Question about braces/retainer.

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
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So after you get your braces off, your gums get slits in them to regrow the fibers. Then, you must wear a retainer full time for a year, and then at night for the rest of your life. Well, I wore my retainer full time for the year, but then lost it shortly after. It's been a couple of years now, and I really haven't noticed a difference...will my teeth move much? Will they go back to the way they were before braces? Should I get a new retainer? Help,
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
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i wore retainers at night for a few months, now its been years and years and i havent worn one. no real difference, minor movement along the bottom 2 incisiors but really nothing else.
 

BlancoNino

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2005
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Oh, and to elaborate a little bit, my teeth may have moved a tiny bit...but I actually like it! My front teeth moved outward a little bit and it makes me show a little more teeth when I smile... :D
 

EPCrew

Senior member
Jun 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: BlancoNino
So after you get your braces off, your gums get slits in them to regrow the fibers. Then, you must wear a retainer full time for a year, and then at night for the rest of your life. Well, I wore my retainer full time for the year, but then lost it shortly after. It's been a couple of years now, and I really haven't noticed a difference...will my teeth move much? Will they go back to the way they were before braces? Should I get a new retainer? Help,

I never got slits in my gums. Never heard of that before. You should talk to you ortho about whether or not you should get a new retainer. Unless you plan to wear them for the rest of your life, you're teeth will eventually shift anyhow. I stopped wearing mine years ago and they're still ok but I have noticed a slight shift. Still a lot better than when I first got them on.
 
Dec 10, 2005
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I had braces for 5 years. For the first year after having them off, I wore a retainer every moment I wasn't eating. After that year, I wore it only at night. After my wisdoms were removed in 10th grade, I continued to wear my retainer, but within the last year, I stopped wearing it at night and my teeth have remained as straight as ever.
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: BlancoNino
So after you get your braces off, your gums get slits in them to regrow the fibers. Then, you must wear a retainer full time for a year, and then at night for the rest of your life. Well, I wore my retainer full time for the year, but then lost it shortly after. It's been a couple of years now, and I really haven't noticed a difference...will my teeth move much? Will they go back to the way they were before braces? Should I get a new retainer? Help,

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Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
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Originally posted by: Trippin315
Are your wisdom teeth out yet? That can mess up your new smile.

QFT. My bottom teeth are slightly crooked thanks to those damned wisdom teeth.