Can an orthodontic retainer stop working?!
Question: After I got my braces off (about 10 yrs. ago), I was given a retainer for my top teeth that I'm supposed to wear at night (one of those pink ones with the wire over your teeth). I had an overbite b4 braces, but the braces fixed it. I've been wearing the retainer nightly religiously, but lately, I've noticed my top teeth starting to move forward. It almost looks like I'm getting an overbite again. Why is this happening? I starteed wearing my retainer more often, sometimes during the day, but it doesn't seem to be helping. My teeth are still more forward than usual. I Never had a bad overbit before, but it's noticealbe to me. What could be going on? Could I need a new retainer?
Answers: After I got my braces off (about 10 yrs. ago), I was given a retainer for my top teeth that I'm supposed to wear at night (one of those pink ones with the wire over your teeth). I had an overbite b4 braces, but the braces fixed it. I've been wearing the retainer nightly religiously, but lately, I've noticed my top teeth starting to move forward. It almost looks like I'm getting an overbite again. Why is this happening? I starteed wearing my retainer more often, sometimes during the day, but it doesn't seem to be helping. My teeth are still more forward than usual. I Never had a bad overbit before, but it's noticealbe to me. What could be going on? Could I need a new retainer?
what's happened is that the wire has gotten fatigued and worn out. Try bending a paperclip. then bend it again. and over and over. eventually, it's not as flexible and eventually it will snap. this is happening w/ your retainer, only in slow motion.
Teeth always want to move back to where they were, so before it's too late, get to your dentist w/ that old retainer. they MAY be able to bend it w/ some wire pliers a bit and fix it, but it may be necessary to get a whole new one (i can't say w/o seeing it in your mouth!)
it may cost $100 or even 350 or so, but tha'ts a small price to pay to protect the 3-5000 dollar investment (plus the 1-3 years of TIME!) that you put into braces. Or your parents. :)
good luck, and email if you have more questions!
Dr Swanson has advised you to get your retainer checked because the wire on the Hawley has probably loosened with time. You should always make sure that your retainer is fitting properly; if it is not touching the front teeth or flops out easily, it is not doing the job. However, you say that you got your braces off 10 years ago. Even though teeth can always shift, it is usually the bottom teeth that will crowd. If you had braces at about 12, then you would now be at an age where wisdom teeth can cause pressure and cause the teeth to shift, even with a retainer. You should check that out too, if you haven't had them extracted. Unfortunately, even after they are removed, the teeth won't straighten back up on their own.