Nelly Bezimyansky, DDS

Dear greythounds, As for the veteran benefits, I heard they can vary, you just need to see a dentist of your choice and they will check for you.  there are dental insurances that cover implants, you would have some co-payments.  As an individual getting insurance, it's harder to find the coverage for dental implants, if it's from an employer based insurance, the coverage is usually better.  Hope this helps.

It's difficult to answer your question without evaluating the bite your full face and the bottom teeth.  Looks like you are missing 2 lateral incisors.  Depending on the factors above to make the best cosmetic option, orthodontics or invisalign can fix it, you may be able to get 2 implants to replace these teeth.  Alternatively, you may be able to get crowns, bridges and veneers to make your teeth look perfect.  Once you see a qualified cosmetic dentist, you will be able to pick the best option for you.  There is always financing options available.  Also if you get dental insurance, sometimes orthodontics or crowns/bridges may be covered depending on the benefits.

I would recommend you  discuss this with your doctor, but in my experience the distance that teeth needing to be shifted by elastics could be different from one side to the other. This means that one rubber band feels tighter than the other.  There usually 2 sizes of elastics, if you are using the longer ones, then maybe worth switching to the tighter elastics on the left, and stay with same size on the right.  If these are  the smallest elastics, then don't worry, it's probably programmed that way and still moving as long as your trays are fitting good (tracking),  and you are wearing your trays and elastics 22 hrs /day.  Your doctor will check for you and confirm with ClinCheck movie simulation of your treatment.

Most whitening products cause sensitivity, and Zoom is one of the most sensitive due to it's dehydrating effect of it's powerful lamp.  So this depends how badly you want your teeth whiter.  Recessions are not so much a issue as in office whitening, most products will use gum covering gel that could cover recessed areas.  They will be not part of whitening.  You could ask your doctor to desensitize your teeth prior to whitening - by fluoride varnish, or prescription sensitivity toothpaste.  After your teeth are no longer sensitive, then do the whitening. Opt for a smaller percentage whitening gel to be more gentle to your teeth, and whitening with different lights or without a light.  Laser whitening is very effective also - it's only 20 minutes, and due to shorter contact with teeth - less sensitivity, but results are very powerful.   and if sensitive after, be prepared to take some Advil. 

Your best bet is to discuss it with the doctor that did your treatment.  If the retainer is able to move teeth back, the retainer is till doing the job, and the treatment looks like it went fine.  The prior gap tend to want to reopen after orthodontics, kind of like a spring. Check you habits if you are pushing the tongue against your teeth.  The other most likely options that you have thick fibers between the teeth and the tissue is too thick for no gap, it also could be that muscle that moved your upper lip  (called frenum) attaches between these teeth and when you talk  or lough  pulls your teeth forward making the gap open.  The best solution for those is to cut the fibers and frenum with laser (best) or scalpel.  It will not make it worse cosmetically, but will stop that movement.  then wear your retainer for a few weeks  - if you can during the day also to get things more stable.  If that does not work alone, you can add bonded retainer - which is  a wire that holds the teeth on the toungue side and prevents movement.