† RazorDan Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Well I had braces for a few years and got them taken off few months back. Originally, I wore my retainers when I was supposed to but then I became lazy and stopped for a couple of months. Now my teeth are pretty crooked and I was wondering if I started wearing my retainers again, would they get better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Mute point Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I don't think so. The retainer is supposed to keep them in proper alignment after the braces are done. Not do the job of the braces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Emotional Outlet Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 The retainer might stop them from moving any further, but I don't think they'll help push things back into alignment. I think there are things that look like retainers that can do some voodoo on your palate (palate spreaders??), but, yeah, I think in general retainers don't do the job braces do. Which is a total bummer because braces are super expensive. I want to get my bottom teeth straightened out because it gives me headaches and my jaw hurts from their stupid placement, but the Air Force never bit for that. I also don't like trying to con the system, so that probably played a big part in it, haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Shazi Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 probably not raz, if anything it may make it worse. Dart had to stop wearing his retainer because of his wisdom teeth and now he can't wear it because it gives him a headache. I plan on wearing mine at least until i get my new tooth because the plate itself will have a tooth on it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shima_XIX Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 If they no longer fit, you may want to pay your orthodontist another visit. Teeth tend to shift back into their original positions, which is what the retainers are meant to prevent in the first place. If you've avoided wearing them long enough for your teeth to have gone crooked again, you may need a re-treatment, but you can't know for sure unless you get a check up done. Sometimes, minor corrections can be done by simply using a fixed retainer for an extended period, so you may not need braces all over again. (I'm a dentist, by the way). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† RazorDan Posted February 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 hmm thanks for the help guys, expected as much. Thing is though, the retainers still fit in my mouth, just cause a lot of pain. this a good sign? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shima_XIX Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I wouldn't advise wearing them if they hurt. They could injure the gums or teeth that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† RazorDan Posted February 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 thanks for the help! the retainers do move my teeth back into position though. What would happen if I just stop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† poetictragedy Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I'm in a similar predicament. I had my wisdom teeth removed after getting my braces off, and at that point, stopped wearing my retainer. Putting it back in is excrutiating. My teeth haven't moved that much, so I'm just dealing with less-than-perfect teeth now. But I agree with Shima; if you feel like they're getting bad again, have it checked out. Maybe the orthodontist can correct it with Invisalign or something, instead of going back to full braces. It's probably better to get it checked sooner rather than later in that case. So many of us fall into this trap, haha. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Shazi Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I'm in a similar predicament. I had my wisdom teeth removed after getting my braces off, and at that point, stopped wearing my retainer. Putting it back in is excrutiating. My teeth haven't moved that much, so I'm just dealing with less-than-perfect teeth now. But I agree with Shima; if you feel like they're getting bad again, have it checked out. Maybe the orthodontist can correct it with Invisalign or something, instead of going back to full braces. It's probably better to get it checked sooner rather than later in that case.So many of us fall into this trap, haha. I am so glad my wisdom teeth were removed before they even thought about coming out. that being said, i won't have an excuse to not wear my retainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Emotional Outlet Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I got my wisdom teeth out about a month after I started at DLI. It was also when I got fitted for a mouth guard because I grind my teeth like crazy, haha. The military likes to remove everyone's wisdom teeth, so I'm pretty sure they're doing some kind of lunatic genetic experiment with them or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
† Mute point Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 They are gonna use them as Shrapnel in a bomb like Gormogon did on Bones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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