Should have been better about my retainer...

[Asharia]

I got my braces off when I was 16, wore my retainer for a year all of the time, and then wore it at night for 10 years. I started wearing it less and less often, finally stopping all together a year ago. Now the gap between my front teeth (the reason I got braces originally) is spreading. Obviously I should have kept wearing it 3 nights a week like my orthodontist told me, but I had recurring nightmares about going to work with my retainer in (hah).

What are my options at this point? Can I go back to my orthodontist and have him re-fit my old retainer? Could I have the gap closed with a retainer or do I need to go through this all again? Ugh!

Thanks!
Katie

[Sunny]

Hi Katie, you message is a great reminder to all of us, that if we want our teeth to remain in the places they're moved to, then there will be some kind of retainer wear required for life!

I recommend you make an appointment to see your orthodontist to discuss your options. Hopefully the gap can be sorted without the need for having braces again. Good luck!

[Zoso]

Definitely head in to see your ortho as that's the only way you are going to get a real answer. If you're lucky, this can be addressed with retainers, but it may be necessary to go back into braces. If braces are necessar, again you may be lucky enough only to need partial braces, perhaps just on the front teeth. You could also ask, should braces be deemed necessary, whether this might be a case suited to Invisalign, or even (if the amount of work needed is minimal) Invisalign Express, which is a specially priced Invisalign option, for when the entire treatment can be completed in 10 (or fewer) trays.

Best wishes, and do let us know how it works out.

[Stephanie]

unfortunately I didnt realize the importance of retainers until it was too late and I had to get rebraced. However, now I have 2 sets of retainers, just in case I lose a pair and I go back to the ortho once a year to check them out...

I plan on wearing them at night for many years to come..

Maybe your old ortho has your molds on file still and can work new retainers in...