20 years later

[Clare Ann]

Hi, I had braces 20 years ago. My two front teeth sat over my lower lip. Until almost a month ago I had had no problems with teeth. However I now feel that my teeth are moving and they are starting to protrude again. I spoke with my dentist and he seemed to shrug it off. My mum said teeth move all the time and to stop being silly. I am terrified that at 35 years old, my teeth are going to return to the position they were in 20years ago. Is this possible and if so are braces once again the answer?

[Phantom Muse]

Clare Ann,

Are you wearing retainers? There are many members of this forum who are going through re-treatment because after having braces as teenagers, we did not wear our retainers properly. My teeth were fine after my initial braces as a teenager, but around 15 years ago, they started to shift, and then 5 or so years ago, they really shifted. I was not wearing retainers at any point during that time.

Fortunately, I only needed 6 months with Invisalign to fix the issues, but it did cost me $5050.00!

Good luck, and don't hesitate to see an orthodontist for a consult as they are probably most qualified to give you the answers you need!

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome Clare Anne!

Your Mum is correct, teeth move for as long as we're alive. As Phantom has written, retainers have to be worn for a minimum of a couple of nights a week for as long as you want your teeth to stay where they should be after orthodontic treatment.

If you want to check if your teeth are right or if there are other options, please make appointment to see a few ortho's.

Good luck!