Braces off with a few gaps?

[palht]

Hi all, after a BSSO to have my lower jaw set back and another year post-op with my orthodontic treatment, I probably have my braces off this Thursday. But, although my teeth seem to be perfect (the arches, the position and everything), there are still sth bugging my mind: the gaps! I have one 2mm gap between my upper right canine and premolar, and another 1mm gap between my lower left canine and premolar.

So, my question is, is there anything post-braces that can help close the gaps, like a specific type of retainer (Hawley, Essix, permanent...)? If not, are there any other ways? Will the gaps affect my chewing, biting and talking at all? Will this make relapse of teeth easier?

Really hope to get your responses. And, btw, I cannot shift my debrace day further, because I'd soon need to go abroad for a long period of time!

[Sunny]

Palht you need to talk to your ortho to find out why these gaps haven't been closed. It might not be possible, for example do those teeth contact somewhere, but not all the way?

If they can close, it's possible that you can be given a series of aligners to do it, but this would need to be overseen by an ortho, the same as leaving your braces on for another month would need. This doesn't sound like an option for you ... so I guess you have to make the decision.

Having gaps shouldn't affect your chewing, biting and talking ... especially gaps that are so tiny and on the sides. They also shouldn't affect relapse, as you'll be wearing your retainer for life and that's the best way for you to judge that. With gaps, even tiny ones, you do need to be a bit more diligent with cleaning between those teeth, as food can become lodged in there and affect both your teeth and gums. With such small gaps, this may not happen often, but you still will need to check, just to be on the safe side.

Good luck with loving your naked teeth!

[palht]

Thanks, Sunny!

Actually, there shouldn't have been any gaps in my lower jaw at all, but in the last 2 weeks, elastic wear has created that 1mm gap (between the two front teeth). My ortho managed to shift that gap to the side, so it won't be that visible to others.

It's quite sad though, after so much time and effort in braces and even in surgery, what I got in the end are still some gaps, not a perfect set of teeth. The greatest fear, like I told you, is that these gaps can lead to relapse, as teeth have some "room" to move. But guess I have to wear my retainer as frequently as possible.

And I'll bring this up during my appointment this Thurs (which is tomorrow) and let you know if I got my braces off or not.

Thanks again.

[palht]

I got my braces off for 4 days now. My teeth are fab!!!!!!!!!!! But the thing is that, I noticed some movement. But I won't get my retainer in 4 days. I'm so worried that my teeth would go to their state pre-braces. Any advice on slowing the relapse?

[coconut]

I got my braces off for 4 days now. My teeth are fab!!!!!!!!!!! But the thing is that, I noticed some movement. But I won't get my retainer in 4 days. I'm so worried that my teeth would go to their state pre-braces. Any advice on slowing the relapse?

Don't worry about it. If I understand you correctly, your retainers are only 4 days away. That being the case, they will correct anything that has happened in the last 4 days.

[Sunny]

I second what coconut has written!

If your retainers were made at the time your braces were removed, any slight movement wil be corrected with your retainers!

Good luck!

[palht]

I got my retainers today; they're a pair of Hawleys. My ortho told me to wear them 24/7, except when I eat, but did not say how long. So, on average, how long do people usually wear their retainers 24/7? 6 months? or 3 months?

[Sunny]

You need to give your ortho a call to find out what he thinks. We have some patients who need 12 months before there teeth are stable enough to go to nights only. Mostly it's around six months, but this is often decided at the followup checks ... as the teeth need to be stable in the new jaw bone that's formed around them.

Fantastic that you're now with life time retainer wear and can soon look forward to night wear only!