?

5 answers to Discontinued Using Retainer

Moving Crooked Teeth With an Orthodontic Retainer

Orthodontic retainers are best suited to do exactly what their name implies... retain (or hold). While there are some simple tooth movements that can be accomplished with retainers, the changes that would occur after three years would probably be more extensive than could be reversed with removable retainers alone. Your best bet would be to return to your orthodontist with your original retainer and have him (or her) evaluate the retainer and your teeth to see what options exist... more

Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS
Albuquerque Orthodontist

Retainers are very important

I had a patient who I treated with Invisalign. When she finished her treatment she didn't wear retainers at all and within 6 months her tooth position had relapsed almost to the point at which she started. She had to redo her treatment before she could wear retainers again. I'm not saying that will be your situation, but if it has been almost 3 years since you wore your retainer, you will most likely have to see your orthodontist and redo the treatment. Try the... more

Martin Frankel, DDS
Toronto Cosmetic Dentist

Discontinued retainer wear

Even people who NEVER needed braces and where blessed with straight teeth can find their teeth moving as they get older. For this reason we never tell patients that they can discontinue retainer wear! If your retainer still fits (but is tight) just wear it full time till it settles in and you should be fine..then wear it at night. If too much movement has occured you will need a new retainer and possibly some re-treatment

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist

Retainer MAY put teeth back into their original position

You should try to wear the retainer ... you might just be lucky enough that the teeth have not moved very much and perhaps the retainer can correct them. In this case wear it 24 hours per day for several months then just at night forever. However, since you've noticed the teeth moving chances are they've moved too far for the retainer to correct. In this case take the retainer back to your orthodontist and ask about your options: either a... more

Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD
Seattle Cosmetic Dentist

www.smilesatsouthcenter.com

Truth about retainers

SHORT answer: Retainers are needed and should be worn for a lifetime. The first thing I would do it put in that retainer. If it fits with out killing you wear it 24/7. If it kills, don't throw it away. Make an appt with your Ortho. LONG answer: Even those born with perfect teeth, who have not gone through treatment should have retainers. You know the saying, " there is one thing you can count on in life and that is change." That is true of teeth too. If you really think... more

Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD
Chesterfield Orthodontist

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