Question:
Unhappy with my teeth! Can I get a new retainer?
I am 28 years old and it is now 8 years since I had my braces removed. I wore my retainer at night as instructed by my ortho for about 1 1/2 years, and after that he was a bit vague as to how often I should carry on wearing it so I pretty much stopped wearing it altogether. Gradually over the years my teeth have moved more and more and I am now really unhappy with how they look and REALLY wish I had never stopped wearing my retainer. I have looked into getting clear or invisible braces but just don't think I can afford it and even the clear ceramic braces (which is what I would have to go for, after speaking to my orthodontist) look more noticeable than I would like. I still have my old retainer but from reading previous posts on this site it doesn't sound like it's a good idea to start wearing it again at this stage! I am wondering if there is a cheaper and easier alternative to having to get braces again, such as having a new retainer made? Would this be able to straighten my teeth out? Would it be effective if I just wore it at night, as I don't think I could put up with having that plastic in my mouth throughout the day (I have to answer phones and speak a lot at work)? Nowadays orthodontists use fixed retainers after the braces have come off and advise you to keep wearing your retainer for ever - I am SO annoyed this wasn't the case when I had my braces off :(
Answers:
Yeah, been in your position before, so i'll first echo what you already know, after teeth have moved wearing your retainer isn't going to give a miracle fix, more likely you'll struggle to get it in place, and it may cause gum and teeth bleeding and discomfort (in my experience, anyway) I'm the same as you, when I got my braces out I was told to wear the retainer constantly for about 6 months after, and then after that i was told to just use it once or twice a week, and my teeth moved, and back then they didn't offer what they do now where they put braces behind the teeth to hold them in place after your regular braces come off.
In all honesty I can't see getting another mould made for a new retainer will make a difference, because your teeth have moved it'll be a mould of teeth that aren't straight and already in that position, so all it would achieve would be to stop your teeth moving any further.
I see people in their 40's with braces, nowadays. I'd set up an appointment and see what is said.