My retainer was bit and chewed a little by my friends dog. Should I purchase a new one? Details below (photos)

Question

My retainer was bit and chewed a little by my friends dog, I soaked it in hot water and was able to get the bumps and bent part out of it, I'm going to the dentist Friday, the retainer fits in my mouth fine now it's just a bit snug(but I kinda expected it to be snug because I went 2 days almost with out it) ,do you think I should purchase a new one?

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

Hi shellbee,My opinion is that you should have the damaged retainer replaced.  It took months of careful treatment and a lot of dedication by you and your dentist to get your teeth to their final position.  Since the retainer is a custom device that is made to keep your teeth precisely in place, you are at risk of teeth drifting out of place or actually getting moved by the new shape of your retainer if you did not get the bumps created by Fido removed properly.  Since you mentioned that it fits snug, that is telling me it was damaged pretty bad and is putting undesirable forces on your teeth.Douglas Jopling, DDSDallas, TX area

Vicki Borowski, DDS · Answer

Dogs love to chew on retainers. It happens all the time. Since you soaked the retainer in hot water it is now deformed. I suggest having a new one made. Don't leave the new one anywhere a dog can get it. This includes sitting on your end table. I can speak from personal experience.

Courtney L. Lavigne, DMD (retired) · Answer

Hi there,It's great that you're going to your dentist on Friday so that you can have your retainer evaluated. Your retainer protects your investment and keeps your teeth from shifting, so if it was bent or moved at all, it's worth investing in a new one. Even if it looks like the bumps are out of it, if it was bent at all, it can move teeth in new positions like an Invisalign tray would. Have your dentist evaluate it on Friday and they can better guide you, but I would be open to a new one.Good luck!

My retainer was bit and chewed a little by my friends dog. Should I purchase a new one? Details below (photos)

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My retainer was bit and chewed a little by my friends dog. Should I purchase a new one? Details below (photos)

Answers (3)

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